Religious Education for Children Portland, Maine

Children’s programs create a space for young people to develop their own beliefs as they explore ideas like justice, love, community, god, spirituality and the earth, using developed curricula. Children (and parents!) do best when they know what to expect, so we try to be consistent in the program that we offer on Sunday mornings. Of course, occasionally there are extra special days where there might be changes! Here is an outline of our program for your information.

Each year (September – June) we offer a different set of curricula for our age groups (though of course we have our favorites!) and adjust the group configuration depending on the age distribution of our children. The RE Committee, with input from parents, plans curriculum offerings in early spring for the following church year.

Sunday Morning Program

9 AM Worship Service

• 9:00-10:15: Nursery Care
• 9:00 -9:20: Worship in the Sanctuary for ages 2 ½ to adult. (Children attend the first 20 minutes of service before going into their RE groups)

• 9:20-10:15: Religious Education Groups meet for ages 2 ½ through 18

11 AM Worship Service

• 11:00 –12:15: Nursery Care
• 11:00-11:20: Worship in the Sanctuary for ages 3 ½ to adult

• 11:20-12:15: Spirit Play Religious Education Program (a smaller group, multi-age program)

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2010-2011 Children and Youth Religious Education Offerings

Sundays 9:00am - 10:15 am

NURSERY CARE- Infants through 3 years old

Click Nursery for a description of our loving nursery care for infants and toddlers.

AGES 3, 4 and young 5

Curriculum:

A DISCOVERING YEAR: UU IDENTITY

Authors: Tirrell and Rick Kimball

This curricula gives youngsters an age-appropriate introduction to Unitarian Universalism, and to the philosophy and goals reflected by the Unitarian Universalist principles. A Discovering Year seeks to nuture children's spiritual and religious growth through carefully sequenced connections to their ever widening envionment. It offers many opportunities for discovery and celebration as children explore themselves and others, their families and their church, the wonders of nature, and religious and cultural days.

 

AGES older 5, 6 and 7

Curriculum:

FREE TO BELIEVE: UU IDENTITY

Authors: Tirrell and Rick Kimball

This is an experiential progrdam designed to nurture the emotional, social, and spiritual life of children. It uses the Unitarian Universalist principles as starting points for exploring values, beliefs, and what it means to be Unitarian Universalist. The program also includes some "big questions" through the perspective of our Unitarian Universalist sources.

AGES 8, 9 and 10

Curriculum:

BIBLEODEON: HEBREW AND CHRISTIAN SCRIPTURES

Authors: Tirrell and Rick Kimball

Bibleodeon is an experiential program introducing young Unitarian Universalists to stories of the Hebrew and Christian Bibles. Many millions of people today base their lives and actions in their understandings of the Hebrew and Christian Bibles. Unitarian Universalists can best practice the acceptance and tolerance their religion advocates by understanding where others find motivation and meaning. Both of these bibles are helpful windows into myth, religious thought, and world views of the past. In addition, many Bible stories are fascinating, informative, and fun.

AGES 11, 12 and 13

Curriculum:

NEIGHBORING FAITHS: WORLD RELIGIONS

Authors: Christine Reed and Patricia Hoertdoerfer

Youth are introduced to the faith traditions and practices of other religious groups in their community. In keeping with all the Unitarian Universalist Principles, especially the free and responsible search for truth and meaning, this program actively engages youth in exploring the religious traditions of other faiths and helps to identify the similarities and differences. This informations helps them to reflect on the unique and universal of religious experience. To explore their own values as they relate to many other faiths traditions. To become aware of the many connections between Unitarian Universalism and other faith traditions.

AGES 14 - 18

Curriculum:

YOU THE CREATOR: UU IDENTITY

Authors: Tirrell and Rick Kimball

The goal of The New You the Creator is creative empowerment; helping all participants discover themselves as creators and as one with positive and universal creative forces. Sessions of interest to the group are integrated into the youth's church traditions andused to reinforce youth as a time of tremendous change and learning.

We also have other wonderful programs for older children!

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Sundays 11:00 am

AGES 3-13 Spirit Play Multi-age Program

Curriculum:

FREE TO BELIEVE: UU IDENTITY

Authors: Tirrell and Rick Kimball

This is an experiential progrdam designed to nurture the emotional, social, and spiritual life of children. It uses the Unitarian Universalist principles as starting points for exploring values, beliefs, and what it means to be Unitarian Universalist. The program also includes some "big questions" through the perspective of our Unitarian Universalist sources.