Join the RE team

The Children and Youth Religious Education committee is looking for some new members. The committee now has four dedicated and knowledgeable members, John Faucett, Helen Mooney, Elizabeth Swope and Sherry Kraemer, chair. But, the committee would benefit from some new, and perhaps younger, participation.

The purpose of the CYRE committee is to support the religious growth of the UUCSF children and youth as they engage in a quest for truth and meaning and a life of purpose. The committee works closely with our very dedicated Director of Religious Education, Alice Springer, in the goal of creating a religious education program that builds on the wisdom of the past and interacts joyfully with the UUCSF community. Within this community we are all teachers of our children and youth.

If you would be willing to support the work of religious education in a more intentional way, please consider joining the committee in its work. The CYRE committee meets on the second Sunday of each month following the second service and child care can be available. You may contact either Alice Springer, DRE, or Sherry Kraemer sakraemer@mac.com if you are interested.

Sherry Kraemer

Religious Education for 2011-12

Each age group will have two teachers in the classroom each week. Parents are expected to assist on a rotating basis in RE class rooms (this can be in their children’s or in other classes.) Safety guidelines require two teachers/assistants in each classroom each week. Some classes may require additional assistance from time to time.

Teens are invited to participate as nursery or class room assistants during the 9:30 hour and then can attend their own classes during the 11:00 program time.

9:30

Nursery (infants through young pre-schoolers) – cuddling, rocking and playing as appropriate for each child.

Nursery and Preschool Assistance Needed

Just last Sunday, due to family emergencies, our well-loved nursery coordinator, Kathryn Leahey, resigned. We are not yet certain when we will try to hire a permanent person to care for our nursery children, but in the meantime, we are looking for some regular volunteers, who will join parents in a rotation of duties.

Our needs are at both the 9:30 and 11:00 service times and currently include children from ages 2 to 4. Youth with childcare experience are welcome to volunteer to assist as well. We staff all of our classrooms with a team of two and this is especially important with our youngest children. If you are interested in helping out at either service, please contact Alice Springer at the office dre@uusantafe.org or 982-9674 ext. 11.

Spirit Play (older pre-school through grade 6) Spirit Play: Our UU stories, holidays, world community, science and nature, etc. Montessori based. Activities include a core story followed by art and other extension activities that children choose to deepen their understanding of the story. The teachers are Sherry Kraemer and Holly Kinley, with assistance by parents.

11:00

Nursery (infants through young toddlers) – cuddling, rocking and playing as appropriate for each child. Supervised by Kathryn Leahey, our Nursery Coordinator.

Roadrunners (pre-school) – Activities will include a core story followed by art and other activities that children choose. Themes will include seasonal cycles and celebrations, family, the world around us and Unitarian Universalist rituals, songs and words for the very young. Led by a rotating team of Dan and Lynette Guevara, Helen Mooney, Lisa Flynn and Melanie Moon.

Cats (grades K-3) – Spirit Play: Using UU stories, holidays, world community, science and nature, etc. this Montessori based curriculum includes a core story followed by art and other extension activities that children choose to deepen their understanding of the story. Led by Mary Ellen Gonzales and Judith Newman.

Caiman Lizards (grades 4/5/6 ) – As a follow up to last year’s study of the Hebrew and Christian Bibles, we will first survey both Judaism and Christianity and then learn about three additional religions of Islam, Buddhism and Hinduism. We hope to make some visits to faith communities in Santa Fe as well as read from the sacred texts and learn about important holidays and teachings. All World Religions study takes place within the context of Unitarian Universalism. The teachers are Cynthia Kelley, David Thompson and Bill Austin.