ABOUT
THE CHILDREN’S RELIGIOUS EDUCATION PROGRAM
We
offer religious education for preschool through twelfth grade during the Sunday
service at 10:15 AM. Classes are
divided according to the school grade of the children. Each class uses a
carefully selected curriculum, except the senior youth group (grades 9-12).
Classes are taught by volunteers from the congregation.
Each class has four teachers; two of those teachers will be in the
classroom every week.
CLASS
TIMES
Classes
run one hour and fifteen minutes, beginning at 10:15 AM and ending promptly at
11:30.
This gives parents a few minutes to attend the coffee hour in the social
area following the adult service. Parents
are asked to pick up their children promptly so that teachers may join their own
families. Please do not ask your
children to meet you outside or in the social area.
All children should be picked up in the Religious Education space
downstairs both to assure their safety and to enable you to chat with their
teacher and other parents.
REGISTRATION
All
students from nursery through senior youth group must be registered.
This is important for insurance and medical reasons as well as to keep
you informed about our great program. You
do not have to be a member to register your child.
RE
Registration will be held the last three Sundays in September before and after
the worship service. We ask a
registration fee of $25.00 for one child and $40.00 for two or more children.
Visiting
forms are also available for visitors to the program.
Visiting families are welcome to bring their children to the program
while they “get acquainted” with it. Then,
if the children are attending regularly, parents will be invited to register
their children into the Program.
CIRCLE
TIME / CHILDREN’S WORSHIP
We
hope to help children develop an understanding of the concept of “sacred
space” and the importance of taking time each week for dedication,
introspection and celebration.
Two
Sundays each month, (usually the first and third Sunday) the children accompany
their parents and attend the first 20 minutes of the adult service.
A special story or program is usually featured at this time.
Children are then dismissed to their classrooms downstairs on these days.
On the alternate Sundays, our children will gather in
community downstairs for their own Children’s worship service
(which we call “circle time”) led by our Minister, our Director of
Religious Education, or members of the congregation.
It is a time for lighting the chalice, sharing joys and concerns, music,
stories and celebration. A
children’s offering is received to support a social welfare project chosen by
our children.
HOW
PARENTS AND GUARDIANS HELP
Parents are Expected to Help:
Join a teaching
team. Help with a social action project. Join the Religious Education Committee.
Volunteer opportunities are listed on the registration form. The success of our
program depends upon volunteers and their contributions. Let us know about your
specific talents, skills, or interests.
