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Each RE year, the
children's Religious Exploration Program focuses on one of three
themes: Unitarian Universalism, world religions, or the Hebrew and
Christian Bibles. Whatever the year's theme may be, the program
assists children in building an understanding of themselves, their
place in the world, and the Unitarian Universalist principles. In addition, all ages are offered opportunities for worship, social action projects, and fellowship.
Regular
children's RE programming runs from September through mid-June and
classes meet during the worship service. During the RE year,
children's classes are held every Sunday, unless the worship service
is specifically designated as intergenerational, and the Youth Group
meets approximately two Sundays a month. In the summer, kindergarten
through 6th
grade students meet together in a special summer program. Older
children and youth may attend the service or assist in summer RE. Throughout the year we provide nursery care for the youngest
children.
NEWCOMERS WITH CHILDREN
When visiting us, we ask
that you introduce your child to their class leader before the
service. Children stay with their families until after the Story for
All Ages. At that time class leaders and assistants will escort
children to their classrooms.
If you have been visiting for three Sundays or have decided we
are your church home, please register your children. To register,
fill out a copy of the family registration form. Contact the Director
of Religious Exploration or a member of the RE committee with
questions or comments.
A MESSAGE FOR THE CHILDREN
Make sure your parents bring you regularly. That will help you
feel part of the group and you won’t miss anything. Also, wear play
clothes, no sense getting fancy clothes all messed up. And finally
talk to your parents about what you learned in class; ask them
questions (we think you can stump them).
FOR ALL PARENTS
We have no registration fee for our
program. However, we do ask that parents make both a contribution of
time (see registration form) and a financial contribution to the
church. Without the dedication of its participants, our program could
not exist.
All of our RE leaders and assistants are
volunteers. They give tirelessly of their time, energy and love to
guide our children. Please, offer your frequent thanks to these
generous individuals.
Arrival / Dismissal
The
nursery is available after 10:20 for children 4 years old and
younger. Older children should stay with their families until the
Story for All Ages. RE Leaders need to set up classrooms and no one
is assigned to watch these children.
Please pick up your
children right after the service. This assures the safety of our
children and enables our entire congregation to interact during
Fellowship Time. Children in third grade or younger will not be
allowed to leave their classes unattended. Children should stay in
the main room to socialize with the congregation.
Illness
In
order to minimize risk of infection to others, children should be
symptom free from fever, diarrhea and vomiting for 24 hours before
returning to church.
Parent Responsibilities
Attendance
- Arrive on time and come regularly. Children develop a sense of
belonging by attending regularly. Much of what is imparted in our
program requires the trust and sense of acceptance that develops as
children get to know one another and their teachers.
Conduct
Policy - Classroom rules and guidelines are developed with the
children’s participation and understanding at the beginning of the
year. If a child behaves in a way that is disruptive, the teacher
will remind the child of the classroom conduct rules and guidelines.
If misbehavior continues, the teacher will ask the parent to leave
the adult service and assist the child in returning to the
classroom.
Show an Interest - Talk with your children about
what they did Sunday morning. Share with them what you learned
too!
Dress - Children in our program paint, take walks, dance,
and play active games. Washable, comfortable, school or play clothes
are the best things for them to wear.
Share your beliefs -
Realize that you are your child’s primary religious educator. Let
your child know about your religious beliefs. Share your
"used-to-thinks" about God, heaven, prayer, and so forth,
as well as what you believe now. Tell your child why you choose UUS,
what it means to you, and how you act on your faith.
Volunteer - Religious Exploration is a cooperative venture.
You will be asked to help with trips, provide special snacks, and
occasionally help in the classroom with special projects. Please
share your time generously and enthusiastically. You will meet other
outstanding parents who are leading classes this year, some truly
"awe"-some children, and have fun!
MORE OPPORTUNITIES FOR CHILDREN
Worship
The word “worship”
means to “add worth or value” Each week we will begin our
services with our families for the first 15 minutes or so to enrich
both our families and our community. While your children sit with
you, they will hear the greeting, prelude, and chalice lighting. They
may sing with you or listen to the choir and then will be invited to
come up to the front for the “Story for All Ages”. They will
leave for their Religious Exploration classes while we sing to them.
About once a month we will have Intergenerational Services in which
children, youth, and adults all worship together. These include the
In-gathering, Christmas Eve, Easter, and the Religious Exploration
Celebration in June.
Music
All
children are taught simple songs during Religious Exploration classes
on Sunday mornings and will have the opportunity to perform together
during services throughout the year. Any child or youth who would
like to sing a solo, duet, or play an instrument for an adult service
should speak with the Music Director, Worship Committee Chair or the
Director of Religious Exploration about coordinating an appropriate
time
Service Projects and Social
Responsibility
The Religious
Exploration Program is designed to encourage young people to develop
a social conscience and to take action to influence change. The young
people participate in projects such as Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF,
Guest at Your Table, Mitten Tree collection, Valentine’s for Vets,
and Trail Clean Up. Children and families are encouraged to take part
in other activities sponsored by the social action committee of our
church.
Fellowship
The best way for children to make friends and feel a part of our
community is by regular attendance. If you bring your children
regularly and on time (we begin promptly at 10:30 am), they are most
likely to develop relationships with the other children and teachers.
Regular attendance also helps them to get the most out of the
curriculum.
Throughout the year a number of special intergenerational
activities are scheduled which give us an opportunity to celebrate
together. These special times include potlucks, the auction, the fall
retreat, the In-gathering service, picnics and other programs where
children and adults are together in fun and fellowship. Please bring
your children and enjoy the warmth of our community.
UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST PRINCIPLES – A CHILDREN'S VERSION
1. Every person is important and
valuable.
2. All people should be treated
fairly.
3. Our churches are places where we
should accept one another and learn together.
4. Each person should be free to
search for what is true and right.
5. All people have the right to speak
out and vote on things that matter to them.
6. We should help build a peaceful,
fair, and free world.
7. We need to take care of the earth,
the home we share with all living things.
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