Religious Education - Fall 2009

From The RE Director

On a shopping trip with my daughter before Halloween, she noted how the Christmas displays were in full force. On our way to my sister-inlaws on Thanksgiving morning, my husband noticed that several homes had their Christmas lights up and ready to go - something we haven't even thought of yet, never mind dig out of the attic! Every year, it seems "Christmas" starts earlier. At least at the retail and grocery stores it does. Those of us who bemoan the commercialization of this holiday may cringe at the constant reminders to buy, buy, buy! Yet what have we as UU's done to respond to this?

We receive the daily newspaper at our house, and, normally, I rifle through the paper and quickly remove the ever constant store sale flyer and dispose of them in the recycling bin before my kids arrive at the kitchen table. For some reason, the past few weeks, I have been remiss in this task - and, as a result, my kids have dutifully studied the numerous store flyers that have flooded the newspapers. My son suddenly has endless ideas for his "list" when he is perusing the pages of Toys''R''Us. Funny how he couldn't come up with much just a few weeks before.

Over the years, I have tried to talk to my children about how we have so much more than most people on this earth. How we should be and are grateful for all we have. How so many others are living hand to mouth or in need of the most basic things especially in today's economic climate. We talk about this throughout the year (or should I say, I mention it to them when it seems appropriate without trying to belabor the point). Each holiday season, we have typically made a donation to some organization or other - The Heifer Project is a popular one the kids like, or anything to do with animals. We give to the food pantry, donate some toys at the “Toys for Tots” collection box at their Karate Dojo. Dig up old coats for a coat drive, and so on. All of this and my kids still think of this season as one where they expect to receive "things". Of course they do receive things - from family and from us and even a few token items from "Santa". So, thus the tug of war I have with trying to find some balance.

Over the last several years in church and RE, we have focused on the Solstice - learning about how the different cultures from around the world and throughout history have celebrated this season. We touch on the traditional Christmas/Nativity story. If you are like me, these are traditions from somewhere else - they are not "our" traditions, not UU traditions. Yet, I cannot articulate UU traditions for my kids - they are a rehash of the others.

Just recently, I came across some interesting information about efforts to start a new (unofficial) UU holiday tradition called Chalica. This is what I found:

CHALICA is an unofficial holiday in the Unitarian Universalist tradition that celebrates each of the faith's Seven Principles - one a night, for seven nights. The celebration begins on the first Monday of December, and is marked by the lighting of a chalice each day (or evening). Gifts that reflect the particular day's principle may be given, but the focus tends to be more on mindfulness and action.

• Monday: We light our chalice for the inherent worth and dignity of every person.
• Tuesday: We light our chalice for justice, equity, and compassion in human relations.
• Wednesday: We light our chalice for acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth in our congregations.
• Thursday: We light our chalice for a free and responsible search for truth and meaning.
• Friday: We light our chalice for the right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within our congregations and in society at large.
• Saturday: We light our chalice for the goal of world peace, liberty, and justice for all.
• Sunday: We light our chalice for respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part.

I have found this proposal of a tradition intriguing and have been considering how we can incorporate this tradition into our holiday season at home. While I have yet to put it into practice, it is one that appeals to me and one my kids can consider as part of "our" faith while still respecting and acknowledging other traditions. I'm considering lighting a candle at the beginning of each day to meditate on that principle and discuss how we can focus on it throughout the day. We may not start on the first Monday - but to do it during a week that works for us - the beauty of a non-creedal, non-dogmatic faith - no?

What are your traditions? How do you make this holiday meaningful for your family? Does the concept of a UU tradition interest you? I would love to know!

Peace and Blessings for a holiday full of love,
Lisa Benoit

If you would like to submit your ideas and thoughts as requested above, please do so on-line here: Paperless Chalica Ideas Form

On November 13 the Hogwarts Group went to see “Joseph And His Technicolor Dreamcoat” put on by the Norton Singers. The Norton Singers is a group of actors/singers ages 7 to 70 from towns all around our area. Every year they choose a different musical to perform. This musical was playful as it provided a medley of musical styles. One of the kids' favorite numbers was the "Pharaoh's" Elvis imitation. As a special surprise, they provided each of our group members with a picture book of the story and a Joseph bead doll.

Leah

It Takes A Village
The Foxborough Universalist Church religious education program is currently looking for volunteers to staff our Sunday School classes.  Teachers commit to six weeks with a class, are encouraged to participate in a teacher training, and are supplied lesson plans and a curriculum schedule.  Please consider supporting this important part of the church's mission.  If you're interested in helping, please contact Suzanne, Lisa, or Katie Lawson.

Registration Ongoing For RE Classes!!
We are now accepting registration forms for the church year's Religious Education (RE) classes. If you or your child is interested in participating in our Religious Education Classes, please contact Lisa Benoit, Religious Education Director, at re@uufoxborough.org or 508-543-4002. This year's RE Brochure can be downloaded by clicking here (in PDF). The enrollment form can be downloaded here (in MSWord).

Religious Education For Children

We believe that religion is not something to be given to a child, but something that grows out of direct experiences. Through our religious education classes, children (and adults) are exposed to a wide variety of thoughts and beliefs from many world religions to assist them in developing their own religious philosophy. We believe that religious education is not achieved during one hour on Sundays but is a continuous process influenced by parents, peers, and community members.

Located in the social hall of our historic church, our Sunday school classes are organized and led by church members. The Unitarian Universalist Association has provided many of the materials utilized to create our curricula. We also supplement our classes with a series of activities, service projects, and intergenerational services for all ages. We strive for a broad understanding of our own and other faiths from around the world and focus on building a respectful, compassionate, spiritual community.

Our Goals:

• Foster our children’s exploration of self and to help them develop a respect for their own self worth.
• Develop an understanding of other people and an appreciation for other’s worth and dignity.
• Empower our students to develop their beliefs and encourage them to act on their convictions.
• Emphasize the importance of freedom of religious expression.
• Enhance our children’s understanding and appreciation of their relationship with the natural world.
• Create a supportive community of friends with the students in their class, other children in the RE program, and with the adult members of the congregation.
• Form a positive, enjoyable environment that stimulates natural curiosity and enthusiasm for learning.
• Encourage a sense of helping others.

Lisa Benoit is the Religious Education Director. Newcomers are always welcome, so please contact our RE Director (re@uufoxborough.org) if you or your child is interested in participating in our RE Program.

We believe:

• RED: Respect all people
• ORANGE: Offer fair and kind treatment to all
• YELLOW: Yearn to learn throughout life
• GREEN: Grow by exploring ideas and values
• BLUE: Believe in your ideas and act on them
• INDIGO: Insist on a fair and peaceful world
• VIOLET: Value our connection to all life and nature

Preschool/K-2
We will be using the curriculum Treasure Hunting. This curriculum celebrates the wondrous qualities of children and the animals, objects, and people around them. It will provide the children with experiences and opportunities to grow in trust and caring and to develop their self-identity and sense of connectedness with all of life.

Grades 2-4
This group will be using the "Timeless Themes: Stories from the Hebrew and Christian Bibles curriculum. The best-known stories in religious literature are presented to the children in this curriculum, providing a base of knowledge essential to the understanding of their religious heritage. Timeless themes that inspired the scriptures, such as power, responsibility, freedom, love, and forgiveness, are explored.

Grades 5-8
The curriculum Compass Points will be used to help middle school aged youth explore their beliefs, their UU faith and their relationships with others and the world. �Compass Points� gives participants opportunities to discover what they believe about life�s big questions, think independently, assume responsibility, make decisions, explore values, and adopt the practice of radical hospitality; acquire enough background in Unitarian Universalist history, polity, and theology that they can know and express what Unitarian Universalism stands for; and understand that religious liberty is a hard won legacy that continues to need protection. They will have the opportunity to visit other UU congregations later in the year.

Extra-Curricular And Family Activities
In addition to the regular curriculum, special events and trips are planned throughout the year to further enrich the program, enhancing program goals and providing opportunities for bonding and building relationships with fellow students.

Some of the events from the past year include nature hikes, a walk-a-thon fundraiser, a community clean-up, group swim at the YMCA, movie and pizza nights, and a family potluck and Square Dance night. Similar and other field trips and events will be planned for the upcoming year.

Social Action
As Unitarian Universalists, we are compelled to give back to the wider community. Our children are encouraged to participate in social action projects each year. Recent projects have included a walk-a-thon for Habitat For Humanity and Heiffer International's Read to Feed.

This year, we will encourage the children to work on projects to sell and to raise funds for a charity of their choice, giving them an opportunity to participate in the democratic process.

A Typical Sunday

The children participate in the first fifteen minutes of church service. Usually there are announcements, joys and concerns, the lighting of the chalice, and a hymn. At this stage, the children go downstairs to their religious education (RE) classes.

The RE classes begin with all the students together. They light the chalice and share their joys and concerns. They then separate into their groups.

A typical class will consist of a story and discussion about a UU value, a physical or artistic follow-up activity, and a snack.

Other Items:
Expectations For Children During Classes & Coffee Hour, Photos, about our coordinators, teachers, and volunteers, and RE Blog.

Religious Education Committee

The Religious Education Committee is comprised of the Religious Education coordinators, RE teachers, and other interested church participants. The committee meets informally during coffee hour to asses and further plan classes.

Commitment from Church Members and Friends

We believe that it takes a village to raise a child, and thus we encourage all church attendees to participate in the RE program. In taking an hour to share a special talent or interest, an adult can make a lasting impression on a child's life. Feel free to contact Lisa Benoit, the RE coordinator, if you are interested in participating or wish to discuss ideas or suggestions.