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 Open every Sunday
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OUR RELIGIOUS EDUCATION PROGRAM
FOR CHILDREN AND YOUTH
What are we about?
From the Mission Statement for Religious Education adopted in May 1994: “We the members of First Unitarian Church, hereby affirm our responsibility to (1) embrace the children and young people of this Church in our religious community and communicate to them in words and actions their significance to the life of the Church and their membership in the family of Unitarian Universalists and (2) provide to the children and young people of this Church a quality liberal religious education which offers them the opportunity to (a) acquire the knowledge and interpersonal skills necessary to confidently engage in a religious dialogue with their peers, (b) develop a life-long commitment to Unitarian Universalism and the search for truth to enable them to develop their own belief system and (c) experience the values, ideals and teachings of Unitarian Universalism...”
How do we accomplish this?
Our regular Sunday School year, which runs from September through the end of May, consists of three trimesters of approximately 12 weeks each. Curriculum taught gives students the opportunity to learn more about Unitarian Universalism, World Religions, and our Judeo-Christian Heritage. During all of the trimesters, the material presented is viewed through the lens of Unitarian Universalism and the UU Principles specifically. The goal of our program is to give our children and youth the opportunity to learn about Unitarian Universalism and the faiths of the world on the way to learning more about themselves and the formulation of their own personal concept of religion as they mature spiritually.
In doing so, we hope to instill in our young people a vision of Unitarian Universalism as a church home that is broad enough to grow with them throughout the seasons of their lives.
SUMMER SUNDAY MORNINGS
10:30 a.m. from May 31 through August 23
Preschool & Nursery
We offer supervised care and structured community building activities for children from birth through age 5 in our colorful and spacious Sarah Joslyn infant and preschool area on the lower level. The Sarah Joslyn room opens 20 minutes before the church service begins and closes 20 minutes after the service concludes.
Learn more about our Nursery and Pre-school Program.
Kindergarten through 5th Grade
ALL kindergarten through 5th grade children go to Sunday school at 10:30 a.m. during the summer instead of beginning the service in the sanctuary with their families. This multi-age group meets in the Robert Weston Room in the Religious Education wing for a gathering and sharing ritual; the kids then choose how they will spend the rest of their time from a variety of offerings, including building and board games, art activities, gardening, and puzzles and word play. (If any 11-12th graders would like to volunteer in the religious education program, contact Cheryll Wallace at the church for more information)
6-10th Grade Program
A little bit of everything…daring discussion, active play, art, movies, wacky wonderful community, LOTS of pillows and of course, FOOD!!! COME AND JOIN US. Facilitated by Kate Wiig, Jessie Franke, and Jeremy Carr.
Grades 6-10 meet in the James Reeb Room on the south side of the Common Room on the lower level.
Youth in this age group remain in the service to worship with the congregational community. (If any 11-12th graders would like to volunteer in the religious education program, contact Cheryll Wallace at the church for more information)
Other Opportunities for Children, Youth, and Parents
YRUU
YRUU is a youth group for 7-12 graders from both First and Second Unitarian Churches. It is on summer break until September 16th when it will resume meeting on Wednesday nights from 7 - 8:30p.m. Contact Cheryll Wallace at the church for more information.
Soul-Full Thursdays
Soul-Full Thursdays are six week sessions held at three different intervals during the year. Each Thursday offers a community meal, classes that may interest older children and youth, and child care
UU Kids Summer Camp
June 9-13 at First Unitarian (with a parent program on Friday night and then a sleep over)
• For First Graders through kids going into 6th Grade in the fall
• Sponsored by First & Second Unitarian churches
• Contact Cheryll Wallace for more information
Rummage Sale! June 11-13, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The youth group will be holding a rummage sale in the Common Room to raise money for its trip to the Heifer Ranch this summer. Donations for the sale may be dropped off at the church June 8-9, from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m., and June 10, from 9 a.m. - 9 p.m.
“Parents as Spiritual Guides” Retreat - July 25th at First Unitarian Church, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Based on the belief that children’s religious education should not be restricted to Sunday school, this program will help parents bring spiritual growth into the home, where communion and rituals of family life can support the “dynamic process of faith development.” Open to parents of children of all ages and “parents to be”- no matter how close that is to becoming a reality.
The retreat will be facilitated by Cheryll Wallace, director of religious education.
Space is limited to 25 people. A continental breakfast, lunch, snacks & child care are included. The minimum number needed to offer the retreat is 12 people. The cost for the retreat is $15 per person plus $10 per child for child care. Register by contacting Cheryll Wallace at dre@firstuuomaha.org or 345-3039. The FIRM DEADLINE FOR REGISTRATION is Friday, July 3, at 4 p.m.
Updated May 28, 2009 wfr
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