Spiritual Exploration
It all begins with an idea.
From the Director, Tatum Barnes
Spiritual Exploration Report – June 2026
As summer camp rapidly approaches, I'll keep this month's report brief!
Spiritual Exploration continues to move along smoothly, with attendance and participation remaining consistent. I'm grateful for the enthusiasm our children bring each Sunday, and that kids can feel comfortable in our classroom whether they attend weekly or annually.
I'd also like to express my appreciation that the church has formally recognized and compensated Pluto for their extraordinary contributions to the program. Their maturity, leadership, and willingness to support younger children have made them an indispensable part of our weekly rhythm. Likewise, I'm thrilled that Victoria Lester and Polly Forcier have been able to serve as consistent substitutes, providing continuity and reassurance for both families and volunteers.
If I could make one request moving forward, it would be the consistent use of the term Spiritual Exploration when referring to our program, rather than "childcare" or "Kids Club." The language we use shapes our understanding of my work. Our children are engaged in reflection, storytelling, mindfulness, community-building, and spiritual practice. They are active participants in the life of the congregation, not simply being supervised while worship happens upstairs.
One project on my to-do list for the coming year is an "About Me" Gallery. Each child will create a small poster featuring their photo, name, age, and responses to prompts such as:
I like to...
I would love to be able to...
I collect...
I wonder if adults...
The posters will be displayed during coffee hour, inviting adults to "meet" some of our youngest members and leave notes of encouragement or responses in folders beneath each display. My hope is that children will experience the delight of "getting mail" from caring adults, while those adults have the opportunity to build genuine relationships with the next generation of our congregation. It's a simple way to make our intergenerational values visible and lived.
As always, thank you for your continued support of Spiritual Exploration and the children who remind us each week to approach our faith with curiosity, wonder, and joy.
Tatum Barnes
Spiritual Exploration Report - November 2025
As we move through November, our Spiritual Exploration curriculum has centered around themes of gratitude, community care, and Indigenous perspectives on Thanksgiving. Our discussions and activities have focused on broadening the children’s understanding of thankfulness while honoring the complexity of the season. The mixed-age classroom has continued to rise to the occasion—our older participants helping guide the younger ones through reflection, storytelling, and shared conversations. Looking ahead, I’m beginning preparation for the Christmas Eve service and am excited to help create a moment that feels warm, meaningful, and truly welcoming for our youth and their families.
Although the Board may have already seen much of this in my annual review, I want to briefly restate some of our key strengths and challenges as we look toward the new year:
What’s Working Well
The classroom remains a strong, nurturing environment where children feel genuinely comfortable and even eager to participate.
Our mixed-age format (3–14) continues to be a surprising success, encouraging mentorship and shared learning.
Volunteer support remains steady and invaluable.
Pluto Beirne-Freiman, our oldest participant, continues to play a vital leadership role. Their maturity, insight, and logistical support have become a cornerstone of our weekly rhythm.
Areas for Growth
There is still a structural disconnect between Spiritual Exploration and the wider church operations.
Communication gaps become especially noticeable when I am absent; worship coordinators are sometimes unsure about SE coverage.
Including me in weekly service communications would allow us to resolve these logistical concerns quickly and ensure a more integrated Sunday experience.
A clearer line of communication would allow me to prepare more meaningful and aligned Time for All Ages stories.
Goals Moving Forward
Improve SE’s visibility with more photos, displayed art and projects, and a regularly updated bulletin board.
Increase collaboration across ministries to more fully integrate SE into the life of the church.
Reach out to families to gather input on topics and themes they hope to see in this year’s curriculum.
Spiritual Exploration continues to be a joyful, well-held space within North Chapel. With continued attention to communication and integration, I believe we can strengthen the bridge between our children’s ministry and the wider life of the congregation—creating a more cohesive, intergenerational experience for everyone.
Spiritual Exploration Report – October 2025
As autumn settles in and the days grow shorter, Spiritual Exploration at North Chapel continues to be a place of warmth, curiosity, and connection for our children and families. I’m especially grateful for our strong circle of volunteers—parents and senior members alike—whose steady commitment keeps our Sundays running smoothly and joyfully. Their presence ensures that our young people feel truly seen and supported, week after week.
This month, I want to shine a light on Pluto Beirne-Freiman, our oldest and most mature member of the Spiritual Exploration community. Pluto’s thoughtfulness and insight add so much depth to our classroom conversations, and their practical help behind the scenes has been invaluable. Their quiet leadership and kindness set a wonderful example for younger participants and adults alike.
After two weeks away, I’m glad to be back and looking forward to settling into a steady rhythm as the weather turns colder. I have no further absences planned until mid-January and am excited for what’s ahead. Reverend Leon and I have also been talking about making Time for All Ages a more regular part of our Sunday worship. Sharing stories and reflections across generations not only helps our youngest ones connect with our themes—it also invites the rest of us to see through their eyes for a moment, which is always a gift.
In the words of Fred Rogers:
“Anyone who does anything to help a child in their life is a hero to me.”
Here’s to a season of quiet heroes—volunteers, caregivers, and children alike—who keep our shared spirit alive and growing.
Spiritual Exploration Report – June 2025
Tatum Barnes
1. Attendance & Community
Stable numbers: Our core group of 9–10 children/youth continues to attend regularly, with another 6–8 dropping in periodically.
Welcoming atmosphere: We also had several “one-off” family visits this month. I’m proud that newcomers slip into the classroom rhythm without separation anxiety or drama—a sign that our kids have built a truly hospitable micro-community.
2. Environment & Visibility
New bulletin board: A big thank-you for approving a display space downstairs. I’ll begin filling it with photos, artwork, and banners in July so the wider congregation can see the joy happening each Sunday.
3. Program Highlights
Buddhism focus (May into early June): We introduced the life of the Buddha, basic teachings, and simple meditation. Many children were already comfortable with mindfulness practices and could connect UU principles with this “foreign” wisdom tradition—an encouraging sign of their growing interfaith literacy.
4. Youth-Led Worship—Still Resonating
The April youth service continues to generate enthusiastic conversation. Members keep telling me how inspiring it was to see young musicians, artists, and comedians lead worship.
Next steps: I’m meeting with parents and other stakeholders about deeper youth participation—possibly three intergenerational services a year (plus Christmas Eve) and more visible roles on ordinary Sundays.
5. Looking Ahead
Summer prep: Curriculum brainstorming for fall is underway, and I’m drafting a streamlined volunteer rotation to match our steady attendance.
OWL & parent workshops: Paused for spring, but I aim to restart in Fall with lessons learned from this year’s scheduling challenges.
Thank you for your continued support as we nurture a spiritual home where children feel safe, curious, and fully integrated into congregational life.
Warmly,
Tatum Barnes
Director of Spiritual Exploration
North Chapel Unitarian Universalist Church
April 2025
As we move through spring and toward the end of the church year, I’m feeling truly encouraged by the energy and participation in our Spiritual Exploration program. We continue to grow in numbers and depth.
Attendance and Community: We now have a core group of 9 to 10 children and youth who attend Sunday School regularly, with another 6 to 8 who join more occasionally. I’m very pleased with these numbers and the consistency of engagement. The community that’s forming among the kids—and between kids and adult volunteers—is one of curiosity, care, and shared joy.
Program Updates: Our Parents as Sexuality Educators workshop series is currently on pause, but I’m hopeful we’ll resume in May. This offering continues to be of interest to many caregivers, and I’m excited to keep building out this important piece of our family ministry.
Youth-Led Service: The highlight of this month was undoubtedly the Youth Service. What a success! Kids shared their talents as musicians, artists, and comedians—much to the delight of the entire congregation. It was a big moment for them to stay upstairs and lead in such a visible way, and they rose to the occasion beautifully. The feedback we received was overwhelmingly positive.
It was a joy for me personally to offer a reflection that resonated with folks across the age spectrum. Many adults shared afterward that it felt especially meaningful to witness our young people contributing so authentically to worship.
Given the energy and connection this service created, I strongly recommend we move toward three intergenerational services a year, plus Christmas Eve. These services are fun, powerful, and a natural expression of our values—bringing all generations together in shared spiritual experience.
Looking Ahead: As we wrap up the program/school year, I’m excited to maintain our momentum while preparing for summer and next fall. With our growing group of children, we’ll also be continuing work on strengthening our volunteer systems to ensure sustainability and shared leadership.
Thank you for your continued support of this vibrant and growing ministry.
March 2025
1. Returning to Routine After Winter Disruptions
After a February filled with snowstorms and interruptions, it has been refreshing to get back into a steady rhythm of instruction. The consistency has been beneficial for both the kids and the overall program, allowing us to regain momentum and build on our progress.
2. Classroom Enhancements & Engagement
The addition of new room materials—including wiggle stools, fidgets, and a whiteboard—has made a noticeable impact on the engagement levels of our youth. These tools help accommodate different learning styles, increase participation, and create a more interactive environment for both students and teachers.
3. Steady Growth in Attendance
Our youth program continues to see strong and consistent attendance. It is now rare to have a class with fewer than six children, a positive indication of the program’s growing appeal and importance to families.
4. Preparing for the April 6th Youth Service
Looking ahead, our biggest focus is preparing for the April 6th youth-led service. The goal is to feature contributions from our youth in the form of music, poetry, and other creative expressions. This service will be an opportunity for them to share their voices and talents with the wider congregation. We are encouraging participation and supporting the kids as they develop their ideas.
5. Strengthening Our Community of Families
With these developments, our youth program is in a strong and promising place. The combination of new resources, rising engagement, and meaningful opportunities for youth leadership is helping to deepen connections and create an enriching environment for all.
I look forward to the continued growth of our program and the exciting work ahead!
September 2024
Dear Families, What a joy it has been to serve as the Director of Spiritual Exploration over the last year! I’ve been privileged to build upon the strong foundation of previous teachers at North Chapel, and I’m proud to witness a thriving, authentic community of young people.
A brief introduction for the friends I’ve not yet met: I’m Tatum Barnes - a New Yorker by birth and New Englander by temperament. I live in Pomfret with my wife Taylor and son Rafael, and can often be found bird-watching. skiing, performing improv comedy, and playing dungeons & dragons.
I graduated from Williams College with a bachelor's degree in psychology, and from Teacher's College with a Master's degree in the psychology of education. My master’s program was formally called the Spirituality Mind Body Institute - dedicated to the study of the intersection of science and spirituality - and I focused my research on mindfulness in schools.
I’ve been a life-long youth worker, working as a camp counselor, tutor, mentor, classroom teacher, and meditation facilitator. My full-time work is with the Hartford Parks and Recreation Department, where I run their afterschool programming as well as vacation camps. I affirm a holistic education that honors breath, body, and heart - one that focuses on social justice, social emotional learning, and character development.
SE class with me features a time to check-in, stretch our bodies, focus our minds, and maybe share a story. We skip stones, plant seeds, and play silly games. We welcome all children, young and old, sleepy and rambunctious. If you have questions about Spiritual Exploration, or want to connect further, please don’t hesitate to reach out at Tatumali1030@gmail.com, or 646-675-9232.
I hope to see you soon,
Tatum Barnes
OWL (Our Whole Lives) Grades 4-6 & 7-9
Our Whole Lives (OWL) is an age appropriate sexuality education curriculum that helps participants of all ages make informed and responsible decisions about their sexual health and behavior.
We hope to be offering OWL at North Chapel soon. Stay tuned.