Children's RE

Sunday Religious Education Classes

We vary the children’s worship service every other Sunday.  On Children’s Chapel Sundays, children will gather in Fellowship Hall for a short service then go to their classes for the remainder of the Sunday school period.  On alternate Sundays, the children begin in the Sanctuary with their families to experience a larger worship service.  After the “Not For Children Only” story, the children process to their classes, led by the weekly Keeper of the Flame.

Children under 24 months of age may be taken directly to the nursery before the service begins.

We offer two services and two RE programs every Sunday.  Please take a moment before the service to introduce your child to the classroom and teachers, and to fill out a registration form for your children. We ask that you respect the teachers’ volunteered time by picking your children up within a few minutes of the end of the service. We also ask that you volunteer some of your time to assist with RE activities throughout the year.

9:30 Service

Nursery:  Childcare and nursery staff are available from 9:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. for children up to 24 months.

11:30 Service

Nursery:  Childcare and nursery staff are available from 9:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. for children up to 24 months.

Class Format

Classes begin with an age-appropriate chalice lighting ritual. There will often be a closing ritual as well. This offers a time of reflection on the importance of the lesson and to embrace our Unitarian Universalist traditions.

Our RE school year begins in September with “in-gathering” and continues through May. Beginning in June we generally have a combined-ages summer curriculum based on our UU Principles.

Sunday Curricula

For the 2009/10 RE school year, we are offering the following classes:

Toddlers : Celebrating Me and My World

Celebrating Me and My World begins by celebrating the wondrous qualities of the children themselves and expands outward to the things and people around them. This program provides the children experiences and opportunities to grow in their sense of trust, caring , self-identity and connectedness with all of life.

Pre-K  & Kindergarten : Chalice Children

One of Unitarian Universalism’s most beloved curriculums, Chalice Children is based upon the philosophy that a child’s spiritual development is related to direct experience.  Using a chalice theme, children learn about their religious community, engage in sharing with others and explore a sense of belonging.

1st – 5th Grades : Spirit of Adventure

Spirit of Adventure teaches Unitarian Universalist identity using story and craft, physical movement and learning from challenge and adventure.   Good sportsmanship and teamwork offer important parallels to the Unitarian Universalist way of being in the world, and each lessons holds up Unitarian Universalists who have contributed to the field.

6th, 7th & 8th Grades:  Neighboring Faiths

Different faiths are explored in a three week cycle.  In Week One, students learn about another faith in the classroom.  In Week Two they visit a temple or church and question clergy directly. In Week Three, students return to the classroom to compare their experience with Unitarian Universalist principals.  By exploring others, students will deepen their commitment to their faith and understand the value Unitarian Universalists place not just on tolerance, but on a celebration of multiculturalism in the community and world.

Children’s Curriculum Co-Chairs:  Colleen Green & Pat Cooper