Northlake Children’s Religious Education

Mission

We strive to be a deeply connected and supportive religious education community that teaches the values of our religion and helps our children and youth find their own spiritual identity within an environment where they feel safe, accepted, respected and happy. (Adopted 2003)

The Religious Education Committee:
Fran Wessling (Chair); Kris Anderson; Jason Carlisle; Judy Jesiolowski.

Northlake is a vital and caring community devoted to providing our families a religious home where they feel welcomed, valued and supported. We work with the Director of Religious Education to plan, produce and support year-round programs of learning, celebration and activities for our children and youth.

Unitarian Universalist religious education is a process which celebrates our religious identity and forms a foundation for a lifelong search for truth and meaning.

In our program we strive to:

• Instill a belief in the sacredness and interconnectedness of all life.
• Encourage participation in celebrations and rituals that mark life’s passages.
• Build religious/spiritual knowledge based on Unitarian Universalism and other religions.
• Encourage adult participation in the life and growth of our youth.
• Develop leadership and democratic skills.
• Foster a sense of belonging to a wider community and the Universe.

Jenny Lina
Children’s Director of Religious Education

We feel that the church school is a significant and joyful way to put our faith into action. We are dedicated to guiding the education and spiritual growth of our children and youth.

As a participant in a vital and successful Religious Education Program, you and your children will explore our roots and heritage as a religious denomination, as well as the language and meaning of all the world’s great religions. Some of the key values include providing a community based on learning and experience, in which children and adults grow together. We would love for you to become a part of this ministry.

CHILDREN’S COVENANT

We light this chalice to remind ourselves

• to treat all people kindly, because they are our brothers and sisters;
• to take good care of the earth, because it is our home;
• To live our lives full of goodness and love because that is how we will become the best people we can be.

General Information

Visitors: We love visitors! All visitors are asked to fill in a registration form before you leave your child in the classroom.

Registration: Registration forms are available from any of the RE classroom teachers and on the office door downstairs. Please complete the form and give it to your child’s teacher or Jenny Lina, the Director of Religious Education.

Attendance: Help your child have a better experience by coming regularly. Regular attendance allows children to build friendships at church and permits more continuity between lessons. Please make Sunday morning church a family ritual.

Curriculum Style: focusing on a single theme for an entire year, we include: Curricula in areas of:

• Faith Development
• UU Heritage and Identity
• Jewish and Christian Heritage
• World Religions
• Multiculturalism
• Social Justice
• Coming-of-Age
• O.W.L. (Our Whole Lives), a values-based sexuality program.

Safe Congregation Policy