Children's Religious Education

Current Documents

Our Vision for the Program is expressed in these words:

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;

Not to form an outward regularity, but to touch inward springs.

Our Goals for Children's Religious Education

• To give our children the security of a caring liberal religious community.
   
• To give our children an understanding of the values expressed in the Unitarian Universalist Principles.
   
• To educate our children about world religions, stressing the common themes that run through different religious traditions.
   
• To draw upon traditional Jewish and Christian teachings which tell us to love our neighbours as ourselves.
   
• To encourage an open-minded, continuing search for truth, drawing upon humanist teachings which counsel us to heed the guidance of reason and the results of science.
   
• To help our children develop a personal philosophy that will enable them to make wise choices as they face the challenges of their lives ahead.
   
• To teach our children about social responsibility and help them feel they can make a positive difference in the world.
   

Our Religious Education Program

We meet on Sundays at 10.30am.   The children attend the adult service for the first ten or fifteen minutes, which include a childrenšs story or conversation.   They then go to their own rooms for approximately 50 minutes of learning and fun.   We have classes for children of ages four and up.   Babies and toddlers up to age three are well looked after by qualified babysitters.

The teachers of our children are enthusiastic volunteers from the congregation, most of whom have come to Unitarian Universalism as adults.   The curricula we use are published by the Canadian Unitarian Council, the Unitarian Universalist Association, and others.   The Childrenšs Religious Education Committee and the Director of Religious Education decide on the curricula for any one year.

In choosing a curriculum we consider the views of parents as well as the age and knowledge level of the children.   Our intention is that by attending regularly over a period of years children will receive a well-balanced religious education covering a variety of topics -- from world religions to humanism, and from Unitarian Universalist principles and history to peace-making.

Questions and Answers

What will my child's religious identity be?

In our religious education classes we identify ourselves as Unitarians (or Unitarian Universalists -- a matter of emphasis rather than difference).   All our curricula are based on the Principles of the Canadian Unitarian Council, which are (in language for children):

1. Each and every person is important.
    
2. All people should be treated fairly.
    
3. Our congregations are places where all people are accepted and we keep on learning together.
    
4. Each person must be free to search for what is true and right.
    
5. All should have a vote about the things that concern them.
    
6. We will work for a peaceful, fair and free world.
    
7. We will care for our planet earth.
    

The children learn about UU history, and the women and men who have exemplified the UU Principles in their lives.

What will my child learn . . .

. . . about God?

Many people think their lives are related to a much larger life force which they call God.   People the world over have varying ideas of what God is like.   We share many of these ideas with our children, and encourage them to develop their own.   Our children also learn that belief in God is not essential for the living of a good and meaningful life.
 

. . . about Jesus?

We teach our children about the life and times of Jesus, so far as these are known, and the impact of his ministry.   They learn that Jesus was a loving human teacher who helped people understand each other and be kind to one another.   In following the ideals of love, peace and forgiveness taught by Jesus (among other wise leaders) we make the world a better place in which to live.
 

. . . about the Bible?

We understand the Bible as a collection of books telling about the early days of the Jewish people, their ideas about God, the teachings of Jesus, and what some of his followers said about him.   We do not teach the Bible as the only Word of God; rather, Bible stories are used to teach a lesson and to acquaint our children with their Jewish and Christian heritage.
 

. . . about world religions?

Our children learn about the scriptures, deities, holy days and customs of a variety of world religions, including Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism, and Native North American teachings.   Through these studies we hope to show the children that there are many spiritual paths to truth and meaning and that no one path works for everyone.
 

WE WELCOME NEWCOMERS, INCLUDING CHILDREN!

Our Sunday Services begin at 10.30am.   For more information, phone our Director of Religious Education, Sherry Lawlor-Alexander at 519-742-0432.  For service details, see Saturday's Kitchener-Waterloo paper, The Record, or visit the "Services" page.