Religious Education Update: April 27
Passover and Talking to Children and Youth
Last Sunday, three of our members, Ellen Beeler, Mike Iritz, and Karen Mitchell, talked about Passover with the kids (and the adults). They spoke from their hearts on why this tradition was so meaningful for them growing up, and why it continues to be an important part of their lives. The kids learned about Passover, not just as academic information about a holiday, but gained an understanding of its richer meaning. I am grateful to Ellen, Mike and Karen for their openness and willingness to share.
Often we UU’s have difficulty with this type of heartfelt sharing, even when talking with our own children. One of our faith’s ministers, the Rev. William J. Doherty, wrote of this exchange with his son,
I think that we may struggle with children’s questions because we don’t want to “impose” on them. As UU’s, we want them to find their own truths. Perhaps we can share more easily if we understand that children really want to hear what their parents think in these situations. It’s okay to talk about God or atheism or the afterlife, for example, knowing that your children will work on creating their own personal belief system for years and maybe their whole lives. They’ll continue to ask these hard questions, but practice may make personal sharing a little easier on parents.
Marlene Abel
Director of Religious Education
Last Sunday, three of our members, Ellen Beeler, Mike Iritz, and Karen Mitchell, talked about Passover with the kids (and the adults). They spoke from their hearts on why this tradition was so meaningful for them growing up, and why it continues to be an important part of their lives. The kids learned about Passover, not just as academic information about a holiday, but gained an understanding of its richer meaning. I am grateful to Ellen, Mike and Karen for their openness and willingness to share.
Often we UU’s have difficulty with this type of heartfelt sharing, even when talking with our own children. One of our faith’s ministers, the Rev. William J. Doherty, wrote of this exchange with his son,
It was 1980. I had been a Unitarian Universalist for about two years when my seven-year-old son Eric said to me, “Dad, what happens to us after we die? Is there a heaven?”
“Well, some people believe that after we die we go to heaven where we live forever,” I replied, “and other people believe that when we die, our life is over and we live on through the memories of people who have known and loved us.” “What do you believe?” said Eric. “Well, some people believe that after we die we go to heaven, and other people believe. . . .” “But what do you believe?” “OK,” I said. “I believe that when we die we live on through other people but not in a heaven.”
I think that we may struggle with children’s questions because we don’t want to “impose” on them. As UU’s, we want them to find their own truths. Perhaps we can share more easily if we understand that children really want to hear what their parents think in these situations. It’s okay to talk about God or atheism or the afterlife, for example, knowing that your children will work on creating their own personal belief system for years and maybe their whole lives. They’ll continue to ask these hard questions, but practice may make personal sharing a little easier on parents.
Marlene Abel
Director of Religious Education
posted by Unitarian Universalists of Petaluma @ 8:23 PM
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