Religious Education for 2007-2008

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;
Not to give them a definite amount of knowledge,
but to inspire a fervent love of truth;
Not to form an outward regularity,
but to touch inward springs;
Not to bind them by ineradicable predjudices to our particular sect or peculiar notions,
but to prepare them for impartial, conscientious judging of whatever subjects may be offered to their decision;
Not to burden the memory,
but to quicken and strengthen the power of thought;
Not to impose religion upon them in the form of arbitrary rules,
but to awaken the conscience, the moral discernment.
In a word, the great end is to awaken the soul, to excite and cherish spiritual life.

-William Ellery Channing

Our purpose is to guide our children and youth in the study of UU principles and heritage, moral values, social responsibility, and diverse religious ideas in a safe and resourceful environment, enabling them to develop their faith understanding as Unitarian Universalists.

-RE Committee Mission Statement

The Nursery
Chalice Tots

Pre-Kindergarten
Celebrating Me and My World

Our preschoolers learn about human values through their feelings and senses as they are treated with warmth and respect and encouraged in cooperative behavior. This program provides religious experiences at an age appropriate level, from exploring human relationships through dramatic play and activities which build on their innate sense of wonder. Unitarian Universalist Principles are introduced as well.

Grades K and 1
Treasure Hunting, Take Two

The theme of treasure hunting was chosen to involve children in the excitement of the search for meaning in life at their level of understanding. Each week through games, crafts, songs or stories, the children explore the meaning behind a UU principle or value. Central is the class treasure chest, and each child's treasure chest which he or she makes to take home. Every week they make or receive an object to put in their chest symbolic of that week's principle. "Only with eyes informed by love and respect can we find life's treasures." (Ellen Schneider, curriculum author).

Grades 2 and 3
Spirit of Adventure

This experiential UU Identity curriculum focuses on the UU principles and purposes through activities geared towards sports, medicine, food, winter holidays, science, building, exploring and the web of life. Activities include dissecting a computer, building cantilevered architecture using graham crackers, interviewing a sports coach, eating smoked oysters, and singing Jingle Bells in "dog" language!

Our Whole Lives (OWL)

Grades 2nd and 3rd will be meeting for Our Whole Lives (OWL) from October 14, 2007 through December 16, 2007. Parents will be given more detailed information in the fall and at the mandatory Parent Orientations on September 23, 2007 and October 7, 2007.

Grades 4 and 5
Holidays and Holy Days

This class explores some of the celebrations of the Jewish, Roman Catholic, Islamic, Hindu, and Native American religions. As the young people learn about how other people think about God and prayer and the right ways to live, our children will be affirming their own Unitarian Universalist beliefs and the concept of "Under the sky, all people are one family."

Our Whole Lives (OWL)

Grades 4th and 5th will be meeting for Our Whole Lives (OWL) from January 6, 2008 through March 2, 2008. Parents will be given detailed information in the winter and at the mandatory Parent Orientations on December 9, 2007 and December 16, 2007.

Grades 6 through 8
The NEW You the Creator

The NEW You the Creator is an activity-based program of creative empowerment. Its basic message is expressed in its title: You the participant are, can be, and should be one of the creative forces in the world. There are sessions on Religion and Creativity, Creativity and the Self, the Arts and Universal Creative Forces. This 2006 revision adds rich spiritual elements, sessions on Creating Community, and more to the classic version.

Grades 8 and 9
Our Whole Lives (OWL)

In early winter, the 8th and 9th graders will meet on Friday evenings for Our Whole Lives (OWL). This curriculum, jointly written by the Unitarian Universalist Association and the United Church of Christ, presents a comprehensive approach to human sexuality in an age-appropriate manner. Based firmly on the values of respect, responsibility, justice and inclusivity, it helps young people apply these values to their behavior and provides them with information and skills they can use throughout life. Prior to beginning the program, there will be two mandatory comprehensive orientations for parents to attend. They will be on October 28th and November 11th, immediately after the service.

Grades 9 through 12
Worship, Discussion, and YRUU

The Senior High School youth will have a rotating schedule of UU curriculum-based discussions, YRUU (High School Youth Group), and worship. The Unitarian Universalist curricula devote discussion sessions to emotions, conflicts, ethical decision making, peer pressure and conformity. This group will occasionally come to service in the Sanctuary, or devote class time to a small group worship to check in and connect with each other. A calendar will be distributed to families and posted on the youth room door detailing the scheduled weeks.

Middle & High School Youth Groups

JYG (Junior Youth Group) and YRUU (Young Religious Unitarian Universalists) are the middle and high school youth groups at UUFHC. JYG meets the second Sunday of the month during service, while the younger children attend Children's Worship. YRUU meets every Sunday. With advisors and youth officers, the groups plan social action projects, worship, overnights, and fun events. The JYG is open to the 6th-8th grade. Erin Gallagher and Jackie Beresh are the JYG advisors (jyg@uufhc.net). YRUU is for youth 9th grade and older. Dyrck and Gina Van Dusen are the group's advisors. (yruu@uufhc.net).

RE Calendar for 2007-2008