RE Minister's Note:
Random Kindess
(September 2008)
"The world is round and the place
which may seem like the end may also be the beginning."
--Ivy Baker Priest
As the summer draws to a close, we say goodbye to languid days
and hello to the energetic beginnings of renewed connections with
our congregation, schools and the myriad activities that make up
our lives. Make this new beginning one that you can look back on
with joy. Make connections that are real, meaningful and fulfilling.
Enter into this community with open heart and hands. Welcome back.
It is good to see you.
This year we are offering many new curricula. The Unitarian Universalist
Association (UUA) has published a series called Tapestry of Faith.
Tapestry's goals are to "nurture Unitarian Universalist identity,
spiritual growth, a transforming faith, and vital communities of
justice and love." We will be using two Tapestry curricula:
Creating Home in the K/1 class and Moral Tales in
2nd/3rd grade classes. The 4th/5th grades will also get a new curriculum,
Bibleodeon, a fun and energetic way to learn about the Hebrew
and Christian scriptures. The 9th graders will be using UU history
and identity lessons from Traditions with a Wink.
Along with our regular Sunday morning classroom offerings we will
continue our traditions of Dia de los Muertos, our Holiday Craft
Workshop and Winter Holiday Pageant. At the end of January, we have
Undoing Racism Day and our February Focus month on the environment.
It promises to be a year we can enjoy together as we practice our
values and connect with our community and do our part to transform
our world. Join us!
We are very proud of our Religious Education Program and how it
impacts the life of our children and youth, their families and the
whole congregation. It increases our congregation's understanding
of Unitarian Universalism and it puts our values into action. To
bring this program to life we need about 150 volunteers over the
course of the year. That includes Lead Teachers who keep the classes
staffed and organized over the course of the year; Classroom teachers
who bring the lessons to our children and youth each week for a
10 week quarter, special event presenters, Coming of Age mentors
and Religious Education Committee members. We have most of our volunteers
in place and will be able to start the year with good energy and
excitement. However, we still have a few gaps, especially in the
Pre-K classes at both 9:30 and 11:00 AM, 2nd/3rd & 6th/7th grades
at 11:00 AM. Right now, we have 88 Lead and Classroom teachers to
thank for coming forward last spring. To fill out the year, we still
need 19 more classroom volunteers. Our children need your participation.
Come be a part of this teaching ministry.
We have a vibrant Children and Youth Religious Education Committee.
Our Chair this year is Judith Rew. Continuing members include past
Co-Chair Terry Doemling along with Peter Arian, Ed Boyle, Francesca
Elms and Mary K. Murphy. This year we welcome new members Ami Brabson,
Jean Scott, Diane Specht, Chris Wallace, Eric Williams and Jill
Wodnick. We look forward to a dynamic year together!
The Adult Religious Education Committee is chaired by Jim O'Neill
with Bruce Anderson and new members Laura Kushner and Deborah Graham.
We have some new programs and some old favorites. If you are new
to our community and want to find out more about Unitarian Universalism,
if you are interested in becoming a member; if you want to deepen
your understanding of your own spiritual life or want to become
more connected to our congregation or our community, we have some
programs for you. Please see the attached brochure.
In the faith,
Judy Tomlinson
Minister of Religious Education
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