Religious education for children, youth and adults in Mill Creek follow the UU standards by encouraging independent thinking, promoting feelings of self-worth, enhancing spiritual growth, and fostering responsibility and caring for one another and the earth.

Programs for all ages offer opportunities to learn about our UU heritage, as well as those of other traditions. Sunday Forums consider social and political issues in our community and the world at large.

The web pages describing our programs for children and youth refer to the 2004-2005 church year.

UU Principles in Language for Children

• We believe that each person is important
• We work to make the rules fair for everybody
• In our church and community, we trust one another and we promise to help one another
• We believe that each person must be free to search for what is true and right in life
• When we discuss something, we listen to what each person wants to say
• We believe in working for a peaceful, fair, and free world
• We love and respect the earth and all the plants and animals

(You can also see the UU Principles in language for adults.)

Our Commitment to Children and Youth

Liberal religious education is truly the cornerstone for most of our Unitarian Universalist congregations. During this century Unitarians and Universalists contributed two of the most important figures, indeed pioneers, in the arena of education for the church. Sophia Lyons Fahs, a Unitarian, and Angus MacLean, a professor at St. Lawrence Theological School and a Universalist minister, both wrote books and developed materials that had a major influence on the Sunday School movement and were used across many denominations.

From the influence of these educators over fifty years ago, we have come to identify our goals for the children in our congregations today. Rather than focus purely on facts, we desire that our youth develop a positive sense of self and learn to value all people; we teach respect for different faiths while emphasizing the merits of our free faith; we encourage social concern and responsibility. As Sophia Fahs stated: "We believe it is important from what beliefs we mold our action. We believe it is even more important how we determine our beliefs and with what sincerity we keep them."

Here at the UUSMC, we seek no less than that the children in this community of faith know that they are loved and supported from their earliest years until they are ready to move into their roles as adults. We will continue to teach, in a safe and nurturing environment, that love, knowledge, honor, and justice are the birthright of all children.

- The Rev. Nancy Dean, Minister

Parents’ Responsibilities:

Since our program is cooperative in nature, it is expected that parents and guardians will participate on a teacher team as frequently as they are able after approximately one year of church membership. Parents and guardians may teach
in their own child(ren)’s class or another. Children and youth gain much from the many talents our adults have to share. All are welcome to visit the classes to learn more.

Parents and guardians are asked to pick up their children (through grade 6) from the classrooms by 11:50 to allow the teachers to close up the rooms and participate in the after-service socializing.

Parents are responsible for their children’s whereabouts and safety before class time and after 11:50.

For More Information:

Contact any of the following:
Minister: Rev. Nancy Dean ( minister@uusmc.org )
Acting Director of Religious Education: Stefanie Anderson ( dre@uusmc.org )
Religious Education Committee Chair: Judy Pappenhagen
Church phone: (302) 369-2712
Web Page: www.uusmc.org
 

Send mail to webmaster@uusmc.org with questions or comments about this web site.
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