You know your child best and what works for your family. Listed below are the different opportunities and suggested ages for our religious education classes. If you have any questions about the best fit for your child, please don’t hesitate to consult with the Director of Religious Education. Your child is always welcome to remain with you during the worship service in the sanctuary, if you prefer. In the back right section of the sanctuary, we have a set of lovely rocking chairs and a carpeted area for families with young children to enjoy. If you find that your child and you need a moment outside the service, speakers are available in the foyer and nursery so that you won’t miss out!
All children begin their Sunday morning experience with the congregation in the sanctuary, unless a wee one has been settled early in the nursery. Children will be invited to the front carpet to listen to the Story for All Ages. After the Story, the children and youth will be sung out to their classrooms. Teachers, Assistants, the Hall Monitor, and the DRE will help guide the children to their classes. Parents are welcome to guide their child to their class as well.
Children in preschool through 5th grade must be picked up by their parents after the service is over. The Assistants or Hall Monitor will supervise these children on the playground for up to 10 minutes after classes let out (weather permitting). Please be prompt in picking up your child after the service. Young children may become concerned if
their parents do not arrive when others do. Youth in 6th grade and up are welcome to leave their class on their own after the service is finished, but not before. Parents are responsible for their child’s safety, except for the time during the Re Program until the end of the worship service.
Curriculum
Nursery
Childcare Coordinator: Andy Smith
(Babies and Toddlers up to Three Years Old) - Meet in the Ralph Waldo Emerson room
The nursery opens 20 minutes prior to the worship service. Babies and toddler must be signed in and out from the nursery. Childcare and supervised play is offered in a secure friendly atmosphere. Parents are encouraged to remain with their children until they are comfortable. Please be prompt in picking your young one up after the service. Of course you are welcome to keep your wee ones with you in the worship service, should you prefer.
Pre-K: ( 3-5 years old): We Are Many, We Are One
Teachers: Linda Holmes, Jiffer Keane, Katherine Mendez, and Jeanne Ortmann
Class meets in the William Ellery Channing Room
This program encourages young children to learn how to play and work cooperatively, express their feelings about themselves and others, see congregations as places for making and caring about friends, appreciate how we are all alike yet different, view nature as a source of gifts that needs our care, celebrate the different religions and cultures of the world.
Elementary (6-11 years old): Spirit of Adventure
Teachers: Bev Chumbley, Scott Osborne, Merilynn, Rowan, and Deb Walker
Class meets in the Clara Barton and Florence Nightingale Rooms
This curriculum is designed for active, busy learners to explore our UU heritage and principles through hands-on experiences. Themes explored this year are sports, medicine, science, holidays, food, building, the web of life and famous Unitarian Universalists.
Youth ( 12 years old and up): The Gospel According to the Simpsons and Traditions With A Wink
Teachers: David Armstrong, Christopher Douglas, Wendy Robson, and Kaedi Stoddard
Class meets in the Walt Whitman Room
The Gospel According to the Simpsons: T his 10-session study, for youth and adults, embarks on an exploration of the religious themes prevalent in the popular animated comedy series. Topics include prayer, morality, God, pluralism, the institutional church, hell and the devil, and the Bible.
Traditions With A Wink: This curriculum teaches an understanding of UU faith that can replace the vague “anything we want to” statement with: “We come from a long tradition of questioning and searching. We come from a long tradition of loving kindness and good works.” We have powerful stories and visions of hope. It is time to share them with our older children as they begin the process of shaping their own faith.
