Religious Education at UUCA has kicked off! We’d love for you to join us!
We are so excited to start this new year, though it looks different than we had imagined when we began planning last year. We have worked hard over the last few months to make a plan that we hope will help nurture the spirituality of our children, youth, and parents. We have simplified things significantly in response to the many complications and challenges that we are all facing. We are looking forward to continuing to foster connections while making time for fun and silliness!
Do I need to register? YES! This is how we know you still want to stay connected to UUCA this year and beyond. We use our registration list to communicate about both current and future offerings, including OWL and Coming of Age (once we can offer those programs again), youth group, parent groups, and home deliveries (a special feature we have planned this year). To register, use this link: Registration
What if my kids don’t plan to participate Sunday mornings very often? Even though this year will look different, we encourage your family to stay involved for some needed spiritual grounding and social connection. We would love to see you whenever you can make it.
Will this be like the typical (curricula based) RE classes that we normally have?
There will be spiritual elements to our virtual gatherings to help foster UU faith development and personal growth. There will also be an intentional focus on FUN, social and supportive connections, compassion, inspiration and justice – our UUCA core values.
Religious education for children and youth has been divided into 4 groups: PreK-3rd grade, 4th-6th grade, 7th-9th grade, and 10th-12th grade. Groups will typically meet 2 Sundays/month via Zoom: PreK-3rd & 10th-12th will meet on the first and third Sundays of the month and 4th-6th & 7th-9th will meet on the second and fourth Sundays of the month. Zoom links will be emailed weekly.
In addition to classic (virtual) RE, we will have other opportunities as well, possibly even some occasional small, safer in person gatherings for youth or adults. We will host Family Fun Nights via Zoom for fellowship and fun. Look for a special delivery of a “Church in a box” We also encourage families to “attend” multigenerational services together.
We also plan to offer more Faith Development for parents and caregivers. First up is an Anti Racist Parenting Zoom with Rev. Claudia. This is a follow up to the book group that met online over the summer. How are things going for you? What do you want to bring forward? We might have something to watch, listen or read…or we might not and just have a chance to check in together. This will take place on October 12 at 8 pm. RSVP to Jen at lreasst@uuasheville.org.
Kim is planning to offer the Parents and Caregivers as Sexuality Educators small group experience beginning in early November. Since we cannot offer Our Whole Lives for children and youth this year, we are offering this program to help equip parents and caregivers to have important conversations with their kids. You can find out more here: https://www.uua.org/families/sexuality-educators To find out more or sign up, email Kim at lrec@uuasheville.org.