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Welcome to Religious Exploration!
“It matters what
we believe”
—Sophia Lyon Fahs
 You
and your children are invited to join us Sunday mornings at 11:00
for Exploration, Worship, and Social Justice:
Exploration ~
We explore together themes of peace, justice, Unitarian Universalist
identity, religions of the world, diversity, caring for each other
and nature, and our
Jewish and Christian heritage.
Worship ~ Together we consider and
uphold the values, ideas, and actions that constitute our faith. Many
of these may be found in our Seven Rainbow Principles
and in our Mission Statement. On the first and
third Sundays of the month, children in Pre-K through 5th grade are
invited to join us for special Children's Services
in our social hall.
Social Justice ~
As a congregation, we believe in actively caring for our global community.
We work to make our world fair and peaceful for all, and
to explore possible underlying causes of injustice. Children experience
Social Justice as part of the normal activities at our fellowship,
and each program encourages children to take age-appropriate leadership
roles in this area.
 2005-2006
Calendar of Special Events
”Simple Saturdays” Family Evenings ~
UUFA families gather on the first Saturday of each month to relax over
simple potluck dishes. After dinner, children go off to play in the
care of our experienced staff, while adults enjoy conversation, jazz
music, and wine together. Join us from 5:00 – 7:00 pm on the
first Saturday of each month — RSVP
to Jennifer
Morley.
November 19 – ‘Nifty
Gifty’ Craft-Making
Workshop ~ Pre-registration is required by November 5! For only $10, children ages 5 and over
will get to create and wrap over ten handmade gifts with our caring
volunteers. What a wonderful way to celebrate the true spirit of the
holidays! To register, please contact Jennifer
Morley.
December 18th - Intergenerational
Holiday Pageant ~ 11am in Sanctuary
November 30 – Intergenerational Thanksgiving Service ~
11am in Sanctuary
December 25th - Intergenerational
Sharing Service ~ 11 am in Sanctuary
January 15th – Intergenerational
Martin Luther King, Jr. Service ~ 11 am in Sanctuary
February 5th – 19th Mystery Friends
~ a wonderful tradition which pairs children and adults together for
two weeks of fun, while they leave each other notes and try to guess
each other’s identity. “Discovery” reception on the
20th will allow children & adults to get to know their mystery friend.
To register, please contact Jennifer Morley.
April 16th - Easter Egg Hunt ~ 12:15 pm , begins outside at gate
to back yard. Separate hunt in playground for 3 and under.
April 30 – RE Picnic & Ice Cream Social ~
12:15 in Social Hall & Playground
May 21st - Intergenerational
Youth Service, 11 am in Sanctuary
May 28th - Waterful Wondermelon
Day ~ Join us for a morning of fun games
and art, on this last day of spring programming. Summer RE begins June
4 th.
Our Programs
All programming takes
place between 11 am - 12:15 pm, except where noted
>> Nursery
- Up to 3 years of age
>> Children - Ages ~
3-10
>> Youth - Ages ~ 11-18
Nursery
Our youngest children, under the age of three, are
cared for in a warm and loving environment by
Alexa Scroggin , our experienced
caregiver. She is assisted by members of the Senior High class. The
Nursery is available to parents every Sunday of the year.
Parents are always welcome in the nursery. We ask
that you please be considerate of other children when you visit. Please
take the time to help your children feel comfortable in their new
setting, bringing any special items that may ease the transition.
Also, please inform Alexa of any special care, including medical
needs or foods, that your children may require.
We have a Well-Child Policy, which means that we ask
you to kindly care for sick children at home, to avoid spreading illness.
We also offer an alternative to the Nursery, for parents
who wish to attend the service
and be with their babies.
Behind the Sanctuary we have a Quiet Room with speakers and a large
clear panel, stocked with toys and a rocking chair. Ask a greeter
to show you to this room.
Children
 Preschool
We offer a variety of fun learning experiences for our
young children, including songs, games, movement, stories, arts and
crafts, and outdoor play. Our goals for this age group are to ensure
that our children experience the UUFA as a loving, safe, and fun community!
Children are welcome to join the Pre-K group once they are potty trained,
and once the family feels that the child is ready to interact socially
with three & four year olds.
Ages 5-6 / K-1st grade
Programming for this age group aims to help children appreciate the worth and
importance of every person, including themselves. Children work and play cooperatively
as they refine skills in recognizing and expressing feelings. They explore and
celebrate the natural world as well as the rich diversity of humankind. And
they are beginning to discover and express a spiritual dimension.
Ages 7-8 / 2nd-3rd grade
Over the course of the year, children in this age group are becoming familiar
with our seven Unitarian Universalist Principles , and learning how to connect
with them in their own lives. Children are exploring our fellowship as a place
where all are valued for who they are, and where each person’s ideas
are true and right for them. Children are learning that we all look for answers
to life’s big questions, and beginning to grow a feeling for spirituality.
Ages 9-10 / 4th-5th grade
Older elementary children are learning about our
Unitarian Universalist traditions and values in more depth, in a lively
atmosphere. Children get to connect with our UU heritage in new and
fun ways, while exploring their own unique spirituality. A strong social
justice theme is woven throughout the year, and children are encouraged
to take more roles of leadership.
Youth
 Middle
School “JrUU” Group / 6th - 8th grade
This year, middle schoolers are exploring our Unitarian Universalist
identity through games, district youth events, worship, guided discussions,
and other fun activities. About once a month, children get to explore Unitarian
Universalist values and principles with none other than The Simpsons!
On First Fridays, families with children in JrUU get together to enjoy special
social events, such as ice skating, movie nights, etc.
High School “YRUU” Group
/ 9th - 12th grade
Our high school youth meet from 12:30-2pm on the first Sunday
of most months, when they explore deep and profound ‘mongo cosmic
questions,’ as well as social justice and worship. On the third
Sunday of most months, the group goes on an educational & fun outing,
such as to Good Dirt, Sandy Creek , Bowling, etc. About four times
a year, we hold overnight retreats and/or camping excursions. And twice
a year, we visit with other District youth at The Mountain Learning & Retreat
Center, only 2 hours away in N.C.
Religious
Exploration Council
 Our
RE Council is led by representatives of five portfolios, each responsible
for planning, implementing, and overseeing our programming, in conjunction
with our Director of Religious Exploration. For more information on
our programs and philosophy, please contact our Director Jennifer
Morley, or one of the following R.E. Council members:
Portfolio Council Members
>> Annual Events – Brendan
Nordgren
>> Sunday Morning Programs - Rich
Clark & Karen
Solheim
>> Outreach – Delores
Bocher & Deborah Keys
>> Volunteers – Liz Weaver & Jennifer
Findell
>> Youth – Dan
Wallace
Our
Seven Rainbow Principles
 What
do Unitarian Universalist congregations covenant to affirm and promote?
Here is a simpler children’s version of our seven Unitarian Universalist
Principles, which you can find in their original form at the beginning
of our hymnal. We think the following rainbow version is easier to read
and remember, and more fun to look at! Notice that the first letter
of each principle is also the first letter of it’s corresponding
color...
1. Respect the importance and
value of all beings
2. Offer fair and kind treatment
to all
3. Yearn to learn and grow
throughout life
4. Grow by exploring ideas
and values together
5. Believe in your ideas and
act on them
6. Insist on peace, freedom
and justice for all
7. Value our interdependence
with nature
Mission
Statement for Religious Exploration
 Our
Mission is to provide, through the participation
of parents and other members of this congregation, guidance for our
children and youth in their personal, ethical, and spiritual exploration,
in a safe, nurturing, inclusive, and engaging environment.
Our Vision is
to continually evolve toward a multi-generational community of aware,
centered, and involved individuals who live the values of our faith.
Our Goals for all ages are to:
I. Promote
curiosity and enthusiasm
II. Encourage active listening and respectful expression
III. Learn from all generations
IV. Practice tolerance
V. Explore the deep mysteries with open minds and hearts
VI. Become grounded in our Unitarian Universalist values
and heritage
VII. Explore the world’s religions
VIII. Practice environmental and community service
IX. Learn constructively from our mistakes
X. Provide leadership-building opportunities
Children's
Services
 At 11am on on
the first and third Sundays of each month, from September through
May, we invite children to join us for worship services in our social
hall. On these Sundays children go directly
to the social hall instead of the Sanctuary.
These 15 minute services usually follow a familiar
sequence:
• Ringing of the Chime
• Welcoming Visitors
• Lighting our Rainbow Chalice
• Welcoming Song
• Sharing our Joys & Concerns
• Short Meditation / Movement / Reading
• Collections for Social Justice
• Closing Circle
Family Services are followed by special activities
relating to the theme of each service, which take place in the children’s
rooms. Family members who wish to join children in these activities
are very welcome to do so! For more information, contact Jennifer
Morley.
Intergenerational
Services
 Periodically,
we enjoy worshiping together as a multi-age community. On these Sundays,
children, youth, and adults are invited to stay in our Sanctuary
for the entire service. Themes are appropriate to the entire range
of ages in our UUFA community, and group participation and interaction
are common. Of course, for the smallest children up to 3 years of
age, the Nursery is always open, as is our Quiet Room behind the
Sanctuary (ask a greeter to show you.) We are now offering childcare
for children ages 3-6 as well, in our Pre-K room. You can find out
in advance which Sundays will be Intergenerational by viewing our 2005-2006
Calendar.
“It
Matters What We Believe”
Sophia Lyon Fahs, a dedicated religious educator of
the 20th century, spoke these wise words, which are also printed in
our hymnal:
 “Some
beliefs are like walled gardens. They encourage exclusiveness, and the
feeling of being especially privileged. Other beliefs are expansive
and lead the way into wider and deeper sympathies. Some beliefs are
divisive, separating the saved from the unsaved, friends from enemies.
Other beliefs are bonds in a world community, where sincere differences
beautify the pattern. Some beliefs are rigid, like the body of death,
impotent in a changing world. Other beliefs are pliable, like the young
sapling, ever growing with the upward thrust of life.”
As a UUFA community, we work to nourish these beliefs
which affirm and promote lifelong bonds in a beautifully diverse world.
With the support and participation of our entire congregation, we strive
to provide diverse programming which meets the needs of many different
people. For more information on any of our programs, please contact
Jennifer
Morley.
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