Religious Education Programming
This year our R.E. program will combine the use of both standard curriculum and theme-based ministry.
Standard Curriculum: The focus this year is Unitarian Universalism.
Early Elementary Class – “Faithful Journeys”
Faithful Journeys is structured around our seven UU principles and explores how Unitarian Universalism translates into life choices and everyday actions. Children will learn about how people from our faith heritage and contemporary communities whose actions have expressed their faith and our principles. Children will have the opportunity to recognize and develop their own capacity to be agents for positive change in the world.
Late Elementary / Early Middle School Class – “We Believe”
We Believe centers on the seven UU principles with each principle covered in-depth three times during the church year. Each session begins with a gathering activity and continues with a time for participants to explore what they already know about the session’s theme. Then follows a story and an activity related to the theme. Finally, there comes an opportunity to put the ideas of the session to work in an active and intentional way – to live our principles.
High School Class – “Heresy Apparent”
Heresy Apparent aims to provide youth with an opportunity to learn about the theological and historical roots of Unitarian Universalism as well as the lives and accomplishments of famous adherents of the seven principles. The curriculum uses secret identities and tasks to expose youth to discussions and activities that will encourage spiritual growth. The class discussions are often dictated by the current interests and needs of the participants.
Theme-based ministry
Through the theme-based ministry model, children, youth and adults alike explore in-depth a different theme each month. Theme based ministry helps create multi-generational connections as people of all ages explore common themes in age-appropriate ways. Children will explore the monthly theme at Bradford during the Story for All Ages on select Sundays, during the opening worship other Sundays. The monthly themes are also incorporated in special R.E. programs such as the monthly R.E. potluck and Coming of Age program.
Standard Curriculum: The focus this year is Unitarian Universalism.
Early Elementary Class – “Faithful Journeys”
Faithful Journeys is structured around our seven UU principles and explores how Unitarian Universalism translates into life choices and everyday actions. Children will learn about how people from our faith heritage and contemporary communities whose actions have expressed their faith and our principles. Children will have the opportunity to recognize and develop their own capacity to be agents for positive change in the world.
Late Elementary / Early Middle School Class – “We Believe”
We Believe centers on the seven UU principles with each principle covered in-depth three times during the church year. Each session begins with a gathering activity and continues with a time for participants to explore what they already know about the session’s theme. Then follows a story and an activity related to the theme. Finally, there comes an opportunity to put the ideas of the session to work in an active and intentional way – to live our principles.
High School Class – “Heresy Apparent”
Heresy Apparent aims to provide youth with an opportunity to learn about the theological and historical roots of Unitarian Universalism as well as the lives and accomplishments of famous adherents of the seven principles. The curriculum uses secret identities and tasks to expose youth to discussions and activities that will encourage spiritual growth. The class discussions are often dictated by the current interests and needs of the participants.
Theme-based ministry
Through the theme-based ministry model, children, youth and adults alike explore in-depth a different theme each month. Theme based ministry helps create multi-generational connections as people of all ages explore common themes in age-appropriate ways. Children will explore the monthly theme at Bradford during the Story for All Ages on select Sundays, during the opening worship other Sundays. The monthly themes are also incorporated in special R.E. programs such as the monthly R.E. potluck and Coming of Age program.
