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Faith Development Program |
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Faith Development Program |
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Welcome! to the Faith Development Program at the Thoreau Congregation.
We've recently transitioned from a Religious Education focused program to the UUA's "Faith Development" model. This model strongly encourages and supports intergenerational participation in the process. The congregation does not just have educational programs; the church becomes an educational program in and of itself.
Our comprehensive program reflects the value we place on their faith
development and the idea of faith development as a shared journey.
What an inviting and exciting concept!
We love and cherish our children and youth and find our own spiritual nourishment in joining them on the path. We hope you will enjoy our program!
CLASSES
Childcare: Available from 9 am to 12:30 pm for children under 4
Faith Development Classes:11:15 am. Children and youth begin in the sanctuary
and go to classes after a "Conversation With Children and Youth"
Chalice Children: (3, 4, 5 year olds)
12/7 – Helping Others – The children use the idea of someone being sick as a vehicle for identifying ways to help others.
12/14 – How Many Days Until Christmas? – The children focus on Christmas as the day Jesus was born; and learn that sometimes it is necessary to wait and prepare for good things.
12/21 – Intergenerational Service
12/28 – Candles for Winter Holidays – The children hear stories about winter celebrations with candles and make candle holders.
Moral Tales: (1 st – 5 th Graders)
12/7 – In Another's Shoes I – The children learn that an important part of acting out of goodness is to look at things from other perspectives than one's own.
12/14 – In Another's Shoes II – The children hear a story about two brothers and practice empathetic listening.
12/21 – Intergenerational Service
12/28 – Forgiveness I – The children concentrate on the importance of forgiveness and use sand to practice “letting go” of old hurts.
Compass Points: (Middle, High School)
12/7 – “Hospitality – That's Radical!” – The youth hear a story of radical hospitality and consider its implications for their religious journey and their lives.
12/14 – “Images of the Divine” – The youth consider the diverse images and ideas of a divine presence found around the world and in the popular culture.
12/21 – Intergenerational Service
12/28 – “Where Does Our Congregation Stand?” – The youth prepare and take a poll of the congregation to find out what members believe about God.
From Our Children and Youth
"Why I Come To Thoreau"
"People are nice and friendly."
"This is a place to be with friends."
"I get spirituality here."
"I can be more myself here."
"The environment is more comfortable than school."
"I can speak my mind without being looked at as being weird."
"A lot of the people here are my best friends."
"Even though I may not know you as well as my friends,
I can tell you things that I cannot tell my friends."
"This is an opportunity for spirited intellectual discussions."
"There is a diversity of personalities here -- I like the diversity."
"I come for the check-in."
"I come to hang out."
"I enjoy being with you, hearing about your lives, and then going away."
"This is a place to come back to."
