Religious Education
Religious Education Program
One of my favorite parts of my role as the Director of Religious Education at CUUF is to hear the youth share their memories with one another, describing what they hold dear in their hearts from their times in RE. I have been able to witness their delight while reminiscing about giant bubbles and I have been inspired by their passion as they describe the four elements of our world and how they have connected to them.These moments have served as testament to me that our RE program is working to build shared understandings and a joy in the experiences of faith formation.
With the transition into springtime, we are wrapping up six sessions of age group lessons that were held during the winter services. These age group lessons, led by a skilled and passionate team of volunteers and staff, have given youth a variety of age-appropriate explorations of themes in the UU faith.
Our youngest group outside of the nursery, up through first grade, has explored a variety of themes through story, movement, and crafting. One of my favorite things to see was a mosaic they colored on the theme of generosity. You can check it out yourself: it is hanging in the downstairs elevator foyer. A special thing about this group is that it is assisted by a youth volunteer who is gaining valuable experience working with young children while helping out the RE program.
Our 2nd-3rd grade group has been exploring themes of identity, race, boundaries, and justice through the new UU curriculum called Mosaic. This curriculum is available for every age and requires teachers to be trained in anti-oppression education. During this pilot run of delivering the Mosaic curriculum, we have learned a lot. In particular, we have found that these youth learn best through activities, talking, and fun.
Our 4th-5th grade group has been exploring the power of Earth through the Sing to the Power curriculum. Some highlights in this group include using poetry to explore our connection to place and creating a timeline of the Chequamegon UU Fellowship with the help of some founding members. Our oldest youth, in grade 6 and above, have been learning about the new UU Shared Values through games, playful activities, and discussions. They have explored love with trust falls, interdependence with a save-the-environment board game, and justice with hula hoops. Many of the youth in this group are also gathering on some Wednesday evenings to plan the youth-led service, which will be April 19th.
Chequamegon Unitarian Universalist Fellowship Safe Congregations and Background Check Policy for Religious Education Staff and Volunteers
- The Chequamegon Unitarian Universalist Fellowship (CUUF) recognizes the importance of fostering and creating communities where everyone, especially our most vulnerable populations such as children and youth, are protected. We seek to preserve that spirit of welcome, respect and trust in balance with our concern for the safety of our children, applying the best practices from the Unitarian Universalist Association to any policies or guidelines we adopt.
- Religious education (RE) classes will be conducted following best practices from the Safe Congregations handbook: two adults or attendants will be present and classes will be conducted in open spaces or with doors open.
- The CUUF Board will conduct a background check on all staff hired to work with RE, such as the Director(s) of Religious Education. The RE director(s) will conduct a background check on all RE volunteers who are hired to work with the youth. Background checks will be repeated once every five years.
- RE director(s) will be mandatory reporters and will attend an annual training. RE volunteers will be provided an incident report form for accidents, injuries, medical situations, student behavioral incidents, or other concerns and will turn this into the RE director(s).
- Every employee and every volunteer who comes in contact with children and youth will receive a copy of the safe congregation policy, ethics policy (under development), and sexual harassment policy (under development).
RE Registration Form