Programs for Children and Youth
We welcome you and your family to Religious Education for Children and Youth at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation at Shelter Rock. Open to all, whatever your religious background, we provide fun, engaging structured learning and spiritual experiences appropriate to children's developmental stages and interests, grounded in the values represented by the Values and Inspirations of the Unitarian Universalist Association and the Covenant of this congregation. This is a community where questioning and curiosity are welcome, kindness is nourished, and opportunities for service to those in need are provided.
The theme for this year in Religious Education is UNDERSTANDING... Building upon the last two years' themes of Peace and Love, we will go on a journey of self-discovery to understand ourselves, to develop understanding between one another and learn from everyone's diverse experiences, and encourage a spirit of curiosity and understanding out in the wider world. These discoveries and more will be infused throughout the classroom experiences and processed in depth between all ages in Children's and Youth Worship in the Chapel led by Lifespan Religious Education Coordinator Carson Jones and RE Music Specialist George Weisman. Through multi-sensory methods such as storytelling, singing, art, dance, journaling, and playing instruments, we will deepen our understanding of how we can love, help, and create together in Beloved Community.
Here are the 2024-25 Religious Education Classes that your children and youth will experience this year:
Nursery (Newborns to 2-year-olds)
Pre-K (3 and 4-year-olds): Butterflies
Kindergarten: A Discovering Year
First Grade: Haunting House
Second Grade: Free to Believe
Third Grade: Feasts and Festivals
Fourth and Fifth Grade: Toolbox of Faith
Sixth and Seventh Grade: Crossing Paths, A World Religions Program
Eighth Grade: Coming of Age
Ninth Grade: Our Whole Lives
Ninth, Tenth, Eleventh, and Twelfth Grade: Senior Seminar
The Questing Year is taking a pause this year and will return in fall of 2025.
Once a month, we all gather together for Family Worship Services where we celebrate holidays and mark milestones at the Youth Worship Service, the Coming of Age Service, and the Bridging Ceremony.
The Young People's Choir, under the direction of George Weisman, gives young singers the opportunity to learn music that is shared with the congregation in the Worship Services, and the Jazz Ensemble is a multigenerational group of youth and adults that play during Worship conducted by Dan Pratt.
Service opportunities are available at all age levels as part of the curriculum and at special events, including fundraisers and social action out in the community.
Social events throughout the year include Game Nights, the annual Halloween Party, the Holiday Decorations Crafting Party, and the Bridging Picnic in the spring.
Please feel free to reach out to Lifespan Religious Education Coordinator Carson Jones at cjones@uucsr.org to have a conversation on how we can best serve your family.
We look forward to getting to know you and your family.
As we say each Sunday:
Love is the doctrine of this congregation, the quest for truth is its sacrament, and service is its prayer. To dwell together in peace, to seek knowledge in freedom, to serve human need – this do we affirm and covenant with each other.
For information on Religious Education (RE) programs, please contact:
Rev. Dr. Natalie Fenimore
Minister of Lifespan Religious Education
516.472.2918
nfenimore@uucsr.org