Faith Formation for Children, Youth, and Adults
What We Teach & Why
Enrolling Your Child
Family Events & Activities
Family Ministry Team
Faith Formation News
In our religious community, we are learning together and teaching each other all the time. Religious education is a lifelong process of learning how to relate to the mysteries of life, to each other, and to the larger community. Our lifespan religious education program includes aspects of religious study, spiritual practice, and ethical development.We challenge and support each other
in our individual spiritual journeys and in our collective religious journey. We offer our children nurturance and guidance as they develop and learn to live out their beliefs and values—even as we, as adults, are developing and learning to live out our beliefs and values.
We honor many sources of truth, and we are open to new ways of understanding. We take responsibility for our own actions in the world, and we ask lots of questions. We learn from the wisdom of science and nature, of the world’s religions, and of prophetic women and men. We trust our own experiences and listen to the stories of others.
We learn and teach in classrooms and in the sanctuary; engaged in facilitated discussion or in casual conversation; through working together to host a soup kitchen or while playing a game together.
Planned learning opportunities for adults may include classes, workshops, and presentations on a wide variety of topics such as world religions, Unitarian Universalist history or theology, spiritual autobiography, or ethical decision-making.
Q & A ABOUT RELIGIOUS EDUCATION FOR CHILDREN AND YOUTH
UCE is committed to creating a welcoming space for children and youth to worship, learn, and play together, and for people of differing generations to get to know one another, whether in person or virtually during this time of COVID-19. Until it is safe to gather in larger groups, we will be offering ways to connect virtually and in person in small groups. Parents can decide which opportunities are appropriate based on their comfort level of the physical distancing guidelines. Regular participation, whether virtual or in person, is important so our young people can form friendships and a sense of community.
What programs are being offered?
Programs are organized by age and grade level in school/homeschool. This year, our virtual sessions will be for preschool/k/1st, 2nd-5th, and 6th-8th.High school youth participate in youth group. In general, children should attend the same grade level at church as they attend at school/homeschool.
The Our Whole Lives (OWL) Sexuality Education Program is offered to various age groups on alternating years. This year, an alternative program, Taking Flight, will be offered for 7th-9th grade youth.
What will my child be taught?
Our Faith Formation 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, sources, history, and people
- the natural world and our place in it
- our Jewish and Christian heritage
- the world’s religions
- ethics, decision–making, and relationship–building
Who leads the programs?
Programs are mostly taught by trained volunteers. Some volunteer teachers are parents of children and youth currently enrolled in our classes, and others are members of the congregation at large. All volunteers are screened before working with our young people.
Can I volunteer to help?
Volunteer help is almost always needed and very much appreciated! Adults are needed to assist virtual and in-person programs, social events, social justice activities, and special projects. To volunteer to help, please contact our Lifespan Director of Religious Education (DLRE), Kathy Underwood.
Is there a cost for the Faith Formation Program?
There is no fee for participation in our Faith Formation Program for Children and Youth. The program is supported by the congregation through the operating budget of the church, and parents are encouraged to pledge to the annual stewardship campaign as they are able. Parents are expected to support the Faith Formation Program in which their children and youth participate by volunteering in the program on a regular basis.
Do I have to stay in the room with my child during programs?
Parents are welcome to stay but are not required to do so. Occasionally, a young child will have difficulty separating from his or her parent. In that case, the parent(s) and the teachers can decide together whether it’s best for the parent to stay. If your child develops a need for your help, someone will come to get you. For virtual programs, younger children will most likely need help navigating the electronic device in order to participate.
How can I find out more about what’s going on in my child’s class?
There are three ways to keep in touch with what we’re doing: the UCE newsletter, weekly emails from the DLRE, and by talking to adult volunteer leaders of the programs. For in-person programs, leaders will sometimes send home flyers or e-mail notices. Bulletin boards inside the classrooms and in the hallway often display photos, news, and class artwork.
How can we meet other families?
With the current concerns of COVID-19, families are gathering in small groups on the lawn during warmer weather. Our hope is to be able to continue this inside when it is colder outside. In the past, we have had potlucks, Sunday lunches, Friendship Dinners, and special events like the Night of the Arts. Families are also encouraged to participate in UCE Social Action initiatives. For announcements of upcoming activities, watch the newsletter, and electronic announcements.
How can we find out more about Faith Formation at the Unitarian Church of Evanston?
The Director of Lifespan Religious Education will be happy to talk with you and your family to answer your questions and how you can connect with others and get involved.
ENROLLING YOUR CHILD
Enrollment and Visitors
Each child and youth who participates in our Faith Formation Program must be registered each year. Please use the link below to register your child(ren). Visitors are welcome to participate as they feel comfortable. With the current pandemic situation, most programs are held virtually. We look forward to gathering in person in the near future, and warmly welcome all who enter our doors.
Expectations of Parents
There is no fee for participation in our Faith Formation Program for Children and Youth. The program is supported by the congregation’s operating budget, and parents are encouraged to pledge as they are able to the annual stewardship campaign.
Parents are expected to support the Faith Formation Program in which their children and youth participate by co-facilitating programs and/or helping with other activities on a regular basis.
Parents of children who participate in Sunday Morning programming are expected to remain in the church building, and are encouraged to participate in discussion groups, classes, and worship services.
ACTIVITIES FOR CHILDREN & YOUTH
Described here are activities that are designed particularly appropriate for children and youth. Many other all-church activities throughout the year are welcoming and inclusive of our children and youth.
Child Dedications — At child dedications the UCE community welcomes children and expresses support for the child and family. Child dedications are performed Christmas Eve service and by special arrangement with the ministers.
Ornament Sunday — Make ornaments and decorations to trim the tree and take home.
Holiday Treat Lunch — A festive lunch on a December Sunday, with cookies, juice, and milk.
Christmas Eve —Candlelight services at 5:00 pm and 9:00 pm, with stories, carols, and reflections on Christmas.
Easter — Between our Sunday services on Easter, there is a “canned goods” hunt outside. Brunch follows the second service.
Religious Education Recognition service — At a May worship service, we celebrate the religious growth and learning of our children and recognize the work of our teachers and other volunteers.
Church Picnic — After the service on the second Sunday in June we celebrate summer with a picnic on the south lawn.
Social Action for Children and Families
Social action is integrated into many of our classes, and there are many opportunities for children and their families to participate in congregation-wide projects. Here are a few:
- Our Giving House — We participate in collecting items needed by a local homeless shelter/food pantry
- Guest at Your Table — We help gather contributions to the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee to support human rights.
- Green Sanctuary — In cooperation with the Green Sanctuary Committee, we educate each other about environmental issues and work on projects to recycle and encourage use of sustainable resources at home, in church, and in the community.
- Common Threads —Knitters or crocheters at any level of skill create special gifts including premie blankets and hats and shawls for palliative care.
- Soup Kitchen — Several times a year we host an Evanston Soup Kitchen. Adults and children prepare and serve a meal for those in our community who might otherwise be hungry.
FAMILY SOCIAL ACTIVIES
- Board Game Nights – Dates as scheduled. Fun for all ages. Bring a favorite board game and a snack to share (or just bring yourself).
- Night of the Arts — On a February evening, the sanctuary will be transformed into a place to explore, discover, and create art, crafts, food, and more.
- Summer Camping — The date and location change from year to year, but it is always a good time.
What We Teach and Why
“The Inherent Worth and Dignity of Every Person”
As Unitarian Universalists, our first principle recognizes the “inherent worth and dignity of every person.” For younger children, we might express this principle more simply as “each and every person is important.”
We’ll broadly and deeply explores topics relating to our appreciation of differences and diversity, and more specifically of racial justice, in ways that are age-appropriate for children and youth.
Our curriculum and activities are structured across ages and grade levels to focus on this principle in ways that are holistic, multigenerational, and multidimensional.
Participants will have the opportunity to
• explore ideas,
• develop relationships,
• and put values into action.
Following a natural path of childhood identity development, our exploration of the inherent worth of every person comes through engagement with Soul Matters curricula. This is a theme-based program that weaves worship, faith development, social justice, and small group ministry together.
Please join us – and feel free to contact our Director of Lifespan Religious Education, Kathy Underwood at kunderwood@ucevanston.org with any questions you may have. Welcome all, welcome in!
FAITH FORMATION FOR ADULTS
UCE is committed to creating a welcoming space for adults to explore a variety of topics, whether in person or virtually during this time of COVID-19. The Adult Faith Formation Team plans and coordinates programs throughout the year. Recent offerings have included Infrastructure of Morality, The Science of Well-Being, Process Theology, Visions of God, Christ for UUs, and Intersectionality.