April Bulletin Column

Every once in a while, I think it is a good idea to remind the congregation of our mission in the religious education program. It is to promote spiritual formation. We fulfill this mission through:

• Nurturing and promoting the spiritual identity and growth of our children, youth and families based on the principles and traditions of Unitarian Universalism
• Developing in our children, youth and families the ability to discover and articulate their belief system, and to speak openly about their UU identity and beliefs;
• Teaching what it means to be part of a religious community, to be a part of something larger than oneself. 

• Providing an environment where children, youth and families support one another intellectually, spiritually and emotionally and inspire one another to act on our faith in the world;
• Supporting parents in teaching their children about Unitarian Universalism and putting its principles into practice in our daily lives;
• Supporting efforts to involve the larger congregation in our mission, because every member has a role to play in developing and nurturing our children and youth in UU principles and life.

There have been some changes this year and some new opportunities to expand spiritual formation. We have invited parents to join the children in chapel. Worship together helps parents and children grow in faith together and deepens children’s innate spirituality. We have introduced a new program called Family Soul Matters which is another way families can nurture, deepen, and grow in Unitarian Universalism. And yet another way we have added to our programming is by increasing the number of multi-generational and seasonal worship experiences for all ages. The Spring/Easter service is on April 1- please join us!
Spiritual formation begins with our parents, then through worship, and finally through religious education classes. Our goal in our program is to support parents as the primary religious educators in their children’s spiritual formation. We are experimenting and trying new things. If you would like to be a part of our program next year- by teaching, telling stories, offering music, or something else- please let me know!