Introduction to our program

Welcome to the Lifespan Religious Education Program at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship ofCentre County! Our purpose is to minister to families on their faith development journeys. We do this through programming for religious education classes, YRUU, adult enrichment classes, Wonderful Soulful Wednesdays, Family Services, Lifespan Learning Hour, stories in the sanctuary on Sunday mornings, and intergenerational worship. We welcome your participation as seekers, learners, and teachers. Each of us has unique gifts and we encourage you to share your gifts with others so that they can benefit from your knowledge, just as you benefit from them.

On Sunday mornings, from 10:00am to 11:00am, children will be in their religious education classrooms. About once a month, there will be a story in the sanctuary, so the children in grades K-6 will go to the sanctuary from 10:00am to 10:15am to listen to the story. The calendar in the Parent Handbook will tell you where they will be on any given date. Children are part of the entire congregation, and their presence in the sanctuary reminds everyone that this is so. It also provides a time for the children to be with the Minister, and a time for families to worship together.

Your role, as parents and caregivers, is to reinforce at home what has been learned on Sunday mornings, support the teachers in the classroom by being classroom assistants, or volunteer to help with the many tasks that are necessary to strengthen the RE program, and model the Unitarian Universalist Principles in your lives for children to emulate. The members of the Religious Education Committee and me are available to assist you in any way that we can.

YRUU (Young Religious Unitarian Universalists) meets every Sunday from 11:30am to 12:30pm. Youth take turns bringing snacks. The youth determine their programming for the year with the help of their Youth Advisors. A balanced youth program includes components of leadership, learning, social activities, social justice work, and worship.

The Lifespan Learning Hour takes place on Sunday mornings from 11:30am to 12:30pm in the sanctuary and the classrooms. There is programming for every age. There is nursery and childcare for our youngest members, family programming, youth programming (YRUU), and adult programming. Descriptions of all the offerings can be found on the bulletin board in the lobby, on the website, in the e-news, and in the order of service on Sunday mornings. Many people are finding this extra time on Sunday mornings very rewarding.

Adult Enrichment classes are offered in the fall and spring, either at the Fellowship of at the Foxdale Retirement Community. Rev. Mark Hayes and Jean Wiant, CRE, DLRE, work together in developing the schedule of classes. Classes are posted on the bulleting board in the lobby, on the web site, and in the e-news. Check these locations early and often!

Wonderful soulful Wednesdays are on the 2^nd Wednesday of the month beginning with a potluck supper at 6pm, clean-up, and programming at 7:00pm. The programming includes something for every age, and is sometimes intergenerational. Please check the bulleting board in the lobby, e-news, and the web site for more details.

The Family Time/Service is held on the 3^rd Wednesday of the month beginning with a simple supper at 5:45pm, followed by either a worship service or an activity. The Family Service Planning Committee provides the meal. This activity is an opportunity for families to get to know each other in a very relaxed environment. We promise to finish the service or the activity by 7:00pm so that parents are able to get their children home and in bed at a reasonable hour. We encourage you to come early and regularly!

The early Christmas Eve Service (7:00pm) is an intergenerational worship service. Families of all sizes are invited to attend. There is usually an inspiring story, music of the season, and an important message for everyone to hear. Refreshments follow the service in the social room. It is a very festive time that you won�t want to miss!

We have worked very diligently toward building a faith development program that is lifespan and meets the needs of all the families at UUFCC. Each of you is in a family, whether it is a family of one person, or many. Please make every effort to participate to the fullest. We welcome your feedback about any program that you experience. We are always eager to make changes or improvements so that many may benefit. You will find that there is something for every person in the UUFCC Lifespan Religious Education program!

In faith,

Jean Wiant, CRE, DLRE Tony Guerrero and Eileen Wise, C0-Chairs, REC