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RELIGIOUS EDUCATION PHILOSOPHY
Unitarian Universalism is a belief in the worth of each individual
and the power of community. Our education program, therefore,
seeks to develop a sense of belonging in a caring community, critical
reflection which leads to understanding and commitment, and joy
in the process of living and learning. With our youngest children,
we begin by fostering a sense of personal worth, an awareness
of social context, and an appreciation for the wonders of life.
As the children progress through the program, we introduce them
to the history of the human quest for religious meaning, the responsibilities
of membership in the human community, and the process of creating
a meaningful spiritual life through adulthood, using the Unitarian
Universalist Principles as a guide.
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A SPECIAL MESSAGE FOR PARENTS
UUCF's commitment to the nurturing of our children and youth
is demonstrated in significant ways. Religious Education is
a cooperative program. During the year, more than sixty volunteers
will donate hundreds of hours as RE Committee members, teachers,
and helpers to provide a high quality, enjoyable program. This
volunteer effort is supported and funded by the general operating
budget of the church. We ask that you, the parents of our
children, support the Religious Education Program by:
-TEAM TEACHING a class every year. It takes only
about 13 Sunday mornings of your time and enables you to become
a very special friend to many young people. You share your good
humor and patience. We'll provide clever children, teacher-friendly
lessons, materials, and lots of support!
-contributing to the church financially. There
is no fee required for RE enrollment. The costs are covered each
year by the generosity of everyone's donations. Please pledge
your support in our annual church canvass when you are asked.
-committing to the regular and punctual attendance
of your child so that he/she may gain the full benefits of the
educational and social experiences offered. Frequent attendance
helps children to feel a part of the group. It also underscores
the importance of Unitarian Universalism in a family. It's not
enough to say that church and religious education are important
in our families, we need to come to church on Sunday mornings.
-participating with your child in the intergenerational
events at church. Enjoying church together builds a sense
of community for adults as well as children.
-learning about religious education by joining
in classroom activities, attending RE functions, and participating
in an adult RE offering such as "Parents As Resident Theologians."
-helping when asked. Our RE Program is a cooperative
adventure. Everyone needs to become involved.
-asking about RE class activities and discussing
religious topics with your children of all ages.
-bringing the UU Principles into your home with
dinner table and bed-time conversations about what it means to
be a Unitarian Universalist.
- TEACHING! TEACHING! TEACHING! (Please)
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REGISTRATION
In order to participate in the Religious Education Program, each
child and youth must have on file a current registration
form. If you have not already done so, please complete a registration
form and return it to the Director of Religious Education on or
before the first day of class. Additional forms
are available in Adams Hall at the RE registration table. The
requested information is essential to our program planning. It
is also necessary for a parent or guardian to sign the
form giving permission for the child or youth to participate in
RE.
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CURRICULA
The curricula used in our program have been developed and/or
approved by the Unitarian Universalist Association. Because of
the age groupings in our classes, a curriculum is usually repeated
every two or three years. Courses deal with personal spirituality,
beliefs, history and customs of Unitarian Universalists, our Judeo-Christian
heritage, world religions, peace, cooperation, and caring for
the earth. During the Religious Education Open House to be held
in October, all parents will be provided with a description of
their child's course.
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INTERGENERATIONAL WORSHIP SERVICES occur at holidays and
special times during the year. Our young people attend these services
in our Meeting House, where all ages worship together.
CHILDRENS CHAPEL will be led by the Director of Religious Education the first Sunday of the month. Children and youth will begin the morning in the Marge Brown room. This age appropriate time of worship will deal with timely topics and seasonal themes.
MESSAGE FOR ALL AGES
In order to include our children in the regular worship of
our church community, youngsters are invited to the beginning
of each Sunday morning service. By bringing the whole congregation
together for a chalice lighting, hymn, joys and concerns and a
special "Message For All Ages", our young people feel
a part of the larger congregation. Their participation in the
chalice lighting and other U.U. rituals helps to strengthen their
identity as Unitarian Universalists.
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SUMMER 2007 PROGRAMS
Improv Drama & Arts Religious Education Summer Program
10AM Sunday Mornings (during the adult church service)
June 17, 2007 to Sept. 2, 2007
We'll be recognizing our 7th Principle
(Earth Stewardship & Social Justice)
In September we will present The Woman Who Outshone the Sun at a worship service.  We'll spend the summer learning the story
and preparing props and costumes.
Click here for a schedule of activities.
The story:
When beautiful Lucia Zenteno arrives in town, no one knows how to treat her. Some people in the village thought that her hair blocked the sun. Mystery surrounded the girl. When she bathed in the river, her hair would soak up all the fish and water until she combed it out. The elders told the people of the village to honor Lucia. They did not. People began mistreating Lucia. Lucia, however, did not return the unkindness of others. Finally, the people drove Lucia from the village. Before she left, Lucia visited the river once more. As Lucia went to comb her hair, the fish and the water stayed in her hair. She left the village with the water. Realizing that they needed the river, the people tried to find Lucia to apologize. Eventually Lucia does return the water to the river but not without teaching the village people that "you must treat everyone with kindness, even those who seem different from you."
Middle & High School Youth
This year we are offering exciting programs to all our youth.
 Middle School Youth Group
On Sunday mornings the middle school group will participate in the improv art program. However every other Sunday youth will meet in the afternoon or evening for fun teambuilding games and social justice projects.
High School -
Social Justice Summer
The youth will begin the summer by determining their areas of social justice interest. As the youth learn more about the injustices that surround us, a service project will be planned and carried out.
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NURSERY FOR TODDLERS
Child Care is provided for toddlers up to four years of age in
our nursery. Parents should supply diapers, bottles or sipper
cups, and favorite toys or blankets. If a child is having difficulty,
a parent will be asked to provide personal care. The goal of our
committed nursery staff is that the very youngest among us have
a positive church experience.
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A YOUTH PROGRAM for high school students ideally has four
components: spiritual growth and development, community service,
learning leadership skills, and of course, social activities.
In the Sunday morning classes at 9:30 and 11:30 am, students
and their teachers are able to choose discussion topics and community
service ideas which interest them.
Twice each month, Sunday evening activities are planned
by students and their Youth Group advisors. These might
include an outing to some local event, having dinner, social action,
holding a coffee house or overnight at church, and planning meetings
and activities for our local, cluster and district Young Religious
Unitarian Universalist organization.
There are Senior Youth Group activities scheduled on the church
calendar for the coming year. However, these dates are tentative
until the Group decides for themselves exactly what they will
be doing during this church year. More information about these
and other events will follow as the youth make their plans.
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JUNIOR HIGH YOUTH GROUP activities for Grades 6-7-8 are
planned on a monthly basis and may be social and/or community
service. Outings to play whirly ball, movies, a UNICEF party and
bowling are examples of the group's past activities. Parents will
be asked to help plan and facilitate events.
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CELEBRATIONS AND SPECIAL ACTIVITIES
As our children pass through their different life stages, we
offer programs to celebrate their growth and accomplishments.
To include your children in any of the following programs, please
call the church office.
-The Dedication/Naming Ceremony celebrates life by affirming
the child's worth, as we welcome him/her into the extended family,
which is our religious community. The act of naming a child has
been endowed with both religious and communal significance since
ancient times.
-We also celebrate the Graduations of our High School Seniors.
They are asked to share their religious experiences and beliefs
with the congregation at a service in the spring.
-Our Coming of Age Program recognizes the physical growth
and spiritual development of our eighth and ninth graders. We
celebrate their metamorphoses into caring and responsible members
of our community by focusing on the meaning of Unitarian Universalism
for each participant. Working with a mentor, visiting area UU
churches, and performing community service also play a part in
this program which culminates in a spring celebration. This program
alternates yearly with the following sexuality education class.
-The Our Whole Lives Sexuality Education Course (OWL)
is a comprehensive and progressive curriculum which addresses
the knowledge, values and skills needed to help participants lead
sexually healthy and responsible lives. Material is presented
in an inclusive and developmentally appropriate manner, based
on our Unitarian Universalist Principles.
Over the course of the church year, the Religious Education
Committee plans a number of events that foster friendships
between the generations. A UNICEF party is planned for October. GAMES NIGHTS are planned for October and January. A "Secret
Friends Program" is scheduled in March. A May SOFTBALL GAME is also in the planning stages. Watch
your church bulletin and newsletters for information on these
and other fun, family events.
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Our Unitarian Universalist
Principles for Children
We believe...
- That every
person is important and valuable.
- That all
people should be treated fairly.
- That our
churches are places where we accept one another and learn together.
- That each
person should be free to search for what is true and right.
- That all
people should have the right to speak out and vote on the things
that matter to them.
- That we
should help build a peaceful, fair and free world.
- That we
need to take care of the earth, the home that we share with
all living things.
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