Religious Education for Children & Youth Curriculum

WHAT WE TEACH AND WHY – The Religious Education Curriculum

Our Religious Education Program for Children and Youth is structured to be appropriate to developmental levels and to explore:

• what it means to belong to this religious community

• Unitarian Universalist principles

• the natural world and our place in it

• our Jewish and Christian heritage

• the world’s religions

• ethics, decision making, and relationship building

Mission Statement

The Religious Education program for families at the Unitarian Church of Evanston exists to prepare our children for lifelong faith development by

1. creating a feeling of community where the children and youth feel safe to be themselves and explore ideas;
2. fostering a way of thinking about and experiencing faith, grounded in our principles; and
3. teaching content on Unitarian Universalism and other faiths.

2011-2012 Program Offerings

Nursery (infants and toddlers not yet three years old as of September 1, 2010)

9:00 am-noon: Caregivers provide a safe and caring place where our youngest children can play and become comfortable.

Preschool (three- and four-year-olds)

9:00-10:30 am: Preschoolers are offered a warm and welcoming place to play and interact with each other and their caregivers.

10:30-11:45 am: “Celebrating Me and My World” explores the wonders of children and the animals, objects, and people around them, offering children opportunities to develop their self-identity and sense of connectedness with the world around them.

Music Enrichment (Kdg-Second Grade)

9:00-10:15 am: Led by a professional music teacher, children explore and experience Unitarian Universalist principles and values through musical activities.

A UCE Religious Education Brochure 2011-2012, with detailed information about this year’s curriculum for children and youth. Or, call the Church Office, 847-864-1330, or email re@ucevanston.org.