2023-2023: NO MORE RELIGIOUS EDUCATION!

Here at The Unitarian Church of Hinsdale we have RADICAL EXPLORATION!
Explorers of all ages will wonder and question, and be curious about themselves, their community and the world. How do the values of Unitarian Universalism shape our interactions with others and how we live? Join us to find out!!

The GIFTS OF OUR FAITH
UUism has so much to offer. What are the gifts our faith can give us? Welcoming, generosity, justice, love and renewal just to name a few. This year’s themes will focus on our beloved UU values and explore their potential to shape us and, in turn, our world.
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Each week our explorers from Kindergarten through High School will celebrate the Gifts of our Faith by opening a wonderfully meaningful gift box to reveal something to be explored with the M’s of our Religious Exploration.


The M’s of our Radical Exploration

• Moment with our whole church community
  All ages (K-12 grade) will begin in our weekly church service with their families for a special Time for All Ages.
• Movement
  After the young people are sung out of church, all ages will participate in a movement activity which may sometimes be a game or an experiment, or a dance, something to get the spirit stirring.
• Music
  We will use music to transition from activities, learning and practicing favorite hymns sung in church. (During this transition, Senior High Youth will break out for their own gathering.).
• Meaning
  Our special time together to open our gift of the week, share and discuss our story
  (Following our meaning time together 7th and 8th graders will break out for their own gathering time.)
• Mingle, Make, and Mull it Over
  Activities to do that engage the:
  Heart, such as labyrinths, Buddha Boards, Zen Gardens.
  Hands, such as specific lesson related art projects and lots of extra art supplies. 
  Heads, such as puzzles, books, pattern blocks, geo boards.

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OVERVIEW BY AGE GROUP

​Play Group (Birth-Preschool)
For our youngest children (birth through preschool years), paid high school youth will provide an opportunity for the children to learn through play, build relationships with the church and its members, and have fun during “church time.”
 
The Gifts of our Faith
​(Kindergarten through High School)
All ages from Kindergarten through high school will start out each Sunday together, first joining our whole church community in the sanctuary, then engaging in some all ages activities before splitting up into age-related groups for further exploration. 

​Download a PDF summary of the 2023-2024 Radical Exploration plan.

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COVID Protocols

Our top priority is for our children and youth to be engaged in our church community in a safe and healthy manner.

• We strongly encourage all children, youth and adults in our program to be vaccinated and to keep up with boosters.
• The staff and church leadership will keep abreast of the current recommendations for masking etc. from the CDC.
• Currently masks for children, youth, and adults in our programs are not required. This may be subject to change at any time.
• If you, your child, or anyone in your family is feeling ill, please stay home and take care.

​Thank you in advance for your cooperation in following these protocols. We love you and our family and want you to remain healthy and safe. 

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Our Director of Religious Education, Pam Fodor, with support from our strong Religious Education Committee, takes 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 Ext. 110 or re@hinsdaleunitarian.org.