Religious Education Happenings

Another Church year has begun- Welcome back to another year of RE!

Fall is here and the leaves are already beginning to show their bright colors. Change is in the air! We have so many exciting things brewing this year – where to begin? First off, classes have begun and we have old and new volunteers helping us out – thanks to all of those wonderful parents. The Middle Schoolers are starting their year off in their newly painted room. It’s been refreshing and exciting to have a bright space – many, many huge thanks to the youth and Leah for helping making such a monumental task easy!!

The groups will be meeting for their regular classes and we are working on “extra-curricular” fun get-togethers for the groups in addition to regular Sundays. Parents or anyone who is interested in volunteering to chaperone an event is invited to contact me at any time.

Our next ongoing task is creating a NEW baby/toddler space. We are in the process of designing a space to be welcoming for families of small children and babies. While we have been spurred on by our minister’s upcoming addition – this has been a long time need that has been waiting to be filled and I am so thrilled to see the enthusiasm as everyone participates in helping to create this new space. If you have not been a part of this discussion and have ideas and suggestions, please let me know!

The OWL – Our Whole Lives – program is coming to fruition. Thanks to the Sharon Unitarian Church and First Parish UU Church of Canton, I am privileged to say we are able to offer for the first time this year, the comprehensive sexuality education program known as OWL. We will be offering a 5th-6th grade and 7th-8th grade class. The classes will be run by leaders who are trained in the age appropriate curriculum. If you are interested in learning more or have a child in 5th-8th grade, I am more than happy to speak with you.

This year promises to be a busy one with lots of exciting happenings to come – it’s been exciting and a pleasure to see everyone back at church. I look forward to working with all of you this year.

Peace and Blessings,
Lisa Benoit
Director of Religious Education

 

Registration For 2010-2011

On Sunday, September 12, 2010, the Foxborough Universalist Church, UUA, will be accepting registration forms to enroll your child/children in this year’s Religious Education (RE) Program.

Please contact the Religious Education Director at re@uufoxborough.org for further information about the RE program.

 

Religious Education Happenings

On Saturday, June 5, there will be a Religious Education Sunday practice and picnic at the church. Please contact Lisa Benoit, Religious Education Director, at re@uufoxborough.org for details.

Don’t forget: We are now accepting registration forms for next year’s Religious Education classes. Please return the RE forms to Lisa Benoit.

June 6: Religious Education Sunday
This service is conducted by our children and youth and is dedicated to Friendship.

 

From The Religious Education 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-in-laws 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

 

November 2009

RE Happenings
After several rained-out attempts at a fall outdoor excursion, the RE classes finally switched to an indoor field trip. On October 18, despite rain, all the classes visited the Haunted Theater at the Orpheum. Amongst other activities, they danced in a 3-D room, visited a basement dungeon, and walked through a sparkly, spinning cylinder. A good time, and many treats, were had by all.

 

Religious Education – Fall 2009

It’s that time again! The Religious Education teachers have begun to plan and strategize for the upcoming church year. We have some exciting events in the works to welcome the kids back to church, so stay tuned for upcoming news. In the meantime, some important dates to remember:

September 13: Our first service and water ceremony. Don’t forget to bring your water! For those of you returning for the first time, this is a chance for families to share their summer stories and, often, they include something that includes a body of water. People often bring a small jar of water from that lake, beach, or pool or that symbolic water from your tap will do as well! This service is a favorite among our kids!

September 20: Our first day back in Religious Education Classes. This first class will be an opportunity for the kids to meet their new teacher(s), get acquainted, and get an overview of the upcoming classes.

September 27: Corn Maze Trip
We will be bringing the kids on our annual fall hike to a local corn maze. Details to come.

Volunteers
If you have considered helping out in our program but have not yet done so, we need you! Please feel free to talk to me or one of our teachers about helping out. I would be happy to answer any questions you might have. We are open to assistants who just want to help out a few times or in regular teaching positions. Our program cannot run without the wonderful efforts of volunteers!!

I hope everyone has had a fabulous summer and I look forward to seeing all the kids and families!

In Peace,
Lisa Benoit
Religious Education

 

It Takes A Village

The Foxborough Universalist Church religious education program is currently looking for volunteers to staff our Sunday School classes next church year. Teachers commit to six weeks with a class, are encouraged to participate in a teacher training in the fall, 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.

 

Greetings!!!

Welcome back to all our Religious Education families and friends!

I hope that everyone has enjoyed the fruits of summer- from the fresh local produce that New England has to offer, to the warm sunshine, and maybe even a dip in a pool, lake, or ocean waters.

I noticed this week a few leaves on the trees are already showing a tinge of red and yellow and the mornings have a slight crisp edge when I wake. The signs of autumn are clearly evident! While I am already lamenting the end of summer, I am looking forward to an exciting new year at church and Religious Education.

With a new minister to help us bring in a new church year and kids who are just a little bit older than when they left, we have yet another opportunity to help guide our kids in their exploration of the natural world, spiritual lives, and their relationships with their community and beyond.

Here at Foxborough Universalist Church, we do not believe in indoctrinating our kids with a particular set of rules, but that we are here to give them a supportive environment in which they can ask questions and know that there is no such thing as a wrong question.

We also believe that in addition to any explicit curriculum that our children learn as much, if not more, from implicit experiences. Our community, how we live our values and principles here at church and beyond, plays a critical part of helping to shape our children. If you do not have children or do not have kids in our program – know that your participation and support in our wider community has a profound impact on our kids. Your involvement in our program, whether directly or indirectly, is greatly appreciated!

If you have ideas, wish to be more involved, or are just curious about our program, I am always more than happy to talk about what we are doing!

I am looking forward to reconnecting with all the kids and families for another year!

Lisa

 

Registration Ongoing For 2008-2009 Religious Education Classes!

The Religious Education (RE) program at Foxborough Universalist Church, UUA, begins in September and is currently accepting registrations. Our program has 3 groups from Pre-K through 7^th grade.

The program’s mission is to:

• 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.
• Explore world religions, UU history and encourage the development of a UU identity.
• Enhance our children’s understanding and appreciation of the natural world.
• Create a supportive community of friends, both with the students in their RE class and with the adult members of the congregation.
• Promote good works and community involvement.
• Instill a sense of the importance of continual questioning and the art of listening.
• Form a positive, enjoyable environment that stimulates natural curiosity and enthusiasm for learning.

Our community welcomes all who are interested. To find out more about our classes and services, please visit our website at: http://www.uufoxborough.org .

Come join us on any Sunday to see what we’re all about!