Children’s Religious Education

The Children’s Program is for designed for children from birth through Sixth Grade.

The Mission of the Children’s Religious Education Program is to nurture and stimulate our children’s spiritual and personal growth and to teach and model the values that hold us together as Unitarian Universalists. Classes are taught by members of the congregation. Some of our teachers are parents of children in the program, many are not. All classes, except the nursery, follow a curriculum. In all of our classes we strive to make our children feel loved and accepted. We believe that all children are worthy human beings deserving our respect.

Our curricula are designed and chosen to help our children develop their knowledge and identity as Unitarian Universalists, to give them an understanding and respect for our Jewish and Christian heritage and for all the world’s religions, and to open their eyes to the social justice needs and opportunities in the world around them.

Classes are taught on Sunday mornings at 9:30 and 11:30. During the months of September through May, our classes are divided into the following age groupings:
• Nursery (Birth to age 24 months)
• 2s & 3s (Ages 2 and 3)
• Pre-K/Kindergarten (Ages 4 and 5)
• Grades 1 and 2
• Grades 3 and 4
• Grades 5 and 6
During the months of June through August, we are more flexible with our programming. Childcare is offered to children from Birth through age 3. We generally provide a class for primary children and a class for upper-elementary children. Occasionally we meet as a whole group together.

Click here for the 2007-2008 Religious Education Program Guide for Children 

Click here for the Parent’s Guide to Religious Education Programs: Your Participation is the Key to Our Success!

For more information, please call the Religious Education Office at 619-298-9978.

A SPECIAL WORD TO OUR PARENTS

The following information will help you and your children to take the best advantage of the programs we offer:

• Read the Program Guide and know what our programs are and which are right for your children.

• Register your children. Our Religious Education database keeps us up-to-date on who is attending and allows us to communicate with families directly.

• Attend regularly. Our children really want to be here with their friends. Coming regularly helps them connect with the other children and develop friendships. It also helps to put the individual lessons in context and they become more meaningful.

• Educate yourself as a Unitarian Universalist parent. Parents need to be the primary religious educators of their children. Take the time to learn more about our faith tradition through reading, adult education classes, covenant groups, and discussions. Attend the Parenting our Principles classes where you can talk to other Unitarian Universalist parents about issues of parenting in a UU context.

• Make time in your lives for your child to attend the extra curricular and special events of the program and church. These less structured times are wonderful for making friends, building community, and developing a sense of Unitarian Universalist Identity.