Religious Education Update: March 30, 2008
Growing Community
Easter Sunday went well last Sunday in Religious Education. Two of our one year old toddlers, Ella and Jocelyn, collected Easter eggs in their very first hunt. They were both adorable in their little Easter outfits. Two of our teens, Sophia and Kimmy, assisted the Easter bunny in hiding the eggs while the other kids were hard at work on their Time and Talent auction contributions. It was heart-warming for me to see the different ages of our young people, from one year olds to fifteen year olds working happily together.
The children also generously contributed both their time and talent in creating 16 tote bags and 6 chef’s aprons to today’s auction. They understood that they were doing meaningful work; creating useful objects for the adults, and also supporting the financial health of the church. The products are beautiful! Even the youngest kept focused on their work, including four year Joseph.
Our children and youth are bonding with each other. When we worship together in the upstairs classroom, or work on a project, the kids help each other. When one child shares a sorrow, such as the loss of a pet, the others emphasize. They also celebrate each other’s joys, such as visiting grandparents or winning a spelling bee. That is not to say that they never disagree (they do!), but they are learning that even disagreements are worked out with respect for each person.
Best of all, from a kid’s point of view, we’re growing. (If you ask the average UUP kid what they want to see in our RE program, he or she will say, “more kids”.) At both of our last new member ingatherings, we added several new children and youth. Congratulations, UUP, for your support of our children and youth! Your efforts towards being inclusive and intergenerational are making a difference.
Marlene Abel
Director of Religious Education
Easter Sunday went well last Sunday in Religious Education. Two of our one year old toddlers, Ella and Jocelyn, collected Easter eggs in their very first hunt. They were both adorable in their little Easter outfits. Two of our teens, Sophia and Kimmy, assisted the Easter bunny in hiding the eggs while the other kids were hard at work on their Time and Talent auction contributions. It was heart-warming for me to see the different ages of our young people, from one year olds to fifteen year olds working happily together.
The children also generously contributed both their time and talent in creating 16 tote bags and 6 chef’s aprons to today’s auction. They understood that they were doing meaningful work; creating useful objects for the adults, and also supporting the financial health of the church. The products are beautiful! Even the youngest kept focused on their work, including four year Joseph.
Our children and youth are bonding with each other. When we worship together in the upstairs classroom, or work on a project, the kids help each other. When one child shares a sorrow, such as the loss of a pet, the others emphasize. They also celebrate each other’s joys, such as visiting grandparents or winning a spelling bee. That is not to say that they never disagree (they do!), but they are learning that even disagreements are worked out with respect for each person.
Best of all, from a kid’s point of view, we’re growing. (If you ask the average UUP kid what they want to see in our RE program, he or she will say, “more kids”.) At both of our last new member ingatherings, we added several new children and youth. Congratulations, UUP, for your support of our children and youth! Your efforts towards being inclusive and intergenerational are making a difference.
Marlene Abel
Director of Religious Education
posted by Unitarian Universalists of Petaluma @ 8:46 PM
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