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Religious Education - Children and Youth

Click here for more information about our curriculum and the summer program.

The Importance of Religious Education

From time to time it is important to point out just how important Religious Education can be to the growth and spiritual development of our youth. We do not have to look too far for examples. Our teens have shown us in this past year a commitment to helping others in our community and in other parts of the world. All of our children showed the UU principles at work as they engaged in raising funds for Barakat.

Examples of the impact of a Unitarian Universalist Religious Education program can also be seen by looking at the accomplishments of Ivey Lynn Kaiser. Ivey is the daughter of UUSC members Isabel and Eric Oake. Ivey was enrolled in the religious education program at the UU Fellowship of Columbia, SC from the age of 3 through high school. She will be graduating from the University of South Carolina in May.

Ivey was named "the Environmentalist of the Year" in the student magazine and was featured with a full page interview in USC Parents' Newsletter. Ivey credits her deep love of nature and her commitment to the environment to her experiences in the religious education program as well as her involvement with the Mountain (UU Retreat and Learning Center) in Highlands, N.C.

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In January we began our religious education circle suppers. This is a good way for parents and children in our program to connect and get to know each other better. If you are interested in hosting or attending a luncheon or supper please leave a message in the office for Muriel Redifer.

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The religious education program offers a variety of learning experiences for all grade levels. Our curriculum is age-appropriate and grounded in our Unitarian Universalist principles.

The religious education program for children and youth is offered during Sunday service from 10:30 am to 11:30 am.

Our teachers are volunteers who are trained to teach the curriculum.

Parents are encouraged to bring their children regularly and on time, to take an interest in the program and consider ways in which they may help out.

The religious education program offers an engaging variety of learning experiences for each age.  These are appropriate to the children's developmental needs and abilities and grounded in our Unitarian Universalist principles.

Our Program Goals:

• That our children and youth will understand the significance of the Principles of Unitarian Universalism in their lives.
   
• That our children and youth take an active part in and be aware of social justice issues in the world.
   
• That our children and youth are guided and nutured by the congregation. That they grow into adults who will take their faith with them wherever they may go.