Letter from the DLRE – Feb 21, 2020

Last month, I wrote about how the year 2020 was significant in many ways, such as astrology, astronomy, numerology, and more importantly, here at UCE as we discover what it is we want and need to carry out our mission to nurture the human spirit for a world made whole. And so, on February 15, a dozen members gathered for a REvisioning conversation, where we shared our experiences and hopes for our lifespan religious education program. It was a wonderfully thoughtful conversation, that had parents, members of the Ministerial Search Committee, and one youth participating.

From here, I will be hosting some Kathy Cafès, so that others can join the conversation around questions such as:

  • What keeps us engaged in the religious education program?

  • What are our hopes for our religious education program?

  • How can we foster a truly multi-generational community?

Look for more information in future newsletters and/or email on the dates and times of these gatherings.

In the meantime, here is a sampling of what was shared at the REvisioning gathering:

  • Hopes: more vibrant program with multigenerational relationships; a connection with the larger UU movement through youth/young adult conferences, Boston Bound, OWL, General Assembly; speak to the deep hunger of people walking in our doors; more people “downstairs” than “upstairs”; more racial/cultural diversity; parental support in raising UUs; more males involved in the program.

  • Questions raised to consider: How do we make RE “done” by everyone? How do we bring non-parents into the program? How can we help people connect? Whose job is it to see that things happen? How do we manage expectations? How do we overcome the “upstairs/downstairs” dilemma?

  • Ideas mentioned: make conversations a spiritual practice; make personal invites to others to participate; assess our priorities and values; explore all-congregation worship and RE; find ways to have kids/youth more involved in worship; look at how technology can be used to connect people; survey families who have left UCE or haven’t been attending; offer different levels of involvement where people can comfortably participate.

In the coming weeks, I will also be talking to the young people in their religious education program about what their hopes and dreams are for their religious education program. I’m sure to get some interesting comments there!

In Faith,

Kathy

2020-02-20T00:12:23+00:00

Share This Story, Choose Your Platform!

Go to Top