Classes and Curricula for the 2007-2008 Church Year

At 9:30 a.m.

Nursery (0-3½ years)                                                            

Faith development starts at a subliminal, pre-language level as our youngest children are encouraged to feel safe and happy in their church home.  Here in the sunny nursery, children progress through the steps of short time separation from parents to establishing friendships.  They are encouraged to reach out, to explore, to appreciate and to affirm themselves.  Lessons of faith, trust, and love are given and received every Sunday, in actions as well as words. Lead teachers Chrys Jared-Bjornson and Mike Bjornson are assisted by Susan Aigner, Louise Bollman, Nancy Corr, Maria Amburgey, and additional volunteers.

Preschool  (3 ½ years—Kindergarten)                                                       

This is “A Discovery Year”: Children explore themselves, friendships, families, church, nature, and religious and cultural days.  Weekly lessons incorporate ritual, sharing times, quiet times, singing and music, games and movement, stories and talks, crafts, and other activities. This year’s teaching team is Aida Sanchez-Vela and Carol Mitchell with assistants Joanne Loeliger and John Corr.

Wumps (Kindergarten – 2nd grade)                                                                                   

This group is “Free to Believe”: Children will experience meditations, rituals, and opportunities to explore the wonders of nature while learning our seven Unitarian Universalist principles and building their own sense of religious identity.  In the second half of the year we will explore some of life’s “big questions”:  How did life begin?  What are different images of God?  Why do people and animals die? Diane Schairer and Marie Mulling teach this class, with assistants Chris Amburgey and Eli Thompson.

Explorers (2nd -5th grade)                                                                                

We’ll share a “Spirit of Adventure”: Using physical movement, challenge and adventure, this group will explore our seven principles, while focusing on eight themes:  Sports, Medicine, Food, Holidays, Science, Building, Exploring, and Web of Life.  Within each theme, children engage in activities designed to encourage spiritual growth.  For example, in the lessons on sports, children learn how to be good winners, losers, and members of a team.  The lessons in medicine help children learn a reverence for life while the lessons on food emphasize hunger and sharing.  Teaching this class are Steve Radak and Joy Werlink with assistants Gary Shaw, Lyndi Thompson, and Karl Mulling.

Junior Youth (6th–8th grade)                                                            

This is  “The Questing Year”:  Youth explore four different quests connected through the central themes and purposes of faith development and social action:  UU Quest, Action Quest, Inner Quest, and Mystery Quest.  Once a month, Junior Youth will meet with Senior Youth.  Kristin Parmen-Bethard is the advisor for this class, assisted by Bob Loeliger and Robert Amburgey  .

 

Senior Youth (9th–12th grade)                                                                       

Youth advisors will draw from several curricula this year to construct a program according to the needs and interests of the group.  “Truth and Meaning” poses questions that prompt discussion about Western religions, inviting youth to develop their own answers rather than offering concrete answers.  “On the Path” encourages youth to develop their individual faith identity, along the lines of the “Building Your Own Theology.”  A film-based discussion guide, “Popcorn Theology,’ uses clips from popular films like Star Wars, and “Film as Theological Text” involves screening deeper movies such as Dead Man Walking, Amistad, Life is Beautiful, and Chocolat.   In addition, youth are welcome and encouraged to create deeper connections to the church community through leadership positions on committees and engagement in social justice projects.  Youth Advisors are  Amanda Radak, Art Anderson, and Pat Parman-Bethard, and assisted by Bruce Tonks.