Religious Education Update, August 2010
Religious Education Programming for the 2010-2011 Church School Year
- Two- & Three-year olds: Celebrating Me & My World
- Four- & Five-year olds, & Kindergarten: Spirit Play
- First through Fifth Grades:
- UU Stars
- Sixth & Seventh Grades:
- Neighboring Faiths
- Seventh & Eight Grades:
- Many Paths
- Ninth Grade:
- Challenge: Coming of Age Class
- Tenth through Twelfth Grades:
- Senior High Youth Group (YRUU)
The Children’s RE Committee and Youth Programs Committee are hard at work preparing another
August 1 Bottle Cap Craftwonderful year of programming for our children and youth. This fall, our two- and three-year olds continue to build their comfort level at church as they explore the seasons and make new friends. Spirit Play, a Montessori inspired program created specifically for UU congregations, invites our preschooler s and Kindergarteners into a world of stories, wondering questions, individual reflection and “work.” Our elementary aged program, UU Stars, will focus on our UU Principles and the rainbow chalice this year. The stories shared monthly in the Sanctuary on Story Sundays offer the opportunity for all ages to engage with one another around issues of importance. Teachers, UU Stars Studio Leaders and Studio Guides are needed! For more information or to offer your assistance, contact RE Director Leia Durland-Jones or Children’s RE Committee Chair Lorie Craddock at 971-3026/ Lorie1963@aol.com.
For our youth (sixth through twelfth grades), programming is offered only at the 11:15 AM service. This year, our sixth and seventh grade youth will explore a variety of religions and faith traditions through our Neighboring Faiths program. New this year is a spiritual practices program for seventh and eighth grades entitled Many Paths. Ninth graders will participate in our congregation’s Coming of Age program Challenge. Our tenth through twelfth grade YRUU Youth Group will work on a variety of topics including worship, social action, community building, leadership development, learning opportunities and positive youth/adult relationships. Currently, we have several openings for adult volunteers who feel called to work in leadership with our youth programs. To apply for these positions, speak with the RE Director Leia Durland-Jones or Youth Programs Committee Chair Pam McIntire at 973- 0536. The first day of Religious Education classes is Sunday, September 19.
TJMC Children are Generous Souls!
At the end of the 2009-2010 church school year, Children’s Worship participants voted to give their collection money to the following organizations:
- The Haitian Project
- Rockfish Wildlife Sanctuary
- The Nature Conservancy Gulf Coast clean up
- Feed America
Money from the children’s weekly offering also purchased chalice tiles for the Children’s Peace Garden behind the Social Hall, as well as benches around the labyrinth. Thanks to our children (and their parents) for their generosity!
Summer FUUN at TJMC
Families are invited to continue attending worship throughout the summer by participating in our childcare co-op for infants through rising fifth graders. Parents take turns either attending worship or supervising children (in the lower hall or on the playground). Registration is required. To sign up or for more information, contact RE Assistant Robyn Fogler at 293-8179 or rfogler@embarqmail.com or stop by the RE table in the Social Hall on Sundays.
August 8 Make Crystals
August 15 Movie Day
August 22 Make Slime
August 29 Sprinkler Day
2010-2011 RE Registration
Is your family registered for this year’s RE program? It is easy to do just visit: surveymonkey.com/s/TJMC_2010-
2011_RE_Registration or the church’s website at uucharlottesville.org. For those who prefer paper copies, registration materials will be available on Sundays in the Social Hall. Many thanks to Ron and Sharon Wormser for setting up this year’s electronic registration process.
Adult Faith Development Seeks Input
The Adult Faith Development (AFD) Committee is soliciting ideas for our fall semester (October through December 2010.) 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 to have your ideas and input as we begin our planning and preparation for the fall offerings. To share your ideas, contact Adult Faith Development Committee Chair Holly Dilatush at 960-7177 o r holly@dilatush.com. 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. Our next meeting is Wednesday, August 11, at 6:45 PM at Saigon Cafe.
Save the Dates!
August
11 Adult Faith Development (AFD),
6:30 PM, Saigon Cafe
18 Children’s RE Comm.
22 YRUU Pool Party, 2-5 PM, Blue Ridge Swim Club
September
1 Youth Programs
8 UU Stars Studio Leader Class
11 Church Leadership Retreat/ Teacher & Youth Advisor Orientations
12 Balloon Sunday, Intergenerational Many Paths Parent Orientation
15 Adult Faith Development
19 First Day of RE classes
22 Children’s RE Comm.
26 RE Classes, Stars Story Sunday Neighboring Faiths Parent Orientation
