How Parents Can Help Build a Caring Community
It is our hope that Sunday morning classes will plant seeds of thought in the minds of our children. The really important part of religious growth and learning, however, will take place throughout the rest of the week as your child has the opportunity to pose all sorts of questions directly to YOU!
This may seem a little scary at first, but it doesn’t mean that you have to become an authority on peace and justice issues, ecology, world religions, or even Unitarian Universalism itself. It may mean, however, that:
- You work on developing your own personal theology, thinking about where you stand on speculative issues and questions that are important to you. (It’s okay if, after thinking about it, you are still "undecided.")
- You let your child see you expressing and living your own life priorities.
- You talk with your child about why it is important to you that you are bringing him/her up in a Unitarian Universalist church.
- You become involved in the Youth Religious Education program by teaching, serving on the committee, or helping with special events. Your presence and participation is vital to the success of our programs and will not go unnoticed by your children — our children learn a great deal about religion from their parents’ actions.
- You support the church financially and let your children see your generosity.
- You talk with your children about what they did in their class. Feel free to let your children know your thoughts, opinions and values. Participate in the "common conversation" by relating their lesson to the sermon or Adult RE topic when possible.
- You share with your children what you enjoy about coming to church. Let them know how your needs are met by being part of the church community.
- You participate in Adult Religious Education programs and/or Sunday services.
As parents, you can enhance your children's YRE experience in these ways:
- Attend regularly to help enrich your children’s sense of belonging. Feelings of connection and friendship develop over time. The feelings nurtured here will help sustain our children in their search for truth and meaning.
- Please introduce yourself to teachers and assistants and feel free to ask questions about the class and about the program. If you bring a visitor to attend with your child, please be sure to introduce the newcomer to the teacher before the beginning of class.
