Introduction

"The great end in religious instruction is not to stamp our minds upon the young, but to stir up their own; not to make them see with our eyes, but to look inquiringly and steadily with their own; to awaken the soul, to excite and cherish spiritual life."

~ William Ellery Channing Unitarian Minister (1780-1842)

Religious Education at First Church of Christ Unitarian is considered on-going throughout the life of our members. This is why we call it Lifespan Religious Education. This love of learning about spirituality begins with kindergarteners during Religious Education classes held on Sunday mornings from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Adult religious education offerings are posted at different times throughout the year, and many members and non-members enjoy the learning and discussions that come out of these events.

As Unitarian Universalists, we do not subscribe to a creed or dogma. However, there are seven principles which Unitarian Universalist congregations affirm and promote:

• The inherent worth and dignity of every person;
• Justice, equity and compassion in human relations;
• Acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth in our

Congregations;

• A free and responsible search for truth and meaning;
• The right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within our

Congregations and in society at large;

• The goal of world community with peace, liberty, and justice for all;
• Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are part

We invite you to join us for Sunday worship, or for an adult religious education offering that strikes your interest.

Programs

Religious Education Program

Childcare (4 years old and under)

Our childcare is provided complimentarily by the First Church in the Nursery Room, adjacent to the classrooms in the community hall. Our childcare provider is a paid staff member who has been CPR and EMT certified. Childcare is available on Sunday mornings from 10:15 am until 12:00 pm . Parents are welcome to spend as much or as little time in the nursery with their wee ones as they like. We consider the nursery experience to be our children's first encounter with the faith community as ‘safe' and welcoming.

Elementary Class

Children in this group range from Kindergarten (age 5) to Grade 5 (age 10 or 11). The Elementary Group will be using a curriculum titled "Timeless Themes: Stories from the Hebrew and Christian Bibles" for the 2009 - 2010 church year. This curriculum introduces children to religious literature which is central to our culture and to our heritage as Unitarian Universalists. Our culture is derived from a predominantly Jewish and Christian ethic. By becoming familiar with the stories which helped to shape those faiths, our children will better understand this heritage.

Youth Group

This group is made up of children who are in 6th through 8th grade. These youths will be learning from a curriculum entitled "Bibleodeon". Both Hebrew and Christian Bibles have had profound impact on world and western cultures, and on the national and regional cultures in which youngsters live. Biblical ideas and references are common in today's literature, art, music, and politics - indeed, in almost all parts of modern life.

Schedule

Children generally join us in the sanctuary at 10:30 for family worship and then leave for their religious education classes. Exceptions to our 2010-2011 schedule are listed below:

• October 10  NO RE - Columbus Day Weekend

• December 26 NO RE - Christmas vacation

• February 6  COMMUNION -  Children will begin in Religious Educations classes in the Church Hall and join the adults in the sanctuary for communion.

Adult R.E.

FOR GROWTH AND LEARNING

Adult religious education can be as narrow as "a study of Psalm 23" or as broad as "overcoming depression."

It can be spiritual or secular, aimed at the earth or aimed at the heart.

We're hoping to add a diverse program of adult sessions to our religious education studies.