The
children’s Religious Exploration (RE) groups are all doing wonderful work as
they explore our Unitarian Universalist (UU) values and practice living them in
their families, at church, and in the larger world. The kindergarten and first
grade group especially are doing this in the context of love. I have seen many
examples of how much they are discovering about the ways that they are
surrounded by love and how they can contribute to love in their many
communities. They eagerly welcome new children to their group and appreciate
one another’s’ contributions. They demonstrate a deep understanding of
diversity—for instance, insisting that all colors are good, that boys can wear
skirts and long hair, and that it is all right for people to have different
beliefs.
This group is using the UU curriculum, Love Surrounds Us, to guide them as they learn the seven UU Principles and how the principles help UUs create communities of love in our families, churches, schools, and neighborhoods. They already know the first four principles. They have learned that all people are important and should be treated with fairness and kindness. They have learned that in UU congregations we feel it is important to learn in community and that we feel that each person should be free to search for the truth. As the year progresses, they will learn that we believe that everyone should have a say in things that concern them, we work for a world of peace and justice, and we take care of the Earth, upon which we all depend for survival.
The title of a popular book by UU minister Robert Fulghum, All I Really Need To Know I Learned in Kindergarten, pretty much sums up what we need to know about living in this world. Our kindergarteners and first graders are learning and practicing these basic values to help them create good and meaningful lives. Just like the older groups this year, in the future they will build on their understanding of these values, discovering how they can apply them as the challenges they face change and as they develop a greater understanding of themselves and the complexity of the world. We hope you will join us at UUCS as we experience a loving community that offers support and encouragement as we all continue to grow in ethics, spirit, and in love.
Linda Weaver,
Director of Religious Exploration
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