UUCO Children's Religious Education - Fall 2011
"Love Will Guide Us!" - A Tapestry of Faith Program for Children
(copyright 2010 Unitarian Universalist Association)
Overview: "Love is the vital essence that pervades and permeates, from the center to the circumference, the graduating circles of all thought and action. Love is the talisman of human weal and woe-- the open sesame to every soul." -Elizabeth Cady Stanton, women's civil rights activist in a speech given in 1860.
Fall 2011 RE formal lessons will be presented every other Sunday. All lessons will unfold from this fall's theme: "Love Will Guide Us." Every Sunday we will work to further cultivate routines, rituals, and a sincere sense of community with our UU children. Formal lesson Sunday's will be geared towards 6 to 10 yr olds. Of course those younger or older that show interest and willingness to participate will be included. Spirit Play will be provided for the youngsters who are not ready to participate in lessons. Ages 2 to 5 (approximately).
Religious Education leaders for 2011:
- Vicki Reithel, Susie Pedigo, and Mary Ray.
- Weekly RE facilitator: Casey Quinn.
Please check the Sunday Service Schedule for which Sundays will have a formal Religious Education (RE) lesson.
Our Goals in Children's Religious Education
The children's curriculum at UUCO explores Unitarian Universalism, world religions, diversity, nature, science, earth stewardship, Judeo-Christian Heritage (Bible themes), life issues, and social justice/anti-oppression.
In Unitarian Universalist religious education, we help our children understand our connection with our liberal religious heritage, including Jewish and Christian traditions from which we evolved as well as Eastern religious traditions. Unitarian Universalist history and heritage is also taught, giving children knowledge of some of our important forebears such as John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, Susan B. Anthony, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Alexander Graham Bell, Clara Barton, Frank Lloyd Wright, and many other well known figures.
We teach our children what Unitarian Universalism is so that when people ask them about their faith, they will be able to answer questions with confidence. We teach them about ethical living and about the seven principles of Unitarian Universalism, which are not a creed, but include a moral responsibility to honor the worth and dignity of every person, work for justice and compassion, respect the interdependent web of all existence, and search for truth and meaning with an open mind. Ultimately, we try to help our children become responsible adults who will make their own decisions about what to believe and how to live.
