Religious Exploration

Children’s Program - RE

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.

Mission Statement

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 Church of Belfast Life Span Education Committee, 2008)

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.

RE CURRICULA

Free Play Room

Child-care is offered upstairs for infants 6 weeks and older to toddlers to about age three (depending on the child). Two teen child-care providers are always present in the infant/toddler room on Sundays. Additionally, our hospitality room is equipped with speakers and is available for nursing mothers or parents who wish to sit with their children outside of the sanctuary. We also have head sets available from the sound operator sitting in the back of the sanctuary which will allow you to hear the adult service while in the infant/toddler room, if you prefer.

If you do use the infant/toddler room, we ask that you:

*Bring changing supplies. There is a changing table in the room.

*Sit near the back of the sanctuary so that child-care providers can find you if needed. The providers will use good judgment about when to come and get you, but no child will be allowed to cry for an extended period of time.

*Return for your children promptly after the service.

Primary Room (Ages 5-7)

(A UUA created curriculum.) A Discovering Year, By Richard and Tirrell Kimball will help our little ones achieve six goals:

1. To appreciate the worth of each person, including themselves;

2. To work and play cooperatively;

3. To recognize and express their feelings;

4. To explore and celebrate the rich diversity of humankind;

5. To explore and celebrate the natural world; and

6. To discover and express a spiritual dimension

Intermediate Room (Ages 8-10)

(A UUA created curriculum.) The New, You the Creator, by Richard Kimball. I've used this curriculum a few years ago with great success. The basic message of You the Creator is in the title; that your child should be, and are, one of the creative forces of the world. Each Sunday your child will explore the creative side of themselves and how that creativity is connected to our UU values.

Coming of Age (Ages 11-14, Middle School)

This is the second and final year for this COA group. This will be the year that they work on their fund raising effort to make their heritage trip to Boston, learn more about their UU Heritage and continue the work they began last year under the Coming of Age Curriculum. Youth in this group must be in middle school and must be willing to commit to regular attendance.

Youth Group (Ages 15-18, High School)

This group meets for a wide range of activities and projects determined by the group, as the youth’s schedules allow. Opportunities may arise to participate in Northern New England District youth activities.

Registration

A registration guide can be downloaded here, and the 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