The Religious Education Committee

Tracy Steinbrenner, Chair

Beverly Rodeheffer

Laurie Clark, Committee Secretary

Elaine Dawson

Lynn Foreman

Rev. Susan Ritchie, Acting Director of Religious Education

Mission

The Religious Education Committee plans, advocates, and sets the direction for the religious nurture of our children and youth. The committee also reviews curriculum and provides the framework for the many volunteers who serve as teachers, youth advisors, and assistants for related service projects, worship services, and social events.

The mission of the Religious Education Program of the North Unitarian Universalist Congregation is:

To provide children and youth with a liberal religious education

To promote a caring and nurturing environment in which children and youth feel safe expressing their feelings and beliefs

To encourage exploration of ethics, morals, values and religious beliefs and

To foster a sense of belonging to our UU community, the UU church and the world at large so that each child or youth understands that his or her actions can make a difference.
                                               

Sunday School Schedule, Intergenerational Worship and Children’s Chapel

Most Sundays the children start the morning off directly in religious education.  Preschoolers meet in Fellowship Hall of the main church building.  Children aged 6 and older should be taken directly to Nielsen House (our religious education building, directly across from the main church parking lot), where parents can sign them in.  Children will have a chance to situate their things and get a nametag from their classrooms, and then they return to the parlor of Nielsen House, where all the classes start the day with a brief Gathering Time before returning to their classrooms.  Please see “NUUC Religious Education Class Policies.”  

At times throughout the church year, the Sunday worship service will be intergenerational, and all ages will join together in the sanctuary for a celebration designed to include everyone. There are also periodic Children’s Chapels, a full-hour worship service designed just for the children during what would otherwise be class time, held in the parlor of Nielsen House.  During intergenerational worships and Children’s Chapels regular Religious Education classed will not be held.   All special services are announced in the worship schedule (click here).   Parents of Chalice Children students may choose either to include their child in the worship in Nielsen House, or use our staffed nursery.

Sunday School Offerings for 2007-2008 School Year

Our Religious Education program is divided into the nursery and three older age-based class divisions.  Please see the age guidelines as a rough division only—we are always happy to be flexible and accommodating should children be more suited for a class outside of their literal age range.

            Nursery

Older infants and toddlers may be taken directly to the nursery before the service (main        church building, in the far back of Fellowship Hall). Parents need to let the caregiver know of any special needs for the morning.  Parents may be asked on occasion to assist with childcare if their child is in particular need of their presence that morning.

Chalice Children (ages 3-5)

Our Chalice Children group will use the curriculum by the same name by Katie Erslev. Based upon a philosophy that a child’s spiritual development is related to direct experience, this curriculum helps young children learn what it means to be a Unitarian Universalist. Using a chalice theme, children learn about their religious community, engage in sharing with others, and explore a sense of belonging.  This lively curriculum includes many crafts, holiday themes, and physically engaging activities. 

The Explorers (ages 6-11)

This group will move back and forth between two curriculums written by Tirrel and Richard Kimbell, “Free to Believe” and “Bibleodeon.” 

“Free to Believe” is an experiential program focusing on what it means to be Unitarian Universalist, through explorations of the UU principles, but also by examining some of the “big questions” (i.e. life, justice, ethics) through the perspective of different sources.  The curriculum focuses on contextualizing these issues in real ways—for example, how do you explain your beliefs to friends who feel differently?  “Free to Believe” offers a variety of activities, stories, games and discussion with which to involve the children. 

“Bibleodeon” provides children with a fun, popular culture based introduction to the Hebrew and Christian Scriptures (the name is meant to recall the Nickelodeon channel).  Not only do children become familiar with a Unitarian Universalist understanding of important scriptural stories, but they explore the history of the scripture and how and why it is that people interpret it so differently.  

The Explorers will move back and forth between the two curriculums to coordinate with relative holidays, seasons, and when possible, the topic of the regular Sunday morning worship.  Specific topics for the Explorers class can be found on the Worship schedule posted on the newsletter and on the website. 

NUUC Youth (ages 12+) 

Led by one volunteer religious educator working with NUUC’s paid Youth Advisor, the Sunday morning Youth gathering will alternate between one or two Sundays a month of curriculum, one Sunday a month of just plain and pure fun, and one or two Sundays a month engaged in a special activity (attending worship, planning or leading a Children’s Chapel for the younger children, or a special social action project).  There will also be the periodic opportunity to gather with the Youth Group and the Youth Advisor outside of Sunday morning for conferences, outings, and social time.  

The curriculum will be UU Traditions with a Wink.  This curriculum is attentive to the passage from childhood to teenage, and focuses on the lived aspect of Unitarian Universalism (our customs, worship, communities, service projects) in order to keep the program lively and help youth stay enthusiastic about their church experience.

Special programs offered outside the Sunday Morning time frame

Ninth-Twelfth Grade Youth

Coming of Age helps youth discern for themselves what it means to be an adult Unitarian Universalist, individually, and as a part of a larger faith community.  It involves individual activities, a relationship with a mentor from the congregation, discussion with other coming of age youth and the minister, and special directed projects undertaken within the community and the congregation.  Please contact Rev. Ritchie directly if you are interested in the Coming of Age program.

Seventh to Ninth Grade Youth

We are proud to offer to our Junior High School students Our Whole Lives, a comprehensive sexuality education course. Our Whole Lives helps participants make informed and responsible decisions about their sexual health and behavior. It equips participants with accurate, age-appropriate information in six subject areas: human development, relationships, personal skills, sexual behavior, sexual health, and society and culture. Grounded in a holistic view of sexuality, Our Whole Lives provides not only facts about anatomy and human development, but helps participants to clarify their values, build interpersonal skills, and understand the spiritual, emotional, and social aspects of sexuality.  Classes will be held Sunday afternoons, beginning in January 2008.  Please contact Rev. Ritchie if you are interested in participating in this program. 

NUUC Religious Education Policies and Procedures for Sunday Morning Classes

–    All Sunday morning Religious Education Classes and Children’s Chapel meetings take place in the House.  However, the preschool class will meet in the rear of Fellowship Hall, adjacent to the nursery.  Please be sure to check the Worship schedule on the website (click here) for dates for intergenerational worships when the children join us for the main service instead of having RE class.

–    The program takes place from 10:30am until 11:30am. 

–    We ask that all parents/guardians of children personally escort their children to their Sunday morning religious education program no earlier than 10:20am. 

–    Classes will begin in parlor of the Nielsen House with a brief Gathering Time.  Please sign the “Sign-In Binder” located on the piano in the parlor upon the child’s arrival.  Your child can go directly to their classroom to drop off coats or other items and to get his/her nametag.  The children then return to the parlor of the Nielsen House.    You may not leave your child until at least 2 religious education volunteers (either teachers, assistants, or RE Committee members) are present.   

–    Visitors will be asked to complete a visitor registration form.

–     Parents of children in grades 5 or older may allow their child the privilege of signing him/herself in to the RE program. 

–     Each class will leave the house at the conclusion of its religious education program.  Children are required to stay with the group as they leave the house, cross the street, and enter Fellowship Hall.  It is expected that parents/guardians will promptly join with their child in Fellowship Hall upon completion of the worship service. 

–    The RE representative of the day will have a (walkie-talkie) to facilitate any emergency communication between the teachers in the House and the parents in the sanctuary.  Should a parent be needed, the RE representative will identify the child’s parent/guardian and the parent/guardian is expected to accompany the RE representative to the House immediately.

–    Parents are ultimately responsible for their minor children at all times.

–    To ensure the safety of everyone, children, youth, and their parents are asked to abide by the NUUC Religious Education Behavioral Covenant.

–    All adults in the community accept the responsibility for the care and nurture of the children in our midst. All adults are encouraged to model and encourage safe behaviors.   

–    Older children are expected to be mindful and considerate of younger children at all times.

–    Inside the buildings, children and youth are expected to use "walking feet and indoor voices" at all times.

–    Any concerns should be reported to the Acting Director of Religious Education Ministries, Rev. Susan Ritchie, or to the Chair of the Religious Education Committee, Tracy Steinbrenner.

A Covenant of Behavior for the North Unitarian Universalist Congregation

Religious Education Programs

As part of a religious community the promises we make to each other about how we will treat each other and what we will do to create a safe and sacred space is called a covenant.  Our covenant is based on the Principles of the Unitarian Universalist Association.

PRINCIPLE ONE: EACH AND EVERY PERSON IS IMPORTANT.

 Everyone deserves to be treated with respect, to have a chance to share, to be heard, to be included in the day's activities at church. This means that we don't call people names, don't interrupt when someone else is talking, take turns so every person has a chance to talk, play with the toys or games or participate in a special activity.

PRINCIPLE TWO: ALL PEOPLE SHOULD BE TREATED FAIRLY AND KINDLY.

Everyone - no matter his or her age or sex, race, family, abilities, or differences - is welcome. We don't use hurtful words, hit or throw things at one another. It means we take turns, share our snacks, and leave something for the next person. We speak up and get help when we see someone being treated unfairly.

PRINCIPLE THREE: WE SHOULD ENCOURAGE ONE ANOTHER AND LEARN TOGETHER

This means we need to listen to each other, to participate in group activities to the best of our abilities, to help someone who is new or struggling, and to share what we are thinking or feeling. It is important to say we are sorry when we fail to treat others the way we would like to be treated.

PRINCIPLE FOUR: EACH MUST BE FREE TO SEARCH FOR WHAT IS TRUE AND RIGHT IN LIFE.
Everyone is encouraged to share his or her own thoughts and feelings. It means listening to others and asking questions to discover what is true and right for us. It means that we will let other people ask questions and explore the things that have meaning for them, without judging or making fun.

PRINCIPLE FIVE: ALL PERSONS SHOULD HAVE A SAY ABOUT WHAT AFFECTS THEM.
Children may share their thoughts and feelings about what happens at church, and offer their ideas for new or better ways of doing things. It means all of us, young and old, need to listen to one another, ask for suggestions and advice, and work together to make church a safe and special place.

PRINCIPLE SIX: WORK TOGETHER FOR A PEACEFUL, FAIR AND FREE WORLD.

This means we settle our disagreements in honest, caring, peaceful ways. We don't fight, push, shove or throw things at one another. We do not bring toy guns or knives to church, or play in violent ways. We don't use hurtful words or talk about people behind their backs. We don't destroy or damage what belongs to the church or other people.

PRINCIPLE SEVEN: CARE FOR OUR PLANET EARTH WHICH WE SHARE WITH ALL LIVING THINGS.

It means we clean up our messes, don't waste food or supplies, and recycle whatever we can. It means we don't jump on furniture, or play on equipment that is meant for people much smaller (or younger) than us.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

We all make mistakes at times or fail to live up to the promises we have made to one another. At those times, we will lovingly remind each other of our better selves, get help from someone we trust, and listen to one another.  It may be helpful to apologize and make amends for what we have done.

If we see these principles not being followed, we each have a responsibility to respond because we want this place to be safe for all.  If anyone has difficulty keeping the covenant while they are in group meetings or worship, the following will happen:

First, a responsible adult will immediately offer a quiet reminder that the behavior is breaching the Covenant.  Next, if the behavior continues, the adult and child will hold a private conversation.  If the behavior continues, the child will have a private conversation with the Director of Religious Education Ministries who will be in touch with the parents.  After a family conversation, the parents will contact the DREM to indicate the child or youth understands the behavior was unacceptable and agrees to work harder to keep the Covenant.  In the case of repeated difficulties, a parent or guardian may be asked to stay with the child in his classroom for one or more sessions.