Religious Education
Our First Universalist Church of Essex RE program is lead by our Religious Education Director, Lois Bairstow with the support Rev. Art McDonald and a team of talented and dedicated members and friends.
The "Way Cool Sunday School" curriculum – the structure for our Sunday School program, is based off of a structure suggested by Rev. Greg Stewart. Our iteration of this program includes following a topic through a 4-5 week rotation. The first lesson is a Circle Sunday followed by 2-3 lessons/ activities and finishing with a Social Justice Sunday.
Topics this year are: • Autumn Equinox • Democracy • Ethical Treatment of Animals and All • People Who Changed the World • Inclusion • Bible Stories • Judaism • UU Past • UU Present and Future
Circle Sunday, the first lesson of each topic, is a slightly more formal Sunday presentation, with songs and responsive readings, bringing a little more ritual down to the RE program. These are typically used to kick off a new topic. Dates: September 14, October 12, December 14, January 11, February 8, March 8, April 19, May 17
On Social Justice Sundays, children will have an opportunity to do a project that affects the larger community. These typically mark the end of a topic and we try to tie them into the theme of the topic as best as possible. Dates: October 5, November 2, December 7, January 4, February 1, March 1, April 5, May 10.
For Intergenerational Services – Children do not go downstairs for RE on these Sundays, taking part in the ritual of Sunday Service with the whole congregation. Dates: November 23, April 12 (Easter), Summer
We do have a Toddler Room with a babysitter is available in the small room upstairs to watch toddlers age 2-4.
We also have a Youth Group (in collaboration with the Gloucester UU church) that meets alternating Sundays 5:45-7:45 for young adults ages 13-8.
For more information on our curriculum or our youth program contact Lois Bairstow, our Religious Education director.
Kids can check out more about Unitarian Universalism at the kids page UU & me; (http://www.uua.org/CLF/uume/0306/index.html).
Or see the kids page 'Between Sundays' answering kids questions for both parents and kids at http://www.uua.org/clf/betweensundays/
Adult Religious Education Programs are also offered throughout the year, with informal sessions held on an evening week night. Recent topics include: Our Own Religious Heritage, the Religion of Islam, The Gnostic Gospels. Check our Calendar for upcoming classes.
Adults can also check out UU Links for more on Unitarian Universalism and Adult Religious Education.
