Religious Education Programs for Children and Youth
The lifespan religious education program at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Atlanta encourages everyone to develop skills for a lifelong journey of religious exploration. We provide opportunities to learn about and experience our Unitarian Universalist principles and sources in a safe environment. Our balanced program provides opportunities in five central aspects of congregational life:
Family Ministry Teams
Family Ministry Teams engage all parents with children enrolled in Religious Education classes and childcare and are designed to actively support the work of our cooperative program. All families registering children automatically become active members of the Family Ministry Team, joining in fellowship with others to support classes and special events by donating time and energy. The Family Ministry Team provides a wonderful way to meet new people and strengthen the bonds of friendship within our faith community. Just as importantly, the Family Ministry Team insures that programs run smoothly and that special events take place without a hitch.
The Children’s Religious Education Ministry Team provides guidance and support to dedicated Class Leaders from each class. Class Leaders provide opportunities for community building and oversee planning and organization of class projects and regularly communicate with Parents. Parents work within this support network to strengthen community and accomplish specific class projects each year. UUCA Community includes the entire adult community, which serve as teachers, advisors, mentors, and special support. Step-by-step guidance and support is provided to ensure success! Parents understand their level of commitment for the year and work together to accomplish their class projects. This allows parents to better manage their commitment to the Religious Education program and helps distribute the work of the program to many, rather than a few.
Goals of the Family Ministry Team
- Parents, children and youth have opportunities to build meaningful relationships with each other via intentional conversations, social gatherings and community service projects that take place outside of busy Sunday mornings.
- Parents understand their shared role in participating in the RE program.
- Lay leaders are mentored, find a sense of purpose and place in the RE community, and are actively engaged in events.
- Volunteer duties and responsibilities are shared by many rather than carried out by few.
- Succession planning is the norm to increase volunteer satisfaction and to constantly energize the RE Program.
- Parents of youth who have graduated from the program are re-engaged over time to serve as ambassadors or “witnesses” of the program.
- Parents understand their role as primary religious educators knowing the children are only in RE classes a maximum of 38 hours in a year if they attend every RE class during the school year and during the summer.