The Religious Education Committee:

• Steve Mallett
• Rev. Susan Ritchie, Acting Director of Religious Education
• Joe Herron
• Jennifer Bourget
• Melinda Rosenberg
• Jayna McDaniels Browning

Mission

The Religious Education Committee plans, advocates, and sets the direction for the religious nurture of our children and youth. The committee also reviews curriculum and provides the framework for the many volunteers who serve as teachers, youth advisors, and assistants for related service projects, worship services, and social events.

The mission of the Religious Education Program of the North Unitarian Universalist Congregation is:

• To provide children and youth with a liberal religious education
• To promote a caring and nurturing environment in which children and youth feel safe expressing their feelings and beliefs
• To encourage exploration of ethics, morals, values and religious beliefs and
• To foster a sense of belonging to our UU community, the UU church and the world at large so that each child or youth understands that his or her actions can make a difference.

Sunday School Schedule and Intergenerational Worship

Most Sundays the children start the morning off directly in religious education.  Preschoolers meet in Fellowship Hall of the main church building.  Children aged 6 and older should be taken directly to Nielsen House (our religious education building, directly across from the main church parking lot), where parents can sign them in.  Children will have a chance to situate their things and get a nametag from their classrooms, and then they return the parlor of Nielsen House, where all the classes start the day with a brief Gathering Time before returning to their classrooms.  Please see “NUUC Religious Education Class Policies.”

At times throughout the church year, the Sunday worship service will be intergenerational, and all ages will join together in the sanctuary for a celebration designed to include everyone.  All special intergenerational services are announced in the worship schedule.    Parents of Chalice Children students may choose either to include their child in the worship in Nielsen House, or use our staffed nursery.

A Covenant of Behavior for the North Unitarian Universalist Congregation Religious Education Programs

As part of a religious community the promises we make to each other about how we will treat each other and what we will do to create a safe and sacred space is called a covenant.  Our covenant is based on the Principles of the Unitarian Universalist Association.

PRINCIPLE ONE: EACH AND EVERY PERSON IS IMPORTANT.

Everyone deserves to be treated with respect, to have a chance to share, to be heard, to be included in the day’s activities at church. This means that we don’t call people names, don’t interrupt when someone else is talking, take turns so every person has a chance to talk, play with the toys or games or participate in a special activity.

PRINCIPLE TWO: ALL PEOPLE SHOULD BE TREATED FAIRLY AND KINDLY.

Everyone – no matter his or her age or sex, race, family, abilities, or differences – is welcome. We don’t use hurtful words, hit or throw things at one another. It means we take turns, share our snacks, and leave something for the next person. We speak up and get help when we see someone being treated unfairly.

PRINCIPLE THREE: WE SHOULD ENCOURAGE ONE ANOTHER AND LEARN TOGETHER.

This means we need to listen to each other, to participate in group activities to the best of our abilities, to help someone who is new or struggling, and to share what we are thinking or feeling. It is important to say we are sorry when we fail to treat others the way we would like to be treated.

PRINCIPLE FOUR: EACH MUST BE FREE TO SEARCH FOR WHAT IS TRUE AND RIGHT IN LIFE.

Everyone is encouraged to share his or her own thoughts and feelings. It means listening to others and asking questions to discover what is true and right for us. It means that we will let other people ask questions and explore the things that have meaning for them, without judging or making fun.

PRINCIPLE FIVE: ALL PERSONS SHOULD HAVE A SAY ABOUT WHAT AFFECTS THEM.

Children may share their thoughts and feelings about what happens at church, and offer their ideas for new or better ways of doing things. It means all of us, young and old, need to listen to one another, ask for suggestions and advice, and work together to make church a safe and special place.

PRINCIPLE SIX: WORK TOGETHER FOR A PEACEFUL, FAIR AND FREE WORLD.

This means we settle our disagreements in honest, caring, peaceful ways. We don’t fight, push, shove or throw things at one another. We do not bring toy guns or knives to church, or play in violent ways. We don’t use hurtful words or talk about people behind their backs. We don’t destroy or damage what belongs to the church or other people.

PRINCIPLE SEVEN: CARE FOR OUR PLANET EARTH WHICH WE SHARE WITH ALL LIVING THINGS.

It means we clean up our messes, don’t waste food or supplies, and recycle whatever we can. It means we don’t jump on furniture, or play on equipment that is meant for people much smaller (or younger) than us.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

We all make mistakes at times or fail to live up to the promises we have made to one another. At those times, we will lovingly remind each other of our better selves, get help from someone we trust, and listen to one another.  It may be helpful to apologize and make amends for what we have done.
If we see these principles not being followed, we each have a responsibility to respond because we want this place to be safe for all.  If anyone has difficulty keeping the covenant while they are in group meetings or worship, the following will happen:

First, a responsible adult will immediately offer a quiet reminder that the behavior is breaching the Covenant.  Next, if the behavior continues, the adult and child will hold a private conversation.  If the behavior continues, the child will have a private conversation with the Director of Religious Education Ministries who will be in touch with the parents.  After a family conversation, the parents will contact the DREM to indicate the child or youth understands the behavior was unacceptable and agrees to work harder to keep the Covenant.  In the case of repeated difficulties, a parent or guardian may be asked to stay with the child in his classroom for one or more sessions.