Religious Education Program

Welcome

Here at the Unitarian Church of Hinsdale we have a continuing commitment to the spiritually rich and psychologically sound nurture of your children and youth. Our comprehensive program embodies our Unitarian Universalism principles and heritage. We seek to provide our young people with opportunities for worship, learning and fellowship activities that will guide them along their spiritual journey.

Our Director of Religious Education, Pam Fodor, with support from our strong Religious Education Committee, take great care in preparing fun, captivating, classes, workshops, activities and worship services to help our young people explore their Unitarian Universalist beliefs and values as they grow and mature.

Pam Fodor is happy to speak with you further about the program. Please feel free to contact her at 630-323-2885 or re@hinsdaleunitarian.org.

Mission Statement

The goals of the children and youth religious education program are to cultivate:

Without imposing specific doctrine(s) upon our young people we strive to teach a way of thinking and a way of approaching life as a Unitarian Universalism.

We aspire to this goal through

Nursery

Ages: Birth - Two Years

Time: 10:30

Location: Room 1 (lower level of RE Building)

Two trained and nurturing youth provide childcare for infants and toddlers in our secure nursery room. The nursery is well stocked with books, toys, a crib, and a changing table, and a phone for emergencies.

Preschool

Ages: 3, 4, and Pre-K 5

Time: 10:30AM

Location: Room 4 (lower level of RE Building)

This program runs on a three year rotation. The curricula are based on the premise that young children learn through experience. The class is held in a large and well-maintained room used during the week by a Head Start program.

CELEBRATING ME AND MY WORLD

This curriculum celebrates the wondrous qualities of children and the animals, objects, and people around them. It provides preschoolers with experiences and opportunities to grow in trust and caring and to develop their self-identity and sense of connectedness with all of life.

Kindergarten & First Grade

Grades: Kindergarten and First

Time: 10:30 AM

Location: Room 2 (lower level of RE Building)

This program runs on a two year rotation. Combinations of curricula are used over the course of this two-year program.

AROUND THE CHURCH, AROUND THE YEAR

This year-long curriculum helps the children feel a part of the Unitarian Universalist community and understand the faith practices of UUs. The program focuses on the children’s own experiences with fundamental concerns of life, death, human relationships, and personal identity – not as abstract concepts, but in ways appropriate to children this age. As part of this curriculum we will also offer Our Whole Lives (OWL). This age appropriate sexuality education program promotes personal/sexual health and safety.

AGE OF REASON

The Age of Reason Program of Religious Becoming is a six-week workshop for first graders in which the children are affirmed in their UU faith and embraced by our church community. The children are provided a formal rite of passage to honor their religious growth and to foster their identity as young Unitarian Universalists.

Children's Chapel

Grades: 2-6

Time: 10:30 AM

Location: Joshi Chapel (upper level of RE Building)

This program runs on a five year rotation. Many curricula are used during this
program. In addition, several social events are held throughout the year to help develop
friendships and community among the children. Fifth and Sixth graders are given special
opportunities to develop leadership skills and to prepare for participation in our youth
groups. Opportunities to interact with adults in the congregation are provided via guest
speakers at Chapel, intergenerational social action projects, social events, and workshops.

THE RAINBOW CONNECTION, PRINCIPLES FOR UU and ME

This curriculum follows the rainbow path through the seven principles of our Unitarian
Universalist faith, each principle being explored through worship, education, and lived
experience.

Fifth and Sixth Grade Workshops

Grades: Fifth and Sixth

Time: 10:30 AM

Location: Room 5 (upper level of RE Building)

In order to supplement the 5th and 6th grade student’s religious education and spirituality development, these students will be offered three additional workshops during Chapel Service each year.

GOD IMAGES (Winter 2010)

This workshop will engage participants in their own religious quests. It will present God Images that are derived from the Jewish and Christian traditions, from several world religions, and from modern science.

WHY DO BAD THINGS HAPPEN? (Spring 2010)

In this workshop participants will search for their own ideas about this basic question as they survey the answers given by a variety of religions and cultures from both long ago and today.

 

Junior High Youth Group

Grades: Seventh and Eighth

Time:9:00 AM Coming of Age
10:30 AM Youth Group

Location: Room 5(upper level of RE Building)

This program is run on a two year rotation. Many curricula are used in this program.

COMING OF AGE

Our Coming of Age program uses the four elements of ritual, learning, testing and celebration to celebrate our young people’s transition from childhood to youth. The youth meet weekly to tackle life’s “big questions”. The youth have opportunities to participate in two retreats and work with an adult mentor from our congregation. Through the year the youth explore who they are and decide what they stand for and write a faith statement, which is shared and celebrated by the congregation.

 

OUR WHOLE LIVES

OWL is a comprehensive approach to human sexuality presented in an age appropriate
manner. It is based firmly on the values of respect, responsibility, justice, and inclusivity. The junior high youth will examine their values: discuss sexuality and body awareness, gender and diversity, sexual orientation and gender identity, relationships, lovemaking, responsible sexual behavior, STDs and sexual abuse. Parents are encouraged to attend a parent orientation and a signed permission slip is required for student participation.

 

Senior High Youth Group

Grades: Ninth through Twelfth

Time: 9:00 AM Senior High OWL
10:30 AM Youth Group

Location: Room 6 (upper level of RE Building)

This program is run on a two year rotation. Many curricula are used in this program.

 

SENIOR YOUTH GROUP MEETINGS

Time: 11:00am Only
Senior Youth Group youth meet with advisors to participate in a supportive environment
in which they can explore their feelings about themselves, their world and their religion.
Some curriculum is used, as determined by the desires of the group. Youth and advisors
work jointly to plan and participate in social action projects, leadership development,
and opportunities for worship. The youth will be invited to attend district and local youth conferences throughout the year and will create and present a worship service for the congregation.

NEIGHBORING FAITHS WORKSHOPS

These workshops are offered three times per church year. They will introduce the youth to faith traditions and practices of other religious groups in their community as well as how these traditions and practices relate to Unitarian Universalism. The students learn about other spiritual paths through class instruction and discussion as well as group visits to local places of worship and visitors from other faith communities. This well-rounded approach allows the youth to reflect on unique and universal religious experiences and explore their own values as they relate to other faith traditions. This year’s religions will include Judaism; Earth-Centered Traditions; Islam.

Registration

For registration information, please contact Pam Fodor at 630-323-2885 or re@hinsdaleunitarian.org