Religious Education
Our Program
Every Sunday our child and youth start by attending the first part of the service with the rest of the congregation in the Sanctuary. This practice helps the children to get comfortable with the activities of the entire congregation in addition to making them feel like they are a part of the life of the Society.
After leaving the sanctuary, children and youth meet with their Religious Education teachers for approximately 45 minutes while the adults remain in the service. We offer nursery care for infants through preschoolers. Older children and youth meet in classrooms with age-appropriate Unitarian Universalist curricula. Adult members of the congregation serve as our religious education teachers.
Once a month the Director of Religious Education, Rina Shere, and our minister, Rev. Colin Bossen, offer a multigenerational Sunday service and families worship together in the sanctuary. Multigenerational Sundays are family-friendly and the service is appropriate for all ages.
Each year the Religious Education committee works with the Director of Religious Education to choose curriculum for the different age groups. Our curriculum covers Unitarian Universalist history, heritage and philosophy. In 2011-2012 we are utilizing the Dr. Seuss curriculum with our 4-7 year-olds, the Toolbox of Faith curriculum with our 3rd – 5th graders, and Popcorn Theology with our youth group.
Our Philosophy
The philosophy of the Unitarian Universalist Society of Cleveland is to encourage the learning and living of the Unitarian Universalist Principles. We teach our children to be critical spiritual thinkers who seek out their own beliefs with the guidance of members, parents and teachers. We strive to help our children to feel welcome in both the Religious Education program as well as the larger congregational community.
The nature of Unitarian Universalism is one of spiritual growth. We encourage this growth through our Sunday services, through our community and through our Adult Education offerings. The Society offers a variety of classes and groups to meet the changing needs of our congregants. By having a variety of options we hope to offer something for all congregants to help them on their spiritual journeys.