RELIGIOUS EDUCATION PROGRAM
2011-2012
an invitation to spiritual growth and learning
Unitarian Universalists believe that it is the right and responsibility of every individual to develop his or her own religious beliefs and philosophy of life. Religious (‘to bind back’) Education (‘to lead out’) is that process of spiritual growth. Sensitive to the different needs and abilities of all ages, our program provides information and skills, encourages questioning and free-thinking, and supports the sharing of concerns and ideas with others.
Director of Religious Education - Lisa Elliott
508-992-7081 DRE@uufairhaven.org
Coordinator of Youth Program – Kari Tyler
508-992-7081 YPC@uufairhaven.org
Religious Education Committee
- Paula Bird
- Nikki Cuoco
- Geoff Dickinson
- Sandra Nunes
- Michael Patnaude
- Kym Welty
Our religious education program for infants through teens is held in Harrop Center every Sunday morning from 10:30 – 11:45. We encourage parents to help their children arrive on time and remain for the full 1¼ hours. Babies through kindergarten children should be picked up from their classrooms by 11:45. Children and youth in grades 1 – 12 will join the adults at coffee hour in the Parish House at 11:45. Our church school is a cooperative church school – everyone working together for the benefit of all. All parents, except newcomers, are expected to contribute some time to our program every year. There are many ways to help. Your time and skills, energy and care will enrich our ministry to children and youth.
September 11, 2011 is InGathering Sunday. All babies, children and youth will attend the beginning of the 10:30 am worship service in the Sanctuary with their families. Then babies and their parents, children, youth, teachers and new families will proceed to Harrop Center to register, find their rooms and meet their classmates. Refreshments will be served outside at 11:30 am.
New families may visit our church school or register in our program throughout the year. Please feel welcome to contact Lisa Elliott, DRE at DRE@uufairhaven.org or 508-992-7081 with any questions you may have.
About Our Program
Worship – “considering that which is of worth” – is an important component of our religious education program. Worship for the Preschool and Pre-K/Kindergarten classes means starting their mornings with chalice lighting and a sharing circle. On the first Sunday of every month, Grades 1-6 join the adults for the beginning of the service in the sanctuary. On the remaining Sundays, a smaller and more informal worship circle begins our mornings in Harrop Center. Junior and Senior Youth Groups will create their own worship experiences to begin their mornings in their classrooms and will occasionally attend full services in the Sanctuary. Several intergenerational worship services are planned throughout the year with childcare available in Harrop Center.
Library – Over 500 books for all ages are located in our library next to the kitchen in Harrop Center. In addition to children’s fiction, that illustrate our Unitarian Universalist principles, there are books, audio-tapes, videos and DVDs for children, teens and adults on: Unitarian Universalism, world religions, Bible study, spirituality, parenting, death and dying, birth and adoption, divorce, remarriage, aging, new babies, nature, holidays, simple living, earth-keeping, social justice and more. You may borrow books on the honor system – simply sign the card found in the back of the book, leave it in the basket, and return your book in one month.
Harrop Center - is the English Tudor style house behind the Sanctuary and to the west of the Parish House. It was built in 1904 as the “manse”, the home of the ministers and their families. Sixty years later it was named in honor of Helen Harrop, Church School Director from 1937-1958 and became the home of the church school program. It is now used for childcare, church school and youth group on Sunday mornings, as well as playgroup, adult education, meetings, social activities and community events during the week.
Lisa Elliott is the Director of Religions Education. In addition to Sunday mornings, she is in her office in Harrop Center on most weekday mornings from August – June. You are invited to stop by and visit or call (508-992-7081) or email her (DRE@uufairhaven.org) with your questions, concerns or ideas.
Kari Tyler is the Youth Program Coordinator. In addition to Sunday morning at church you may contact her at 508-992-7081 or YPC@uufairhaven.org
The Religious Education Committee meets once a month to determine the policies and programs for the children, youth and adults. The current members on the RE Committee are Paula Bird, Nikki Cuoco, Geoff Dickinson, Sandra Nunes, Michael patnaude and Kym Welty.
Our church school is a cooperative church school – everyone working together for the benefit of all. All parents, except newcomers, are expected to contribute some time to our program every year. There are many ways to help. Your time and skills will enrich our program. Newcomers are encouraged to attend the adult worship service in the Sanctuary to become more familiar with the Unitarian Universalist faith and our congregation. An “Orientation to UUism” is offered twice a year and our staff and lay-leaders are always happy to talk with you.
Our Curriculum
Infants through Kindergarten
Nursery Care for infants and toddlers – Our primary goal with our youngest children is to nurture their sense of trust and comfort in the people and places beyond their family and home. The church school community can provide that first step into the larger world. Your child will find loving care, first friendships, and a choice of toys appropriate to their varying ages, interests, learning abilities and emotional needs.
Pre-School (for children entering kindergarten in 2013 and 2014) – Celebrating Me and My World provides 2 and 3-year-olds with experiences and opportunities to grow in their sense of trust and caring and to develop their self-identity and their sense of connectedness with all of life. Their morning will include stories, activities, snack and free-play.
Pre-K and Kindergarten (for children entering kindergarten in 2011 and 2012) – We Are Many, We Are One is a curriculum based on the philosophy that young children learn about religion through relationships. What is a person? Who am I? How am I related to other people? What are my responsibilities? What kind of world do I live in? Each morning will include short opening worship, circle time, theme activity, story, snack and closing ritual.
Elementary and Intermediate Grades
Our year is divided into three seasons, each with a different theme: early fall – Unitarian Universalism; late fall – holidays; winter – World Religions; and spring – social or earth justice. (On alternate years, the winter term focuses on our Jewish and Christian heritage and Bible literacy.)
Early fall – Unitarian Universalism
Grades 1 and 2 – Around the Church, Around the Year helps 6- and 7-year-olds learn about our Unitarian Universalist faith and feel part of their church community. After touring the buildings and meeting the employees and lay leaders, they will learn about the important activities that happen in their church. They will learn about the values and holidays the church celebrates throughout the seasons. They will learn about the flaming chalice, making one to take home and a mosaic banner to hang in their room. Interactive games and art projects will help them understand the first two principles of UUism.
Grades 3 and 4 – Spirit of Adventure is a new UU identity curriculum that uses unique and engaging activities—dissecting a computer, building cantilever architecture with graham crackers, interviewing a sports coach, using science to prepare food—to learn about our faith. Sports, medicine, food, science, building and exploring are the themes for learning about our history, famous UUs who have made notable contributions to our lives, and ways to incorporate our principles into our daily lives.
Grades 5 and 6 – Traditions With a Wink will introduce intermediate children to ways that UUs celebrate rites of passage—child blessings, coming of age, marriage, and death—and how these express our spiritual beliefs. They will also tour the church and meet congregational leaders. They will learn the history of our UU flaming chalice symbol and then make individual chalices, learning how the flame can express our deepest feelings of hope and gratitude.
Late fall – Celebrating the Holidays
November 27 to December 11
Grades 1–6 will recognize the holidays with service projects and preparations for Intergenerational Christmas Worship service on December 18. There will be no church school for grades 1 -12 on December 25 and January 1.
Winter – Religions of the World
January 8 to March 25
With age-appropriate content and activities, grades 1-2, 3–4 and 5–6 will learn about how people of different religions around the world celebrate holidays; recognize life passages; understand what is holy or transcendent; and how their faiths teach them about themselves and their interaction with other people and the earth.
Early spring – a social-eco justice curriculum
April 15 to May 20
Grades 1–6 will learn how to make the world a better place and will participate in an eco-justice activity that helps them act on their faith.
Late spring and summer – childcare and activities for young children
May 27 to June 24
August 5 – September 2
Although our formal curriculum ends on the Sunday before Memorial Day weekend, childcare for babies, toddlers and preschoolers continues to be available in the nurseries. Arts and outdoor activities are offered to primary children and older children are invited to attend church with their parents.
Youth Programs
Grades 7 and 8 – Fall – Our Whole Lives (part II) provides accurate, age-appropriate information, trained leaders and a safe environment for adolescents to understand and respond to the challenges facing them as they develop into mature human beings. Topics to be discussed will include sexual development, reproductive health, interpersonal relationships, affection, intimacy, body image and gender roles. Based firmly on the values of respect, responsibility, justice and inclusivity, this reknown curriculum will help 12–14-year-olds apply these values to their behavior and provide them with information and skills they can use throughout life. A comprehensive parent orientation, led by our trained teachers, will be offered in mid-October and will be required of all parents of youth enrolled in this class. Winter and spring – Neighboring Faiths
Grades 9 and 10 – The Coming of Age program is a full-year of activities, projects, reading, and discussion for youth who are interested in learning more about Unitarian Universalism and exploring and articulating their own religious beliefs. Each youth selects an adult mentor who will help in the completion of the monthly projects, most of which will be done as a group on Sunday morning. A Rite of Passage celebration will take place at the end of the year. Youth who complete the program may choose to become junior members of our church.
Grades 11 and 12 – Older teens may attend adult worship, sing in the choir, help teach church school or participate in Sunday morning youth group. Youth Group will include small group ministry for youth (worship and discussion on topics of personal spiritual growth), service projects, learning more about the UU faith.
Adult Programs
Consistent with our commitment to life-span faith development, programs will be offered throughout the year and announced in our church newsletter. These may include speakers and discussions, small group ministry, affinity groups, meditation circles, book discussions and curriculum series.
FAQ’S
How many children are registered in the religious education program?
In fall 2011, there are about 95 babies through teens in our program.
How many children are in each class? How many teachers?
There are between 4 and 12 children in each class. Each class has 2 teachers.
Where do families come from at your church? Are most from Fairhaven?
In fall 2011, 42% of the families were from Fairhaven, 24% from New Bedford and the rest are from Mattapoisett, Dartmouth, Marion, Rochester, Westport, Acushnet, and Buzzard’s Bay.
Where does the church school meet?
The church school meets in Harrop Center, the large English tudor-style house next to the Parish House. You can enter the front door from Center Street or the back door near the Parish House or the west porch door at the end of the ramp from the handicap parking area.
When does church school meet? At the same time as adult worship?
Church school is from 10:30 – 11:45 AM. Children in grades 1 – 12 will join the adults at coffee hour at 11:45. Younger children must be picked up from the religious education building by their parent at 11:45. (Parents must give permission to the teacher to release their child to anyone other than themselves.)
Adult worship is from 10:30 – 11:30. Please enjoy a cup of coffee and conversation
following the service until church school is concluded.
Do the children attend coffee hour and are there refreshments for children or should I bring a snack?
Snacks are provided for children in Nursery through Kindergarten in their classrooms. Children in grades 1 – 12 will join the adults at coffee hour at 11:45. This enjoyable fellowship time with refreshments is for all ages.
What should my child wear to Sunday school?
We have a hands-on, active program so children usually wear regular school clothes.
Is there a fee to register my child?
No. Our church programs (church school, worship, staff salaries, supplies, utililities, etc.) are paid for by contributions of those who attend. An offering is taken during every adult worship service and envelops are available on request. Once a year, our Stewardship Committee asks everyone to make a commitment of financial support for the coming year so that our Finance Committee can prepare its annual budget.
Do you take a kid’s collection?
A donation basket is passed during the Children’s Worship Circle that begins the morning for grades 1 – 6. There is no offering for the young children and the teens contribute to our congregation by often providing childcare for church meetings and events and helping in church projects.
Do you do any service projects in the community that our family can do together?
We have an active Social Justice Committee that coordinates service projects and justice work for multi-age and adult volunteers. Some of these include soup kitchen, food pantry, marches for peace or earth sustainability or equal rights. These are listed on our website and in our newsletter.
Are there any social activities that our family can do together?
Throughout the year, we offer several intergenerational activities such as pot luck suppers, game nights, film showings, outdoor events, etc. These are listed in our newsletter.
How do you assure that your teachers will maintain safe and appropriate relationships and behavior with the children?
Here is an excerpt from our Safe Congregation Guidelines for Children and Teachers.
1. No volunteer may teach in the church school or advise/lead the youth group until they have been actively attending the church for a minimum of 6 months and
preferably one year.
2. All teachers will attend a Teacher Orientation meeting, at least once every two years.
3. All teachers will read or review the Teacher Orientation booklet.
4. All teachers will read and annually sign the Code of Ethics.
5. All teachers will complete a CORI request form.
6. There will be at least two teachers/leaders in every classroom. If a teacher must be absent, s/he or the DRE will secure a substitute. If a volunteer is without a teaching partner, s/he will do one or more of the following with the approval of the DRE:
- ask the parent of a child in the class to assist for that session
- conduct the class with the door open
- move the class to a downstairs room with the door open
- combine with a younger or older class
7. All doors to the Nurseries will remain open with the gates closed.
Do my children have to be baptized to attend Sunday School?
No. Our ritual for welcoming new children into a family is called a child dedication. This optional celebration names the child as a recognition of his or her individuality, commits the family to love and care for the child and welcomes the child into his community of extended family and friends.
What other ceremonies or special events take place for children and teens?
Our 9th and 10th graders participate in a Coming of Age program during which they learn about our faith, our church, and then work on articulating their own religious beliefs. These credo statements are read before the congregation in May and the youth participate in a brief ceremony of leaving the children’s church school and joining our youth group. These teenagers are eligible to become Junior Members of the church. Our graduating high school seniors meet once a month with the minister to reflect on their time in our religious education program, how their faith informs their decisions and behaviors, and their feelings and hopes for the next chapter of their lives. A “bridging ceremony’ takes place during a Sunday morning worship service in early June when they ‘graduate’ from our religious education program and begin their journey into adulthood.
My husband is Jewish. Can we still bring our children to your church?
Yes. Many interfaith families are happy to find that Unitarian Universalism is faith that welcomes and affirms people of diverse personal theologies.
My boys play sports and many games are on Sundays. Is it OK if I have to leave early some weeks?
Yes. However, if they are absent or leaving early most of the Sundays, it will be a more difficult for them to become familiar with the curriculum and routines and to develop friendships. We encourage parents to request of their child’s coach that no, or at least a minimum of, practices and games be scheduled on Sunday morning.
We have been going to another church. How is your church school different?
Unitarian Universalists believe that it is the right and responsibility of every individual to develop his or her own religious beliefs and philosophy of life. Religious (‘to bind back’) Education (‘to lead out’) is that process of spiritual growth. Sensitive to the different needs and abilities of all ages, our program provides information and skills, encourages questioning and free-thinking, and supports the sharing of concerns and ideas with others. The Unitarian Universalist approach to religious education reflects an on-going search for truth and meaning and a commitment to freedom of belief. Inspiration from all the religions of the world including Jewish and Christian teachings, as well as humanist teachings, science, and personal experiences of mystery and wonder are the basis for church school and adult programs. Using stories and songs, games and discussions, arts and crafts, service projects and celebrations, children and teens have an opportunity to ask their own religious questions, evolve a sense of ethics, develop their own beliefs and learn to appreciate and deal with life issues.
We are divorced and I want to start coming with my boys, but they are at their dad’s every other weekend. Will that be OK?
Yes. We hope you will make a commitment to bring them on the alternate weekends so they will become familiar with the ‘routine’ of the morning and to begin to make friends that they will look forward to seeing when they are here. Some divorced parents use Sunday morning at church school as the time and place to transfer children from one household to the other. That way, the children can have more regular attendance.
I have a 5 yr old and a 2 year old. Will they be in the same class?
Our children are grouped together with other children within two years or two grades of each other. You can look at our curriculum and see in which group each of your children will be.
My youngest is a little clingy – if she starts crying in church school, will you come get me?
We will. If you sit on the aisle at the right side of the sanctuary, I can discretely find you during the worship service if she needs you. You may also leave a cell phone number with me – but please remember to set it on ‘vibrate’.
My 12 yr old has never been to any Sunday school, can we try it out for a few weeks?
Yes. And it is good to make a commitment to try church and Sunday school for several weeks. It takes a while to become familiar with the ‘routine’ of the morning, to begin to make friends that you look forward to seeing each Sunday morning, and to decide if our religious education program meets your needs for your child’s spiritual growth and development.
I have never taught Sunday School. Do you have an outline for me to follow?
Newcomers are not asked to co-teach a church school class during their first year. We want you to get to know Unitarian Universalism and our church. But when you are ready to lend a hand in the church school, you will be given a curriculum, you will be paired with another adult volunteer who has taught before, and you will be invited to a teacher orientation meeting.
