Forming Faith

As the seasons are changing and spring is amongst us, the Religious Education Program has a few new updates. Be sure to take a peek into the classrooms as we have started re-decorating the elementary and middle school classrooms. As they are still a work in progress we are really enjoying the fun themes and we are excited to see the finished product next week. The RE program is also starting the Our Whole Lives (OWL). This is a great…

For years, we’ve been dreaming of growing our Religious Education (RE) program for our children. Now it’s time to turn those dreams into reality! On Sunday, February 2, after church, we’ll be hosting a brainstorming session to envision how we can help our RE program thrive—and I need your help. Rev. Sian and I can’t do this alone. We need your voices, your ideas, and your passion for the future of our children. And this isn’t just a conversation for…

The RE Youth class will be postponed due to low attendance within that class. If you have a teen who would like to attend youth group, please see the DRE Danielle Lewis to talk about more information as we will potentially continue the youth class within the near future. With the Youth class being on hold for the moment we are going to re-introduce out RE Middle school class starting January 5th and would love to invite all children from…

Happy fall! This past week the RE elementary class has started the fall curriculum titled “Invitation”. This curriculum will teach on how to live in love as well as focusing on how Unitarian Universalism is a lived faith that inspires us to act, live, and love our values out in the world. Our RE Youth are finishing their Coming-of-Age program as they are finalizing their credos to read in front of the church during the Youth led service on October…

As we approach the end of the summer the RE classes are finishing up their summer curriculum and excited to continue on their UU education. As we start the school year I am excited to introduce our fall curriculum as the RE elementary class will be starting the curriculum titled “Invitation”. This curriculum will teach on how to live in love as well as focusing on how Unitarian Universalism is a lived faith that inspires us to act, live, and…

We have been having a great time in the RE children’s class this summer as they have been continuing out “Can Do Summer” curriculum. This curriculum has been so much fun as it brings hands-on fun into each week’s lesson! So far, the RE Children have created fairy houses, created group murals, had paper airplane races, as well as had a couple exciting park days. Don’t worry, you haven’t missed out! There are still a lot more fun and exciting…

Our Elementary Religious Education Class for Kindergarten through 7th grade has been participating in the Passport to Spirituality curriculum every other Sunday this church year. So far they have explored Shinto, Catholic, Unitarian Universalist, Mormon, Pagan and Baha’i religious traditions, holidays, and spiritual practices. One of the best parts of teaching in religious education classes is that you get to learn right alongside the children and youth and reach new understanding by witnessing how they experience the world around them.…

Registration is now open for Winter Elementary Family Camp at de Benneville Pines over President’s Day Weekend. Imagine all the fun of our beloved camp, but now with snow! This camp is for children in kindergarten through sixth grade and their families. Children in second grade and older are welcome to stay in independent counselor cabins. This year’s camp will have a Superhero Academy theme to add to the fun. Academy curricula take place inside and out across our campus,…

On September 10th we kicked off a year of Passport to Spirituality in the Elementary Class (K-6th), a curriculum that will guide us in exploring the spiritual practices of world religions. At each country we “visit”, the children will receive a passport sticker, learn about a different religion, engage in a spiritual practice utilized by that religion, and pick up a souvenir. What’s more, the Maker Space was such a huge success this summer that we have decided to continue…

As we inch towards the end of the summer, I want to highlight the contributions of all the “guest makers” that shared their talents and passions with our children in the UU Maker Space over the past couple of months. Linda S. led us in some watercolor experimentation using eye droppers, which was fun and engaging for the kids. Maureen M. joined us for some woodworking, and each child got to make their own wooden car! Barbara M. did origami…

Our OCUUC kids have truly been enjoying their time in our Maker Space on Sunday mornings this summer. My deepest gratitude goes out to each and every one of you that has donated materials (and there are a lot of you!). I am also so thankful for all of the “guest makers” that have joined us to share their talents and, of course, none of it would be possible without our trusty, dependable religious education volunteers who are making it…

At our Congregational Meeting on June 11th we honored Reverend Judy Tomlinson with the Joan Gillan Award for service to our Religious Education program. Rev. Judy is our former Director of Religious Education who has continued to serve our church community in her retirement. This church year she taught OWL to our 4th-6th graders all Fall and led our Youth Group twice a month in the Winter and Spring. She organized a cookie bake event for the Youth Group and…