Religious Education for Children

The Live Oak Unitarian Universalist Congregation's Religious Education Growth and Learning program for children exists to:

    * provide a place where children and their families feel a sense of safety and trust in their exploration of faith, ethics, spirituality and community;
    * bring the Unitarian Universalist principles and the wisdom and teachings of the world's great religious traditions to the child's developmental level.

We live out and give expression to this sense of purpose among ourselves and in the surrounding community by:

    * modeling our values by the way we teach and interact with the children and adults;
    * providing a curriculum that encourages exploration, self-expression and offers ways for children to contribute to the larger community and act in socially responsible roles;
    * committing ourselves to intergenerational activities and worship

Our program

    * Is intergenerational, cooperative, creative, loving, supportive and respectful
    * Helps children and adults live ethical lives, pointing them towards paths of social justice and walking lightly on the earth
    * Enables children to live in and with the unexplainable mysteries
    * Encourages faith in the Spirit of Life and Love
    * Promotes a shared history and sense of identity

Growth and Learning Program

Our religious education program is a rich one fostered by the talents and attention of many caring adult volunteers. We strive to teach our Unitarian Universalist Principles through modeling and through many creative activities. We explore the wisdom found in our Judeo-Christian heritage and other religious traditions and we learn about our unique Unitarian Universalist liberal religious heritage.

As a parent, you are always invited to sit in on your child(ren)'s class, to talk to their teachers, with a Religious Education Growth and Learning Jr. Council member, or our minister. We know that the more committed and involved parent(s) are in their child(ren)'s religious education the more it means to both the child and the parent.

When children and their parents attend regularly they take the songs, the stories and the ethical and spiritual lessons home with them. They become part of family life.

For more information about our RE program, please scroll past the pictures of our favorite moments....

Our kids learn about the interdependent web by planting and tending our vegetable beds.	Throughout the summer, our kids can then harvest the vegetables that they planted!

PARTICIPATION
Our Children's Religious Education program is one in which every child, parent and many other adult members of the congregation participate. Our wonderful, rich program is the result of the efforts of many, many people. Every family is expected to volunteer in some way to help make the program successful. You may volunteer as a teacher, child care assistant, to prepare and serve the children's snack, or to watch the children after the service as a play yard supervisor. Use the registration form or contact the Coordinator of Religious Education (CRE), Jan Ross, to indicate how you would like to participate this year.

REGISTRATION
We ask that all children who attend the Children's Religious Education Cooperative on a regular basis be registered. Please complete the registration, medical & field trip and special interest forms or call the Live Oak office (967-7867) to have them sent to you. Return completed forms to the Religious Education office or to the Church office.If your child is on the cusp between two classes, we invite each family to choose the class or age grouping which best fits your child's interests and abilities. If your child has special needs, please note so on your registration and speak with the CRE so that we can best involve your child.

ATTENDANCE
Regular attendance in RE classes is strongly encouraged. Children develop a feeling of trust and belonging when they come every Sunday and get to know their classmates and teachers well. We ask that you bring your child as regularly as possible. If your child is new to RE classes at Live Oak, you are invited to attend class with your child until he or she feels comfortable. Parents are always welcome in our RE classes!

SUNDAY WORSHIP SERVICE
We begin our worship service each week as a community at 10:00 a.m. Children and youth sit with their parents during the first 20 minutes of the service. Following the children's story and food offering, children and youth leave the service with their teachers and go to their classes.

SNACK
Children are provided with a healthy and nutritious snack at the Children's Snack Table just outside the Cottage. This is a time for children to socialize with their friends from other classes. We ask parents to volunteer for this responsibility.

CHILDREN'S PLAY YARD
The large play yard below the fellowship hall is supervised by volunteers for children's play from 11:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Please pick up your children promptly at 11:30. You are responsible for their safety. We ask each family to share in supervising the play yard, so please see the CRE to sign up.

HIGH SCHOOL YOUTH GROUP
A lively youth group meets on Sunday evenings in the Cottage. The schedule is flexible to include social justice projects and fieldtrips. If you have a young person of high school age who would be interested in attending, please let the CRE or minister know and they will have one of the Advisors of this Group get in touch with you and your child(ren).

COST OF THE PROGRAM
Our children's religious education is recognized as a priority in our congregation and classes are funded out of the church's operating budget. Families are encouraged to support the congregation financially through their pledges,in accordance with their resources.