RE Curriculum Guide

TAPESTRY OF FAITH:

Embodying a faith development focus for our congregations, Tapestry of Faith is a series of programs and resources for all ages that nurture Unitarian Universalist identity, spiritual growth, a transforming faith, and vital communities of justice and love.

The Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) has created the first ever online lifespan curriculum for our congregations. Each program includes stories, activities, worship and social action ideas to nurture people in ethics, spirit, and faith. Every session features Taking It Home and Find Out More sections for families to explore at home. And parents can go online and read the curriculum that their children are experiencing in their congregation each week.

2012-2013 CLASSES:

Nursery: Infants and toddlers (under age 3)

Aides: Devon Hempe, Kelly Johnson-Sally, Emma Kubinski

For the youngest children, we provide warm, friendly care. We ask parents to stay with their children until they feel comfortable. Please pick up your children as soon as the service ends.

Three to Six Year Olds:
Leaders: Michele Maggio and Melissa Albanese with parent assistants

Wonderful Welcome: In this program, children identify intangible gifts central to Unitarian Universalism such as friendship, hospitality and fairness, and share these gifts with others.

Second and Third Grades
Leaders: Wendy Engelhardtand Margaret Sobel with parent assistants
Faithful Journeys: Equips children with language and experiences to develop and articulate a strong Unitarian Universalist faith identity. Through historic and contemporary stories of Unitarian Universalist faith in action.

Fourth and Fifth Grades
Leaders: Jennifer Kubinski and Suzanne Goldstein with parent assistants
Toolbox of Faith: Invites participants to reflect on qualities of our Unitarian Universalist faith, such as integrity, courage and love, as tools they can use in living their lives and building their own faith.

YOUTH PROGRAMS:

Sixth-Eighth Grades: Middle School
Leaders: Dan Dunmire, Vivian Viloria-Fisher 
Heeding the Call:Qualities of a Justice Maker  Youth are encouraged to view themselves as agents of change in the world as they develop qualities crucial to justice work. They reflect on their own lives while making connections to the lives lived by others, building self-awareness while growing as leaders. Includes a Justicemakers Guide to help youth track their activities outside the workshop and a long-term Faith in Action project to lead youth, step-by-step, in becoming allies to marginalized communities.  Middle-schoolers are also invited to attend two Metro NY Junior High retreats scheduled in the spring and the fall to get to know other Unitarian Universalist youth.

Ninth-Twelfth Grades: Senior High Youth
Youth Group Leaders: Melissa Elliott, Nancy Hunter, Harlan Loveless, Dixie Comeau and Linda Cortese with other UUFSB helpers
In these groups, young people meet and discuss topics ranging from current issues in Unitarian Universalism and other religions, to their spirituality. The Youth Group, which meets on Sundays twice a month from 5-7pm, has a youth worship and business meeting. They plan activities and social action projects within our Fellowship as well as in the community. Many youth also attend Metro NY CONs to spend time with other Unitarian Universalist Youth.

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UUCONNECT is a Long Island wide group of Unitarian Universalist families. Events are planned monthly throughout Long Island. In the past, these events have included: an apple-picking afternoon, a skating party, a Talent Show and Pasta Night, Picnics at Jones Beach and Eisenhower Park and an annual trip to New York City. Parents are required to attend with younger children. Senior High youth may attend on their own with parental permission. It is an excellent opportunity for our children and youth to meet other Unitarian Universalists.