Religious Education for Children RE brochure for Children and Youth

The purpose of our Unitarian Universalist Religious Education Program is to help children, youth, and adults build understanding and inner resources for action in their lives. Based on our 7 Unitarian Universalist Principles and 6 Sources, rather than a doctrine, our liberal religion allows room for this wondrous journey.

Our mission is to create and sustain a multigenerational community of truth, love, and service. Our program is not adult- or child-centered, but congregation-centered, through which all ages interact and explore cooperatively.

We at Pacific Unitarian Church intentionally affirm the infinite variety of families. We offer a place in which together we can shape our beliefs, celebrate our discoveries, and live out our values. People of all ages, and families of all kinds, come together as participants in this church family. Our paths are diverse, yet we share the journey. We come together knowing we are welcome as we are.

What happens in our classes, groups, and activities for children and youth is important. The time our children spend with the entire worshipping community is important, as well. At our best, our UU Congregations are centers for worship, for caring, for justice-making, and for educating ourselves and those around us, and we are learners and teachers all.

Unitarian Universalism is a faith for seekers. It is a faith for families. All families matter.

Welcome!
Renée Daley, Director of Religious Education

Welcome to a New Religious Education Year!

The best part of being involved with Pacific Unitarian Church's R.E. Program is watching the children develop a sense of belonging and community. This happens when they come to church and experience being included in the worship service, and then being part of a warm, caring group in class, during which they make friends and can express themselves safely. Over time, parents and children experience PUC's R.E. Program as a comfortable, spiritual element in their journey as a family.

The Youth Religious Education Committee exists to support our Director of Religious Education (D.R.E.), as well as the children and families of PUC. Our members come from diverse backgrounds, yet share the common goals of youth ministry and living the 7 UU Principles. We see the children not only for who they wil be in the future, but for all that they offer right now. We aim to help children find meaning in their experiences within the framework of our faith.

The Committee meets monthly during the school year and has a planning retreat in the spring. We help recruit teachers and Youth Advisors for all the classes. We serve as liaisons to the classes to support the teachers and assist the D.R.E. in selecting and developing curricula. We manage R.E. special events throughout the year, plus plan and staff PUC's Summer R.E. Program.

We hope you feel at home here!

Thank you,
Ingrid Slizewski, Religious Education Coordinator

PROGRAM AND POLICY

The Youth Religious Education Program runs each Sunday. There are classes for preschoolers through high school that meet during the service. A short multigenerational time occurs at the beginning of the service, during which the church family shares some sacred time together. Then the children are “sung out” by the congregation to meet in their classes. After service and classes, the church family shares together again at the social hour on the patio.

The R.E. Program is cooperative and primarily volunteer-led; therefore, it is expected that the parents of the children in the Program will be involved during the year.

The R.E. Program has a policy of commitment from the children to show cooperative and respectful behavior at all times. This policy adheres to our UU Principle of believing that each and every person—whether teacher or classmate—is important and should be treated fairly. Continued problems will be addressed with the child’s parents.

This year we will be continuing to explore the UUA's Tapestry of Faith.

REGISTRATION

All returning and new children need to be officially registered each year. If you are new to our church community, we ask that you register your child after three visits, or when you decide to attend regularly. Registration is free, and forms are available in the Religious Education Office.

The Religious Education Program is a priority in our congregation and is supported through the church’s operating budget. Families are encouraged to support the Program financially through their pledges, in accordance with their resources.


Woman holding babySAFETY AND HEALTH

It is important for us to be aware of allergies, developmental challenges, or other special needs that a child might have. Please share this information on the registration form and/or directly with the Director of Religious Education. Efforts will be made to keep the information as private as possible in order to make each family feel comfortable.


CHILD SUPERVISION
AND CLASS PARTICIPATION

Child care is provided from 10:15 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. for those children under three years old. Preschoolers through 12th graders may leave for classes after the multigenerational time of the service. During class time, any child not wishing to participate is welcome to remain with his or her parent(s) in service. Children attending class must be picked up by a parent or guardian within 10 minutes of the end of the service, allowing our teachers and children to join the multigenerational coffee hour.


CONTACT

If you have any questions please contact Renée Daley, our Director of Religious Education via email: RE@pacificunitarian.org or by calling the church office at (310) 378-9449.


Pixies Ages 3 -4 | Hobbits & Sojourners Grades K-5 |  Voyagers Grades 6-8
| YRUU's Grades 9 - 12