Religious Education Program

The great end in religious instruction…is not to stamp our minds irresistibly on 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 impose religion upon them in the form of arbitrary rules which rest on no foundation but our own word and will, but to awaken the consciousness, the moral discernment, so that they may discern and approve for themselves what is everlastingly right and good.

— William Ellery Channing (1836)

Sunday Morning, 10:00–11:15 a.m. (Sept. 16, 2007 to June 1, 2008), Nursery through Senior High

Please register your child for class; it helps us to plan for the year. You may print a registration form or fill out an online registration form as you prefer. Our religious education program is a cooperative program that depends upon volunteers. Volunteers are welcome at all levels of experience and commitment. The volunteer information form is available in both printable format and online.

• Nursery (infant to 2 yrs. old) — Loving care is provided for the youngest members of our community.


• Preschool — Celebrating Me and My World. Encourages children to develop their self-identity, to feel accepted and comfortable in church, and to expand their awareness to other people and things around them.


• K–1st — A Discovering Year. Nurtures children's spiritual and religious growth through connections to an ever-widening environment. Children discover and celebrate as they learn about themselves and others, about families and churches, about nature, and about religious and cultural days.


• 2nd–3rd — Timeless Themes. Introduces children to our rich UU heritage through a variety of Judeo-Christian stories that are an important part of our culture. Includes songs, games, role-plays and imaginative learning activities.


• 4th–5th — Bibleodeon. A UU-developed curriculum provides a uu-nique perspective on the Hebrew and Christian Bibles, including performing eleven original playlets.


• 6th — The Questing Year. Students participate in four quests tied to the themes of Self, Church, Mystery, and the World, culminating with a Coming-of-Age ceremony.


• Junior High (7th–8th) — Neighboring Faiths. Students learn first-hand about other religions, including visits to other places of worship, with an emphasis on relating their experiences to their personal faith development.


• Senior High (9th–12th), Young Religous Unitarian Universalists (YRUU) — Living in UUville, Sacred Threads. What would life be like if we lived in a UU world? Role-playing games examine this question. Retreats, social justice, recreational and other special activities are scheduled at additional times throughout the year.

UUCR is seeking a Youth Coordinator to work with our teens. Please see the employment page for more information.

Visitors

Visitors are welcome throughout the year! Please register for class after two or three visits when you decide this is the right church for you. You may print a registration form or fill out an online registration form as you prefer. You can also sign up to help with the RE program.

Our Director of Religious Education, Deborah Kahn, is currently on sabbatical leave (see sabbatical brochure for details). For more information, please contact Suzanne Carrillo, suzant -at- earthlink.net, Chair of the Children and Youth Religious Education Committee, or Ken Sandin, kens.s -at- mindspring.com, Chair of the Adult Education and Enrichment Committee.

Most Sundays the children do not begin the morning in their classrooms. The alternatives are:

• First Fifteen (FF): All children and youth start in the Sanctuary with the adults, then go to their classes.
  March 23, April 13, April 20, April 27, May 11, May 25, June 1
• Children's Worship (CW): Children through 5th grade start in Founder's Hall in building 1, then go to their classes.
  March 30, April 6, May 4, May 18
• Intergenerational Service (IG): All children and youth spend the entire service in the Sanctuary with the adults.
  June 8

UUCR's Safety Policy for Children and Teens

Adult Religious Education and Enrichment Programs

Kids don't ask questions only at church. Visit Between Sundays for answers and discussions about Unitarian Universalism.