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Children's Religious Education at Prairie UU Society
The religious education program at Prairie involves children in a wide variety of activities, meant to make learning exciting and enjoyable. Children are full participants in the program, sharing their ideas and opinions, and using their creativity. The program includes several different types of experiences:
In this year (fall 2009 and spring 2010) our classes are focusing on "Our Unitarian Heritage and Principles."
Unitarian Universalism Principles for Children
from Beginning Unitarian Universalism
- We believe that each and every
person is important.
- We believe that all people should
be treated fairly.
- We believe that our churches are
places where all people are accepted and where we keep on learning together.
- We believe that each person must
be free to search for what is true and right in life.
- We believe that everyone should
have a vote about the things that concern them.
- We believe in working for a
peaceful, fair and free world.
- We believe in caring for our planet Earth.
Religious Education Classes
Our theme changes each year, using curricula on Unitarian Universalist principles and practice, social and environmental justice, study of the world's religions, and age-appropriate human sexuality. This year's theme is Our Unitarian Universalist Principles and Heritage.
Classes for the 2009-2010 school year
| Preschool/Kindergarten |
Nursery: Infant through about age 2 ½
Our youngest children are cared for from 9:50 to 11:45 am each Sunday when there is a service at the Prairie meeting house. We provide a safe and fun atmosphere. Crafts, stories, play and snacks are part of the activities.
Preschool/Kindergarten: ages 2 ½ to 5
Teachers: Patty Stockdale and Paula Pachciarz
Text: Chalice Children
Based upon a philosophy that a child's spiritual development is related to direct experience, this curriculum helps children learn what it means to be a Unitarian Universalist. Using a chalice theme, children learn about their religious community, engage in sharing with others, and explore a sense of belonging. - uua.org
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| Grade School |
Grades 1-3
Teachers: Marcia Johnson, Heidi Hughes and Lynn Pawelski
Text: We Believe
This program builds on the 7 Principles of Unitarian Universalism. Activities encourage participants to incorporate the Principles into their lives. Goals are to explore what students know about our principles, reflect on this knowledge, engage in activities inspired by our beliefs and incorporate that into their daily lives. - uua.org
Grades 4-5
Teachers: Robin Proud and Mary Frantz
Text: A Stepping Stone Year
This program is based on the premise that religion helps people find answers to important life questions and that a religious community can help people in their search for answers. Students will form ideas about how the world began after examining various myths and theories. Classes will also stimulate thinking and decision-making through discovery of the questions, story, lore and vision of Unitarian Universalism: past and present. - uua.org
Grades 6-8
Teachers: Dan Proud and Anne Urbanski
Text: Messages In Music
Explores ways in which the UU Principles and Purposes are expressed and violated in our society. Using contemporary music as a focus, young people learn to incorporate and express UU values in their lives through two projects: musical presentation and a congregational worship service. The first part of the curriculum focuses on the Principles, the second on the Sources of the Living Tradition.
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High School |
Grades 9-12
Teachers: Anne Lundin, Anne Pryor and Barb Park
Text: Coming of Age
This program encourages youth to explore what it means to be a Unitarian Universalist and helps them move into the adult role of identifying and acting on personal beliefs and values. It involves individual activities, family participation, and working with a mentor. - clf.uua.org
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Intergenerational Services
 Several of our Sunday services each year are intergenerational, designed to fully engage both children and adults. These services are often arranged around holidays, and can include crafts, dance, music, skits and readings. Children often participate in presenting or even leading these services, which are among our most enjoyable Sunday programs. During these
services there are no regular RE classes and infant care is provided downstairs.
Spirit Circles
 Once a month all the children gather before their classes for a “spirit circle.” The circle is a chance for the children of all ages to be together, and share movement, song, and spirit. We open the circle with a poem as we light the chalice:
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We light this chalice to celebrate Unitarian Universalism.
We are the church of the open mind.
We are the church of the loving heart.
We are the church of the helping hands.
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Special Seasonal Overnights
Three times during the school year, Prairie hosts a social event open to all RE participants in grades K-12 and their invited guests. The fun starts on Saturday evenings, and most children opt to stay overnight. A fourth event in the summer is from Friday evening to Sunday morning, and is just for students Middle and High School age. These are big highlights of the year for our kids. The biggest event of the year is Prairie's Annual All-Ages Congregation Retreat, a fun weekend for kids and their families.
| Fall Frolic |
Wild Wintering |
Spring Fling |
Summer Spree |
“Service Sundays”
All classes participate in a community service project, giving students a chance to live their principles. These projects can range from a fund-raising walk, baking cookies for the homeless, raking leaves for our elderly members, or cleaning up trash littering the neighborhood.
Other special activities
 “Nifty Gifty” One Sunday in December students make craft gifts for friends and family using simple materials, assisted by some of our more artistic members.
“Mystery Friends” In early spring students exchange letters for four weeks with Prairie adults. They don't know who their partner is at the start, but they usually figure it out by the time everybody guesses during the party at the end!
Youth Religious Education Coordinator
Rebecca Malke-Eligenti began as our Youth Religious Education Coordinator (YREC) on April 16, 2006. She studied both journalism and world religions in college, and brings that knowledge to assist us in making our Religious Education program both enriching and fun for our youth. Rebecca has been a Unitarian Universalist for several years, and joined Prairie Society in 2004.
Contact Rebecca by email at youthcoordinator@uuprairie.org.
Previous Program Descriptions
Religious
Education Program for 2005-2006
Religious
Education Program for 2004-2005
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