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The mission of the UUCSS Religious Education Program is
to help fulfill the responsibility of our larger church community
to nurture the growth of our young people in spirit, mind, and body,
guided by our Unitarian Universalist Principles. Our program is
designed to appeal not only to the children themselves, but also
to those parents, guardians, and other adults who desire to enter
with young people on a lifelong journey of religious growth and
learning.
Our educational approach is founded on the understanding that a
young person’s religious perspective grows out of everyday
experiences We believe that religion does not consist of a fixed
set of beliefs to be handed to a young person, but rather that it
is only through active participation in an ongoing process of testing,
trying, building, searching, questioning, and changing that a true
and lasting faith unfolds. Our Religious Education Program therefore
encourages our young people to examine our faith in the light of
its history, principles and practices, surrounded by a supportive
and loving community.
While avoiding the imposition of religious creeds, our primary
goal is to provide planned, yet flexible classes which uphold and
promote our Unitarian Universalist Principles. Within our classes
and church celebrations we strive to create a nurturing and supportive
community that celebrates the worth and uniqueness of each child,
and that stimulates, encourages, and supports students in their
own spiritual journey.
We know that young people who go through our religious education
programs are able to respect all religious points of view, and to
do the hard work of questioning and studying necessary to develop
a personal religious framework. Our students also learn the simple
lessons of civilized society, politeness, fairness and honesty and
acceptance of others despite their differences.
Recognizing the importance of celebration and ritual, our young
people have both a worship service—either in a carefully planned
youth service in the Children’s Chapel or in the adult worship
service with their families—and an age appropriate religious
education class each week. Curriculum choices are made from materials
published by the Unitarian Universalist Association or other respected
sources, with modifications as appropriate.
We feel that it is especially important to prepare our young people
with a strong sense of what it means to be a Unitarian Universalist.
An introduction to the beliefs and thoughts of the world’s
religions and the Jewish and Christian roots of our movement form
an integral part of our program. We particularly attempt to foster
an enlightened religious literacy based on rational and critical
thinking. It is our hope that through this exposure our young people
will gain an appreciation for the value and wisdom of religious
traditions of the past that will help to inform and shape their
own emerging ideas and beliefs.
As outcomes of their participation in our program, we want our
young people to treat themselves and others as individuals of inherent
worth and dignity; to negotiate the inevitable challenges and paradoxes
of life with a social consciousness that leads to responsible choices
and actions; to recognize, enjoy, and protect our interdependence
with nature; and to develop an appreciation of the rich diversity
of our planet; thereby helping to create respectful and supportive
communities, both locally and globally.
We do not expect to accomplish this in a few weeks, or even in
a single year-the development of a personal religion is a lifelong
process. Nor do we expect to do it alone--our Religion Education
Program is a cooperative effort that draws upon the talents of many
dedicated teachers, parents, and other volunteers in addition to
the Religious Education Committee and the professional leadership
of our Director of Religious Education.
The success of the program ultimately depends upon the regular
attendance of our young people and the support and participation
of parents and guardians who understand their critical role as religious
educators and "resident theologians."
We believe that our dynamic church community and Religious Education
Program have much to offer those of all ages. May our communal search
for truth be enlightening and enriching for all who embark on the
journey!
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