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Children’s
Program - RE
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What is
RE? RE stands for Religious
Exploration. And that is what we,
as Unitarian Universalists, feel religion should be: an exploration, a
journey into the unknown. The RE
program allows your child(ren) to explore the idea of religion in a safe and
open environment. Our mission is to foster
compassionate, connected, reverent, hopeful children and youth who are
engaged citizens, grounded by the UU Principles. (Adopted by the UU Children’s
Version of Our 7 Principles 1.
Each person is important 2.
Be kind in all you do 3.
We are free to learn together 4.
We search for what is true 5.
All people need a voice 6.
Build a fair and peaceful world 7.
We care for the Earth Typical
Sunday Schedule All children are invited
to attend the first part of each Sunday service in the Sanctuary unless other
activities are planned. This
portion of the service consists of church announcements, welcoming newcomers,
the lighting of the chalice, opening words, and the Story for All Ages. For the story, children and youth are
invited to sit at the front of the sanctuary so that they can hear and see
the story better. After the story
is finished, the congregation sings the children out of the sanctuary and
into their RE classes upstairs.
Once church is over, children and youth in the Intermediate and Elder
groups may meet their parents downstairs in the Hospitality Room. Parents of children in the
infant/toddler room and Primary rooms are asked to pick their children up
promptly after the service. Parents of very young
children may bring their children directly to the infant/toddler room before
the service if they wish. Parents
are responsible for the supervision of their children as soon as they have
picked them up after the service or when their children arrive for
hospitality hour. Occasionally, the church
will have “Intergenerational” services. During these services, there is no RE
and the children/youth stay in the sanctuary for the entire service. These services generally have lots of
child/youth participation. The
Curriculum Our core curriculum is
divided into four areas of focus Pillars: UU Identity, World Religions, Social
Justice and the Environment.
Children and Youth are broken up into age appropriate groupings. Infant/Toddler
Room Childcare is offered for
infants 6 weeks and older, toddlers to age 3. Two teen providers are always present
on Sunday mornings. Please be sure to sign your child(ren) in and out. Additionally, our hospitality room is
equipped with speakers and is available for nursing mothers or parents who
wish to sit with their children outside the sanctuary. Primary
Room (Age 4 to Grade 2) This group will share a
story and/or activity on the given Pillar and then enjoy structured
“free play.” Intermediate
Room (Grade 3- Grade 5) This group will dive a
little deeper into the Pillars using sessions that ask some bigger questions
and participate in activities to reinforce the Pillar and prepping them for
the Coming of Age program. Elder
Room (Middle School) This group will use the
Pillars as a backdrop to a 2-year “Coming of Age” program. More information on the Coming of Age
program can be obtained by contacting the Director of Religious Exploration
(DRE). Youth
Group (High School) This group meets as
schedules permit. They attend
Youth Cons, sleepovers, and outdoor activities as interest demands. A registration form can
be downloaded here. Completed forms can be dropped off at
the office or mailed to UU Church of Belfast, Attn: DRE, P.O. Box 452,
Belfast, Maine More information and a
detailed calendar of events can be found in the RE Handbook available at the
front door, on the Bulletin Board in the Hospitality Room or in the RE rooms
upstairs. You can also contact
the Director of Religious Exploration, Danielle Bannister, at 342-2096 or
e-mail her at grandchawhe@msn.com |
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Path to Membership | Member
Area | Building Use | B&B Program | Social Justice | Photos | Other Maine UUs