Children’s Religious Exploration
Religious Exploration Hour for Children and Youth
Sundays, 9:45-10:45am
Linette Lowe - Director of Religious Exploration dre [at] firstulou.org (subject: First%20Unitarian%20Religious%20Exploration) (email)
Summer 2018
June 10-August 12
Summer PlaySpace Kids and their carers meet in the Courtyard (Rm. 212 if it's raining) for fun and community building. There will be a bin of outdoor toys and activities available near the courtyard entrance, along with a flameless chalice, chalice-lighting words, the Seven Principles, and Guidelines for Being Together. Carers can enjoy each other's company while the children play in our sacred space. Carers will share supervision of the children, without a central adult responsible for planning, execution, and supervision. Our objectives for such a fellowship include:
-building and maintaining multigenerational relationships
- experiencing comfort and joy related to the church’s physical space and the people there
- having fun together
- relaxing together
-viewing the church as “our house”
-explicitly offering “permission” to play and just be
-novelty
-exploring the value of a less planning-heavy gathering and what it can teach us
-offering all stakeholders an opportunity to reflect on and plan for spring and fall RE sessions.
We acknowledge that a break from more planning-heavy RE can be healthy both for facilitators and participants. We look forward to a free, fun summer to watch our families grow!
--The RE Ministry
Important Note on Communications
As of January 2018, all communications for RE will be through Remind. Please text your child(ren)'s class code(s) found below to 81010 to join Remind. Help us save paper and stay in the know! You will receive short weekly Taking It Home messages and any announcements.
Link to 2017-2018 online RE Registration:
https://goo.gl/forms/vvCy2pTPkOgXMfRR2
Link to 2017-2018 SignUpGenius to Volunteer:
http://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090f49aca72ca1f85-sunday
First Unitarian Emergency Form
Must be on file with the DRE before any off-site visit
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1IzD_j_xLUiCR1_BZ_7zZam1K-7F5ZzWgOnnRGouIir8/edit?usp=sharing
First Unitarian Permission Form for Off-Site Visits
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1UQcBcC65zIZaGP9_9M8fVhMKA-f_Mhcant5x2ed6R28/edit?usp=sharing
Spring 2018 RE Programming
January 14 - June 3
Nursery (Sprouts)--class code: @1stunurs (text to 81010 to join Remind)
Nursery care is available during the RE hour (9:30-11:00) for children infants to Preschoolers in Room 214 every Sunday. Nursery care continues during the service as well, though all children are welcome in the service.
Infants and toddlers in the nursery will be engaged with an age-appropriate chalice-lighting, story, activity and snack each week, as well as ample time for play. Elena Meeks and NaQueesha Puckett, Leaders. Room 214.
Preschool - Kindergarten (Explorers): Treasure Hunting--Take 2--class code: @1stuexpl
Each Sunday, we hunt for a treasure to add to our take-home treasure boxes and our classroom treasure chest. Through games, crafts, songs, and stories, we explore the meaning behind a Unitarian Universalist principle or value. During the Fall semester, themes will focus on treasuring our own and others' thoughts and feelings. During the Spring semester, the focus will turn outward to explore the treasures of our church, our Unitarian Universalist faith, our world community, and the interconnected web of life. Room 212.
1st - 4th Grade (Seekers): Spirit of Adventure--class code: @1stuseek
Spirit of Adventure recognizes that there are many ways of learning, and that engaged, active learning about our UU faith is essential at this age. Our Principles and Sources as well as the lives of those who have exemplified our UU values are taught using activities that offer physical movement, challenge, and adventure. The themes for the year include sports, medicine, food, winter holidays, science, building, exploring, and the web of life. Examples of activities include building a cantilevered architecture using graham crackers, interviewing a sports coach, sampling unusual foods, learning first aid, and dissecting an old computer. Room 207.
5th - 8th Grade (Questers): TBA--class code: @1stuques
New format! First Sunday: Learn! Second Sunday: Multigen One Room Schoolhouse in the Social Hall! Third Sunday: Serve! Fourth Sunday: Fun! Join us to learn, serve, and have fun together! Ideas generated by the class include visiting other faith traditions, serving the homeless, rock wall climbing, a book/art club, creating music together, physical activity, having an overnight lock-in, keeping our neighborhood clean, and so many more! Click this link to see the full schedule: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1DVwhKmaq3f9NPWEwuOFz_SDKejkU7MdsGE7NJ-7IrnM/edit?usp=sharing Rm. 202.
Senior High: Individual Apprenticeships--class code: @1stusrhi
Senior high students will work with the Director of RE to find meaningful and fun involvement in the life of the church. Opportunities might include assisting in a classroom, learning a skill such as working tech deck, or working directly with the DRE.
Multigen One Room Schoolhouse on Monthly Ministry Themes--2nd Sundays, Social Hall
September 10--Worth and Dignity
October 08--Emotional Intelligence
November 12--Care of the Soul
December 10--Healing
January 14--Courage
February 11--Respect
March 11--Balance
April 08--Consolation/Desolation
May 13--Acceptance
Discover Our Whole Lives Sexuality Education
Childcare
Holiday schedule
Exploration classes for children will not be held on these holidays:
- Last three Sundays of December. Child care on that day will be offered for ages infant through 5th grade. Please pick up children in your care at 10:45 a.m. for the Celebration of Life worship service.
- First Sunday of January. Child care on that day will be offered for ages infant through 5th grade. Please pick up children in your care at 10:45 a.m. for the Celebration of Life worship service.
- Easter Sunday. Adults are invited to bring children in their care to the All-church Easter Breakfast during first hour. Activities for children are a part of the Easter celebration.
Children's Celebration during the Celebration of Life Service
After Exploration Hour all youth and children in Preschool through High School join their families to attend the multigenerational Celebration of Life worship service at 11:00. Please pick up children Preschool and older at 10:45 for the Celebration of Life worship service.
The Goal of Religious Exploration
First Unitarian Church Religious Education nurtures both roots and wings; the roots of community and shared values, and the wings of the free mind and creative spirit. Liberal Religious Education can lead each person into living a life loyal to their deepest faith, toward wholeness and ultimate commitment.
UU Anti-Racism Resources in Response to Ferguson:
The link below is a compilation of resources designed to help parents talk to their children and youth about race, racism, and what happened in Ferguson.
More information
General Information about the Religious Exploration Program
Additional Programming for Children and Youth
Our Whole Lives Sexuality Education
Children's Celebration
Child Care
Safety Policies:
Child and Youth Protection Policy
Child Care Policy
Youth Group participation forms:
Behavioral Expectations for Youth
Discipline Procedures for Youth
