Unitarian Universalist Congregation at Montclair. Children and Youth Religious Education

Transcription

1 Unitarian Universalist Congregation at Montclair 67 Church Street Montclair NJ Unitarian Universalist Congregation at Montclair Children and Youth Religious Education

2 Message from the RE Committee Chair Dear Parents and Friends of RE, On behalf of the Religious Education Committee, I would like to welcome and thank you for your continued support and interest in helping to make the school year a rewarding experience for our children. Taking into account the best interests of our children and feedback from our Listening Campaign several years ago, we have changed the teaching model from 3 different teams of 2 for 10 weeks each to a 4 person team for the entire academic year. It is also necessary that additional congregants volunteer in ways that they are called. Our thanks go out to everyone who is helping us make this very important transition. With the continued help of Allison Sosinsky as RE Program Coordinator, I and the other RE Committee members were able to implement some new ideas and programs that we hope to continue with, such as potluck events that enhance interfamily community building in our congregation. Also, It was nice to see so many children help with the Wednesday night MESH program in Fletcher Hall. As we enter a new school year, the RE Committee continues to be excited about making a difference in your children s lives. In order to do this, we depend on our congregation for enthusiasm, volunteerism and support. Please let Allison, me or any other Board member know how you can help. We also welcome constructive ideas on how to continue to make RE a valuable experience for our kids. Sincerely, Peter Arian RE Committee Chairman RELIGIOUS EDUCATION COMMITTEE Peter Arian, Chair Patty Dow, OWL Program Coordinator Shannon Gattens Sybil Eng Kathleen Morrow-Reilly Anne Sailer Glendora Simonson Elizabeth Speidel Avron Stoloff Message from the RE Program Coordinator Welcome back to another engaging and inspirational RE year here at UUCM. We have implemented a new teaching model this year, and I d like to thank our dedicated teachers for pushing out of their comfort zones and embracing this more unified way of teaching. Not only will our students benefit from this change, but I believe our teachers will as well. There are plenty of opportunities to become active in our RE program. From fun favorite one-time events such as our Dia de los Muertos celebration, to weekly teaching commitments, there is something for everyone. We welcome guest teachers who would like to share their expertise with our students, as well as program planners who work behind the scenes. You don t have to be a parent to volunteer. Our children benefit from the entire congregation s gifts and talents in helping them grow their UU beliefs. We can tell our students about Unitarian Universalism, but the way to truly make an impact is to show them. Show our children how special they are, how special you are and how special Unitarian Universalism is firsthand. Be a volunteer in our RE program. I look forward to working with each and every one of you! Allison Sosinsky Religious Education Program Coordinator BEGINNING UNITARIAN UNIVERSALISM UUA PURPOSES AND PRINCIPLES, CHILD AND ADULT VERSIONS Children: We believe that each and every person is important Adult: The inherent worth and dignity of every person. Children: We believe that all people should be treated fairly. Adult: Justice, equity and compassion in human relations. Children: We believe that our congregations are places where all people are accepted and where we keep on learning together. Adult: Acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth in our congregation. Children: We believe that each person must be free to search for what is true and right in life. Adult: A free and responsible search for truth and meaning. Children: We believe that everyone should have a vote about the things that concern them. Adult: The right of conscience and the use of democratic process within our congregation and the society at large. Children: We believe in working for a peaceful, fair and free world. Adult: The goal of world community with peace, liberty and justice for all. Children: We believe in caring for our planet. Adult: Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part. 1

3 Message from the Associate Minister Welcome to a new year in Religious Education! It is good to be together, in the company of others seeking a path through life that supports our spirits and that helps us and our children grow into fullness. Our congregation gives our children, youth and adults a place to belong on a spiritual level. We believe that each person is sacred and so too is the Earth we walk on. We are here at UU Montclair to be affirmed in our exploration of the spirit and the truth that lives within us. To find pathways to express that truth in ways that enhance relationships with one another. UUCM provides a community in which our gifts are recognized, developed and appreciated. We graciously receive gifts from others and generously give back from the abundance and gratitude in our lives. This in turn benefits our community and the world beyond. Our Religious Education Committee envisions and designs our program with our professional staff, RE Program Coordinator Allison Sosinsky and myself. Our volunteer teachers and special event volunteers implement the program providing content and context, the environment in which we can safely explore, discover and claim our life of the spirit and put it to work for ourselves and others. It is empowering and joyful and gives hope and healing to a bruised and battered and many times confusing world in which we live. We need a community of support so that we can live out our ethics that are constantly challenged by society. Within us and our children, is a powerful force of life. Here we learn how to listen for it, identify it and act upon it. Our life and our actions flow from our beliefs, values and shared spirituality. The power within is the spirit of life, some would say it is a holy spirit, that nurtures us and gives us the power and authority to act in the world for good. Here we encourage our children and youth to give voice to that powerful spirit. And to join with others in a community that respects and honors it. Being open we learn from one another. This is a special place and I m are glad we are taking this journey together. In faith, hope and love, Rev. Judy Tomlinson Message from the Parish Minister A short while back my 28-yearold daughter, Shana, was invited to lead an international workshop on the topic of entrepreneurial social activism to be held in the country of Jordan. Shana has made a career of social activism. Her efforts have been part of a very effective endeavor to change the policies of several corporations regarding their use and promotion of recycled paper. Shana was being asked by a man who was an employee of the United Nations, stationed in Jordan, to co-facilitate this workshop with another young woman, someone Shana had worked with considerably on campaigns previously. Attendees came from around the globe to participate and learn from these two young women. Here s the thing Jay, the young man from the U.N. and Linda, the co-facilitator and Shana had all been classmates years before in their Unitarian Universalist Sunday School for a substantial part of their childhoods back in Davenport, Iowa. There they had learned values which helped them to mold lives that today they find relevant, meaningful and constructive. There they formed friendships that continue to be a source of meaning, support and joy for each of them. There they were able to build a foundation that has enabled them to brighten the future for themselves and for the world. I m not saying that all children will have the same kind of experience that Jay, Linda and Shana had. Perhaps the children in our Religious Education program here at UU Montclair will have far more fabulous experiences that that! Who knows? The possibilities for our children are endless when they learn values that help them to see that we each have inherent worth and dignity; help them to see that they are a part of a vast network of connections that make up the interdependent web of existence of which we are all a part. Welcome to our Religious Education Program. Parents, be prepared to be amazed by your children all the more! RE teachers, be prepared to be a catalyst in an unfolding world of possibilities that you can only begin to imagine! Welcome to our Religious Education Program. Welcome to an unfolding world of awe and gratitude and service. Rev. Charles Blustein Ortman 2 3

4 Contents 5 WELCOME 7 RE PROGRAM CURRICULUM THEMES 7 Nursery for six-month-olds through age 3, 9:00 and 11:00 AM years, 9:00 and 11:00 AM 8 Kindergarten-1st grade, 9:00 and 11:00 AM 9 1st and 2nd grades, OWL, March-May 9 2nd and 3rd grades, 9:00 and 11:00 AM 9 4th and 5th grades, 9:00 and 11:00 AM 10 6th and 7th grades, 9:00 and 11:00 AM 10 8th grade, Heeding the Call, September-November, 9:00 AM only 11 8th grade, OWL, December-June, 9:00 AM only 11 Coming of Age, 9th Grade, December-May, 11:00 AM only 12 Senior Youth Group, 10th-12th grades, 11:00 AM only Welcome! n n n n n n n n n n n n n n The Unitarian Universalist Congregation at Montclair offers you and your family a volunteer-led Religious Education program. We work together to create a warm and welcoming environment where our children can explore their feelings and beliefs about the religious aspects of life. Our Religious Education program is a high priority for our congregation and is funded out of the general operating budget. Accordingly, families are encouraged to support the program financially through their annual pledges, in accordance with their resources and the value of the program to them. (If you are new to our congregation, see one of the ministers to learn about Unitarian Universalism, membership and pledging through our New UU program.) We do, however, charge a nominal materials fee. If this fee presents a hardship for your family please feel free to talk to one of the ministers. We do not exclude anyone on the basis of the fee. Register your children/youth in the Religious Education program. Children must be either in their classes or with a parent during worship services. If you drop off your children at church they must be left with a designated adult. Please pick up your children at 10:00 or 12:00, respectively. This allows the volunteer teachers to enjoy some time at Coffee Hour to visit with adult friends. Get involved. 4 5

5 FAMILY WORSHIP Most weeks we join together to celebrate and worship as a community at 9:00 and 11:00 a.m. Our Parish Minister, Rev. Charles Ortman and Associate Minister, Rev. Judy Tomlinson, create a whole-congregation 15-minute worship experience at the beginning of the service. Children and youth sit with their parents. After the offertory, children and youth proceed with their group leaders to their own classes. Once a month, Children s Chapel begins the Sunday morning experience for children from Kindergarten to those in the 5th grade. We join together in the Rotunda for about 15 minutes and then proceed to class. Check the calendar and watch for posted signs when you arrive on Sunday morning. Occasionally we stay together for the whole service: Homecoming Sunday, Winter Holiday Celebration, Easter, and the final Sunday of the program year, Flower Communion. Note that there are some Sundays with one 10:00 a.m. service and holiday Sundays when there is childcare only. MULTIGENERATIONAL WORSHIP At least three times per year we ask children, youth and adults to deliver some portion of the message for the morning s service. These usually take place during the Winter Holiday Celebration (December), Easter (Spring), and Religious Education Sunday (June), where each class is asked to present their learning for the year. CHILD NAMINGS AND DEDICATIONS This is the Unitarian Universalist rite for welcoming a baby or child into our religious community. We celebrate the mystery of life; share in the joy, care and concern of the child s life. We dedicate ourselves and the child to a life of meaning, upholding our highest values. This ceremony can be done privately but, for congregation members, is usually part of the Sunday service, including the wider membership of our community. These are held one Sunday per month. Please contact our Parish Minister, Rev. Charles Ortman. GET INVOLVED! There are many ways for you to get involved: Become a team teacher Join the RE Committee Help with special events In addition to registration, please fill out the volunteer form to tell us how you can help. You can also assist in creating a meaningful program for your children by bringing them regularly, getting to know the teachers, learning about the curriculum, sharing your own spiritual life and interests in our religious community with them, and participating in all-congregation activities. Curriculum n n n n n n n n n n n n n n The curriculum is based on themes from the Religious Education Program s mission statement and supported by the Unitarian Universalist Association Principles and Purposes and the Mission and Covenant statement of the congregation: Discovering and honoring an individual s spirituality and developing it to its fullest potential Learning the history and heritage of Unitarian Universalism and its impact on the world Exposure to the stories and the beliefs of other world religions Development of patterns of a life of social service. NURSERY FOR SIX MONTH OLDS THROUGH AGE 3 9:00 AND 11:00 AM CLASSES Location: Basement beneath the Narthex. Joseph Priestly Room Babies and toddlers are kept happy and comfortable with loving childcare from our experienced staff and parent volunteers. As toddlers play in a welcoming environment cared for by loving adults, they begin to form an awareness that they are a part of our congregational family. The children will be lead in circle time with stories and songs and will have the opportunity for free play as well. 6 7

6 CELEBRATING ME AND MY WORLD: YEARS, 9:00 AND 11:00 LOCATION: Basement, Susan B. Anthony Room Celebrating Me and My World begins by celebrating the wondrous qualities of the children themselves and expands outward to the things and people around them. This program provides toddlers with experiences and opportunities to grow in their sense of trust and caring and to develop their self-identity and their sense of connectedness with all of life. The goals of this program are for the children to develop a positive self-image, to feel at home in the meeting house and community, to become familiar with Unitarian Universalist symbols, to feel that they are a part of nature, to develop cooperative social skills and to be able to express themselves. CREATING HOME AND WONDERFUL WELCOME: K/1ST GRADE, 9:00 AND 11:00 LOCATION: Basement, John Murray Room Creating Home helps children develop a sense of home that is grounded in faith. The group will explore the purpose and the functions of homes, whether for us as humans or for other animals. The program speaks of home as a place of belonging and explores the roles each of us play in the homes where we live. A home offers its members certain joys, protections and responsibilities. Many activities involve stories about the natural world offering children an accessible connection to the spiritual. Creating Home uses wisdom tales from many religious traditions and includes fun activities, humor and play. In the second half of the year, the children will use the curriculum Wonderful Welcome. This curriculum engages and challenges leaders and children alike to explore how and why we are willing to welcome others into our lives. We welcome not only strangers, but family, our peers, our neighbors and even entities that are not people such as our animal friends and nature itself. 8 The goals are for the children to expand their understanding of their relationships with others, create opportunities for children to identify and practice a wide variety of welcoming behaviors; teach children the concept of intangible gifts, qualities that can be shared but cannot be seen or held; teach welcoming as an act of Unitarian Universalist faith and as an expression of our UU Principles; develop children s sense of belonging, introduce practices of stewardship; create a shared atmosphere of reverence, awe, gratitude and wonder. OUR WHOLE LIVES (OWL) 1ST/2ND GRADES, 9:00 AND 11:00 (MAY-JUNE) OWL supports parents in educating children about birth, babies, bodies and families. Following a Parent Meeting and Parent/Child Orientation, the 8 sessions engage children with stories, songs and activities and include a weekly HomeLink a homework project for parents and children to do together. Promotes dialogue between parent and child. MORAL TALES AND TIMELESS THEMES: 2ND/3RD GRADES, 9:00 AND 11:00 LOCATION: Peierls Room Moral Tales attempts to provide children with the spiritual and ethical tools they will need to make choices and take actions based on their Unitarian Universalist beliefs and values. The curriculum has three themes: Seeking Truth/Discernment introduces tools for discerning truth and justice in a complex world. What Would Love Do focuses on the ways love calls us to act in human relationships, toward other living beings and the Earth. The final sessions equip children with the tools and attitudes necessary to bring goodness and justice into the larger world. Participants will begin to build a personal moral compass. Their exploration of goodness and justice will ground participants in UU ethical beliefs, moral values and spiritual practices that can not only transform the individual, but the world as well. Timeless Themes introduces children to the classic Hebrew and Christian stories with the enduring themes of transcendent power, human responsibility, love of freedom, speaking out against injustice, respect for the beliefs of others, love of one s neighbors and forgiveness. It is taught with gender-inclusive language. Violence is recognized and used to guide participants toward non-violent conflict resolution. The goals for the participants are to become familiar with some of the best-known stories in biblical literature, to feel connected with the ancient writers by exploring such universal human themes as jealousy, forgiveness and healing, and to develop UU values by analyzing and discussing biblical issues. BIBLEODEON: 4TH/5TH GRADES, 9:00 AND 11:00 LOCATION: Annex Basement (Purple room) Bibleodeon introduces Hebrew and Christian scriptures by presenting the bestknown stories from these traditions with engaging and interactive lesson plans including short plays, an illustrated timeline, and voting to grant awards to 9

7 outstanding biblical women. Children and teachers explore connections between biblical events and Unitarian Universalist principles, between biblical ideas and their own lives. The goals are for the children to become familiar with a range of well-known Bible stories, know how to find their way around the Bible, and have a basic understanding of the Bible s history and power. They should understand the importance of the Bible to the lives of millions of people, perhaps even their own, recognize the relevance of Bible stories to contemporary life, and have an expanded sense of spiritual feelings and practices. The goal is to be informative and fun and for the students to maintain enthusiasm for their participation in the RE program. COMPASS POINTS: 6TH/7TH GRADES, 9:00 AND 11:00 LOCATION: Mortenson Room Compass Points starts middle-schoolers on their journey from childhood to adolescence. It is both introspective and action-oriented at different points. It asks many questions: Where have I been so far? Who are the important relationships in my life? What do I believe about the Divine and how do the great world religions inform my beliefs? What do I believe about death and the afterlife? It teaches about our Unitarian Universalist history and heritage and, finally, asks the youth what place they will take as they strengthen their connections to the world around them. The goals for the youth are: to sort out their feelings about themselves and their world as they go through this difficult age transition; to discover what they believe about human nature, the Divine, death, and faith; to think independently, assume responsibility, make decisions, explore values and practice radical hospitality; to acquire knowledge of Unitarian Universalist history, governance and theology so they can articulate what UU is; to share and interact with the adults in the congregation; and to become passionate defenders of this faith tradition. 8TH GRADE PROGRAM HEEDING THE CALL: QUALITIES OF A JUSTICE MAKER: 8TH GRADE, 9:00, SEPTEMBER-NOVEMBER Location: Annex basement: Sub-Peierls This program offers a unique opportunity to engage youth in the critical work of developing skills as Unitarian Universalists committed to social justice. The sessions encourage youth to reflect on their own lives while also making connections to the lives lived by others. The approach increases the student s self-awareness while also developing leadership skills. The stories offer real-life examples of people facing the complexities of living lives of justice. Students learn that justice does not come into being automatically. Individuals must work together, learn together, listen together, laugh together and heed the call together. The goals of this program are for the youth to identify qualities needed to create justice; explore social justice as individual and collective acts of our spiritual journey; demonstrate how to engage in social justice work; learn about the social justice action of Unitarian 10 Universalists; and provide youth with tools they can use in their own justice work. OUR WHOLE LIVES (OWL): 8TH GRADE, 9:00, DECEMBER-JUNE Location: Annex basement: Sub-Peierls As we all face the challenge of creating an environment that supports and nurtures sexual health we offer young people a needed sexuality education program that models and teaches caring, compassion, respect, and justice. This holistic program moves beyond the intellect to address the attitudes, values, and feelings that youth have about themselves and the world. Unlike many other sexuality curricula OWL is comprehensive and progressive. In an inclusive and developmentally appropriate way it addresses a full range of sensitive topics typically excluded from most sexuality curricula. The goals of the curriculum are: to help young adolescents affirm and respect themselves as sexual persons and respect the sexuality of others; increase comfort and skills for discussing and negotiating sexuality issues with peers, romantic partners, and people of other generations; explore, develop, and articulate values, attitudes, feelings about their own sexuality and the sexuality of others; identify and live according to their values; increase motivation and skills for developing a just sexual morality; acquire knowledge and skill for developing and maintaining mutually enhancing relationships; avoid unintended pregnancy and sexually transmitted disease; express and enjoy their sexuality, and assess the impact of messages received from all sources on sexual thoughts, feelings, values and behaviors. COMING OF AGE: 9TH GRADE, SEPTEMBER-MAY, 11:00 Location: Annex basement: Sub-Peierls As youth prepare to leave childhood, we seek to honor this transition through the Coming of Age program. Youth will engage in social action projects, explore theology, spirituality and history through discussion, drama, music, writing and art. This program will help youth to define their beliefs and put their faith into action. From September through November, the goals are for the youth to become familiar with Unitarian Universalist history and heritage and to make that history and heritage come alive in today s world and in the lives of the participants: for them to understand our UU Principles intellectually and spiritually by putting the Principles to work in their lives, the congregation, and the community, 11

8 and for them to claim and grow their UU identity. Then from December through May, after 14 or 15 years of watching, learning and living, our 9th graders have an intensive four months in which to bring their spiritual and religious life experience to the conscious level. They will articulate their learning, values and beliefs to themselves and to the entire congregation. COA is a comprehensive learning model that includes classroom discussion and individual mentored learning as well as conversations with the ministers, congregation and family members, service to the community and congregation. Youth also learn about, experience and plan worship. It begins with a retreat/field trip to Unitarian Universalist headquarters in Boston in November and culminates in their Sunday service in May. This initiation process is important to the whole congregation because the integration of our young people keeps our religious community vital. There will be four, once-per-month, group ministry sessions for parents that accompany the program. SENIOR YOUTH GROUP: 10TH -12TH GRADES, 11:00 LOCATION: Samantha Smith Room The Senior Youth, with the support of their adult advisors, design their own program. Within the basic framework of a well-balanced program of learning, worship, community building, social justice and leadership development and the limits of adult energy, the youth discuss topics of interest, plan overnights, engage in community service, go on retreats and attend Metro NY District youth conferences. As they plan and engage in their activities they ask: Will it build community? Will it deepen my spirituality? Will it help me or others grow and become more competent as we live in the world around us? The goal of this program is youth empowerment within the context of a supportive and values-based religious community. As our youth become young adults we want their experiences in Sr. Youth to prepare them for a life-long connection with Unitarian Universalism. Special Events and Programs n n n n n n n n n n n n n n CROP WALK (OCTOBER 21, 2012) This is an interfaith community event sponsored by the Church World Service of the National Council of Churches. It involves people from all walks of life who help stop hunger around the block and around the world. We raise funds through pledges and we raise awareness and sensitivity in our children and youth. We grow in them a sense that working for justice is part of what it means to be a responsible person and we empower them to make a difference. DIA DE LOS MUERTOS (OCTOBER 28, 2012) During Dia de los Muertos, one of Mexico s most important celebrations, we remember and honor our ancestors and begin to talk about death through the use of music, crafts, reflection and food. Ultimately, it is a celebration of life. HOLIDAY CRAFT WORKSHOP (DECEMBER 1, 2012) Everyone is invited to usher in the holiday season by making a wide variety of crafts and gifts. Young and old alike gather in Fletcher Hall on the first Saturday in December to have fun, be creative and join together in the spirit of the holidays. Then the crafts end and the lunch of soup and bread begins. Be sure to take part in this heart-warming seasonal event

9 UNDOING RACISM ACTIVITY DAY (JANUARY 27, 2013) Though the RE Program works on dismantling racism, homophobia and all forms of oppression in a variety of ways, we devote the last Sunday in January to undoing racism. Volunteers create programs that awaken children and youth to the bias inherent in our culture. The children and youth acquire the tools that will help them fight oppression and stand up for justice. Together we work for a peaceful, fair, and free world. FOCUS MONTH: OF NATURE AND SPIRIT (FEBRUARY 2013) Each year for the entire month of February our whole congregation focuses together on the same theme. Our Parish Minister in partnership with the RE Committee, chooses a different theme each year. This year, the congregation will focus for the whole month on the relationship between the nature that surrounds us (even as we are a part of it!) and the spirit, which is at the core of each of us. The children will devote a month to ageappropriate study, field trips, and projects around this topic. We will develop our own curriculum, invite guest speakers and have a Children s Chapel as a part of our common experience. What parts can our UU values being a part of and responsible for nature play in helping our children recognize their part in the interdependent web of existence? We ll hope to find out! At the end of February we have an intergenerational service where our whole community will focus together on our theme. Children and youth will remain in the sanctuary and take part with the adults in presenting various elements of the service. BLUE JEAN SUNDAY (TBA) After both worship services the congregation, young and old, helps care for our building and grounds by working on a list of chores the Buildings and Grounds Committees and our Facilities Manager have compiled. These Spring cleaning chores usually include raking leaves, trimming bushes, painting and planting and lunch at noon. Sign up during Coffee Hour a few weeks before the event to volunteer for a job or to bring a dish for lunch. AFRICAN-AMERICAN DAY PARADE (JUNE 1, 2013) The town of Montclair organizes this parade to be held on the first Saturday in June. Our Undoing Racism Committee takes an active role and the RE families are invited. Some ride bikes others walk and carry our congregation s banner while waving to well-wishers. An uplifting community spirit fills the air. ALL-CONGREGATION PICNIC (JUNE 16, 2013) We close the program year with an all-congregation potluck picnic. It is a time to relax and enjoy the company of family and friends as we bid each other farewell for the summer. The food is good, the company is great, and the activities are fun. 14 Religious Education Program Calendar SEPTEMBER /4 (Tues) RE Committee Meeting 7:30pm 9/8 Start-Up Saturday 9:00am-12:30pm 9/9 In-Gathering Service with Water Communion and Teacher Dedication Intergenerational Service: Nursery/Toddlers and PreK classes only 9/16 RE classes begin K/1 and above; 9/30 Children s Chapel K/1-5th grades OCTOBER /2 (Tues.) RE Committee Meeting 7:30pm 10/14 Teaching Teams Check-in 10:05am Youth Facilitated service 10/18-21 LREDA Fall Conf Williamsburg, VA 10/21 Crop Walk Child Dedication 10/28 Children s Chapel and Dia de los Muertos (K-5th grade RE Activity) NOVEMBER /4 Change Clocks 11/6 (Tues.) RE Committee Meeting 7:30pm 11/9-11 COA Heritage trip to Boston 11/11 Child dedication 11/18 Thanksgiving Service (shorter RE classes) 11/25 Worship Committee led 10 am service No RE classes DECEMBER /1 (Sat.) Holiday Craft Workshop 12/4 (Tues.) RE Committee Meeting 7:30pm 12/9 Children s Chapel K/1-5th grades Teaching Team Meeting 10:05am 12/16 Winter Holiday Pageant Intergenerational Service; Nursery/Toddler and PreK classes only 12/23 No RE classes; Special RE Event 12/24 Christmas Eve Service: 5:00 Family Service, 7:30 Candle Light Service 12/30 Fire Communion Intergenerational Service 10 am No RE classes Child dedication JANUARY /6 Regular RE classes resume 1/8 (Tues.) RE Committee Meeting 7:30pm 1/27 Children s Chapel and Undoing Racism; All RE Activity K-Sr. Youth; Nursery/Toddler and PreK classes only FEBRUARY /3 February Focus Month Of Nature and Spirit K/1-4th/5th begins; Children s Chapel K/1-5th 2/5 (Tues.) RE Committee Meeting 7:30pm 2/10 Child dedication 2/24 February Focus Month Intergenerational Service Of Nature and Spirit; Youth Facilitated Service; Nursery/Toddler and PreK classes MARCH /5 (Tues.) RE Committee Meeting 7:30pm 3/10 Change Clocks; Child dedication 3/17 Children s Chapel K/1-5th; 3/24 Teaching Teams Meeting 10:05am 3/25 (Mon.) Passover Seder at sundown 3/31 Easter Intergenerational Service; Child Dedications; Nursery/Toddler and PreK classes only; Youth Facilitated Service APRIL /2 (Tues.) RE Committee Meeting 7:30pm 4/7 Registration begins 4/14 Registration continues 4/21 Children s Chapel K/1-5th; Registration continues 4/28 Child Dedication MAY /5 Coming of Age Service. 4th grade-sr. Youth attend 5/7 (Tues.) RE Committee Meeting 7:30pm 5/3-4 MetroNY Dist. Annual Meeting 5/12 Child dedication 5/19 Congregational Meeting: One 10:00 am service, 9:00 and 11:00 classes combine Children s Chapel K/1-5th 5/26 Memorial Day: One 10:00 am service No RE, Nursery only JUNE /2 RE Sunday Presentations and Recognition 6/4 (Tues.) RE Committee Meeting 7:30 pm 6/9 New Member Sunday; One 10 am service 6/16 Flower Communion Multigenerational Nursery/Toddler and PreK classes only. Congregational Picnic One 10:00 service 6/19-23 General Assembly, Louisville, KY 6/23 Summer Sundays begin One 10:00 service 15

10 Classroom Layout Annex (right) and Annex Basement (below) 4th-5th Grades Mortenson Room Kitchenette 6th/7th Grades 9:00 and 11 RE Minister s Office 2nd/3rd Grades Peierls Room Women Men Archive Storage Hall Our Mission Statement And Covenant 16 Photo Studio (Rental) Boiler Toilet Room Sanctuary Basement 2nd/3rd Grades 9:00 a.m. Wiers Room Beatrix Potter Room Teacher s Closet class boxes 8th grade, 9:00 only, 9th grade, 11:00 only Sub-Peierls Community Donna Development Lauckner Office Office Administrator Main Supply Closet Senior Youth Room 11:00 only ( th Grades) Senior High Youth Group (2nd floor room not shown on this map) meets in the Samantha Smith Room; use staircase adjacent to the congregation kitchen. Rotunda PreK year olds 9:00 and 11:00 Susan B. Anthony Room Nursery/Toddler 6 mo.-3 year olds 9:00 and 11:00 Joseph Priestley Room Sanctuary Basement Storage Room 9:00 1st Grade 11:00 K/1st Grades John Murray Room Restrooms Congregation Office Sanctuary Lift Janet Crane Room Study Minister s Office Alliance Room Kitchen Wm. E. Channing Room Entrance Maintenance Facilities Manager s Office Stage Fletcher Hall To Loft n n n n n n n n n n n n n n We are a liberal religious community seeking transformation in our hearts, our homes, our community and our world. We come together to: Create a spiritual community that nurtures and inspires us as we search for meaning in our lives Reach out and welcome all who wish to be a part of our community because diversity of race, culture, sexual orientation, and economic background enriches us all Guide and challenge our children in their lifelong journey of discovery and spiritual growth Explore religious and cultural traditions so that we may honor our differences and our common ground Take responsibility for helping to solve the problems of our community Promote social and economic justice, furthering our work to dismantle racism, homophobia, and all forms of oppression Celebrate artistic creation as a spiritual element of life Respect the beauty and mystery of nature by actively preserving our environment Invest our personal resources to build and sustain this community of aspiration Act together to keep this covenant alive. We are Unitarian Universalists, building upon our heritage as advocates for the rights and dignity of all. 17

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