RELIGOUS EDUCATION COMMITTEE

2001-2002 Annual Report

 

Average Attendance

Fall: 94 Children 26 Adults  Spring: 80 Children 23 Adults

Registered

Students:  160

Teachers:  51 volunteers plus 2 paid staff for the

                   Baby/Toddler Room

Budget

$6,705

Special Projects

Raised $235.25 for American Veterinary Foundation. Collected $215 for UNICEF. 

Children made decorations for Meals on Wheels program.

Conducted food drive for Nashua Pastoral Care.

Music

Sandra LaBarge-Neumann led the Treble Choir.

New Curriculum

Traditions (With a Wink) was new for the 5th/6thgrade class. 

Committee Members Leaving

Judy Blachek, Kenna McLeod

New Committee Members

Amy Bucklin, Micheline Saunders

Continuing Committee Members

Aissa Arbogast, Stephanie Ballentine, Robert Bate,

Amy Evans (liaison to the Executive Board),

Marie Keifer (chairperson), Dorothy Komarek, and

Garvin Warner.

Audrey Kovacs will continue as the Volunteer Coordinator.

 

The Religious Education program at the Unitarian Universalist Church continues to be an exciting, dynamic part of the church life.  The Religious Education Committee identified the following goals it wanted to achieve during the year:  establish classroom traditions, such as chalice lighting and exposure to the UU principles; develop a sense of community within the classroom and the congregation; and enhance behavior/safety guidelines.  To meet the goals, posters of the children’s version of the UU principles have been placed in each classroom.  Each month, one principle is the focus for the Children’s Chapel.  A  ‘social’ was held for each class to provide an opportunity for families and teachers to get to know each other better.  The committee is continuing to review the ethics form and behavior policies currently in place.

 

Chris Parker, Director of Religious Education, provides the RE program with strong leadership.  She attended the following conferences and workshops during the year:  Star Island RE Conference; Conflict Resolution Workshop in Norwich, VT; Meadville-Lombard Winter Institute in Madison, WI; Tapate Workshop with Emily Burr and monthly DRE Cluster meetings in Concord.

 

The Senior High Youth Group continues to be active locally and in the district.  Monica Pate, Julia Rehberg, Heather DeLong, and Karen Lucas Hawver attended the Youth Leadership Development Conference.  The group held a car wash and raised $290 for the Red Cross.  They developed and presented a Youth Service.

 

Other activities for the RE program during the year included: a Pizza and Game Night for the RE teachers and their families; the Special Friends Service in March; and presentations by children and adults during the Thanksgiving and White Gifts services.

 

Respectfully submitted,

Marie Keifer – Religious Education Committee Chairperson