Mission & Principles

Unity of Madison Youth & Family Ministry

Welcome to our Youth Program

Hi, I’m Jessica Riphenburg. I stepped into the Youth Ed teacher position in January of 2023, and it’s been a pure joy to work with these kiddos! 

When considering the position, I was thrilled to discover that Unity’s 5 principles align with my own spiritual, earth based beliefs. I work full time in my private practice as a spiritual healer, ceremonialist, and teacher, where I mostly support adults, so stepping into this teaching role with the kids has been a real treat, privilege and honor.

Our youth group currently ranges from ages 3-8, and of course we love to welcome slightly younger kids, as well as older kids. 

While I embrace Unity’s “Living Curricula” model, my teachings are more flowy and less structured. I’ve found that the kids really thrive when I honor their energy first, then weave practical spiritual nuggets into our time together.

In my classroom, the kids learn through movement, play, experience, ceremonies, conversation, and exploration as opposed to the more traditional model of teaching kids in a classroom setting.

Each week, my lesson plan is based on one of Unity’s 12 powers. We focus a lot on topics of love, including how we show love for others, the environment, and animals, as well as how we show ourselves love. Under the umbrella of love, we also share in practices for cultivating high self esteem, and ways to be in our power.

We also do a lot with imagination by embodying our power animals, as well as building and crafting things with upcycled single use items.

Additionally, we weave in a lot of gratitude centered lessons, and often tap into our energy through sound, vibration, and movement. My friend Paul Donahue of Being With Frequency is professional sound healer and one of my regular volunteers, so whenever he’s in the classroom with us, we get to experience the magic of a plethora of healing instruments including drums, crystal bowls, bells, and things I don’t even know the names of!

Please reach out at jessica.riphenburg@gmail.com if you have any questions. 

I look forward to meeting you and your children!

Mission Statement

"We are enthusiastically present to ignite each child’s personal truth."

Unity’s 5 Basic Principles languaged for Children

  1. God is all good and active in everything, everywhere
  2. I am naturally good because God’s Divinity is in me and in everyone
  3. I create my experiences by what I choose to think and what I feel and believe
  4. Through affirmative prayer and meditation, I connect with God and bring out the good in my life
  5. I do and give my best by living the Truth I know. I make a difference

Contact Information

youthed@unityofmadison.org