RE for Youth

• The UUFCM offers religious education (RE) and exploration opportunities for children in pre-school through upper-elementary. When services are held in-person, Sunday morning childcare is also provided for children ages 0-6 years old.
  
• For the 2020-21 school year, our 1st-6th grade RE group will be following the Soul Matters Sharing Circle curriculum, a thematic lesson plan that implements questions and activities related to monthly themes, such as Renewal, Deep Listening, Healing, Stillness, and more. Materials included in the curriculum draw from a diverse array of scriptures, literature, science, nature, history, and philosophy to support the overall message.
• Children start out the morning in worship with the gathered community and leave for the RE lesson after the Story for All Ages. While services are virtual, children will participate in our RE lessons via video-call over Webex, where our wonderful teachers engage children in age-appropriate activities that encourage spiritual development and growth. A Sunday morning lesson for our children generally includes: a reflection, story, mindfulness exercise, and craft/activity, with discussions throughout. The goal of these lessons is to instill a sense of acceptance, tolerance, and connection to other people and our world, while also helping children become more literate in other people’s beliefs as they develop their own. Middle and high school youth are welcome to stay in service or assist with RE in leadership roles.
  
• When in-person services resume, we will also have our nursery available for our younger
  children to play around and wiggle in. Our little ones can leave for the nursery when the older kids head out for RE, or whenever they need to get a little energy out. Simply let our qualified nursery staff know, and they will guide your child to the nursery. Feel free to accompany them or stay and enjoy service. 
  
• We offer several multigenerational worship service opportunities throughout the year when our children stay in worship with the gathered community for the entire service. Children are always welcome to stay in worship with their families if that is preferable and they feel comfortable doing so.

Please don’t hesitate to contact our Director of Religious Education, Kendra Peffers,
with any questions, comments, or concerns at re.uufcm@gmail.com.
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