Religious Education for Children and Youth 2008 – 2009 “Promise me, I’ll promise you, with things I think and say and do. Take my hand, let’s keep our promises” ...from the closing song of a children’s worship service ___________________________ Registration Form for 2008-2009 religious education program Print the form, fill it out and sign it. Then return the completed form to the office: UUC 2470 Nursery Road Clearwater, FL 33764

Dear Friends,

Welcome to the 2008-2009 church year at UUC! Whether you are brand new to Unitarian Universalism or have been a long-time member of the congregation, I am so glad you are here, and I want to share with you a little bit about our religious education program for children and youth.

The Unitarian Universalist approach is unique, in that it focuses on human and spiritual values rather than a creed, providing thoughtful assistance as each person develops an individual concept of his or her place in the world. Together, we provide a community where children, youth, and adults can explore the great religious questions of humanity.

The 19th century transcendentalist Margaret Fuller wrote, "Very early I knew that the only object in life was to grow." Our goal is to facilitate spiritual and intellectual growth, incorporating opportunities through learning, leadership, worship, service, and fellowship.

Each curriculum has a special focus, but there are recurring themes throughout - our Jewish and Christian heritage, values, emotions, world religions, concerns of social justice, the circle of life, and many more.

We share the responsibility for religious education. Our dedicated staff and volunteers - those without children in the program, and parents - all bring their diverse backgrounds and life experiences to enrich the Sunday morning experience. We hope you will choose to be involved, sharing your particular interests. Opportunities include a wide range of time commitment - five minutes, an hour, or several Sunday mornings - so consider how you want to participate, and let me know!

Warm blessings,

Millie

Rev. Millie Rochester

Associate Minister

Office hours: Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays 10-3

(727) 531-7704

E-mail Millie here

Welcome to the 2008-09 religious education program for children and youth of the Unitarian Universalists of Clearwater. Here's what we have planned for this year.

Nursery

Babies and toddlers are lovingly cared for by our church "nanny," assisted by an adult volunteer. Parents are encouraged to remain with their youngster if they wish, and may hear the speakers in the sanctuary (which is nearby) via the sound system.

Pre-K

We Are Many, We Are One

Preschoolers receive the grounding of a religious community and tradition, along with the freedom to discover and express their uniqueness. The underlying theme throughout is anti-bias and multicultural education, which celebrates diversity and interdependency.

K-2nd Grades

Around the Church, Around the Year

Five to seven year olds become acquainted with their own Unitarian Universalist community: the people, buildings, rituals, and celebrations, and the basic tenets of Unitarian Universalism.

3rd-5th Grades

Timeless Themes: Stories from the Hebrew and Christian Bibles

This program introduces young people to religious literature that is central to North American culture and to Unitarian Universalist heritage. Children become familiar with their cultural heritage, and to the human issues that inspired these scriptures: the timeless themes of transcendent power, human responsibility, love of freedom, speaking out against injustice, respect for the beliefs of others, love of one's neighbor, and forgiveness. The Bible stories are taught from a UU value structure. God is referred to as "God," not "he." The stories, drawn from the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible, are gender-inclusive. Violence is not avoided, but recognized and used to guide participants toward an understanding of non-violent ways to resolve conflicts.

6th-8th Grades

Social Justice in Action

Junior Youth will integrate participation in UUC (as greeters and ushers, through hospitality, the sound booth, etc); social activities; and a more complex understanding of equity, justice, and compassion as well as inequity, oppression and tolerance. While discovering avenues for creating positive change in their community and beyond, they will take on specific issues and service projects, such as homelessness, human rights, and environmental protection issues. Through information shared in class, guest speakers, activities, visits to local agencies, and service projects, youth will become more critical thinkers and active participants in our community. Regular attendance, which is critical to developing a sense of community among the youth, is expected. At times, service projects will require longer time commitments than the usual class time. Participation is an excellent opportunity to put our UU values of social justice into action, and to learn about the many resources and humanitarian activities taking place in the Tampa Bay Area.

7th-9th Grades

Beginning in January 2009, 1:00-4:00 p.m.

Our Whole Lives

Grounded in a holistic view of sexuality, Our Whole Lives provides not only facts about anatomy and human development, but helps participants to clarify their values, build interpersonal skills, and understand the spiritual, emotional, and social aspects of sexuality.

Our Whole Lives helps participants make informed and responsible decisions about their sexual health and behavior, equipping participants with accurate, age-appropriate information in six subject areas: human development; relationships; personal skills; sexual behavior; sexual health; society and culture.

Our Whole Lives uses approaches that work. The curriculum is based on the Guidelines for Comprehensive Sexuality Education produced by the National Guidelines Task Force, a group of leading health, education, and sexuality professionals assembled by the Sexuality Information and Education Council of the United States (SIECUS). Our Whole Lives covers topics and skills that both parents and students want to have available but schools are less likely to cover.

Our Whole Lives incorporates the values of self worth, sexual health, responsibility, justice and inclusivity, offering the following:

* Up-to-date information and honest, age-appropriate answers to all participants' questions

* Activities to help participants clarify values and improve decision-making skills

* Effective group-building to create a safe and supportive peer group

* Education about sexual abuse, exploitation, and harassment

* Opportunities to critique media messages about gender and sexuality

* Acceptance of diversity

* Encouragement to act for justice

* A well-designed, teacher-friendly leaders' guide

* Parent orientation programs that affirm parents as the primary sexuality educators of their children

* Sexuality and Our Faith, a religious resource for Unitarian Universalist and United Church of Christ settings




NOTE: Parents must attend an orientation session in advance (scheduled for early September), and youth must be pre-registered for this course.

High School Youth

Young Religious Unitarian Universalists (YRUU)

Young Religious Unitarian Universalists (YRUU) and their advisors will meet at 10:30 Sunday mornings, beginning September 21, 2008. Together, they will plan activities, discussions, and rituals according to their interests and needs in a safe, supportive atmosphere.

DATES TO REMEMBER 2008-2009 Church Year
DATE	OCCASION	NOTES
8/16/08	Teacher Training	-
9/7/08	Celebrating Community	Intergenerational Water Communion Worship Service 10:30 a.m.
9/14/08	Welcome Back - Parents' OWL Orientation	Middle School & YRUU planning meetings 10:30 a.m. Special Activities for PreK-5th Graders 10:30 a.m. Millie, Abhi, Christine, Parents & Facilitators 1:00 p.m.
9/21/08	Classes Begin	-
10/26/08	Day of the Dead Celebration	Special RE Activities
11/9/08	Child Dedication	-
12/24/08	Family Christmas Eve Service	-
12/28/08	Winter Holiday Celebration (w/ Chorale)	Special RE Activities
1/4/09	Child Dedication	-
1/11-3/29	OWL Program	Sundays 1-4 p.m.
2/1-2/15	Mystery Friends Program	-
2/15/09	Mystery Friends Celebration	Special RE Activities
4/5/09	Child Dedication	-
4/12/09	Easter Celebration	Special RE Activities Egg Hunt at12:15 p.m.
4/26/09	Teacher Appreciation, Open House	-
5/31/09	Last Day of Classes	-
6/7/09	RE Sunday	End of year program Intergenerational
6/14/09	Begin Summer Program	-