Religious Education Curriculum

I. Infants and Toddlers
We welcome infants and toddlers into a safe and caring environment. Our nursery is a secure and happy place where infants and toddlers are cared for while their parents attend the worship service. Those parents who wish to remain with their infant in the nursery are invited to relax in a comfortable rocking chair and listen to the service which is broadcast into the courtyard and can be heard in the nursery.
Staff: Martha Barrett and Caitlin Gulliford, child care providers and teacher assistants
Volunteers Assisting: Parents are requested to help in the nursery on busy days.

II. Pre-Kindergarten through Fourth Grade
The summer program will focus on the Unitarian Universalist Principles in age appropriate ways. The children will explore together through art, music, stories, poetry, games and discussions what these UU principles mean to them. Some of the themes we will explore are: how we are each unique and special; what we share in common with others; ways to work together cooperatively and honor our differences; how to build friendships and community; positive methods for making group decisions; techniques for working out differences respectfully; and how we can contribute to the larger community. The program is flexible and the children are encouraged to make choices, share ideas and participate in the planning of our activities. The program is coordinated by Nancy Thomas with the help of church volunteers.

III. Fifth Grade through High School

During the summer months, the pre-teens and teens are welcome to attend the Sunday service in the Sanctuary.

Social Justice Projects for All Ages
Acting on Unitarian Universalist principles and values is vital to religious education; the hands follow the heart. During the regular church year, social issues are identified and the classes help plan the project. Projects are age appropriate and most often take place on Sunday mornings.

• Putting together and painting “tents for Darfur” to raise awareness
• Collecting used children’s books for New Orleans with adult congregants
• Working with Habitat for Humanity
• Bakesale to raise money for an Ohio Church damaged by floods
• Organizing special fundraisers for international projects, including Barakat, which provides education in Afghanistan, and “Books & Bricks,” to build a library in a Nicaraguan village.

Sunday Service

Story for All Ages
Integral to a child’s religious education is attending service with the entire Church Community. During the regular church year (September – May) all children, except nursery-aged, attend the first 15 minutes of worship in the sanctuary one Sunday each month or as otherwise noted. Fifth grade through high school students attend the entire service on that Sunday.