We hunger for religious community as a common ground for children, youth and adults.  The RE program helps to “connect the generations” in this religious body.  This year’s curricula for all age levels focus on diversity, multiculturalism, and racial justice.

Nursery

Nursery care for infants through five-year-olds is available from the start of the service at 11am if needed; or young ones can go to the nursery when we “sing the children out” to their classes.  We have a paid nursery care provider, and one volunteer per week who signs up in advance to assist.  When there are not two adults available, the nursery is available as a “crying room” for parents to bring their children.

Preschool

Once a month, children 3-4 years old (Pre-K) will have a lesson from We are Many, We are One, a curriculum from the Unitarian Universalist Association that teaches young children we are very much the same, yet our differences are to be celebrated.  This class meets upstairs from the nursery. 

K-6th Grade

Kindergarten through 6th graders will meet in the schoolhouse again this year.  Rainbow Children, another outstanding UUA curriculum, teaches this age group about diversity, racial justice, and peace—kindness to our fellow human beings on a global scale, and on a person-to-person scale.  As with the preschool class, stories, artwork and games help teach these principles.

Youth

Race to Justice is the youth curriculum from the same series as Rainbow Children, chosen to teach teens (grades 7-12) about racial justice.  The teen class is available for youth an average of twice a month, in between church services with sermon themes especially relevant to teens.  While our youth group is small, we are working toward forming an interfaith youth group with other area churches, to give our teens an enriching experience with their peers from the area.  In the meantime, we encourage our youths’ participation in regional events such as “cons,” convocations/youth conferences for UU churches from the “Heartland” (Michigan/Indiana/Ohio/Kentucky) region.

Adult Programs

This year we are privileged to have been selected as a field test site for Building the World We Dream About, a curriculum of the Unitarian Universalist Association.  This class meets on the first and third Tuesdays of the month.  Co-facilitated by our Minister and Religious Education Coordinator, the class consists of readings, activities and dialogue about race issues as they impact us personally, and our congregation, together.  This is a safe space to talk about and work on issues such as white privilege and striving toward equality.

In addition…

The religious education program includes monthly intergenerational services where the children have a role in the service, such as for holidays and the “secret friend” celebration in February.

For your child’s safety, please make sure to fill out a registration form for your child before his or her first RE session.  Please let us know if your child has any special needs.

If you have further questions or would like to participate in these programs, contact us.

Religious Education Committee

Anne Seifert
Chris Keith
Gretchen Marshall
Vicki Haynes, Nursery Care
Sharon Pedersen, R E Coordinator
Rev. Dr. Cynthia Landrum, ex officio