From the Minister

Let me begin by saying how  much I am looking forward to a new year of Religious Education at Murray Church. As Unitarian Universalists we believe that religious education is a life long process, as each of us continues to grow and to realize the spiritual dimensions to our lives.

We begin this process in our earliest years. It is so important, I believe, that our youngsters make their beginnings in an atmosphere of openness, where their questions are honored. Here they are encouraged to reflect upon the wide range of experiences which make up their daily lives. In ways that are developmentally appropriate, they are encouraged to become aware of the natural and social world in which they live, and their responsibility to it. They explore our cultural and religious heritage and experience different ways of being religious in our world, as they begin to shape their own.

William Ellery Channing, the great nineteenth century Unitarian, wrote words which still speak today. He said,

"The great end in religious instruction is not to stamp our minds upon the young, but to stir up their own; Not to make them see with our eyes, but to look inquiringly and steadily with their own; Not to give them a definite amount of knowledge, but to inspire a fervent love of truth;…In a word, the great end is to awaken the soul, to excite and cherish spiritual life."

This is Unitarian Universalist way. And it happens, here, in a religious community of love and support, as we explore and celebrate together. For here is a community with time and concern, a community with the spaces and resources to sort out values and beliefs and to act upon them. It is a place where all of our members are "teachers."

Religious education is the heart of Unitarian Universalism.

I look forward to this new  year growing together.

Sandra D. Fitz-Henry

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  From the Director of Religious Education

  As the new church year unfolds, we will continue many of our wonderful Murray traditions and begin a few new traditions too.

The religious education of our young people is a joint effort of families and the church community. We strive to ensure that all of our children and teens feel safe and nurtured as they explore their spirituality.

The religious education program at Murray Church is designed to impart to our young a strong foundation of Unitarian Universalist heritage and principles, in depth knowledge of our Judeo-Christian heritage, and a thoughtful examination of world religions. We also work together to help our children make responsible ethical and moral choices as they mature.

Religious education need not end when one reaches maturity. Our religious education here at Murray Church is designed to encourage religious exploration for adults too. Through curricular offerings, the reading group, small group ministry, and discussion groups, adults have the opportunity to continue their own quests for a greater understanding of the world in which we live.

We hope you will find both intellectual and spiritual growth within the Murray community.

Nan Loggains

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Religious Education Committee Members
 

Beverly Hall, Governor, Ex Officio Member Janet Richardi, Moderator, Ex Officio Member The Rev. Sandra Fitz-Henry, Ex Officio Member Nan Loggains, Director of Religious Education, Ex Officio Member Rick Millard, Chair Jess Brien Mike Casstevens Cathleen DeSimone Pam Dumont Karen Frink Vanessa Wehmeyer

If you would like to get in touch with one of the committee members, please refer to the Church Directory or contact the Church Office at 508-222-0505 or via email murray.ch@verizon.net  

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Our Mission Statement

We provide a safe, nurturing and fun environment for the Murray Youth Community to explore and celebrate Unitarian Universalist principles and values.

We serve the entire church community in collaboration with the Director of Religious Education by offering programs that support spiritual growth and affirm diversity of belief.

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  Our Goals

We want to provide an environment that makes children feel part of the church community, where they are welcome and valued for who they are.

We want our children to feel part of the Unitarian Universalist tradition.  

We want to teach our children the tenets of the church so they can articulate what it means to be a UU.   We want our children to be proud that they are part of this liberal faith.

We want our children to know that they can use ideas from other faith traditions and blend them into a personal theology.  

We explore other religious faiths and cultures so our children may develop tolerance and appreciation for ideas and people that are not part of their everyday life.  

We want our children to develop a social responsibility consciousness.   We want them to know that there are people and causes out in the world that cry out for assistance and that they can and should reach out.

We want our children to have a place to think and talk about life’s issues such as sexuality, violence, peace, the environment, and mortality.

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Our Unitarian Universalist Principles
(Children’s Version)

 

That each and every person is important. That all people should be treated fairly. That our churches are places where all people are accepted and where we keep on learning together. That each person must be free to search for what is true and right in life. That everyone should have a vote about things that concern them. In working for a peaceful, fair, and free world. In caring for our planet earth.

From Beginning Unitarian Universalism
By  Helana Chapin and Mary Ann Moore

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BEHAVIOR GUIDELINES FOR
MURRAY UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST CHURCH

Safety is First

• Leave classroom or building only with permission and appropriate supervision.
• Rough play and running are not appreciated inside church.
• We do our best to look after one another.

1. WE BELIEVE THAT EACH PERSON IS IMPORTANT.

• Speak and act with respect for classmates, teachers, and all members of the congregation, and for oneself.

2. WE BELIEVE THAT ALL PEOPLE SHOULD BE TREATED FAIRLY.

• Share or pass when it’s your turn.
• Listen and wait during others’ turns.

3. WE BELIEVE THAT OUR CHURCH IS A PLACE OF ACCEPTANCE AND GROWTH.

• Participate with enthusiasm (or give it a try!).
• Include everyone in activities and planning.
• Make an effort to come – your teacher has.
• Friends are welcome. Let them know the rules.
• Our worship space is special. Please treat it so.

4. WE BELIEVE THAT EACH PERSON MUST BE FREE TO SEARCH FOR UNDERSTANDING AND FOR WHAT IS GOOD AND RIGHT.

• There are times to cooperate and times to work independently.
• Put-downs and name-calling are not called for.

5. WE BELIEVE THAT EACH PERSON SHOULD HAVE A VOTE FOR WHAT CONCERNS HIM OR HER.

• Share your ideas.
• Express criticism constructively and politely.

6. WE BELIEVE IT IS OUR TASK TO MAKE THE WORLD A PLACE THAT IS PEACEFUL, FAIR AND FREE.

• Do your best to get along with others and to be helpful.
• Ask for help from an adult when you need it.
• Respond appropriately to adults or older kids who give reminders about behavior.

7. WE BELIEVE IN CARING FOR OUR ENVIRONMENT.

• Help clean up.
• Be careful with our space, furniture and materials.
• Use only what you need.

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Adult Volunteers

Our Church School is a cooperative.   We depend entirely on adult volunteers for our staffing needs.  All parents and guardians are expected to contribute their time to the Religious Education program.

We have the following opportunities for your involvement:

Teachers:  Teaching is a wonderful way to learn about Unitarian Universalism, our Judeo-Christian heritage, and World Religions.  Teachers are provided with all necessary curricula, materials, and support.  A teacher orientation and get-together is held each September.

One adult Religious Education Sunday Assistant (RESA) is needed to assist in the RE wing every Sunday.  It is expected that every parent will volunteer at least once during each church year.

Chaperones and drivers are needed for field trips and sleepovers.

Bakers and cooks are needed for Teacher Appreciation breakfasts.

Musicians, storytellers, and readers are needed for both the Moment for All Ages in the Sanctuary and during Youth Worship in the Unity Room.

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  General Information

Church School meets Sunday Mornings from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m.

All children and families will begin every Sunday morning in the Sanctuary.  Gathering weekly as a church family strengthens the bonds of our intergenerational community.  By being together each week and participating together in opening rituals of chalice lighting, words and song of affirmation, we are affirming together the worth and dignity of each person.  Intergenerational presentations, Moment for All Ages, will be offered frequently as part of our time together in the Sanctuary.

Children will meet briefly each Sunday morning in the Unity Room after sanctuary time.  The youth worship in the Unity Room will include a chalice lighting, children’s joys and concerns, and a short meditation.   After the youth worship, children will meet together in their Sunday School classes and teens will meet for Youth Group.  Teens attend the church service once a month and during intergenerational Sunday services. 

Childcare is provided in the Nursery each Sunday morning during the worship service for babies and toddlers. 

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  Adult Religious Education Program

The Adult Religious Education Program provides a forum for the minister and members of the congregation to conduct courses or lead discussion groups focused on spiritual growth and social relationships from a Unitarian Universalist perspective.   Course materials are available from the Unitarian Universalist Association, Murray Church, or can be developed by the leader and participants.   If you are interested in offerings in the current church year, in leading a group, or helping to organize the Adult Religious Education Program, contact the DRE.

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Nursery
(Babies and Toddlers)

Babies and toddlers up to and including three years of age can be registered for care in the Nursery.

Please bring a diaper bag each week with spare diapers and a change of clothes.

No attempt is made to conduct a structured program for children of this age.  We have, however, set the following goals for children of this age group:

• good physical care is provided
• toddlers are played with, read to, and kept as happy as possible
• parents or guardians are encouraged to stay with children until they are familiar with the sitter and the nursery.

Childcare is available in Nursery on Sundays from 9:50 a.m. to 11;10 a.m..

For parents wishing to keep their babies and toddlers with them during the service, the John Murray Room, located directly across from the rear of the Sanctuary, is available if they become restless.   The church service can be heard in the John Murray Room.

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Dress Code

Come as you like!  Since we are busy and sometimes creatively messy, play clothes are acceptable.  If your children enjoy wearing dress clothes, we encourage them to bring along a smock for arts and crafts, and play shoes for outdoor activities.

Children and young teens in kindergarten through eighth grades will be enrolled in one of four classes: Kindergarten-First-Second, Third-Fourth, and Fifth-Sixth-Seventh.

All of our young people in first through seventh grade will study and explore Unitarian Universalism during the current church year.  Each age group will be using the UUA curriculum, We Believe.   We Believe was carefully designed to include developmentally appropriate materials for all age levels.

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Registration

We ask families to enroll each child, infant through college, by filling out the Family Registration Form.  Forms will be available in the Unity Room during registration after church on the first two Sundays of the church year.  Forms are also available throughout the year in the Religious Education Office.  There is a small fee to participate in our Religious Education program. The fee may be waived if circumstances make it difficult.

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Offertory

To establish habits of stewardship and giving, an offertory basket is passed each week during Youth Worship.  Money collected is used for gifts to the church or donations to charitable organizations.

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Attendance

We strongly recommend regular attendance in our program.  Regular attendance helps to build our youth’s community, provides continuity within the group, and fosters a true sense of belonging.  Children and teens are expected to be in classes or with their parents in the sanctuary.  We have an exciting year ahead.  We hope that the youth of our church will enjoy their Sunday mornings at Murray Church

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Sunday School Classes

Preschool

Here at Murray Church, we have an open enrollment for the preschool class.  Open enrollment allows any child to join the preschool class throughout the year.  A child generally joins the preschool class when he or she turns three years of age. The preschool class is designed for three and four year olds.  This year the preschool class will use the popular Unitarian Universalist curriculum, Chalice Children.   This curriculum provides preschoolers with experiences and opportunities to grow in trust and caring and to develop their self-identity and sense of connectedness with all of life.

First through Seventh Grades

Children and young teens in kindergarten through eighth grades will be enrolled in one of four classes: Kindergarten-First-Second, Third-Fourth, and Fifth-Sixth-Seventh.

All of our young people in first through seventh grade will study and explore Unitarian Universalism during the current church year.  Each age group will be using the UUA curriculum, We Believe.   We Believe was carefully designed to include developmentally appropriate materials for all age levels.

High School Youth Group
(Grades 8-12)

The High School Youth Group meets regularly during the Sunday School hour.  Youth Group members explore religion and spirituality, participate in service projects, and plan and attend outings.  This year eighth graders are invited to join the Youth Group.   

Our Whole Lives (OWL)
(Grades 7 to 9)

Unitarian Universalism has a long tradition of quality sex education.  OWL will be taught again during the 2008-2009 church year. 

OWL is based on the philosophy of comprehensive sexuality education, which helps participants make informed and responsible decisions about their sexual health and behavior.  It articulates liberal spiritual values which can equip youth with accurate information in human development, relationships, personal skills, sexual behavior, sexual health, and society and culture.  Grounded in a holistic view of sexuality, OWL provides not only the facts about anatomy and human development, but also helps youth to clarify their values, build interpersonal skills and understand the spiritual, emotional, social, and political aspects of sexuality as well.

Intersession
(Preschool – 8th Grade)

During December and early January, and during late May and June there will be special programming each Sunday morning in lieu of regular Sunday School classes.

Special Needs

We at Murray Church strive to make religious education an enjoyable experience for all of our children.  However, our teachers are all volunteers and do not have training in special education.  Parents of children with moderate or severe special needs are expected to remain in the classroom with their child during Sunday School.  

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