Religious Education for Children and Youth

Childcare- up to age 4: downstairs  in the middle RE room,       9:30-11:15

5 to 7 years old:            downstairs in the back RE room           10  to 11:15 a.m.

8 to 10 years old:          across the street at the High School      10:00 to 11:15 a.m.

Jr. Youth Group :         Youth Space  (off  site)                       10 to 11:15 a.m

Sr. Youth Group:          Youth Space                                      11:15 a.m. to noon

      Child Care Programming - 12 months to 4 years old

We are very fortunate to have two paid staff, Hannah Gibson and Mackenzie Sato, who offer the children a warm and loving child care program, where the children can explore age appropriate manipulative materials a variety of stories, games, and songs. The children will also begin to learn the basic concepts of Unitarian Universalism through simple chalice lighing ceremonies, stories, songs and rhymes.

 
Curriculum Focus for Elementary and Youth Groups for 2011-2012
The SFUU Curriculum is based on a three year cycle, with a particular focus for each year. This year, the focus for all RE classes is World Religions. The curriculum is from the Unitarian Universalist Association "Tapestry of Faith" programs which are specifically designed to meet the needs of each age group.   Subsequent years focus on Peace, Social Justice and the Environment, and Unitarian Universalist Principles, History and Practices. All curricula offered in the RE program is founded on Unitarian Universalists Principles and are woven throughout each lesson.

Creating Home Curriculum – 5 to 7 year olds
We see in the world around us many symbols that teach us the meaning of life. You could notice if you wanted to, but you are usually too busy. We Indians live in a world of symbols and images where the spiritual and the commonplace are one. — John Fire/Lame Deer and Richard Erodes
 
Creating Home is a Unitarian Universalist journey, open to stories and beliefs from different lands and people. It is a journey from home. It is a journey to home. Welcome home.
 
The program speaks of home as a place of belonging and explores the roles each of us play in the homes where we live.  Creating Home is not about the outward appearance and material worth of our homes. In these sessions, children explore the deep sense of sacredness, the beauty of hospitality, and the gift of loving relationships that a home can represent. As participants actively explore the concept of home, they create a community home in their meeting space. Watch for small differences in children's respect for one another and their engagement with the wider congregation as they learn to identify their Unitarian Universalist congregation as a home.
 
Moral Tales Curriculum – 8 to 10 year olds
Good stories, then, enlarge our student's minds and hearts. They help them to shed their preoccupation with self and to see what they have the potential to give or do. In other words, stories not only nourish the imagination. They nourish the soul. — Kevin Ryan and Karen Bohlin
 
The aim of Moral Tales is to help raise children who have been provided with tools that will help them to discern what is right and true, to hear and follow the call of Love, and to turn their moral beliefs and ethical concerns into concrete action.
 
Each session has a central story in which participants meet real and fictional heroes and heroines from different faiths and different places who have displayed moral courage and spiritual greatness. They will hear about characters who have struggled, but who have chosen justice, goodness, and love.
 
Relationships among the participants in the group are reinforced as all are made welcome without prejudgments and participants are encouraged and guided to honor one another, and all people, in a deep and meaningful way. Love is extended to the Earth through learning about the importance of ecological balance.
 
 
Building Bridges - Jr. and Sr. Youth Groups
Life becomes religious whenever we make it so. —Sophia Lyon Fahs

Building Bridges is a world religions program to deepen youth’s understanding of the dynamic, fascinating, and varied world in which they live. It seeks to broaden their knowledge of humanity and embolden their spiritual search.
 
The program is organized roughly chronologically, capturing the strong parallel between societal change and religious evolution over human history. The Religions Time Line helps illustratethe emergence of religions in clusters at different points in history. However, this is not a history course. It is a series of workshops that attempts to lovingly and reverently examine some of the closest kept treasures of the human heart. This exploration nurtures participants’ positive outlook toward other faiths and the people who follow them.
 
To study religion together is to invite a certain amount of discomfort for individuals and conflict in a group.
 
This program provides youth a unique opportunity to engage the world’s diversity of faiths in a safe, affirming atmosphere that is grounded in Unitarian Universalist faith. As facilitators, acknowledge tensions and disagreement and model how to work toward understanding. Help create an environment where respectful exploration and questioning are encouraged, where differences are encountered with open minds and hearts.
 
General Information
• Childcare Program-   Children may bring their own snacks, particularly if they have food allergies, and a small snack will be provided for those who don't need special diets.
•Elementary School Groups - Parents and Congregation members serve as the teachers and assistants for the elementary classes, each family taking two four week blocks of lessons to teach or assist.  Snacks are provided each day by the assistant teachers.
•Youth Groups -   Jason File, SFUU Youth Coordinator and Assistant Director of Religious Education will be the teacher for the Jr. Youth Group, with parents and congregation members assisting him each week. The Sr. Youth Group will be facilitated by four Congregation members who have been specifically identified. Jason will assist them and be a backup instructor as needed.

 
For more information about the Religious Education Program or to volunteer, please contact Leslye Janusz, Director of Religious Education at sfuudreleslye@gmail.com