Religious Exploration for Children and Youth
Welcome to Religious Education at UUCCN
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Welcome to religious education at UUCCN. Here, we offer your child the chance to grow and learn in a classroom community. While parents are attending the adult Sunday service, the children will be in a warm, friendly environment among their peers, where they are encouraged to explore important religious questions. Our teachers are trained volunteers from our congregation. The Religious Education Committee works very hard to choose curricula appropriate for each age group. We select material from various sources that will help our young people understand Unitarian Universalism. Our focus for the coming year is to foster an appreciation for the richness and diversity of the religions of the world. We are here to nurture and support your child’s religious experience however we need your help in order for your child to reap the maximum benefits from the educational and social opportunities we provide. It is essential for your child attend Sunday school in a regular and timely manner. We also encourage you to take note of what your child is learning and “bring” it home. We invite you to participate in family events (please note Special Events calendar in this brochure). We are a community that is here to support your child and we could use your help in a variety of ways. Please feel free to share your gifts with us and the children. We welcome you to a new beginning Peggy Schlechter, Director of Religious Education |
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Peggy Schlechter Director of Religious Education |
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If you are new to our program, you will find that ours is a different form of religious education. We seek, in the words of William Ellery Channing, “...not to stamp our minds irresistibly on others but to stir up their own; ...not to make them see with our eyes, but to look inquiringly and steadily with their own; ...not to form outward regularity, but touch inward springs; ...not to impose religion on them in the form of arbitrary rules; ...but to awaken the conscience, the moral discernment, so that they may discern and approve for themselves what is everlasting, right and good.” |
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Our Religious Education Director (DRE)
Peggy Schlecter has been a
member of UUCCN with her family for the last 10 years. During this time
she has spent over 6 years as a teacher in the Religious Education program
and was a member of the Religious Education committee for two years.
Peggy was an elementary school teacher for 10 years and holds New York
State certification in both elementary and special education. She
received her BA from Mercyhurst College in Erie, PA and her MS in art
therapy and Special Education from Hofstra University.
Peggy is married to Ken and has 3 children: Hannah, Emma and Harry. In her spare time she enjoys scrapbooking, quilting, and reading. She is looking forward to her role as the DRE at UUCCN. Words From The Minister on Religious EducationWELCOME TO YOU… We're glad you're here, whether you've been here for years or it's your first time…WELCOME to you and your family! We invite you to come, get to know us, have fun with us, and meet new friends. You will find that this is a community of kindred spirits that will encourage your spiritual development. Our program seeks to provide children and youth with the experiences and tools to encourage their own religious development and to ground them in the ethical and spiritual dimensions of life. We do this through worship, classes, music, art and fellowship. We rely on the support and involvement of the community, including parents. As our youth move through our program we do our best to give them a moral compass that can guide them as they move into their independent lives. Our program is guided by a wonderful team headed by Peggy Schlechter, our Director of Religious Education; Veronica Goldberg who chairs our hardworking Religious Education Committee, and an A -Team of volunteers who embody the spirit of Unitarian Universalism--teachers who are dedicated to our students and are generous with their time, imagination and energy. Unitarian Universalism teaches us that religious growth and learning are a life-long process so we also offer opportunities for religious education throughout the year. We encourage growth in our Unitarian Universalist faith, history and values. We appreciate the richness and diversity of other world religions, including Jewish and Christian traditions that are a part of our heritage. We also offer adult programs so that we may grow and stretch along with our children. We integrate our faith and its values through various ministries including social action where we encourage our children and youth to get involved in the work of justice making. Here at UUCCN we are committed to building intergenerational community for work as well as play. There are times when the entire congregation worships together for the entire service and we honor special events (childcare is offered for the youngest members of our UUCCN family). The quote “it takes a village to raise a child” applies to us: UUCCN is a “Village”…I invite you to get to know us, share your hopes and dreams as well as your gifts and talents. Let’s grow together. Welcome. I'm glad you're here. Yours, Hope The Reverend Hope Johnson, Minister Top of PageOur MissionThe religious Education Program nurtures each child's religious and spiritual awareness in a family-oriented environment. The program engages children and adults in activities that enable them to explore diverse religious beliefs, to promote fellowship, and to formulate and practice values reflective of our UU Principles and Purposes (adopted May 1991 by the Religious Education Committee). Top of PageOur UU Principles (In language for children)We, the churches and fellowships of the Unitarian Universalist Association, promise to encourage:
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CurriculumThe various curricula are reflective of three-year cycles with one year each of World Religions, Jewish and Christian Religions and Unitarian Universalism. Social action components are interwoven each year. This year's focus is World Religions. If you would like more information about the curriculum, please contact Peggy Schlechter, Director of Religious Education. UUCCNRE@optonline.net
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Child Care: Birth through 3 yearsInfant and toddler care is provided each Sunday so parents can attend Sunday service. Please bring an infant seat or stroller to help keep your child comfortable in the room provided for them. A Board approved child care provider will be present. |
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Adventurers (Pre-K through 1st Grade)The Adventurers will be using a curriculum entitled “Celebrating Me and My World.” For these youngsters, religious education is their immediate world. This curriculum offers the opportunity to learn about their religious community and traditions, as well as the freedom to discover and express their uniqueness and share their joys and sorrows. Preschool education is not baby-sitting, it is helping children reach and grow. The program is filled with activity and happy hard work. |
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Elementary (Grades 2-5)Our Elementary group will utilize specially chosen curriculum called Holidays and Holy Days. These lessons provide an exploration of special events and religious observances in a number of world religions. This community of learners will explore holiday and holy days such as Divali, Ramadan, Sukkot, Posadas….and many more.
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Junior Youth (Grades 6-8)Our Junior Youth will be mentally stimulated by the thought provoking content of the curriculum “Neighboring Faiths”. Youth are introduced to the faith traditions and practices of other religious groups. They are also guided in the exploration of their own values as they relate to other faith traditions. Members of this class may also be involved in OWL and/or Coming of Age activities, and the group may be called upon to participate in events that raise awareness of social responsibility.
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Senior Youth (Grades 9 through 12)Our senior youth will also be using the Neighboring Faiths curriculum. Additionally, they will be involved in social action projects throughout the year. In order to further allow our oldest youngsters to integrate more fully with the congregation, each is encouraged to participate in fund-raising activities and to take some partnership and leadership roles in other special congregational events.
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Worship ServicesWorship is the consideration and celebration of what is worthy to us, in us, and around us. |
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A Time For All AgesEach Sunday, children join the larger congregation for the first fifteen minutes of the regular service. It is a time for our religious community to come together as a whole, young and old, to celebrate that which is worthy in all of our lives. |
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Children's WorshipOne Sunday per month, the children share in a worship experience designed to include many aspects of our adult service. Children's Worship provides an opportunity for the children to bond with each other and helps to further their understanding and respect for what occurs during adult services. Parents are encouraged to attend Children's Worship. ] Children's Worship Order Of Service
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Intergenerational Worship ServicesTwice yearly, usually at Thanksgiving and in the Spring, the adults and children of all ages join together for the entire Sunday morning service. These are joyous celebrations for everyone. |
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Long Island Area Council (LIAC) Sponsored ProgramsComing of Age (COA)Coming of Age is a youth program especially designed for those who are 14 to 15 years of age (at any time during the 2004 calendar year), and who agree to participate fully in the program and the home assignments. This program consists of a series of educational, social and religious encounters for youth from LIAC churches and fellowships. COA seeks to provide its participants with a better understanding of Unitarian Universalism, world religions and social issues. Youngsters choose an adult sponsor from their home congregation to help them during the program. Dates and locations will be announced. There is a mandatory parent meeting in January, a program weekend each month February through April, the much-anticipated Boston trip during May, and a recognition service in June. If your child is eligible, please see Peggy Schlechter, who will receive registration forms by mail. DRE@uuccn.org |
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Our Whole Lives (OWL)OWL is a religious education curriculum specifically geared for 7th through 9th graders associated with a UU society. This curriculum is a responsive course reflecting many issues, concerns and questions regarding sexuality. Youngsters are encouraged to complete the OWL course before participating in the Coming of Age Program. There will be a mandatory meeting that parents must attend. The mandatory meeting and course dates will be announced.
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Sophia Fahs EncampmentUsually held during two weeks before Labor Day on Shelter Island, this complete summer camp is also a UU religious education experience. Included in this summer program are worship services, arts and crafts, and sports. The children are grouped according to age with supervising house parents from our congregations. For details on all LIAC Religious Education activities see their website. www.liacuu.org
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MAKING SUNDAY HAPPENIn the Cooperative Spirit: The cooperative efforts of many people help make Sunday School a stimulating and happy time for all concerned. All parents with children in the school are expected to volunteer some time with the children on a few Sundays throughout the year. We also invite adults who do not currently have children in the Sunday School to provide some of the care and leadership vital to the success of the program. We need the special talents, interests and energies of all to implement our special programs. In Addition, Please Keep In Mind:
Our Director of Religious Education, Peggy Schlechter, is available on Sunday mornings before services and during coffee hour to discuss any concerns, special requests, suggestions, or insights you may have. The members of the Religious Education committee are also available to assist when necessary.
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Special ProgramsIntergenerational ActivitiesThe Religious Education Committee sponsors a number of events throughout the year that bring children and adults together, foster fellowship and build bridges across the generations. One of the events most highly valued by our children has been “Surprise Friends”. Held during the three weeks just prior to Valentine’s Day, this activity promotes sharing, caring, and lasting intergenerational bonds. Our committee-sponsored events that bring young and old together include the AIDS Walk, Beach Clean-Up, the “Share The Light” project, the Winter Workshop, a Passover Seder, and RE Sunday.
Trips and OvernightsThe RE Committee sponsors sleepovers for our children and youth and get-together for them and their friends from other UU congregations. The young people have a great time. Their friendships deepen and their community is strengthened so that their Sunday morning experience is even more meaningful. |
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