Religious Education - Children and Youth
March 2010 Announcements
This has been a very busy school year for our oldest students. "Our Neighboring Faiths" curriculum has taken our UUCS teen students on a very interesting and educational journey. They have experienced a Buddhist meditation, a Jewish service and most recently visited a Mennonite Church. Discussions guided by their teachers help them gain a better understanding of the belief systems of other faiths. It has also led them to become more aware of our Unitarian Universalist principles and sources.
Principles:
- The inherent worth and dignity of every person.
- Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part.
The living tradition which we share draws from many sources:
- Wisdom from the world's religions which inspires us in our ethical and spiritual life
- Words and deeds of prophetic women and men which challenge us to confront powers and structures of evil with justice, compassion and the transforming power of love
On Sunday, March 7, the RE students and teachers hosted a pancake breakfast after the Service for the benefit of Barakat.
Barakat is a nonprofit organization working to improve the living conditions of the people in Afghanistan, India and Pakistan.
Barakat began in the 1980’s as a weaving project. A traditional rug production program developed from these humble beginnings and it now provides a means of employment for Afghan refugees. Money from the sale of these rugs is used to support educational opportunities, especially for women and girls.
In Afghanistan, Barakat helps to expand educational activities to girls and women. The focus of these efforts include schools, literacy and women’s empowerment. The hope is that this will help to create a society in which both men and women are valued and viewed as equals.
The students in our religious education program have been learning about Afghanistan and the work that Barakat does. Understanding that our Unitarian Universalist principles are words that should lead to action they have decided to hold a fundraiser for Barakat. The UUCS teen group with the help of their teachers has done much of the planning, but our younger elementary school children will be helping with the effort as well.
Hope to see you there!
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. Classes run from late August through mid-May. There are separate classes for pre-kindergarten through first grade, second grade through fourth grade and fifth grade through high school.
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 grade level. 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.
Click here for more information about the curriculum for each grade level.