Welcome to the First UU of Hunterdon County Religious Education Program

Our Mission:

Our Mission is to provide the youth of this fellowship a foundation based on UU principles, and a community dedicated to providing an environment in which spiritual awareness, tolerance, acceptance and personal growth can be nurtured and developed according to each child’s unique nature.

Classes, schedules and teachers:

The Fellowship year runs from September 9th through June 22nd of 2007/2008.

Sunday Services start in the Old Stone Church at 9 am and 11 am. Each service is one hour long. Religious Education classes are offered at both services in Dodd Hall, the building behind the church. Classes for pre-k through eighth grade are held at both services.

The RE Program starts on September 16th with a Harry Potter “Magic is in the Meaning” all ages event RE Events & Activities. Age group sessions start on September 23rd.

The schedule is made up of all ages special events and holiday celebrations and age group sessions using curriculum. Please see RE calendar for the yearly calendar. Please see curriculum for more information about the curriculum being used for the 2007/2008 RE program.

The schedule for age group sessions is as follows:

9 am

age grouping curriculum Team teachers/guides
Pre K - 1st grade — Spirit Play – Jane U., Nicole J., Jennifer N.

2nd - 4th grade — Small Group Ministry – Janice P.; Julianne T.; Holly G.

5th - 8th grade — Small Group Ministry – Wendy R., Deb F.

11 am
PreK - 3rd grade — Spirit Play — ; Kathyann N.; Pam B.

4th - 5th grade — Small Group Ministry — Susan M., Amy B.; Sarah A.

6th - 8th grade — Small Group Ministry – Kathleen C.; Louise G.; Everett L.

The PreK/K through Middle/Junior High groups have teaching teams. Each teaching team of three adults/older teens take turns facilitating classes. This year, classes require two facilitators: one of the team teachers and an assistant. Parents, other adult members and older teens are asked to volunteer as assistants.

The Senior High youth group has three advisors who rotate amongst themselves. Due to the sensitivity of some of the topics and discussions and a level of confidentiality, additional volunteers are not required. Guests may occasionally visit for certain topics. Please see Senior High youth group for more information.

Visitors:

Visitors are always welcome. If you are bringing younger children to RE classes for the first time, you may want to stay with them until they feel comfortable. On Sundays, Louan Minzner, Director of Religious Education, or a member of the RE committee, will be there to welcome you and your children and help direct them to their classes. You may want to attend a few times to get a feel for what the program is like. If you and your children decide FUUFHC fits your needs, Louan, or another member of the RE committee will provide you with a registration card.

There are no attendance requirements, even though we encourage regular attendance so that you and your children become comfortable and get the most out of what the program has to offer.

Newcomers are not asked to volunteer for at least six months to allow time for them to get acquainted with the fellowship and vice versa.

Registration forms:

Registration forms will be available at the RE booth on September 9th and will be handed out throughout the year as needed. If you plan on having your children in RE classes on a regular basis this year, please see that you fill out a form so that we have pertinent information and a record of their enrollment. Please fill the form out immediately and return to Louan Minzner or one of the team teachers.

Volunteer Opportunities:

This program is a cooperative effort and everybody is expected to help in one way or another. There are many ways to get involved: becoming a team teacher, assisting in a class, hosting or helping with a special all RE event, or bringing in needed items. Teaching experience is not required — only a willingness to share and learn and grow spiritually. Sign ups will be available at the RE booth on September 9th and will also be emailed, posted on the fellowship listserve and on the bulletin board in Dodd Hall.

Space and two services:

FUUFHC is in the process of expanding the facilities. Many people in the greater Hunterdon County area call us home, and as such, we are overflowing our existing space. The decision to go to two services was made over two years and with the input of a majority of FUUFHC members. Two services will allow FUUFHC to accommodate everyone better, especially children who do not do well with crowding or noise.

The RE committee:

The RE Committee chooses curriculum, sets policies, and plans special events each year. The committee is made up of the Director of Religious Education, the committee chair and three or four members.

Director of Religious Education: Please contact Louan Minzner to further discuss our program… re@hunterdonuu.org