Religion isn't Taught It's Caught!

      It's easy to read our mission statement and say, "Wow, that's great!"  but here's something I probably shouldn't tell you...the handbook and the curricula for our classes aren't really what you need to follow to teach our RE classes.  You need to follow your hearts.  It sounds a little corny, but it's true!  Each of the children and youth who are going to be in class with you are looking to you to learn how to be an adult who is engaged in the world, who is living their faith and who cares about people - even young people - even challenging people - even people who don't get a voice most of the time.

SO yes, read the curricula and prepare the lessons.  DO the activities and lead sharing circles.  BUT, also, take the time to think about the topic and what it means to YOU.  Listen to the individuals in the group.  Be prepared to scrap the plan if needed, and go for a nature walk or play a game together or spend some extra time on an interesting discussion.  When you have engaged with the topic and show the children that you care, you are giving them a tremendous gift.

     There is a phrase that is going around RE circles lately, "Religion isn't TAUGHT, it's CAUGHT"  There are many ideas packed into that little sentence.  Every Sunday you are with the kids, you are showing them what an adult UU looks like.  Some of you are very new UU's.  This is very valuable to the children, because you embodying our principle of life long learning!  Perhaps you don't have a child in the program, you are demonstrating that we all are part of one community that cares about the future.  And perhaps you are going to bring a focus on a social action project - you are giving the children tools to participate in building a better world.  

It is such important, life affirming work that we do.  I thank you for being a part of this program and of the lives of our children.