Melinda Brooks, Director of Family Ministries

 

I work with a team of talented volunteers to provide religious education that nurtures the spiritual growth of children, youth, and their families.  I believe that the main goal of religious education is creating a safe space for the younger members of our community to ask big questions and examine the answers they discover, to build supportive relationships with others, and to explore how we live our shared values in our daily lives.  Each Sunday, children and youth meet together with their peers for worship, stories, games, crafts, and other activities designed to deepen their understanding of their own spiritual selves.  

 

I began my work with children and youth in the religious education program at the Unitarian Universalist church in Eugene, Oregon. I realized a love of teaching and received training as a Montessori elementary teacher.   After teaching for several years, I took a position coordinating a literacy project for students at an elementary school in Seattle.  I have now returned to my first love, religious education, and am looking forward to my work supporting the many volunteers who work with our children and youth here at Saltwater Church. 

 

A key element to the smooth running of the Religious Education program throughout the year is good communication with children, youth, and families.  Please feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns you might have about the program, Unitarian Universalism, or religious education in general.  I can be reached by phone at (253) 839-5200 or by e-mail at melinda@saltwaterchurch.org . I look forward to hearing from you.