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Children's Religious Education

Mission Statement

Our mission is to help children develop a sustaining faith and a total response to life composed of both spirituality and religious identity as Unitarian Universalists.
We explore religious, spiritual, ethical, and social issues, encouraging children to practice kindness, acceptance, and the courage to express their beliefs through the way they live.

What Parents are Saying

"I bring my children to RE at First UU because I want them to know that others really believe in the dignity and worth of every person, taking care of the environment, and furthering social causes in which I believe."

"The RE program at First UU provides many opportunities for the children to become aware and participate in Social Action Issues, preparing them to be compassionate, informed adults who make a positive difference."

"In the RE program at First UU, my child learns the values of religion, spirituality and the mystery and wonder of all life, surrounded by children and adults with open minds and giving hearts."

"When I brought my son to the Religious Education program in 2003 he was aged 8. He has built relationships with adults and children in the program. He likes attending. He gets lots of opportunities to contribute in many ways. He knows that he is an important member of our community. It's been an enriching experience."

"We bring our daughter to Religious Education because we feel the teachings guide her in the direction we want her to go. It also provides our daughter with a safe and happy place where she can learn, play, grow!"

"The biggest factor is my daughter's enjoyment of RE. She loves to come to 'church' so she can join the other kids and do the interesting activities."

Sunday School Curriculum

Our Curriculum is chosen each year by the parents involved from the Unitarian Universalist Association. Past years have included,

"Experiences with the Web of Life",
"Beginning Unitarian Universalism,"
"In our Hands, A Peace and Social Justice Program."

For the 2008-2009 year we are teaching part 2 of "Nurturing Connections through Small Group Ministries." We begin the class with a Children's Chapel which includes worship service and a story. Following Chapel, the children separate into their small groups for a discussion.

We Teach Our Children

To Respect Themselves and Others
To Love in Their Ever Growing Circles of the Human Community
To Search for Their Truth in the Presence of Other Seekers
To Seek Liberty, Peace and Justice in Our World
To Engage Their Mind and Body, Heart and Soul - in Creating a Meaningful Life Journey
To Understand and Appreciate What it Means to be a Unitarian Universalist
To Love and Respect the Earth and All the Plants and Animals
To Reflect on Questions of Creation, God, Birth and Death, Holy Days,
Bible Stories and Stories from Other Sacred Texts
To Converse about the Wisdom of Other World Religions
To Celebrate and Enjoy Life

Unitarian Universalist Children's Principles:

That each and every person is important
That all people should be treated fairly and kindly
That we should all accept one another and learn together
That each person must be free to search for what is true and right in life
That all persons should have a vote on things that concern them
Working for a peaceful, fair and free world
Caring for our planet earth, the home we share with all living things
Six Sources of our Living Tradition
Personal experience of mystery and wonder
Words and deeds of wise women and men
Wisdom from the world's religions
Jewish and Christian teachings
Humanist teachings that guide us to think for ourselves
Spiritual teachings of earth centered religions

Director of Religious Education Eileen Donohoe holds a Bachelor of Social Work Degree and a Master of Arts in Organizational Development. Eileen has over 20 years of experience working with children and their parents. She works with the RE Chairs and Committee, teachers, parents, and children and oversees the Children's RE programs. She has been with the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of the Palm Beaches for 4 years.