First Unitarian Universalist Church of Winnipeg

It’s the day after RE Sunday as I write, and I’m still basking in the glow of a great day. Our worship service – A Celebration of Religious Exploration - was full of meaning, great music, humour and a few surprises. We shared moments of quiet contemplation, and others of joyful participation.

Our children and youth, who displayed such depth and thoughtfulness, were part of the planning process for this service. They chose what to share from their year, created their group reflections, and offered suggestions or requests for all other worship elements. I am so very proud of them.

I’m also proud to work with so many gifted leaders. Teachers, youth allies, committee members, Our Whole Lives facilitators, assistants and supporters: thank you! First Winnipeg is able to offer such excellent programming because, as a community, we care about helping each other live our Unitarian Universalist values and search for truth and meaning.

Following the RE service, the Committee for Religious Exploration hosted an Open House in the RE space. It was wonderful to see so many people visit and learn more about our plans for next year, when children will be exploring wisdom from the world’s religions, and youth will be looking for messages in music. If you missed the Open House, don’t worry! You can find the same information here.

There was a time when the realm of Religious Exploration programs was thought to be exclusive to parents. Parents are indeed their children’s primary religious educators, but we now understand that in our faith communities many others find meaning in offering their time and talents to the programs that serve young people. This past year we welcomed more young adults, elders, and adults without children in the program, and we all benefited.

We all have a stake in providing vibrant programming for our young people, and all are welcome to support the RE program.  There are opportunities to teach children’s RE, work with our youth group, help in our library, plan children’s worship or intergenerational events, serve on committees, and more.

If you’d like to add your name to one of our sign-up sheets look for them in the church foyer through June, or speak to Lorna Turnbull, Chair of the Committee for Religious Exploration.

Love,
Andrea

Two exciting pieces of news to share with you:

1. The Canadian Unitarian Council (CUC) has hired Ariel Hunt-Brondwin as their Youth / Young Adult Programmer.  You can find out more about Ariel here.  I'm looking forward to meeting her in Victoria later this month, at the CUC's Annual Conference and Meeting.
2. Nominations are open for the position of Youth Observer to the CUC's Board of Trustees.  According to the CUC, the primary purposes of the Youth Observer position are:
   • To bring a youth perspective to the Board;
   • To summarize youth issues for the Board; and
   • To present Board positions to Canadian UU youth.
   • Applications are due next Friday, May 14th. 

If you'd like more information about this position, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it and I'll send you the full description.

Love,

Andrea

When you have a few quiet minutes, you might want to sit with the new (online) issue of KidSpirit - Rituals and Traditions: How We Celebrate. This magazine is for "deep thinkers with big ideas", edited, written and illustrated by young people. Each issue features a spiritual elder; this month's is Eboo Patel, of Interfaith Youth Core (IFYC).

kidspiritonline.com

Love,

Andrea

In May we celebrate all that the children and youth have experienced this year. On behalf of the members and friends of our beloved community, I offer gratitude for the loving stewardship and guidance of the Religious Exploration (RE) Leaders and the committees who plan and support our programs.

Looking ahead to next church year, I’m pleased to share with you the plans developed by the Committee for Religious Exploration:

Children

The theme for the 2010-11 church year flows from one of our Sources:

wisdom from the world’s religions which inspires us

in our ethical and spiritual life.

Children will explore how the beliefs and customs of featured religions impact our Unitarian Universalist faith, as well as their own lives.

Kindergarten to Grade 2

Picture Book World Religions introduces world religions through a story, and related activities. It covers Hinduism, Islam, and Buddhism, and incorporates the concepts of sacred places, freedom of religion, and peace.

Grades 3 to 6

A World of New Friends: An Introduction to World Religions explores the largest of the world religions, using stories, art, drama and song. It covers Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, traditional Chinese religions, Earth-centred religions, Sikhism, and Judaism.

After an opening together, children will move in small groups between centres, which are designed to address a variety of learning styles (verbal, visual, movement, musical, logical).

Next year, children’s Worship Circles will be full mornings rather than 15 to 20 minutes prior to classes, and there will be more of them! They will include Day of the Dead, World Religion Day, Pink Triangle Day, earth and science based exploration, and more!

Youth

We faced some challenges this year, due to lower numbers in both youth groups. To better meet the needs of our youth, we will move to one youth group for the time being, rather than two. Having a larger group helps make discussions, games, projects and activities more fun and interactive.

Messages in Music explores the Principles and Sources through music, and includes a music project and a youth-led Sunday Service. The curriculum provides a few of the six components of a balanced youth program: Worship, Youth-Adult Relations, Community Building, Learning, Social Action and Leadership. Other elements may be met through gatherings outside of church time that might include lock-ins, social action work, evening worship, and travel to regional or national conferences.

The Committee for Religious Exploration hopes to offer a 15-hour weekend workshop for Basic Youth Advisor Training in the fall or winter.

Again, I thank the members of the RE Committee for their thoughtful planning and solutions.

Love,
Andrea