Religious Education at First Unitarian Universalist Church offers opportunities for spiritual growth and learning for everybody. Our programs are built on the foundation that everyone is both a student and a teacher as we strive to be a compassionate, welcoming community that nurtures spiritual growth and practices justice.
For full listings of our course offerings for the 2011-2012 academic year, please visit our Religious Education for Children and Youth pages and our Adult Religious Education page.
Do you read the UU World magazine?
Sunday, January 29 12:15 p.m. Commons
Join other UUs looking for a discussion about what they've read in the UU World Magazine. We will gather after church for soup and talk. Look for more info in the Weekly eNews.
Building the World We Dream About
Second and Fourth Mondays February-July 7:00 p.m. in the Chapel
Building the World We Dream About is a UnitarianUniversalist program that seeks to interrupt the workings of racism and transform how people from different racial/ethnic groups understand and relate to one another. Our version consists of twelve 90-minute workshops. The program creates opportunities for participants to practice dreaming our world otherwise, and then commit to new, intentional ways of being. As Unitarian Universalists, we hope developing antiracist, antioppressive, and multicultural habits and skills will lead us to build the multicultural world of beloved community we dream about. First workshop is February 13. Sign up in the Commons.
Planning a Memorial Service
Wednesday, February 7 7:00 p.m.-9:00 in the Chapel
A workshop designed to introduce people to pre-planning Memorial Services, for loved ones and/or themselves. The Rev. Dr. Carol Hepokoski
A Course in Miracles (ACIM)
2nd and 4th Mondays of every month at 10:00 a.m., Hearth Room
ACIM offers a system of metaphysical thought based on the unconditional love of God and forgiveness, and the desire only to be truly helpful. The Course is challenging in many ways, including intellectual, psychological, spiritual, and emotional. Study groups for this usually involve taking turns reading the text aloud, and stopping to discuss ideas that invite questioning or commentary. While it is helpful to have some participants who have studied the Course, active, thoughtful participation is what enriches the study. More information about A Course in Miracles is available on the web at http://www.acim.org/ It is not necessary to have a copy of the book to participate in the group. All are welcome.
Buddhist Interest Group
4th Thursday of every month at 7:00 p.m., Clara Barton Room
If you are interested in exploring Buddhism from a UU perspective, please join us. There is a short meditation period followed by a discussion. Please join us at any time.
A Chosen Faith Book Study
Second Monday of each month from 7:00 p.m.-8:30 p.m. in the Thoreau Room
The group is reading "Elite: Uncovering Classism in Unitarian Universalist History" by Mark W. Harris. A copy is available in the church Library; it is also available inexpensively on the internet. Please join us for a discussion intended to spark debate about diversity in the church.
The Necessity of Virtue Discussion
Sunday, January 8 from 10:10 a.m.-11:30 a.m. in the Conference Room
Jasper Daube is leading a series of 90 minute discussions based on 40 minute video lectures on the "Necessity of Virtue" by Rev. Dr. Galen Guengerich, minister at All Souls Unitarian Church in New York City. Jasper has heard Rev. Guengerich speak a number of times at General Assembly. Sessions attest to the power and importance to each of us of the seven Virtues. For the January session the Virtue is Temperance: The golden mean between self-indulgence and self-denial.
Principle 4 Study Group
Fourth Sunday of each month at 700 p.m. in the Hearth Room
The Principle 4 Study Group is centered around a free and responsible search for truth and meaning. We will meet for a discerning discussion of the meaning and role of spirituality, language, beliefs and faith in our lives as UUs. Our January topic is "Suffering". Please join us!
Building Your Own Theology
First Saturday Morning of each month January-May from 9:00 a.m.-Noon in the Chapel
This class invites participants to develop their personal credos: the religious beliefs, values and convictions that inform and shape their lives. Reflections on human nature, ultimate reality, UU history and ethics. Minimum enrollment of 9; maximum of 15. First class is January 7. RSVP to The Rev. Dr. Carol Hepokoski
More information soon.
Sunday mornings at First Unitarian Universalist Church are bustling and vibrant! We are delighted to offer religious education opportunities for our children and youth throughout the entire year, between the more formalized church school settings from September to May and the more laid back and fun offerings during the summer.
Examine our curricula offerings on the Children's Religious Education page and the Youth Religious Education page. If you have any questions, please contact Ryan Shriver, our Director of Religious Education at dre@uurochmn.org.
If you wish to enroll your children and youth into one of our classes, please download this form: Religious Education for Children and Youth Registration Form
Once it is completely filled out, return it to Ryan Shriver, DRE at your earliest convenience.
The Children’s Choir is open to children ages 6-13. It will meet (mostly) on the 2nd and 3rd Sunday of each month from 10:15-10:45 AM in the Chapel.
The list of rehearsal dates are as follows:
September 11&18
October 9&16
November 6&20
December 11&18
January 8&22
February 12&19
March 11,18&25
April 8&15
May 13&20
Our scheduled dates to perform in services are:
October 16
December 18
February 26
April 22
June 3
Regular attendance at choir rehearsals is necessary for us a develop a cohesive, quality product. If you know your child will be missing from a rehearsal or performance, please contact Joe Mish. Children will receive a folder for music which they should bring to each rehearsal. We will collect music after each performance.
We will keep parents/guardians updated on upcoming performances and other additional announcements via e-mail or flyers distributed at rehearsals. If you have any questions, the best time to talk to Joe is at 10:45 AM when you pick your children up from rehearsals or via e-mail. If you would prefer a phone call, please indicate the best time to reach you on the attached form.
Thank you for your interest in our Children’s Choir. We have a successful program we that we would like to continue to grow and nurture this year. We are excited to offer this opportunity for your child to sing together, learn about music and contribute to the life of the church. We appreciate the commitment you and your child will be making.
To download the registration form, click here.
Religious Education Classes -- September 18, 2011 - May 20th, 2012
9 am Religious Education
Multi-age Explorers class (age 3 – Fifth Grade)
We have one classroom during the 9 am service, which we are exploring the possibilities of a multi-aged classroom. We will be working with the Love Surrounds Us and Wonderful Welcome curricula that are part of the Tapestry of Faith religious education series established by the Unitarian Universalist Association. Love Surrounds Us explores the 7 Principles of Unitarian Universalism in the context of our different communities, such as home, school, and neighborhoods, as well as within our congregation. Wonderful Welcome examines the ways we welcome people into our lives, whether they are strangers, family members, peers, or even our friends from nature.
11 am Religious Education
Explorers (Age 3 years old – Kindergarten)
The 11 am Explorers class will explore the big ideas of the Spirit Play curriculum. Based in the Montessori Method of early childhood education and the Rev. Jerome Berryman’s Godly Play approach to religious instruction, Spirit Play helps children develop their own ideas about many common existential questions, such as:
Where do we come from? Why are we here? How do we choose to live our lives? What happens when we die?
Trailblazers (First and Second Grade)
Our Trailblazers classroom will be working with the Wonderful Welcome and Love Surrounds Us curricula that is a part of the Tapestry of Faith religious education series the Unitarian Universalist Association. Wonderful Welcome examines the ways we welcome people into our lives, whether they are strangers, family members, peers, or even our friends from nature. Love Surrounds Us explores the 7 Principles of Unitarian Universalism in the context of our different communities, such as home, school, and neighborhoods, as well as within our congregation.
Pathfinders (Third and Fourth Grade)
The Pathfinders classroom will literally get hands-on experiences of Unitarian Universalist heritage and identity through the gross motor skills-oriented Spirit of Adventure curriculum. The religious explorers in this class will learn through games, science, food, and through the expertise of different members of our congregation and community who are explorers, scientists, doctors, and chefs.
Keepers of the Flame (Fifth and Sixth Grade)
Our Keepers of the Flame classroom will explore deeper existential questions as they begin the Riddles and Mystery curriculum form the Tapestry of Faith series. The purpose of this curriculum is to assist our older children in their individual searches for understanding and meaning in life.
As our children grow into youth and young adults, our best hope is to assist them through these challenging years of their lives. With this in mind, we offer programs that offer spiritual growth and help our youth to develop their own notions of spirituality and spiritual practice, as well as prepare them to take on more responsibility as sustainers and contributors to our church community.
Religious Education Classes for Youth -- September 18, 2011 - May 20th, 2012
11 am
Navigators (7th and 8th Grade)
The Navigators class will explore Unitarian Universalist ethics and theology through film in their Popcorn Theology curriculum. The big questions that will be discussed include how our choices affect our lives and the lives of others, how truth and meaning may be a matter of perspective, how the right of conscience calls us to do what’s right, and how our faith can help us seek answers to our questions.
Coming of Age (9th Grade and up, as necessary)
The Unitarian Universalist Coming of Age program is roughly equivalent to other denomination’s confirmation, except our Coming of Age students pledge themselves to their own quests for spiritual enlightenment, rather than to any one particular dogma. At the completion of this class, the Coming of Age graduate will be welcomed into a more adult-like role in our congregation as they have more defined methods of spiritual practice and more of a capacity to put their faith into action.
Our Whole Lives Sexuality and Relationships Education (7th Grade - 9th Grade) Sunday Afternoons, 12:30-2pm
Our Whole Lives helps participants make informed and responsible decisions about their sexual health and behavior. It equips participants with accurate, age-appropriate information in six subject areas: human development, relationships, personal skills, sexual behavior, sexual health and society and culture. Grounded in a holistic view of sexuality, Our Whole Lives not only provides facts about anatomy and human development, but also helps participants clarify their values, build interpersonal skills, and understand the spiritual, emotional, and social aspects of sexuality.
Due to the sensitive and powerful nature of this particular curriculum, enrollment becomes closed after the first class session. If you have a student eligible to enroll, please contact Director of Religious Education Ryan Shriver (dre@uurochmn.org) prior to September 18th, the first day of class. Once the class is underway, if we have sufficient interest, we may look into starting another session of classes.
Walden Hill Youth (7th-12th grade)
Walden Hill Youth brings our youth together in fellowship, service and spiritual practice at least once a month to hang out, plan youth fundraisers, service projects and youth fellowship events, and to plan to travel to other youth groups in our Prairie Star District of Unitarian Universalist congregations for youth conventions.
Chalice Camp is a five day long summer day camp created by Unitarian Universalist religious educators Rev. Sheri Prud’homme and Laila Ibrahim. Chalice Camp deepens children’s identity as Unitarian Universalists and expands their knowledge of Unitarian Universalism and their capacity to be articulate about their faith.
Chalice Camp will be held from July 25th-July 29th, 2011 at the Edith Mayo Program Center. Chalice Camp features energetic daily worship, creative arts, UU theater, cooperative games, and free choice activities including the Edith Mayo Program Center's hiking trails, low ropes course and archery range.
Early Bird registration is open now until May 15th and is $100 per child. After May 15th, the tuition will be $125 per child. There are sibling and family discounts available, as well as scholarship options. Please refer to the attached registration form for more information.
If you have any questions, please contact DRE Ryan Shriver (dre@uurochmn.org).
ATTENTION YOUTH! We are now accepting applications for youth counselors to help lead this summer's Chalice Camp! Experience with children ages 4-12 preferred. We are looking for teams of counselors, with one senior counselor (completed 9th Grade and older) and one junior counselor (completed 8th Grade) working with each group of children.
Calling all Prairie Star District Youth in 7th through 12th Grade!
Save the date: Friday, February 24th through Sunday morning, February 26th
First Unitarian Universalist Church in Rochester will be hosting WizardCon, a conference for youth to come together and to learn, to worship and to get to know one another as friends and UUs!
Contact Youth Programs Coordinator Samantha Olson (sko1980@gmail.com) for more details!
WizardCon 2012 Registration Form