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

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.

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

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!