Religious Education

Thoughts from the Director of RE

We believe that our world will become a better place when we have more Unitarian Universalists in it. To that end, we work to educate our children in the Principles and Purposes of our faith. Children are our future. It will be their energy and idealism, which will carry us forward into a world that will care more about people's needs than stockholders' profits, a world that believes that all people should have dignity and value and enough to eat. We want our children to grow up feeling the larger UU community around them, guiding them and loving them. We want to encourage them to feel a responsibility to help make the world a better place. The best way that we can do this is by our own example, by becoming active in our church, by helping when we are called upon, by volunteering to spend time with youth. It takes a whole church to raise Unitarian Universalists.

Special Message For Parents

We ask that you commit to the regular and punctual attendance of your offspring so that they may gain the full benefits of the spiritual and social experiences offered here at New Hope. Frequent attendance helps children to feel a part of the group. It also underscores the importance of Unitarian Universalism in a family. It's not enough to say that church and religious education are important in our families. We need to come to church on Sundays.

New Hope Religious Education Classes

- Preschool/K Class:While babes in arms go to church with their parents, our preschoolers join together in a class to learn about themselves, their families and their church community. We will celebrate the wonderful ways in which these children are growing and developing new skills and knowledge. They will learn that church is a place for families and friends, for kindness and fun, for helping others and expressing themselves. They will learn to sit together and listen, while they take turns sharing their memories and ideas. They will also experience working on some simple projects and activities. Most importantly, they will enjoy being together.

- Elementary Class: Students in this multi-age class will experience a new curriculum, developed by DRE Kathy Silver, based on a book about the world's people called IF THE WORLD WERE A VILLAGE, written by David J. Smith. Using stories, maps, service projects, music and crafts, the children will explore different cultures, religions, resources, and life stages around the world from the perspective of a village of 100 people, who represent everyone on our earth. Each week's class will start with a game or activity that will capture the children's attention. When everyone is participating and having fun, the focus will switch to the lesson for the day. In the Sharing Circle, the children will have an opportunity to share their joys and concerns and their thoughts about the lesson. The class will close with a Chalice Lighting.

- Youth Group:Our Junior/Senior High School Youth Program will help our young people become fully functioning members of New Hope Congregation. This small group of teens will make choices about what activities they would like to do. Sometimes they may be asked to assist in our preschool classroom, perform other community service, or join with the elementary students to work on a project. Also they will occasionally participate in the adult service when the topic is interesting to them. Working with the teens and their parents, we will strive to create a program for them that is helpful in their lives and meaningful to their spiritual development.

Religious Education A Cooperative Venture

We are a small church with BIG ideas. Our Religious Education Program is a cooperative program. This year, many volunteers will donate their time to create a quality church experience for our young people. Each segment of the program needs several adults to participate with the children in the lessons for the day. We will team teach each class so that all volunteers share in the responsibilities, and are also able to attend the adult services on a regular basis. Sign up now to do your part to help make our future world a better place!