Laurel tackles a truffula tree!
(photo by Barb Hale)
Welcome!
Thank you for your interest in our Children’s Religious Education Program (RE) at the Brookfield Unitarian Universalist Church.
Unitarian Universalism: Our Walk and Our Talk is the foundation of our children’s program. Based on the Unitarian Universalist Principles and UU Sources, (see below) our children experience Unitarian Universalism through worship, discussion, art, music, drama activities, community service, and fun.
UU Rainbow Principles
Red Respect Every Being
Orange Offer Kindness
Yellow Yearn to Learn Together
Green Grow With Each Other in Spirit & Mind
Blue Believe in Yourself while Listening to Others
Indigo Insist on Freedom & Peace and Justice
Violet Value the Earth and all the Universe
The UU Path we share draws from many Sources
~Our own wonder at being & joy of living
~Others who have been kind and fair in words and deeds
~Wisdom from all religions
~Jewish & Christian teachings to love others as we love ourselves
~Humanist teachings that honor science and reason in our search for truth
~Earth-centered teachings honoring life, nature and it’s rhythms
Along with developing a Unitarian Universalist Identity, our program seeks to inspire awe and wonder, empathy and compassion and to foster a sense of “church as home,” a place of safety and comfort and belonging. As in our wider church community, church school offers a safe place to be one’s self and to ask questions. It’s a flexible, creative place to learn and to have fun. It offers the children the opportunity to be a member of a faith community, to value their spirituality, to contribute in a relevant manner and to be appreciated for those contributions.
The children are an important part of BUUC community and we strive to be one congregation and to care for the ministerial relationship between our children and our minister The Rev. Craig Nowak. Children’s programming will often reflect Rev. Craig’s messages in adult worship and children will have the opportunity to offer worship six times this year. The members of the BUUC recognize the importance of a strong RE program and support it through their pledges and their spirited volunteerism. Every effort is made to offer a safe environment for our children.
Parents are welcome to visit classes and are encouraged to contact me with questions, ideas or concerns. I ask that parents keep me informed of any situation that may impact your child’s learning or behavior. I am available to meet with parents before and after worship/church school and other times by appointment.
Oh! And volunteer, —RE’s an awesome place to be!
Big Blessings!
Laurel
Laurel A. Burdon, DRE
Brookfielddre@yahoo.com
508-867-5145
What Happens on Sunday Mornings?
WORSHIP: We believe it is important for families to have the opportunity to worship together. We ask that all children sit with their families (about 15 minutes) until the children’s recessional. At that time children leave to continue their church experience in an age accommodating manner. Children are welcome to remain quietly in the sanctuary for continued worship if the family chooses.
CHURCH SCHOOL area is in the basement of our building and, upon our ‘sing out’ from worship, the children divide into age defined groups as attendance allows. Our age/grade guidelines for our young children are flexible as we feel that children should be accommodated according to their own particular spot on their maturational path and their life experiences. RE groups are dismissed by 11:45. Parents are welcome to visit in RE and encouraged to volunteer in the program. Children join the adult community for Snacks and Fellowship following RE.
INTERGENERATIONAL/ALL COMMUNITY WORSHIP: People of all ages have the opportunity to participate in All Community Worship Services by offering readings, music, ushering or greeting. All children are offered the choice to participate in these services which are scheduled six times this year. Families are encouraged to have all children remain in the sanctuary for the entire service but the Nursery will be staffed for young children who may need a break!
BUUC RE GROUP DEFINITIONS AND GUIDELINES 2016-2017:
In our Nursery, children through age 3 (or 4) are cared for in a secure and comfortable place by Sara and Belinda, their gentle caregivers. Although this group of children does not follow a curriculum, they are learning independence, sharing and developing the sense of church as home. Watching older children move on to the preschool classroom prepares them for their own eventual transition.
Explorers: Children age 4 through Grade 2
Wild Explorers (sub-group): Children Grades 3 through Grade 5
Youth Group: Children Grades 6-7
Senior Youth (sub-group): Children Grades 8 through Grade 12
MULTI AGE GROUP ACTIVITIES:
P.U.L.S.E. Groups (People Understanding through Learning and Sharing Experiences):
PULSE weeks in RE are scheduled throughout the year. These multiage sessions may be used for learning activities, service projects, discussion and celebrations and offer the opportunity to form relationships beyond our typical age groupings (preschoolers through adults).
RE NUTS AND BOLTS
Visitors: Parents or guardians of children visiting our RE Program are asked to fill out a RE Visitor form giving us basic information about your child, emergency contact information and acknowledging your desire for your child to participate in the BUUC RE Program. As you make the decision to become a regular attendee, please meet with the DRE to discuss your child, the program and registration.
Registration: Please fill out the brief registration form for each child attending the RE Program. This acknowledges that you desire your child to participate in the BUUC RE Program, enables us to plan for special dietary requirements, to purchase adequate supplies and to reach families in the event of changes in plans and schedules. It is very important to include any learning or behavioral considerations so we can make necessary accommodations. Information is kept confidential and will be shared only with permission.
Attendance: “Those families who are cultivating the habit of churchgoing are giving their children a precious gift—a gift that enlivens their childhood and provides deep and sustaining roots for the future. The simple habit of churchgoing acknowledges that the spiritual life is of value and weaves connections to a web of faithful folks, connections to a religious community that can be life sustaining and like transforming.” ~From The Gift of Faith by Jeanne Nieuwejaar
Parents are the most important religious educators in a child’s life!
Brookfielddre@yahoo.com
508-867-5145
What Happens on Sunday Mornings?
WORSHIP: We believe it is important for families to have the opportunity to worship together. We ask that all children sit with their families (about 15 minutes) until the children’s recessional. At that time children leave to continue their church experience in an age accommodating manner. Children are welcome to remain quietly in the sanctuary for continued worship if the family chooses.
CHURCH SCHOOL area is in the basement of our building and, upon our ‘sing out’ from worship, the children divide into age defined groups as attendance allows. Our age/grade guidelines for our young children are flexible as we feel that children should be accommodated according to their own particular spot on their maturational path and their life experiences. RE groups are dismissed by 11:45. Parents are welcome to visit in RE and encouraged to volunteer in the program. Children join the adult community for Snacks and Fellowship following RE.
INTERGENERATIONAL/ALL COMMUNITY WORSHIP: People of all ages have the opportunity to participate in All Community Worship Services by offering readings, music, ushering or greeting. All children are offered the choice to participate in these services which are scheduled six times this year. Families are encouraged to have all children remain in the sanctuary for the entire service but the Nursery will be staffed for young children who may need a break!
BUUC RE GROUP DEFINITIONS AND GUIDELINES 2016-2017:
In our Nursery, children through age 3 (or 4) are cared for in a secure and comfortable place by Sara and Belinda, their gentle caregivers. Although this group of children does not follow a curriculum, they are learning independence, sharing and developing the sense of church as home. Watching older children move on to the preschool classroom prepares them for their own eventual transition.
Explorers: Children age 4 through Grade 2
Wild Explorers (sub-group): Children Grades 3 through Grade 5
Youth Group: Children Grades 6-7
Senior Youth (sub-group): Children Grades 8 through Grade 12
MULTI AGE GROUP ACTIVITIES:
P.U.L.S.E. Groups (People Understanding through Learning and Sharing Experiences):
PULSE weeks in RE are scheduled throughout the year. These multiage sessions may be used for learning activities, service projects, discussion and celebrations and offer the opportunity to form relationships beyond our typical age groupings (preschoolers through adults).
RE NUTS AND BOLTS
Visitors: Parents or guardians of children visiting our RE Program are asked to fill out a RE Visitor form giving us basic information about your child, emergency contact information and acknowledging your desire for your child to participate in the BUUC RE Program. As you make the decision to become a regular attendee, please meet with the DRE to discuss your child, the program and registration.
Registration: Please fill out the brief registration form for each child attending the RE Program. This acknowledges that you desire your child to participate in the BUUC RE Program, enables us to plan for special dietary requirements, to purchase adequate supplies and to reach families in the event of changes in plans and schedules. It is very important to include any learning or behavioral considerations so we can make necessary accommodations. Information is kept confidential and will be shared only with permission.
Attendance: “Those families who are cultivating the habit of churchgoing are giving their children a precious gift—a gift that enlivens their childhood and provides deep and sustaining roots for the future. The simple habit of churchgoing acknowledges that the spiritual life is of value and weaves connections to a web of faithful folks, connections to a religious community that can be life sustaining and like transforming.” ~From The Gift of Faith by Jeanne Nieuwejaar
Parents are the most important religious educators in a child’s life!
- Volunteer as a teacher or helper in the Church School Program. New to UU? No better way to learn about our spiritual path than by working with our children! If working with children is not for you, there are other RE related jobs you might do. There are other committees that need your help as well. You will demonstrate to your child commitment, consistency and the responsibility of belonging to a faith community. You will be doing your part to keep the BUUC Community strong and will get from it more than you ever imagined.
- Bring your children to church. Continuity and maintaining friendships are an import- ant aspect of children’s lives. Show them that church and a spiritual life are important for everyone.
- Keep informed about what is happening in the church school. Read the newsletter for special notices and read handouts given to children that will explain events and schedules.
- Check out Rev. Craig’s HUUMP Day Reflections which will help everyone to experience a full week of faith! ~adapted Westminster Unitarian Church
