Today, our classes tackle topics that include examples of kindness in nature; the components and meaning of UU worship; how the privileges of birth, fortune or geography are best used when shared; and about the Unitarian who founded The Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
Preschool participants continue their use of Spirit Play.
The Kindergarten and First Grade class is using the World of Wonder curriculum. Today’s session, titled “Kindness in Nature,” highlights kindness and altruism in the web of life and encourages participants to act for the welfare of other living beings. Kindness as a central tenet of Buddhism is introduced in the central story, “The Noble Ibex,” in which an ibex saves the life of a king who was hunting for sport. The children hear real life examples of animals acting to save the lives of other species and act out the stories out in role plays that foster empathy and kindness. www.uua.org/re/tapestry/children/wonder/session11
The Second and Third Grade class is using the Signs of Our Faith curriculum. Today’s session, titled “Worshiping Together,” introduces worship with our UU faith communities as a sign of our faith. Children learn some components of a Unitarian Universalist worship service and create a mini-worship together. www.uua.org/re/tapestry/children/signs/session11
The Fourth and Fifth Grade class is using the Windows and Mirrors curriculum. Today’s session is titled “Privilege is a Blessing We Give Away to be in Community.” It is easy to “own” our skills and resources which are well practiced or hard-won, such as educational achievements and professional success. However, we often take for granted the abilities and opportunities we have by virtue of advantageous birth, fortune or geography—our privileges. This session teaches children to recognize the ways in which they are privileged. Children learn that privileges, like other gifts, are best used and most valuable when we share them with others. www.uua.org/re/tapestry/children/windows/session11
The Junior Youth class is using the Riddle and Mystery curriculum. Today’s session is titled “Touching All.” The Big Question for today is: How am I connected with everything else? Junior youth stand at the brink of or the beginning of adolescence, finding new relationships, new challenges and a new sense of the self’s place in the universe. This session makes the conceptual UU “interconnected web of all existence” concrete and meaningful for them. The youth consider their place in the many spheres that comprise their expanding lives. They learn about Henry Bergh, founder of the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, a Unitarian who created a new way for humans to connect respectfully with other species. www.uua.org/re/tapestry/children/riddle/session11
More information on the overall program can be found at Religious Education Program for Fall/Winter 2018-19.