Religious Education Update July 2011
Walking the Spiral Path Our congregation embarks on a very exciting era as we welcome Rev. Erik to our community this month. With Sunday morning activities at the center of what we do together, Erik’s leadership (particularly in worship) is eagerly anticipated by us all. The Youth Programs Committee and Children’s RE Committee want to support parents of children in the RE program by offering them the opportunity to attend worship too. To that end, we need non-parents and parents of grown children to become involved as volunteers in our RE program. What might this involvement look like? There are many possibilities!
Be a UU Stars Guide – twice a month for our first through fifth grade RE classes (no before class preparation or teaching required.) Guides create continuity for the children from week to week as the kids move through their UU Stars Studios. Support and training provided by the Children’s RE Committee.
Be a UU Stars Studio Leader – a four week commitment (sometimes fewer) teaching a prepared lesson focused on the congregation’s theme of the month. Prior to leading their studio, Leaders attend a special class with the minister and DRE for an in-depth conversation about the month’s theme.
Be a Spirit Play Teaching Team member – work with our four years-old through Kindergarten children twice a month as part of a teaching team. Teachers share the day’s story with the children who then choose their own “work” in order to integrate and internalize the morning’s message.
Be a two and three year-old Teacher – as part of a teaching team, you will be with our youngest UUs twice a month as they move through the cycles and seasons of the year with joyful play, fun crafts and wonderful stories.
Be a Riddle & Mystery Advisor – our seventh and eighth grade youth will spend the year exploring spiritual paths and practices with the UUA Tapestry of Faith Curriculum Riddle & Mystery. A team of four adults teaching together will allow team members to share the time in the classroom and also regularly attend worship. How can you help? Will you answer the call to help raise the next generation of Unitarian Universalists? We need you! Please contact me for more information or to volunteer. With appreciation, Leia Durland-Jones, Director of Religious Education
2011-2012 RE Registration Have you registered for the 2011– 2012 Religious Education program? Parents of infants through rising twelfth graders should complete their family’s registration forms immediately. There are four options for submitting your information:
1) You can complete your family’s form via the church website (look under the “education” tab.
2) You can download a printable PDF from the church website to complete and either mail in or bring to church.
3) Stop by the RE table in the Social Hall on Sunday and review a prefilled form with your family’s information. Make any necessary updates or corrections and complete the volunteer options page. Or,
4) Complete a new paper copy of the form in the Social Hall on Sunday. Thank you for your cooperation. The Children’s RE Committee and Youth Programs Committee are busy preparing for next year’s offerings and class groupings.
TJMC-UU SUUper Sunday Summer Camp While formal religious education programming resumes Sunday, September 25, families are invited to continue attending worship throughout the summer by participating in SUUper Sunday Summer Camp with Dr. Seuss! Upcoming sessions are: The Lorax with ice cream making (July 3), Horton Hatches an Egg/Horton Hears a Who with special thematic crafts and games (July 10), What Was I Scared Of? with mask making, outdoor mazes and shadow boxes (July 17), Did I Ever Tell You How Lucky You Are? with a game of luck and creation of blessing boxes (July 24), McElligot’s Pool with thematic crafts, games and snacks (July 31), 500 Hats of Bartholomew Cubbins with freeze tag and a special snack using chop sticks! (August 7), Oh the Places You Will Go with scrapbook/travel journal making (August 14), The Cat in the Hat with a movie too! (August 21), Sprinkler Day – time to get wet! Registration is on the church’s webpage and in the Social Hall on Sunday mornings or call RE Assistant, Robyn Fogler, at 293-8179 x 6#.
Adult Faith Development Seeks Input The Adult Faith Development Committee invites your ideas for our fall semester (October through December 2011.) Is there a class that has been offered at TJMC in the past you would like to see offered again? Is there a topic you would like to explore with others in our congregation? Have you ever thought about leading or co-leading a class yourself? Is there someone you could recommend to teach an AFD class (from within or outside of our congregation?)
We would love your input as we begin our preparation for the fall. To share your ideas, contact Adult Faith Development Committee Chair, Holly D i l a t u s h a t.
The Adult Faith Development Committee is always on the lookout for new committee members so please let us know if you would like to join us. Next meeting: Wednesday, August 10, at 6:30 PM.