Religious Education

Welcome to Olympia Brown Religious Education! We are thrilled to join you and your family on your UU journey.

While we understand that religious education takes place primarily in the home, we enjoy our time together on Sundays to start lessons that can be carried on throughout the week. Come join us and get involved today!

Children's Programming

Greetings from the Children's Program at OBUUC!
We have begun our summer journey and this year we're traveling around the world. So pack your suitcase (don't forget a toothbrush) and come join us as we explore many continents and countries all across our globe. In July we'll be traveling to Russia, Australia and Canada.

Registration
Registration is almost complete for the 2010-2011 school year, but there's ALWAYS ROOM for more! The year officially begins this summer so get those registration forms in ASAP. You can find a form in the left column at RE Registration Form. As of July 1st, all children will be required to have completed registration forms to participate in our program.

Chalice Camp
We will be holding our annual Chalice Camp this summer on August 23, 24, and 25. The program will be an Eco-Friendly Ecology Theme, so if you have lots of recyclable items you'd like to donate (plastic lids, containers or bottles, cardboard tubes or boxes or containers, etc.) feel free to drop them by any time. Details for this fun program is coming so stay tuned....
CHALICE CAMP REGISTRATION is $25 (scholarahips available) which includes a field trip to Discovery World. The FORM IS AVAILABLE - SEE THE LINK IN LEFT COLUMN Chalice Camp Registration Form!

Helping Hands Club Calling all children in Kindergarten through Middle School to join our Helping Hands Club, our social service group for kids which meets on the 3rd Sunday beginning September 19th. We will meet from 12:45 to 2:30 p.m. in George Bray Hall, lower level of the church.

Youth Programming

OBUUC Youth Ministry follows a nine-month-long curricular calendar that introduces important religious topics through story, discussion, crafts, and other activities.

Notice to Parents/Guardians Beginning this year, youth registration forms must be signed by parent/guardian before a child can participate in UU Teens and Youth Group. This means bringing friends to either group will change in the fall; any friends attending must also have a registration form signed by a parent/guardian before they can participate.

Sunday morning Middle School Learning group - UU Teens (UUTs): 11 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. in the Annex lower level - 419 Sixth Street.

High School Youth Group: 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. Sunday evenings in the Annex lower level - 419 Sixth Street.

UU Teens (UUTs): Grades 6-8
This younger youth group for sixth, seventh and eighth graders is concurrent with the Sunday morning
11 a.m. service. It runs one hour and 15 minutes, and meets in the Annex on 6th Street. Together they forge friendships, develop a sense of themselves as Unitarian Universalists, envision contributions to the larger community, and provide a safe and supportive space for one another as they reflect on their personal values and spiritual journeys, and enjoy events, social service projects, and overall good times.

Youth Group: Grades 9 - 12
The Youth Group's goal within our religious community is to:
- Provide a bridge between childhood and adulthood
- Facilitate discovery and appreciation of personal gifts and talents, a joy of living and a belief in life's potential in a setting which accepts diversity and exploration
- Identify what participants, as adults, will need from a church and why they would choose to be a part of one.

This group runs with the assistance and support of several adult advisors. Youth Group activities come in all shapes and sizes -- discussions, social service activities, "movies with a message," weekend retreats and social outings. Youth Group plans and presents Youth Sunday, an annual All Church Sunday with a theme of significance to the young people themselves. All activities involve adult advisors.
What's Happening? Newsletter is the monthly newsletter that is mailed to parents and teens to keep in touch. The current newsletter is also available by clicking on the link to the left.
Youth Group Calendar Click on the link at the left to see the dates and times of meetings, outings, overnights, Youth Cons, Life Cycle Trainings, and Affirmation Lessons.
Teaching Team Aides Often teens gain as much from guiding others as they would from enrolling in the Religious Education Program themselves. It is possible for kids participating in UU Tweens to help children in the Children's Program 1 or 2 Sunday mornings a month during the 11:00 service. Teens attending Youth Group on Sunday evenings can also help younger children in the Sunday morning Children's Programs during both services. Teen aides must be in grade seven or above and will participate in teacher training sessions. Interested teens should contact Leann Pomaville.
UU Teens & Youth Group Curriculum Click on the Curriculum link at the left for complete information on the variety of topics in the program for our youth.

Contact Youth Program Coordinator, Leann Pomaville. youth@obuuc.org

Adult Programming

Participation is open to OBUUC members and friends. Education for adults takes the form of a variety of classes and activities. Offerings are published in a Fall publication called "What's Going On," as well as flyers advertising these classes. Topics include such areas as religion and philosophy, personal development, social issues, arts, and excursions. Classes are often limited in size, so registration for classes in advance is routinely required. The Unifier newsletter and the Sunday morning order of service also include announcements of courses.

The church community is a place for personal growth and education, spiritual learning and expression, parent education, and support groups for people. Many of the exciting opportunities at OBUUC spring up and disappear as needed. The RE program tries to remain flexible and will listen to people's needs, crafting opportunities for families to get together around an issue. If you have an idea for such a group or activity (whether a short-term project or a long-term effort), please contact Leann Pomaville or a member of the RE Committee.

The New UU is a 3-part orientation program for new members and those interested in exploring membership or learning more about the UUA and our own Olympia Brown UU Church. It includes history, the operation of the local church, and the sharing of personal religious journeys. The course is offered three times a year. The next session is Sundays, September 12 at 5:30 p.m. with accompanying potluck dinner, and September 19 & 26, at 6:30 p.m. All three sessions will be held in the multipurpose room at the Annex - 419 Sixth Street. To register, send an email to membership@obuuc.org.