UUAC First Parish in Sherborn, Mass.

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    Unitarian Universalist Area Church
    First Parish, Sherborn
    11 Washington Street - P.O. Box 158 - Sherborn, MA 01770, (508) 653-1422

       

    RE Curriculum 2009-2010

    Preschool 2s & 3s

    (Classes start at 10:15 Sunday mornings)

    Friendship Finders

    Friendship Finders is a wonderful program that consists of lessons that help to reinforce the idea that church is a safe and fun place to learn. This curriculum allows children to have hands-on, age-appropriate activities in art, movement, music and ritual that help to teach them about UU identity.


    Preschool 3s, 4s, and Kindergarten

    (Classes start at 10:15 Sunday mornings)

    We Are Many, We are One

    This curriculum encourages children to use their minds, bodies and emotions to develop their sense of identity and self-esteem. Topics include families, anger, and good wishes. Children learn to affirm the uniqueness of others and value diversity, and help make the class a friendly and caring place.


    Grades 1 and 2

    (Students go the sanctuary at 10:30 Sunday mornings and go to class after the Children's Message)

    Spirit Play

    This Montessori-based curriculum teaches children the stories of our faith tradition and stories those of other faiths traditions. The program uses story-telling and wondering to build on children's innate ability to sense and explore spiritual and mystical worlds. We provide a thoughtful space and a choice of activities to encourage children's emotional, spiritual, and intellectual growth.


    Grades 3 and 4

    (Students go the sanctuary at 10:30 Sunday mornings and go to class after the Children's Message)

    FALL AND WINTER TERM

    Timeless Themes

    This curriculum introduces children to religious literature that is central to Western culture and to Unitarian Universalist heritage. Children are introduced to familiar bible stories and to the human issues that inspired these scriptures: the timeless themes of transcendent power, human responsibility, love of freedom, speaking out against injustice, respect for the beliefs of others, love of one's neighbor, and forgiveness. The Bible stories are taught from a UU value structure. God is referred to as "God," not "he." The stories, drawn from the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible, are gender-inclusive.

    SPRING TERM

    Holidays and Holydays

    This long-used and favorite course offers our children a way to learn and celebrate special holy days from around the world through stories, food, music and movement. What's new is that we encourage our teachers to tie in our UU principles with all the holidays, hoping to compare and contrast the many theological beliefs and ideas the children will be exposed to during the year.

    Grades 5 and 6

    (Students go the sanctuary at 10:30 Sunday mornings and go to class after the Children's Message)

    FALL TERM

    Living the Promise

    This course is designed to have children become familiar with significant aspects of the Bible in a way that holds real meaning for them, and is fun. The theme of covenant runs throughout this class--in the ancient Hebrew stories the children read, and the religious, political and ethical questions that are raised for the children to discuss in relation to these stories. This powerful curriculum encourages our children to examine themselves and their beliefs in our faith and in our world.


    WINTER AND SPRING TERMS

    Jesus and His Kingdom of Equals

    This class is an introduction to the life and teachings of Jesus, based on the four gospels of the New Testament. The premises of this course are as follows:

    • The character of Jesus is a pivotal figure in both secular and religious history.
    • The ideas of equality and radical love as taught by Jesus are still an ideal and spiritual path worth studying.
    • The Jesus stories are universal, and therefore open to interpretation and definition.
    • Biblical literacy is important for our students in our culture.

    Grades 7 and 8

    (Class is held from 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. Sunday mornings)


    Our Whole Lives (OWL)

    We are pleased to offer this life affirming course to our 7th and 8th grade students. OWL is a comprehensive approach to human sexuality, presented in an age-appropriate manner with an emphasis on communication skills, relationships, information, attitudes and openness. Spirituality and ethics are interwoven in discussions, encouraging youth to deepen their faith and values. Trained OWL teachers guide youth through discussions of facts, questions and concerns about growing up, and encourage peer interaction, personal responsibility and respect for others and oneself.

    Teachers: James Francis and Virginia Fitzgerald


    Grade 9

    (Classes are held once each month at 12:00 p.m. on Sundays)


    Coming of Age

    This program serves to guide our children through their transition from child to young adult. Activities include individual meetings and group discussions with the minister, and classes designed to help them to clarify and articulate their religious values and beliefs. Students write a credo statement and participate in a recognition service in which the congregation witnesses and celebrates our youth's coming of age. Please note that Coming of Age is not a Sunday morning program.


    Program Facilitators: Kate Holland (DRE), Ed Klein, and Reverend Detering