Children / Youth...
Unitarian Universalism welcomes children not only for who they will become in the future but for all that they offer right now. In Unitarian Universalist faith development programs (religious education), our goal is to help children make meaning of their experiences within the framework of our faith. Whether learning about our faith—roots and identity, world religions, life's experiences, questions and mysteries—or how we can live out our faith in the world, we hold children in communities of safety, love, and justice where they are valued just as they are.
We share with children soul-stirring stories, transcendent moments of care, ways to mark the sacred and congregations that help us cherish and number our days. We want children to know the power of faith shared in community. We are all part of the interdependent web of life: a family sharing our home on this earth.
We help children find ways to make the values and principles of Unitarian Universalism part of the fabric of their beings. We work, play, worship, and learn with people of all ages in our congregations. Our children's questions invite our wonder; their trust encourages our hope. We return their questioning with affection and respect, and in doing so our congregations grow and deepen in faith and life-affirming inspiration. (from www.uua.org)
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Childcare is provided free of charge for the duration of our morning service plus half an hour after to allow parents to freely socialize with adults and snack on the goodies others have brought to share. Younger children typically play in the "blue house" with occasional structured activities. During warmer weather, they may be outside in the playground behind the blue house. There is also a "quiet room" available in the church with speakers to allow care-givers the opportunity to soothe their fussy babies while still enjoying the service.
Join the fun!
If you have kids in RE, or like kids, or like RE, your participation is welcome. A welcoming and enjoyable RE program is important in creating a "family friendly" Fellowship. The RE Council creates an age-appropriate Religious Exploration program for our children ages 5 and up. It is also responsible for the care of children under 5. Members of the council help plan our program, improve our teaching environment, teach an occasional Sunday lesson, or organize and facilitate children's activities. Council members and volunteers DO NOT need to be parents or have young children in the program.
RE Council Chair:
Erik Dilling, 881-7324, dillingpt@yahoo.com
RE Council Board Liaison:
Valerie Savina, 616-648-5872, valsavina@gmail.com
RE Director:
Autumn Carlson, 421-0296, cuufdre@yahoo.com
Lessons focus on understanding our Unitarian Universalist (UU) heritage and identity; exploring Jewish and Christian heritage, from which we draw our roots; studying world religions and their traditions; learning about multi-culturalism and the ways in which we can develop anti-oppressive anti-racist identities in our selves and others; and social justice, which undergirds our philosophy of how our faith is lived out in the world.
(from www.uua.org)
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