Welcome to the Religious Education Program for Children, Youth, and Families at First Unitarian Church.

Liberal Religious Education is no small task—it is a lifelong pursuit.

This program endeavors to light the spark of religious imagination—a sense of awe and wonder and generosity—in all participants. Every week children, youth, and adults gather in classes and worship to wonder how to have a more generous heart and to consider that which fills us with awe.

As Unitarians and Universalists, we have learned that we come to church to approach and nourish holiness which resides in all of us and expands when we gather to recognize the potential of unbounded love in our world. It is important to us to set aside time in our busy family lives to come together to build a better world through actions like Sandwich Making for the Hungry or learning about our responsibility to create a sustainable environment. It is important for our families to hear stories of kindness (religious and secular) which remind us of our holiness and holy duties. We also come to church to remind ourselves that the holy is not confined within our church walls, but travels with us in our daily lives. We strive to make real a reciprocity of love, respect, justice, equity, and compassion throughout our world.

This is a rich and considered program. I hope the dynamism of the living faith of Unitarianism excites you as much as it does me. If you have any questions concerning the program, please contact me for further conversation.

With peace,
Lynn
Religious Educator

Religious Education Program Mission Statement

The Religious Education Program strives

• To foster an atmosphere of spiritual education in which individuals and their decisions are respected; to nurture spiritual exploration and ethical decision-making through meditation, discussion, and community service; to provide opportunities for meaningful relationships with other church members and with our wider community.

• To promote understanding and participation in Unitarian Universalism; to provide opportunities for the study of the history, spirituality, and ritual of the world's religious traditions, especially our Judeo-Christian heritage; to promote religious education as a lifelong creative process.

• To provide opportunities for examination of important questions concerning the existence and nature of God and the meaning of our lives; to foster appreciation for the rich tapestry of spiritual life.

• To envision and enact this mission through diverse religious experiences, and the intelligent, open formation of beliefs as suits a free church.

These elements constitute the program:
Worship, personal reflection and prayer · Classroom study
Fellowship · Community action · Leadership opportunities

Registration Information
If your child attended the Sunday School last year, he or she is pre-registered in a class at the same service time, except in those cases where another request has been received. You will receive a registration form indicating the information the office has concerning your child. Please check over this form, make any corrections, and return to the Religious Educator. New families are asked to complete a registration form by the third week of attendance.

Safety
The safety of children and youth is a major concern of the Religious Education program. In order to create as safe an environment as possible, all volunteer teachers and Sunday School staff are subject to child safety background checks. Other procedures are also in place. If you have any concerns or would like to review the entire safety policy, please contact the Religious Educator or the Minister.

During fellowship times, parents need to monitor the whereabouts of their children. Supervised outdoor play is available on Sunday mornings on the fenced lawn along Kingshighway. Children should not play outside without supervision.

If the building is evacuated due to fire, teachers are instructed to escort their classes to either the parking lot off Waterman Blvd. or the lawn along Kingshighway—depending on the location of their classroom.

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