June 9th Religious Education Presentation - A Big Hit!

The June 9 religious education presentation was a hit. From wild beasts pursuing a young damsel, intrepid mountaineers surviving blinding blizzards, and wise seekers sharing with us some of the wisdom of the world’s religions, all the children did a terrific job. The Golden Rule is truly a universal concept:  fairness, kindness and respect are the underpinnings of all successful societies. Our first principle, the inherent worth and dignity of all individuals, echoes this truth. I'd also like to repeat my appreciation for all the RE instructors and assistants. Your dedication and energy made the World Religions curriculum a wonderful success for the kids.

After the rigors of rehearsal and performance, we kicked back and had a picnic at Thorn Creek Nature Preserve. As you can see from the pictures, we had some adventures along the trail. We saw a herd of deer, heard and sometimes felt mosquitoes, and smelled wild onions. Our group became separated, so we had tales to tell when we all got back to the picnic area  for our lunch. It was a great way to put an exclamation point on our studies this year.

During the summer, the RE program will have a more relaxed format. There will always be a class or activity for the children to participate in. So if you have friends who have children, please invite them to be with us on Sunday morning. It will be a great way for them to get to know us. Come September, we’ll be starting our study of the principles and beliefs of Unitarian Universalism. This curriculum will explore not only our history but also how our beliefs and principles guide our everyday behavior. I'm looking forward to it. I think it will be of benefit for everyone involved.

Religious education at UUCC is expanding its scope to include all ages, following our principle of promoting the responsible search for truth and meaning. During the summer, we will be conducting surveys of the congregation, asking what programs you would like the church to sponsor and support. These could be theological in nature, but not necessarily. They could also be artistic, physical, or simply social. Once we know the interests of the congregation, we’ll figure out what structures and facilitators will be required. We hope to open these programs to the general public as well, so we can reach out to the wider community.

Have a happy and safe Fourth of July!    ~Dan

 

 

 

You might be a UU and not know it!

Unitarian Universalism in 30 seconds!

 



“Unitarian Universalism is a liberal religion born of the Jewish and Christian traditions. We keep our minds open to the religious questions people have struggled with in all times and places.

“We believe that personal experience, conscience, and reason should be the final authorities in religion. In the end religious authority lies not in a book, person, or institution, but in ourselves. We put religious insights to the test of our hearts and minds.

“We uphold the free search for truth. We will not be bound by a statement of belief. We do not ask anyone to subscribe to a creed. We say ours is a non-creedal religion. Ours is a free faith.

“We believe that religious wisdom is ever changing. Human understanding of life and death, the world and its mysteries, is never final. Revelation is continuous. We celebrate unfolding truths known to teachers, prophets, and sages throughout the ages.

“We affirm the worth of all women and men. We believe people should be encouraged to think for themselves. We know people differ in their opinions, choices, and affections, and we believe these differences generally should be honored.

“We seek to act as a moral force in the world, believing that ethical living is the supreme witness of religion. The here and now and the effects our actions will have on future generations deeply concern us. We know that our relationships with one another, with diverse people, races, and nations, should be governed by justice, equity, and compassion.”

*from “We Are Unitarian Universalists” by Rev. Marta Flanagan.

---

Our Seven Principles

These seven principles form the cornerstone of Unitarian Universalist beliefs:

• The inherent worth and dignity of every person
• Justice, equity and compassion in human relations
• Acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth in our congregations
• A free and responsible search for truth and meaning
• The right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within our congregations and in society at large
• The goal of world community with peace, liberty, and justice for all
• Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part.