Religious Education
for
Children and Youth
We accompany our children in their spiritual development, encouraging them to question, wonder, and develop their own religious beliefs while confirming the religious values that we share. Religious Education is offered each Sunday at 10:30. Excellent nursery care for those 3 and under is offered from 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.
On this page:
Religious Education - Registration Form for Children and
Youth
Join Us Every Sunday!
10:30 a.m.- 11:40 for PreK through 9th grade
10:30 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. for High School
Children of all ages are always welcome to stay
with their families in the sanctuary during worship.
Nursery care is available for babies and toddlers from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Sunday Morning Schedule
| 10:30 a.m. - 11:40 a.m. | ||
| Grades | Curriculum | Room |
| PreK-1st | Pillars | 126 |
| 2nd-3rd | Pillars | 201 |
| 4th-5th | Pillars | 202 |
| 6th-7th | You the Creator | 207 |
| 8th-9th | Coming of Age | 203 |
| 9th-12th | Time: 10:30-12:15 Thinking the Web |
208 |
Children in PreK through 12thgrades
begin in the sanctuary with their families, and proceed to classes during
or following the hymn after the first portion of the service.
Quiet boxes are available in the vestibule while the children are in church.
TopCurriculum
Our children and youth who are Preschool through 12th grade start at 10:30 a.m. in church. From there, they go to their classes and meet their parents after worship is over in the Fireside Room. Older youth (9th -12 grade) meet until 12:15 p.m.
Children of Preschool through 5th grade will be using the Pillars curriculum. This wonderful program covers four areas which we call pillars because they uphold our faith: 1) Our Unitarian Universalist Identity, 2) the Six Sources from which we gain spiritual knowledge and inspiration, 3) Peace and Social Justice, and 4) the Interdependent Web of Life. Each year the children go deeper into the topics so that by the time they finish 5th grade their understanding is rich.
The 6th and 7th grade youth will be using a curriculum called You the Creator. Its goal is creative empowerment: helping participants discover themselves as creators and as one with positive and universal creative forces. Some of the themes of this course are Religion and Creativity, Religion and Creative Arts, Arts and Creativity, Creativity and the Self, Creative Spirituality and Creating Community.
8th and 9th graders will be engaged in the Coming of Age program of our church. As these youth prepare to leave childhood, they will explore theology, spirituality and history through discussion, drama, music, writing and art, working to understand their faith as Unitarian Universalists. Adult mentors will accompany them on this journey along with their teachers.
9th through 12th graders will begin the year with a course called Thinking the Web: Unitarian Universalism and Controversial Moral Issues for High School Youth. This curriculum was chosen by the youth in the interest of exploring contemporary moral issues. The curriculum includes discussions and activities around topics such as the right to die, views on drug legalization, capital punishment, pornography, gun control, youth violence, weapons of mass destruction, and peacemaking versus war.
FAQ
Are classes at First Church like Sunday School at other churches? Yes and no. The structure is similar, but the content is different from many churches. In all our Religious Education classes, we seek to nurture continuous growth, keen, open minds, and compassionate hearts. We provide active support for people's spiritual journeys, but do not presume to provide ultimate answers.
Where do children go first? All ages begin together in the sanctuary. Children PreK to 9th Grades leave after the first portion of the worship service, usually after the first verse of a hymn. Their departure time is clearly notated in the order of service.
Is there a fee for Religious Education? No. Religious Education plays an essential role in faith development and spiritual growth for children and adults throughout their lives. As such, RE is provided free of charge by this faith community. Pledges and contributions to support the vital work of this congregation are encouraged and gladly accepted.
Do I need to register my children? Yes, all families are asked to register their children each year. If you are visiting, welcome to our faith home. Please fill out a Religious Education visitor registration form found in the folder for Visiting Parents at the Greeters' table, or print and fill out the LIFESPAN LEARNING FOR CHILDREN AND YOUTH REGISTRATION 2009-2010 form and take it to Natalie Browne, our Director of Religious Education.
What time are classes over? PreK through 5th Grades end at 11:45 a.m. with Closing Circle in the Fireside Room. The 6th-8th Grade classes dismiss from their classrooms at 11:40 a.m. The High School class ends at 12:15 p.m.
What should my children wear? Dressing casually is fine; so is dressing up. Wear what will make you comfortable and will help you and your children feel ready to focus, participate, and enjoy Sunday morning.
Special Events & Activities for Children & Youth
- Closing Circle - Each Sunday, the children from Preschool through 5th Grade end their session with 10 minutes of community singing in the Fireside Room.
- Service Auction Project - Each year the children make a craft project that is contributed to the church's Service Auction.
- Group Photo - Each year we take a snap shot of our children, youth and teachers at 10:30. Photos from past years are hung in Stairway "A."
- Pumpkin Carving - On the Sunday preceding Halloween, families gather in the Crane Fireside Room during Religious Education for Children time to carve or decorate pumpkins. Pumpkin Carving Pictures
- Christmas Eve Service - The early service on Christmas Eve is designed with children in mind. Dec. 24th.
- Kite Day - In early spring, we leave after church for a city park to picnic and fly kites together. The Older Youth usually provide the food as a fundraiser for their activities.
- Easter Social Action Project - We have an annual drive for paper and canned goods. It culminates in an Easter Parade to to take the goods to a nearby service organizations.
- Youth Service - Each year the older youth work with our ministers to create a worship service for the congregation.
- Water Ceremony - Each year, as members and friends return from summer adventures, they bring water to add to a communal bowl that represents the flowing together of our lives in this spiritual community.
- Feast of All Good Children - This annual ceremony honors the transitions of our children and youth as they move up to the next grade in school and our Religious Education program. We create one great cake from many sheet cakes and symbolically jump to the next level, and honoring the changes inherent in growing up.
Philosophy of Religious Education
Mission Statement: We will provide our children with opportunities to grow spiritually, develop a sense of personal and social responsibility, and experience joy, as a central part of a loving Unitarian Universalist community.
How We Fulfill Our Mission
- Teaching about the world's religions, including our own
- Fostering social responsibility and personal growth
- Helping them to find their own spiritual paths
- Teaching them in a safe environment
- Providing activities and rituals
- Integrating our children into our church community and the greater UU fellowship
Description of Philosophy
Our religious education program for children and youth provides children ages 3 to 18 opportunities to learn about our Unitarian Universalist Identity, Sources of Inspiration and history; issues of peace and social justice; and the interdependent web of nature. They have an opportunity to put UU principles into action through service projects.
We believe that the overarching goal of Unitarian Universalist Religious Education is to provide the children and youth with the ability to determine their own spiritual beliefs and discover their ethical compass. In order to help them on this quest, we provide lessons based on the wisdom of many faith traditions and a community where discussion and questioning are not only allowed, but actively encouraged.
Our Leadership
Natalie Browne is an experienced Religious Educator, with a Master of Education degree in Child Study, and background as a Professional Development Facilitator and as a Family Life Coach. As Director of Lifespan Faith Development, she oversees and coordinates Religious Education for Children and Youth, Adult Programs, and Family Ministries. She can be contacted by telephone at 713-526-5200 or by email at DRE@firstuu.org.
The Religious Education Committee for Children and Youth provides essential lay support for the DRE and RE programs and events for children and youth, as well as serving as a creative think-tank for policy and programs. The committee works on improving curricula and provides ongoing assessment of our annual events to make them more vital, inclusive, and meaningful. Members usually commit to a two-year cycle. The current committee consists of Charlie Burrus, Elsa Kapitan-White, and Carmen Druke. RE Committee meetings are open and all are welcome to attend.
Our Childcare Coordinator is Maria Ramirez. She and other childcare personnel are available every Sunday morning from 9:00 - 12 noon. She can be contacted at childcare@firstuu.org