Sunday School Programming
The Religious Education Committee - Mission and Vision
The mission of the UUCDC Religious Education Council (REC) is to inspire and challenge persons of all ages (children and adults) to explore and engage the Unitarian Universalist Faith as they travel on their spiritual journey. A healthy UU congregation should encourage people of all ages to engage in spiritual development - Religious Education (RE) is not merely a way to keep the kids busy while parents attend services - RE is an integral part of Unitarian Universalism at all stages of life and all points along the spiritual journey.
The Vision Statements for UUCDC RE are:
- The UUCDC RE program is an inclusive program inspires all ages to become en-gaged in our Faith Community by embracing diversity and discovering common con-nections and interests.
- The UUCDC Lifespan Religious Education program teaches and clarifies the UU Faith through its Principles, Sources, History and Heritage. The RE program utilizes exploratory and experiential opportunities and curricula that encourages everyone's spiritual growth while supporting whole church programming.
- The UUCDC RE program provides guidance in the definition and articu-lation of personal faith based on the UU Principles and Sources. UU Faith is con-sciously and intentionally incorporated by individuals into their daily lives and the community.
- The whole church affirms the importance of Religious Education as an integral part of our religious community.
- Personal spiritual growth of UUCDC members, visitors, and friends is a life-long process of engaging in church and community activities.
- We provide meaningful RE Chapel Worship that supports UU Faith.
- All members of the UUCDC community are confident in their UU identity and shameless about sharing their UU identity as they act in the greater community.
Lifespan Religious Education
Pre-K-Grade 12
Course Offerings
2011/2012
All children and youth attending programs at UUCDC must be registered. Registration fee is $25/child, but will not exceed $50 per family. Scholarships are available. Please let us know any pertinent information about your child/youth especially food allergies, bee sting allergies, or important medical info when you register. Let us know how you can help support your child/youth’s religious education!
The mission of the UUCDC Religious Education Council (REC) is to inspire and challenge persons of all ages (children and adults) to explore and engage the Unitarian Universalist Faith as they travel on their spiritual journey. A healthy UU congregation should encourage people of all ages to engage in spiritual development - Religious Education (RE) is not merely a way to keep the kids busy while parents attend services - RE is an integral part of Unitarian Universalism at all stages of life and all points along the spiritual journey.
Multigenerational Worship (9:15 and 11:15) provides an opportunity for adults and children to worship together for the entire Sunday service. These worship experiences are interactive, entertaining, and spiritual.
Large RE Sessions (9:15 ane 11:15 PreK-6th) are usually held on holiday weekends. The large group RE Session may include storytelling, theater, social justice projects, guest presentations, and music.
Ages Newborn-3
Cradle Room
The youngest members of our community are important to UUCDC and we provide professional care for them. The cradle room is staffed by fully vetted and supervised personnel who provide loving care and play for the little ones until they are able to move onto a more structured class environment.
Sunday Morning Chapel (9:15 and 11:15 Services, Pre K- 6th) in Fellowship Hall mirrors the adult service with opening words, chalice lighting, sharing of joys and concerns, an offering, singing, and a story with a theme. This year, the Sunday Morning Chapel will focus on our 7 UU Principles, Bible Literacy and other World Religious texts and explore holiday themes. Chapel will be lead by our Director of Lifespan Religious Education and we will also have occasion guest leaders, including Rev. Peter Friedrichs.
9:15 Chapel and Classes
Preschool and Kindergarten
Celebrating Me and My World
This full-year curriculum celebrates the wondrous qualities of children and the animals, objects, and people around them. It provides children with experiences and opportunities to grow in trust and caring and to develop their self-identity and sense of connectedness with all of life.
Grade 1
Love Surrounds Us
This program explores all the Principles in the context of Beloved Community of family/home, school, neighborhood. Participants engage in activities that emphasize the love they feel in community.
Grade 2
Moral Tales
Moral Tales provides children with spiritual and ethical tools to make choices and take actions that reflect their Unitarian Universalist beliefs and values.
Grades 3-4
Timeless Themes
This curriculum introduces children to religious literature that is central to North American culture and to Unitarian Universalist heritage. Children become familiar with their cultural heritage, and to the human issues that inspired these scriptures--the timeless themes of transcendent power, human responsibility, love of freedom, speaking out against injustice, respect for the beliefs of others, love of one's neighbor, and forgiveness.
Grades 5-6
Love Connects Us
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.
Grade 7
Neighboring Faiths
This curriculum explores the diversity of religions in our world. Youth, advisors and parents visit other faith communities and worship with them. They experience other traditions as they are practiced in our surrounding communities. The children clarify their values and beliefs in the context of Unitarian Universalism and an increased familiarity with the world’s religions.
Grade 8
Lifespan Sexuality Education Curricula
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.
All teachers are trained in the course.
Grade 9
Coming of Age
A modern UU Rite of Passage that is challenging and transformative for many and marks our 9th graders transition from childhood on to youth. Experiences include class discussion sessions, adult mentorship, fundraising, a service project, overnight retreats, a Boston Heritage trip, skill building, high drama ritual and celebration events.
Y.U.C.K.I. (Young Unitarians Combining Knowledge and Information)
Grade10-12
Our Y.U.C.K.I. Senior High Youth Group programming centers on the five components of the YRUU( Young Religious Unitarian Universalists) youth groups, including social action, leadership, community building, learning and worship.
11:15 Multiage
Chapel & Religious Education
We Believe: Learning and Living Our Unitarian Universalist Principles
This curriculum studies each UU Principle in depth through stories, discussions, activities, and worship experiences for kids of every age! As UUs we are very quick to tell people what we do NOT believe; this curriculum refocuses learners so they can better articulate what we DO believe.
The OWL Program
The Our Whole Sexuality Education Program (OWL) is a positive, comprehensive and age appropriate educational program that promotes sexual health. It is designed to help people in all stages of life to gain the knowledge, life principles and skills they need to express sexuality in life-enhancing ways. It is provided as a series of curricula for five age groups: grade K-1, grades 4-6, grades 7-9, grades 10-12 and adults.
We will be offering OWL Programming on the following projected schedule:
2011-2012 ~ 8th
2012-2013 ~ K-1, 4th-8th
"What a gift! Most faith communities shy away from conversations about sexuality, but ours has embraced it and made it a central part of the transition our children make into adulthood."