Religious Education Program

The great end in religious instruction…is not to stamp our minds irresistibly on the young, but to stir up their own; not to make them see with our eyes, but to look inquiringly and steadily with their own; not to give them a definite amount of knowledge, but to inspire a fervent love of truth…not to impose religion upon them in the form of arbitrary rules which rest on no foundation but our own word and will, but to awaken the consciousness, the moral discernment, so that they may discern and approve for themselves what is everlastingly right and good.

— William Ellery Channing (1836)

Sunday Morning, 10:00–11:15 a.m. (Sept. 14, 2008 to June 7, 2009), Nursery through Senior High

Please register your child for class; it helps us to plan for the year. You may print a registration form or fill out an online registration form as you prefer. Our religious education program is a cooperative program that depends upon volunteers. Volunteers are welcome at all levels of experience and commitment. The volunteer information form is available in both printable format and online.

• Nursery (infant to 2 yrs. old) — Loving care is provided for the youngest members of our community.


• Preschool — Windows. The Windows year in the Growing Times curriculum focuses on autumn, understanding the church, the physical self, caring for all kinds of babies, and holidays. Each child experiences a growing year, gaining in knowledge, sensitivity and spirituality...leading to the next growing year.


• K–1st — Treasure Hunting Uses the theme of treasure hunting to explore the meaning of Unitarian Universalist principles and values and emphasizes an accepting and caring community.


• 2nd–3rd — Free to Believe Explores Unitarian Universalist principles through hands-on activities, stories, games, songs, and discussions. Explores answers offered by UU sources to big questions about life and death, spirit and God, and the beginnings of world and life.


• 4th–5th — A Stepping-Stone Year Underlying this curriculum are two premises: 1) religion helps people find answers to important life questions; 2) Unitarian Universalists find these answers for themselves. Focuses on the great religious questions humans have asked themselves through the ages.


• 6th — The Questing Year. Participants are invited on four quests tied to the themes of Self, Church, Mystery, and World. The year culminates with an overnight and a coming of age ceremony during a worship service.


• Junior High (7th–8th) — How Can I Know What to Believe? and Boston Bound. Explores difficult questions about faith. Prepares for spring break trip to Boston, the Unitarian Universalist Association and other historical Unitarian Universalist sites.


• Senior High (9th–12th), Young Religous Unitarian Universalists (YRUU) — On the Path: Spirituality for Youth and Adults & In Our Hands: A Peace and Social Justice Program Using these two curricula, our youth will have an opportunity to explore the nature and meaning of spiritual in their lives and putting their faith into action. Social justice, recreational, and other special activities scheduled at additional times throughout the year.

UUCR is seeking a Youth Coordinator to work with our teens. Please see the employment page for more information.

Visitors

Visitors are welcome throughout the year! Please register for class after two or three visits when you decide this is the right church for you. You may print a registration form or fill out an online registration form as you prefer. You can also sign up to help with the RE program.

UUCR's Safety Policy for Children and Teens

Adult Religious Education and Enrichment Programs

Kids don't ask questions only at church. Visit Between Sundays for answers and discussions about Unitarian Universalism.