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.

Unitarian Universalism is a faith that 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 grow more generous hearts and to consider the blessing of life.

Our Sunday School is one that

• Teaches that life is a joyful experience
• Promotes critical thinking
• Teaches that every person is worthy of love
• Educates that we have a responsibility to positively engage the world in order to promote justice and equity for all people
• Recognizes that we are inextricably linked to the earth and all life upon it
  

We come to church to support one another and to build community around these values. Certainly these values can be lived by individuals, but the community experience of church broadens the depth of our lives. It is not uncommon for our children to find themselves in a situation with a minority opinion among peers. Having a strong and vibrant connection with a church community communicates to them that there are indeed other like-minded people in the world, and it supports them as they endeavor to live an honest and ethical life. Also, they have fun with their church community!

I hope the dynamism of the living faith of Unitarian Universalism 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 promote religious education as a lifelong creative process by fostering an atmosphere supporting spiritual exploration and ethical decision-making in which individuals are respected.

In keeping with this mission we have established the following objectives:

• To promote understanding of and participation in Unitarian Universalism
• To provide opportunities for meditation, discussion, and community service
• To encourage opportunities for relationsips with other church members and with our wider community
• To provide opportunities for the study of the history, spirituality, and ritual of the world's religious traditions, especially our Judeo-Christian heritage
• 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.
  
  

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

Registration Information
If your child attended the Sunday School last year, he or she is pre-registered. 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. 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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