Children’s Religious Exploration

“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;

In a word, the great end is to awaken the soul, to excite and cherish spiritual life.”

– William Ellery Channing

After having the Religious Exploration (RE) program on hiatus for a few years as the congregation determined how best to run an RE program in a post-COVID world, we are happy to announce its return starting on October 6th, 2024!

To register your child(ren) and/or youth for RE, please fill out this form.

Our goal is to create a robust program that prepares our children and youth for the joys and challenges of life through the study and practice of our Unitarian Universalist faith. Children  participating in the RE program have opportunities to learn about world religions and the history of our faith, to serve our local and world community, and to develop a deeper understanding of the Core Values of Unitarian Universalism (Interdependence, Pluralism, Justice, Generosity, Equity, and Transformation, all rooted in Love).

As part of a non-creedal religion, our RE program stresses the importance of developing one's own understanding of – and relationship with – faith, community, spirituality and the holy.  Questioning and open discussion are encouraged.  Participants can expect to take part in a variety of activities, including arts, crafts, music, discussions, service projects, and occasional field trips.

How the RE Program works:
On Sunday mornings, all children begin the service with their parents/guardians in the Sanctuary. After the children’s focus (usually a story or lesson given by the Religious Education Coordinator) they head off to their classrooms.

The RE program runs from September through early June and is open to children grades kindergarten through high school. Children and youth meet each Sunday morning at the church during the regular service time.

Children under the age of 3 are welcome to stay with their parents in the Sanctuary during the service. We also have an unstaffed nursery in which children are welcome to play, supervised by their parents/guardians. A speaker and windows in the nursery allow parents to listen to the service while watching their children.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding Religious Exploration at our church, please contact our Religious Education Coordinator, Sam McCune: auburnuudre@gmail.com