Religious Education at the River ... where every child or youth is a participant, leader, and recipient of every part of the life of the congregation: worship, social gatherings, and social justice work.
The River of Grass Unitarian Universalist Congregation values children and understands the impact that faith development can have on the life of a child.
Unitarian Universalists believe that the search for truth and meaning is a life-long process. Our mission is to provide our children and youth with a spiritual foundation based on our Unitarian Universalist principles and a sense of reverence.
We will develop opportunities to nurture their spiritual, emotional, and intellectual growth through faith development classes, community building activities, and service. Our intention is to foster responsible stewards of our faith and its future.
Our Children's Faith Development Program is virtual now. Please click here for information on our current virtual Faith Development program via Zoom.
The following information will apply when we meet in person again, sometime in the future .....
What time on Sundays?
Our children begin their Sundays in worship with the larger community at 10:30 a.m. Together, we share in the lighting of our chalice and the reading of our covenant. A brief Message for All Ages ends with our children being blessed with a song as they move into their classrooms for faith development classes (around 11:00am).
Parents sign their children out of class at 12:00pm. Once per month, we worship together in a multigenerational and interactive worship experience - this is faith development at its best!
Nestlings: Ages Newborn to Three
Our Nursery is available from 10 am to 12 noon: Our babies and toddlers are introduced to Unitarian Universalism through warmth, acceptance, love, and play. Our loving attendant greets our children with a smiling face each Sunday in a nursery filled with comfy places to rest or rock, and fun places to read, play, and create. (Babies are also welcome in our sanctuary and hospitality corner during services.)
Fireflies: Ages 3 -5
The Rainbow Connection introduces the values which are inherent in our Seven Unitarian Universalist Principles through stories and crafts. The 7 colors of the rainbow help us to remember these 7 promises we make with each other.
Dragonflies: Grades K through 3
Love Surrounds Us explores our 7 Principles in the context of Beloved Community. Participants engage in activities that emphasize the love they feel in their communities of home, school, neighborhood and congregation. Sessions based on the Principles allow children to articulate their faith in the world.
Mockingbirds: Grades 4through 6
Love Connects Us celebrates important ways Unitarian Universalists live our faith in covenanted community. Moved by love and gathered in spirit, we embrace our responsibility toward one another and the world at large. We encourage one another's search for truth and meaning. We strive to be active in peace-making and other efforts to improve our world.
Owls: Grades 7 though 12
Truth and Meaning acts upon the Unitarian Universalist principles calling for a covenant to affirm and promote encouragement to spiritual growth and a free and responsible search for truth and meaning. Theological questions are posed and discussed, guiding youth to develop their own beliefs and grow spiritually.
Affirmation / Coming of Age celebrations will be held in the spring for those youth who are ready for this rite of passage. A heritage trip to Boston and its area UU congregations, including the UUA headquarters, will occur during Spring Break 2020.
Social Action
As UUs, we believe service and social justice are important parts of congregational life – and something that should include children and youth along with adults. Our Faith Development students will create and participate in service projects benefitting the social justice causes they select; possible themes include animal welfare, feeding hungry families, or practicing tolerance.
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Registration is Open! Register your child/children now for our Religious Education Program. It's easy. Just click here for our online registration form. If you have any questions, please contact Karen Gonzalez, Director of Religious Education at: religiouseducator@riverofgrassuu.org |
