RE Programs for 2022-23
Our 2022-23 Programming
We will begin the church year with two Sundays of Multigenerational Worship services, meant to welcome back the whole church family to Follen. The next Sunday, September 25, will bring special guest Kemp Harris to our young people for music and storytelling which will honor our desire to live into the adoption of the Eighth Principle, which was adopted by our congregation at the 2022 Annual Meeting.
Beginning on the first Sunday of October, we’ll offer Nursery plus three groups of Religious Education programs on Sunday mornings. Starting at 10:30am, young people will attend the first part of the service (about 10-15 minutes) before being dismissed to their classrooms.
Nursery – loving care for children up to about 3 years of age. These children will often move between the nursery the the “Chalice Kids” program next door
Chalice Kids (Preschool-2nd grades) – We’ll introduce the principles of Unitarian Universalism through our literature-based curriculum “Stories for Little UU’s.” Youngsters will hear stories, learn rituals, sing, play, and create while the treasures of our faith are celebrated.
Middles Class (Grades 3-5) : Our curriculum Super Hero Academy uses the unique vehicle of comic book heroism to discover the values of our UU faith
Uppers Class (Grades 6-8): UU Sources is a program that deepens youth’s understanding of the diverse world in which they live. It seeks to broaden their knowledge of humanity and embolden their spiritual search, while comparing and contrasting what they learn to our Unitarian Universalist faith. Possible themes will include Hinduism, Quakerism, Paganism, Transcendentalism, Science , as well as returning to Judaism to prepare a Seder for the congregation in April.
Youth Programming!
Follen Unitarian Universalist Youth, or “FUUY” (pronounced like “Phooey”) – The Senior High Youth Group will kick-off on Sunday, September 18 from 6:30-8:30pm. Our teens need to connect (or reconnect) and have fun as they determine how their values as Unitarian Universalists fit into the way we live our lives during these unusual times! Plans are in the works for a weekend retreat in New Hampshire over Indigenous People’s Day weekend. We are also exploring the possibility of a Social Justice Learning trip over spring break.
More information to come as our Youth Advisory Committee meets in early September. General information about the FUUY Youth Program can be found HERE.
Coming of Age (COA) Program for 10th Graders – Planning is still in progress. For more information about the COA program, visit the COA Information Page HERE.
Our Whole Lives (OWL) Sexuality Education for 8-9th Graders – We are now accepting registrations for the Fall start up of the Our Whole Lives class, which take place on Thursdays, from 7-9:00pm beginning on October 13. A mandatory orientation is required for parents of OWL participants. Please visit our Our Whole Lives information page HERE for general info and updated information about the 2022-23 plans for OWL.
Register your Children Today!
Parents – Be sure to register your children and teens NOW in order to give us time to prepare for their participation in our program! Remember- registration is not a hard and fast commitment for weekly attendance, but rather a show intention to be involved in Follen’s RE community as you feel safe and comfortable having your child participate.
We know the choices families are making right now are not easy. Thank you for continuing to engage in our community, however, you are able to right now. You’re all doing a spectacular job navigating through these challenges. Please know that Follen is here for you and yours!