Each Spring, our worship services provide a glimpse of the full circle of our Religious Education Program for Children and Youth. We pledge together our dedication to support the infants and children of our church on their religious journeys, we share in worship with our children and youth, celebrating together their talents and accomplishments, and we thank the caring, dedicated adults who worked in our classrooms during the past school-year.
Each year I hear you, the members of our congregation, state how wonderful our children are and how proud you are to have them in our midst. Often that statement is followed by, “I wish we saw more of the children and youth so we could get to know them better.” Getting to know our children and youth is actually very easy because each year you are offered the opportunity to teach in our Religious Education Program. So, now that Spring is past and Summer is upon us, I would ask that you take some time to look forward to the coming year. We are currently recruiting teachers for our growing, dynamic Religious Education Program and several teaching positions are available for fall through spring of 2008-09.
Teaching in our Sunday classes requires no special knowledge. What we require of our teachers is a mind and heart open to the children we serve. Is it easy to teach? Not always; it requires flexibility, patience, dedication, a little study and preparation. Is it difficult to teach? We try to make it as simple as possible. Teacher orientation will take place in early September to answer your questions and allow teaching teams to set their schedules together. Our curricula, focusing on Unitarian Universalist Identity, is straightforward and easy to follow. All materials and supplies are waiting for you in the classrooms. Each teacher is supported by the Director of Religious Education, the Religious Education Team and a team of fellow teachers. Our calendar affords each teacher at least one Sunday off per month, and Rev. Melanie’s sermons are always available online.
Like many of you, I will be away for much of the summer. When you come to church, though, I invite you to wander through the halls of the Oscar Flowers Religious Education Wing, and check things out. Look at the displays on the bulletin boards for information about our Fall programming. If you feel you’re ready, sign up to join our teaching team.
Teach-because love is the doctrine of our church.
Teach-because the quest of truth is our sacrament.
Teach-because service is our prayer.
Teach-because you will receive at least as much as you give.
Coleen Murphy, Director of Religious Education
re@firstuuno.org
