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)

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

Fall 2017 RE Programming

August 20 - December 17

Nursery (Sprouts)

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 - 1st Grade (Explorers): Treasure Hunting--Take 2

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.

2nd - 4th Grade (Seekers): Spirit of Adventure

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): Lodestone

The Middle School years are a time of intense change for parent(s) and for kids. Lodestone provides a peer group so that as middle schoolers separate from the family in their teen years, they will have a place of values, friendship, open-mindedness and spiritual exploration to call their own. The themes covered include UU identity, money, race, and death. The sessions begin conversations that are continued in once-monthly Family Conversations and Social Gatherings on a Sunday afternoon. The curriculum celebrates our multiple intelligences with hands-on activities that include movement/time outdoors, silence/mindfullness, service, and silliness. Room 202.

Senior High: Individual Apprenticeships

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.

All Ages One Room Schoolhouse on Monthly Ministry Themes--2nd Sundays, Rm. 205

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

Fall 2017: 4th-6th grade OWL will be offered. Mandatory Parent and Child Orientation Sept. 10 12:15-2:45, ten sessions during the Celebration of Life Service through the fall. Room 204.

Spring 2018: 10th-12th Grade OWL in conjunction with Thomas Jefferson Unitarian Church. Dates TBA.

Childcare

Childcare is available for infants and toddlers every Sunday during Exploration Hour and the Celebration of Life worship service, beginning at 9:30 until 12:15.

Holiday schedule
Exploration classes for children will not be held on these holidays:

Last two 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 two Sundays 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.

Children's Celebration is offered for children Preschool through upper elementary grades during the sermon portion of the service. We gather in circle time to get to know one another, talk about the ministry theme and what is happening in the service, engage in a mindfulness practice, and then have Montessori-style work time. Children's Celebration will end at 12:15 when the children are brought down to the social hall.

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.

UUFergusonResponseTeam-REResources.pdf