Religious Exploration
Welcome! We have a great group of volunteer teachers from the congregation for each program. They are ready, willing and able to provide a meaningful and fun experience for your young people this church year. We are looking forward to our time together and hope families will help us by attending regularly. That will help your children get the most out of the programs and the friendships – and it will help you do the same!
Our Program for 2010
With the help of our congregation volunteers and our Religious Exploration Committee, our young people will be asked to come up with their own answers about what they believe, how to get along with each other as members of a community, and how we can all make the world a better place. They may also begin to ask themselves, “How do we stay friends even when our ideas are not the same?”
Pre-K and K
The teachers in the Preschool and Kindergarten classroom will be using the Chalice Children curriculum this year. Chalice Children is based upon the idea that children learn best with a hands-on approach. This program will help our children to develop a sense of spiritual identity, creativity and community. With 36 sessions that rely on imaginative play, fun activities and songs, Chalice Children gently introduces children to concepts such as the cycle of nature and all living things.
Grades 1-4
The teachers in the Grades 1-4 classroom will be using the We Believe curriculum this year. Children in this age group may start to focus on what it means to be a Unitarian Universalist. We Believe will focus on the UU Seven Principles, helping our children to develop an appreciation for each through stories, songs, games, activities and take-home experiences.
Grades 5-8
Teachers in the Grades 5-8 classroom will be using the Toolbox of Faith from the Tapestry of Faith program being developed by the Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations. This exciting new program will ask our young people what tools they would put into a toolbox of our faith and what tools our faith provides for us. There will be time for worship, stories, service and fun. This age group will also include planned junior youth group activities, such as sleepovers, bowling and community service projects..
Children are also welcome to take part in several “all-ages” services during the year, mostly in the fall. Grades 1-4 and 5-8 will share the first 15-20 minutes of the service once a month, including sharing time with the minister!
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Meet our Director of
Religious Education
Hello, everybody, my name is Sarah Reidy and I was just hired as the Director of Religious Education for the church. I am very excited to meet you all, especially the kids who attend Church School whom I keep hearing about. I can’t wait to get started! Now, let me tell you a little bit about myself…
I graduated from the University of Vermont with a B.A. in Psychology and from Boston University with a Master’s in Social Work. Before I had my two children, who are now 5 and 8, I worked for several non-profit organizations and as a Social Worker in a public elementary school. I also enjoy freelance writing in my spare time, mostly about ways that we can be kinder to the environment in our daily lives.
I welcome any suggestions you might have (from adults and children alike!) about what kind of programs, fun events and other ideas you might like to see happen this year. You are welcome to send me an email anytime with your questions, concerns and suggestions to: jwsw@maine.rr.com
My office hours are Sundays from 8:30-10:00 AM and by appointment. I look forward to hearing from you! |
