Through the talents of church members, the goal of Religious Education at Unitarian Universalist Church West is to:

• Enable children to develop their own personal religious values rooted in the principles and purposes of Unitarian Universalism
• Explore with children the religious traditions of others and thereby examine their own. Help them find their unique voice
• Encourage the spiritual growth of individuals
• Provide education and opportunities to help young people identify their place in this world through social action and environmental awareness
• Help each child feel a true sense of belonging to our church

Church Year
September 7, 2008 - May 24, 2009

Two Services
9:15 am – 10:30 am and 11:00 am – 12:15 pm
Unitarian Universalist Church West offers two worship services and two Religious Education Programs on Sunday mornings from the Sunday after Labor Day until the Sunday before Memorial Day. During the summer, we offer worship and Religious Education at 9:15am only.

Beginning Time

• Worship for All Ages: Three Sundays per month, children in Kindergarten through High School join their families in the Sanctuary for the first 15 minutes of service before class
• Children’s Chapel: One Sunday per month, children in Kindergarten through Sixth Grade meet in the lower level Gathering Area for a 15-minute children’s worship before class. Junior High and High School begin in their classrooms.
• Nursery and Preschool: These children begin each Sunday directly in their classrooms.
• Classroom Worship: Each class session begins and ends with a regular ritual such as a chalice lighting, reading, prayer, meditation, song, blessing, or sharing

Ending Time
Please do not enter the classrooms before the sessions are over at 10:30am or 12:15pm. If worship service ends before this time, please visit during the social hour. Please pick up your children promptly at the session-ending time. Children in nursery through second grade need to be picked up in person by the parents. Older children may be released directly to the Community Room, where families may mingle after services.

Visitors
Visitors are always welcome at UUCW and in our Religious Education classes. Please stop at the Visitor’s Table in the church lobby on any Sunday that you are visiting, and you will be directed to the appropriate classrooms. For your child’s safety, all visitors to our Religious Education program must fill out a visitor sign-in form. Email addresses are appreciated! Returning visitors need to complete a Religious Education Registration Form after three visits.

Registration Procedures
You do not need to be members of the church to register, but all who frequently use the Religious Education program are expected to make a financial contribution to UUCW and to volunteer in some capacity in the program. Please check with the Director of Religious Education to determine the most appropriate class placement for your child.

Communications
We use email communications as much as possible to share information about coming events, special projects, class newsletters, and volunteer scheduling. Please check your email regularly. Please see our website regularly for more detailed, up-to-date information including weekly lesson plan descriptions, sermons online, newsletter articles, and upcoming events.

Volunteer Contribution and Donations
Ours is a cooperative program. There is no fee for religious education at UUCW because each family volunteers in some capacity, and in addition contributes to the UUCW general operating fund through pledge or envelope donations. There are three types of volunteer commitment:

Religious Education Teaching
Teachers work in pairs with a regular partner to co-facilitate lessons eight to ten Sundays per year. Teachers are encouraged to choose their own partners, and pick together their teaching dates. The two teachers work together to prepare the space, create a community of children, present the lesson or story, guide discussion and “wondering” questions, assist with art response projects and group activities, and bring the time to a close. Our program is dependent on dedicated volunteers who want to contribute to the future of our children, our church, and the principles of Unitarian Universalism. Lesson plans, supplies, and administrative support are provided. You will learn along with the children. Teaching is fun!

Religious Education Council
The Religious Education Council works with the Director of Religious Education to determine the goals and to set priorities for the Religious Education Program. Individual Council members nurture a particular area of religious education, utilizing the support of the Director of Religious Education and additional task force volunteers.

Religious Education Program Support
Various duties are based upon availability and interest. Volunteers are called upon as needed by the Religious Education Council and Director of Religious Education and provide much-needed support for the optimal functioning of the program. Areas of interest include:

• Special Events: family and intergenerational opportunities outside the Sunday School experience such as family worship, game nights, social action activities, and Nativity.
• Social Action: opportunities both on Sundays and at other times.
• Youth Support: help connect youth with areas of church life and support youth programming.
• Curriculum Teams: evaluate and review curricula for appropriateness and effectiveness.
• Classroom Community: assist in building a small-group sense of community within each class.
• Office Support: assist the RE program with routine and special clerical tasks.