RE News Archive
From the Desk of the DRE
Can you believe that December is here already? Yes, the days are definitelygetting shorter, and the air is decidedly nippy; we’re headed into winter.As close to it as we get in this corner of the world, at least. With winter’sarrival, though, comes more than just long, chilly nights—it brings alsothe promise of spring to come, as celebrated at this time of year in many ofthe world’s traditions.
Yule, Christmas, Hanukkah, Divali, Kwanzaa—all celebrate, in their ownways, the return of light and hope in the dead of winter, and all are timeswhen families come together to remember and celebrate the things that are trulyimportant. In just a few weeks, I’ll be flying to Georgia to spend Christmaswith my own family. In the meantime, though, I’ve got a lot to accomplishbefore I get on that airplane, and I’m feeling a little frazzled already.No time to waste—I’d better keep busy!
I’m reminded of one of my favorite Christmas stories, Befana who visitsevery home to bring gifts and candy to the children, only she arrives not onChristmas eve, but on the eve of Epiphany, the celebration of the arrival ofthe three Wise Men in Bethlehem.
Befana, the legend tells us, was an old woman even two thousand years ago.She happened to meet the Wise Men on their way to Bethlehem, and they told herabout the child who had been born, and invited her to travel with them to seehim. But Befana was busy cleaning and sweeping her home, so they went on theirway without her. Before long, however, Befana changed her mind, and she setout to follow them, hoping to catch up in time to see the child. But Befananever found them, and to this day she travels the world looking in every homefor the Christ child, leaving gifts for all the children she encounters, recognizing(so I like to think) the spark of divinity in every one of them.
There are many things about Befana’s story that I enjoy, but the messagethat strikes me most deeply is this: don’t become so absorbed with littlethings that you miss out on the big ones! May we all, as we make our way throughDecember, be mindful of the true spirit of the season: celebrating life andliving, light and laughter, as one family. Happy Holidays.
-- Catherine Farmer
All Children, of All Ages, Welcome to Join New Choir
Our Sunday services are beautifully complemented by music, including LouisDurra on piano and organ, Steve Wight’s adult choir, and accomplishedvisiting singers and instrumentalists. Soon to be added to the mix will be achildren’s choir drawn from the congregation, directed by member (andalto in the adult choir) Judy Schonebaum.
We’ve had a children’s choir before, but not lately. Judy hasbeen working to reorganize such an ensemble since September, and hopes to schedulea first appearance before the end of the year (before the children’s storyat a Sunday service and/or at a seasonal event in December).
Judy began attending our church services more than 10 years ago and has beena member for many years. Her 15-year-old daughter, Hannah, has grown up in theRE program and credits her time here with helping her become a well-roundedyoung adult. Judy brings musical training, experience, and a passionate interestin the arts to the new children’s choir, promisingto grow an ensemble that will enrich the children’s lives, provide a vehiclefor them to become better known in the adult congregation, and affirm RE principlesincluding this year’s theme, “the inherent worth and dignity ofevery person.” Judy knows in her bones that music can accomplish thesethings.
The children’s choir rehearses between the two services, from 10:15to 10:45 a.m. on the second, third, and fourth Sundays of every month, upstairsin Room 4. Seven children from 6 to 12 have begun learning several songs, andall are welcome to join at any time.
Previous training in music is not required. Repertoire is open to suggestionsfrom people of all ages, especially those handed down in one’s familyor heritage. The children will learn musical techniques, such as rhythm, vocaldevelopment and elementary harmony.
The new children’s choir promises to be a place to “start at thevery beginning, a very good place to start. . . .”
-- Rob Briner
RE Updates
Council meeting update
The first meeting with Catherine Farmer, DRE, was held November 6. In attendancewere Cathie Gentile for social justice, Karen Patch for youth programs, BethRendeiro for OWL, Alicia Van Ooyen for curriculum , and Wendy Salz Johnstonas RE Council chair. Lisa Stewart, formerly the Events Committee chair was addedto the council. The council, with Catherine Farmer, aims to fill the secondseat by the next meeting. We also need chair for both the Worship Committeeand Events Committee. A motion was passed unanimously to hold open RE Councilmeetings. Since the council meetings will be held at members’ homes, wewould appreciate anyone interested in attending RSVP to the meeting host. Ifthere is an agenda item requested, please send an email or call the chair ofthe RE Council, Wendy Salz Johnston.
The next RE Council meeting will be held Wednesday, December 10, 7:30 p.m.,at the home of Beth Rendeiro. Please contact Beth to RSVP.
Work in progress
• Drafting a policy for acceptance of volunteers.
• Improving the visibility of the RE program— involving and engagingthe congregation with RE to benefit the church as a whole as well as each individualparticipant.
• Adding a new class at 11 a.m.—6th and 7th graders to be combinedonly at 11 a.m. and Way Cool curriculum be expanding to include this new agegroup.
Way Cool Sunday School
December 21 is the Social Justice Sunday. Children in both services will gocaroling to nearby senior citizen and nursing residences. Please bring scarvesand mittens to create that chilly winter effect. Permission slips must be signedand returnedto the RE office. Time of departure and places to go will be sent to each REfamily separately.
Head Start Gift Donations and Cookie Bake
Saturday, December 6, is the Cookie Bake. Sunday, December 7, is the last dayto bring your unisex toy. Our COA and YRUU kids will wrap them this morning.Remember, we need at least 36 gifts that are new and unopened to give to ourfavorite holiday recipients. Make sure your toy is part of our RE gift.
Want to get involved in RE? Contact Catherine Farmer or WendySalz Johnston.
From the Desk of the DRE
Where does religious education happen?
I’ve been thinking a lot in the past few weeks about what RE is, buthave gravitated towards thinking about it in terms of place, perhaps understandable,given my recent move. So what can thinking about where RE happens tell us aboutwhat it is?
The easy answer is that religious education happens on Sunday morning in ourclassrooms. It happens when we gather our children and youth together in groupsto learn about our faith and its history and about the world’s faith traditions,and it happens when we ask our kids to think for themselves and figure out howto find meaning in the world and in their lives. It happens when we lead ourkids in creating caring communities right there in their classrooms, and ithappens when we bring them together on Worship Sundays to celebrate “beingyou and being UU,” and on Social Justice Sundays when we work togetherto make the world a better place.
That’s not all that RE is, though. Religious education includes everythingwe do at church. Among religious educators, we say that there are three kindsof curricula: explicit curricula (traditional-looking lessons, etc.), implicitcurricula (the things we see and hear around us), and null curricula (the thingswe don’t see because they are missing). Learning doesn’t stop whenclass is over — our kids and youth are learning about being UU and aboutour community when they see how the adults interact at coffee hour, when anadult who isn’t their RE teacher greets them by name, or doesn’t,when they see how kids and youth are incorporated into the full life of thecongregation, and so forth. The rest of us learn from those things too. Butdoes religious education stop when we leave the church a week (if we assumeperfect kids and youth a grounding in what it means to be UU? Is it enough timeto teach them to think for themselves, to respect all people, and to take actionto make the world a better place?
Of course not. Parents, you are the primary religious educators in your children’slives. They watch what you say and what you do — how are you living yourown UU faith. What are the things that you’re already doing to reinforcewhat we do on Sunday mornings? What more could you do? And what can we do tosupport you in this role? Remember, friends, that ours is not just a Sundayreligion. Everything we do is religious, and is educational. We are all religiouseducators.
— Catherine Farmer
From the Desk of the DRE
As I write, I have not yet officially joined you, though I am with you in spiritalready – my thoughts fly to the weeks ahead, when I’ll arrive andbegin settling into the year, into the position. I’ve taken a break fromthe half-hearted packing I’ve begun(I can’t stand the process of moving, though I enjoy having moved onceit’s all over) and have sat down to try and figure out what I can sharethat will express how I feel about joining you as your new DRE.
We have much to celebrate together in the coming year. So let’s shoutit to the rafters, sing out in praise, tell the world our story – we,here together, today and every day, are celebrating being human, celebratingbeing alive, celebrating the ongoingstruggle to be ever more human, ever more alive. Unitarian Universalism is atheart a lived faith; if we could teach our children nothing else, we would stillaccomplish something vital if we convinced them that what matters even morethan what we believe is how we believe. It’s not enough just to say allthe right words; how have you lived your faith today?
In the children’s RE program, we feel that those seven UU Principlesprovide an essential framework for all that we do as Unitarian Universalists,and so our focus for this year is the first principle, affirming the inherentworth and dignity of every person. Yes, for the entire year. There is much toexplore in this one statement of principle, and I invite every one of you tojoin our children and youth in grappling with it this year – if I trulyaffirm that first principle, what are its implications for how I respond tothe guy who honked at me today because I hadn’t noticed that the lightwas green, and the woman I have to deal with tomorrow who’s just aggravatingthe heck out of me, and the person who said something to me last week that reallyhurt my feelings? How does it inform how we encounter one another in committeemeetings, RE classes, coffee hour, walking down the street? Truly, being UUis something very special, and I cannot wait to join this community in developingever more effective ways of living our UU faith together.
Audre Lorde wrote, “Tomorrow belongs to those of us who conceive ofit as belonging to everyone; who lend the best of ourselves to it, and withjoy.” It is with great joy that I arrive in your midst, ready to walkwith you through the days ahead. We have much to celebrate together.
— Catherine Farmer
It's Not Too Late to Teach RE
Our religious exploration program thrives on the fact that the entire congregationnot only believes in it, but also shows support. We have a great curriculumfor this year and a great new DRE. We still have room for teachers — fromPre-K to seventh grade at 9 a.m. and for YRUU at 11 a.m. Contact WendySalz Johnston or Catherine Farmer or RE@uusm.org.
Catherine Farmer is Our New Religious Education Director
CatherineFarmer, from the UU Church in Riverside, has been named our new director ofreligious education (DRE). A near-lifelong UU, Catherine originally comes fromOhio. “Both children’s RE and YRUU involvement played vital rolesin my own growth and development,” says Catherine.
Catherine came to Southern California to attend Pomona College in Claremont,where she received a BA in history with many courses relating directly to herinterest in religious education. She then worked closely with Greg Stewart atthe Neighborhood Church in Pasadena for several years helping make the Way CoolSunday School format a success in that congregation.
From there, Catherine was hired as director of religious education for theUU church in Riverside where she has served full time for the last couple ofyears. “Religious education is the focus of my life’s work,”she says.
“My goal is to serve a congregation that is interested in developingits educational ministry in a sustained relationship with a settled professional.”As part of her commitment to religious education, Catherine plans to becomea credentialed director of religious education through a new program offeredby the UUA. This last year, she has been a consultant to our RE program in reviewingour curriculum and led the volunteer training session on August 23.
“We were very impressed by Catherine. She was articulate, passionateand experienced. She stood out as the best fit with our congregation, the REprogram and its goals, “said Karen Patch, chair of the search committeefor a new director of religious education. Other members of the search committeewere Diane Fletcher-Hoppe, Janet Goodwin, Victor Paddock, and Karen Raiford.The Rev. Judith Meyer adds: “I expect to enjoy working with Catherineas a colleague and hope to learn from her how better to minister to our childrenand families. She has a lot to offer.”
-- Karen Patch
UU Teens Have Programs from 8th to 12th Grade
Our lively youth program is ready to start another fun year. At 9 a.m. willbe the coming of age program for 8th graders. This class will prepare for thecoming of age service at the end of the year.
For teens in 9th through 12th grade, there is YRUU at 11 a.m. This youth empoweredgroup (with adult advisors) plans ways to put their UU faith into action.
For both groups, we plan to continue our tradition of monthly social activities.Last year we went miniature golfing, rock climbing, ice skating, bowling, playedlaser tag, plus had a couple of lock ins. For more information contact the YouthActivities Committee (YAC) chair, Karen Patch, or just askone of our teens!
Our Summer DRE Tells What She Learned on Her Summer Vacation
As William Shakespeare said, “And summer’s lease hath all tooshort a date.” Summer has ended but not without its lessons. What haveI learned as the church’s summer director of religious education (DRE)?So much.
I learned that if you have water, they will come. (Our trip to Water Worldwas a huge success.)
I learned that any obstacle, big or small, can be overcome and can also befun.
I learned that the junk around my house (from toilet paper rolls to leftoverelectrical wire) can be made into a stunning piece of art.
I learned that our children are talented, generous and creative and can puton a really great show. (But, hey, I already knew that.)
I learned that the books of Dr. Seuss offer great lessons in Unitarian Universalistprinciples.
The summer has come and gone. I feel as if I had just started my stint asthe summer DRE and now I am done. Whom to thank? So many:
The volunteers who made Way Cool Camp possible: Iris Jue, Alan Cranis, EmilyHero, Rachel Nannini, Daniel Teplitz, Sharon Voigt-Damerell, Sherry Handa, DebbieMenzies, Kris Langabeer, Joyce Holmen, Mort Postel, Linda Van Ligten, LindaMarten, Diane Fletcher-Hoppe, Karl Hoppe, Colette Fletcher-Hoppe, Jeff Greenman,Kerry Thorne, Dorothy Steinicke, Beverly Alison, Phyllis Kory, Caroline Falk,Martha Bonner, Pam Teplitz, Amelia Harati and Tom Ahern. Your support createdan atmosphere of love and learning. Our children have learned that church isindeed a special place.
The teachers who took on “Summer of Seuss”: Tom Kafka, Ann Hanson,Lyn Armondo, Peggy Kharraz, Nancy Gershwin, Kit Shaw, Cathie Gentile, Ruth Harper,Anne Gustafson, Karl Lisovsky, Janet Goodwin, Anna Silver, Pat Gomez, CindyAmer, Michelle Levesque, Julie Millett, and Michael Branton. Our preschoolersand kindergartners had a special time and place to really call their own.
Karen Patch and Jana Poirier for sitting in as DRE for the day.
The staff of our church: Marie Kashmer-Stiebing, Steven Andrew, Peggy Butler,and Jose Ruvalcaba. You all made my job so much easier.
The Rev. Judith Meyer for believing in me.
And finally, a huge thanks to the children and our YRUU group. You remindme why I love this church so much. I love you all.
Okay, since I love quotes so much I’ll end with one now from Josh Billings:“To bring a child in the way he should go, travel that way yourself.”It’s been a great trip.
-- Liza Cranis
Check Out the Way Cool Sunday School Pictures!
They're located upstairs next to the DRE office.
Way Cool Camp July Schedule is Set; More Help Can Be Used
Way Cool Camp is coming July 6. Every Sunday in the months of July and Augustreligious education for children first grade and up will be held outside inthe 17th Street yard. Many outdoor activities have been planned as a nice changeof pace from the classroom setting.
Preschool and kindergarten children will meet upstairs in the mural room fora “Summer of Seuss,” a curriculum using the books of Dr. Seuss,as well as activities and crafts.
Here’s the July Way Cool Camp schedule. The first listing is for grades1 and up, and the second listing is for pre-school and kindergarten (in italics):
July 6 — Game Day.
Everyone is invited to bring their favorite board games.
"Horton Hears A Who.” Every Voice Counts, we need little people.We will play cooperative games.
July 13 — Camp Shirts “Tie Die”For.
We’ll be tie-dyeing Way Cool Camp shirts to wear all summer long.
“Horton Hatches the Egg.” Do the job right. Plan and stick withit. We will make elephant bird eggs.
July 20 — Water World (Prepare toGet Wet).
Water fun for everyone. Bring a towel, sunscreen and some dry clothes and shoesas we transform the yard into a water paradise. (No Super Soakers, Water Blastersor Water Guns PLEASE!) We will be taking donations or loans of any water toysor games (Slip n’ Slides, wading pools, sprinklers, water balloons.)
“The Lorax.” The interdependent web of life. We will make aLorax garden.
July 27 — 2003 Way Cool Summer Games.Obstacle courses and challenges will be set up, capped off with a medals ceremony.“I Can Lick 30 Tigers Today.” Know your limits, don’t biteoff more than you can chew. We will work on puzzles together.
Of course our summer program is only as good as our fantastic volunteers andwe need you to make it all happen. All we need is a commitment of an hour anda half on one Sunday during the summer. You can act as head or assistant counselorfor Way Cool Camp or lead or assistant for Summer of Seuss. Please contact thesummer DRE, Liza Cranis. Let’s show our kids that makinga spiritual journey on Sundays can also be a fun trip.
Peace!
Liza, Your Summer DRE
A Search Committee Has Been Formed
The Board of Directors has appointed a committee to search for a new directorof religious education. Members are Karen Patch, chair,Diane Fletcher-Hoppe, Janet Goodwin, VictorPaddock, and Karen Raiford. They began work June 7.
Message from the Personnel Committee
As part of our child safety program that the committee is developing, churchstaff will be screened with background checks and religious education programvolunteers must have been members of our congregation for six months beforeserving with the children.
Liza Cranis Talks About the Summer RE Program
Fun and surprises await the boys and girls attending our RE program this summer.“It’s still in the planning stages,” says Liza Cranis,member of the RE committee. “But I can say that it will be fun and a nicebreak from the regular routine of Sundays during the year.”
More details will be available later in the order of service, in postingsaround the church, and online at the church’s website.
Liza and her husband, Alan, have been members of our churchfor nearly 11 years. “After we got married (by a UU minister) we exploredother UU churches. None felt right until we walked into this church. We knewwe were home.”
Liza became involved with the RE program about nine years ago, teaching SuperFriends.Later she became the team leader and then a member of the RE committee. Recentlyshe hosted the Disco Bingo in Forbes Hall for the events committee.
“Being involved with RE has been a real joy in my life. It has allowedme to make friendships with other parents, and especially with the kids. Thekids are the main reason I’m involved. To me, they’re the futureof this church.
“Since I’ve had my son it has even deeper importance to me, becauseI so want him to have roots with this church. I have seen children come up throughthe ranks of their classes and develop into wonderful, thoughtful, loving children,with open and questioning minds. I’d say that our program here has beenvery successful because we’re all so passionate and caring about one anotherand our children. For me and my family, RE has meant that we are home and thatour family has grown to over 400 people.”
Liza’s husband, Alan, is a school administrator for California GraduateInstitute, and Liza herself is preparing to enter the education field. Now workingas an entertainment publicist for celebrities and restaurants, she’s leavingthis month to pursue her dream of being a high school English/reading teacher.“It’ll be a long road ahead, I’ll be taking a huge pay cut– basically no money – but the rewards are endless.”
Meantime, she’ll continue to be involved with our RE program, whichstill needs volunteers interested in teaching just “one fun class”this summer. For more information, call Liza or e-mail her.
-- Paula Bernstein
Did You Know Our Youth Have an Active Program?
It’s no secret that our youth are great, but did you know we have avery active program for our teens, grades 8 to 12? Under the guidance of theYouth Activities Committee (YAC), we have our Coming of Ageprogram at 9 a.m. for the 8th graders and YRUU programat 11 a.m. for high school students. Along with this we have monthly fun eventsto give the teens a chance to just hang out together.
This year we've done midnight bowling, ice skating, miniature golfing, rockclimbing, an overnight lock-in, and laser tag, plus more planned for the future.All events are chaperoned by wonderful (non-parent) adults (a.k.a., our youthgroupies).
If you'd like more information, have a sleeping teen at home, or want to helpout, feel free to contact YAC chair Karen Patch, or just askone of our teens or their parents. We're having a great time and wanted youall to know about it.
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FROM OUR DIRECTOR OF RELIGIOUS EDUCATION
Lifespan Teaching and Learning at UUSM — It’s a Spiritual Act
“Religious education, or religious learning and growth, is the lifelong process by which we come to more deeply understand who we are in the world, what our lives and actions mean, and how we are connected to the past and future of humanity. It is the ongoing process of maturing, of growing souls, of coming toward the fullness of our human potential.”
Here at UU Santa Monica, we take the lifespan approach to learning with classes, presentations, worship services, and small group ministries taking place for people of all ages, but we begin with our children, our most precious gifts. We are a cooperative program that relies on parents and other adults to teach RE classes.
“The great end in religious instruction is not to stamp our minds upon the young, but to stir up their own…not to give them a definite amount of knowledge, but to inspire a fervent love of truth…not to form an outward regularity, but to touch inward springs.”
— William Ellery Channing
Throughout the year you see proof that our Religious Education program is nurturing our children. It is evident in our pageants, services, stories, and social justice projects. Do you want to be part of growing souls and changing lives? Come teach, learn, and grow, and nurture your own soul as a Unitarian Universalist.
Where is your calling?
Nursery
Babies and toddlers are kept safe and happy with loving care. Our nursery room is a warm and welcoming place for you and your children, staffed by professional childcare providers and loving members of our church community.
Preschool 9 am
This class so far has no teachers. We are in the process of hiring a teacher and will need classroom assistants once we do.
K–2nd grade 9 am
“Spirit Seekers” shares core stories of our faith, focusing this year on sacred stories from many religious traditions, and touches also on our monthly all-church ministry themes as well as the seven UU Principles. We’ll engage children in stories and activities to help them make meaning of their lives, grow a strong UU identity, and create a spiritual community together that honors multiple learning styles and celebrates beauty in diversity. This is a lively and fun bunch!
3rd – 5th Grades 9 am
“Spirit of Adventure” teaches UU identity without the usual arts and crafts projects. It includes activities like dissecting a computer, building cantilevered architecture using graham crackers, interviewing a sports coach, eating smoked oysters, and singing Jingle Bells in “dog language”! There are also circus arts, an animal blessing, and a popcorn sale. Bring those active busy children in and watch them be amazed!
Middle School 9 am
Teaches our UU traditions to middle schoolers and their teachers, while adding the fun with which middle schoolers connect to issues and stay enthusiastic about their church experience. Includes ideas for service projects, elements for a Coming of Age Program, and plans for social night experiences.
9th-12th Grades 9 am
“Young Religious Unitarian Universalists (YRUU)” empowers teens, with the guidance of adult advisors, to create their own vision and mission for their program. YRUU youth explore what it means to be young and UU, how our UU principles inform how we live our lives, and what power young UUs have to change the world. YRUU also takes part in social justice projects, organizes social gatherings, and will plan and lead a Sunday worship service for the congregation.
— Kathleen Hogue, DRE,
DRE@uusm.org
DRE@uusm.org
Winter 2016 Adult RE Groups
GROUPS CONTINUING IN DECEMBER
Thursday Night Centering Meditation
We do Centering Meditation. You choose a word to say silently to yourself as you enter the silence. You can choose a word such as peace, love, or joy. There is a brief time of comments, sharing and questions. We end the evening with a guided Mindfulness meditation.
Thursdays 7 to 8:30 pm, in the Cottage.
Please contact the facilitator, Bettye Barclay, beforehand
Monday Night Monthly Meditation:
“An Enjoyable Dive into Who and What We Are”
We endeavor to answer the questions, “Who am I?” (attitudes and beliefs) and “What am I?” (essence or true nature). This class will include meditations that explore participants’ spiritual goals. The monthly group meetings will also focus on insights gained throughout the month. The class is open to everyone from beginners to experienced. No meditation experience required. Participants are encouraged to cultivate a regular meditation practice.
Monday, December 5
Forbes Room 1
7 to 9:30 pm
Facilitator: Bill Blake
Co-facilitator: Dave Watson
Friendly Beasts Pageant Update
Our friendly beasts, preschoolers through 5th graders, will continue their rehearsals of “The Friendly Beasts Song” this month for the Holiday Pageant, which will take place December 18 at both services. Here is the rehearsal schedule:
December 4: Preschoolers through grade 5 during RE (costume fitting in the Cottage after RE)
December 11: Group rehearsal for all at RE beginning (costume fitting in the Cottage after RE)
December 17: Saturday dress rehearsal in the Sanctuary (9:30 to 10:30 am) with RE Pancake Breakfast before the rehearsal and a bounce house before and after the rehearsal!
December 18: The Pageant, at both services! Please arrive by 8:15 am.
Pageant day is a long one for the children. Please contact me if you can help by:
Supervising the children and providing crafts and games between the services and during most of the second service, when they’ll be in the cottage until they sing, or
Bringing food for between the services (small sandwiches, bagels, cream cheese, muffins, crackers, cheese, cut vegetables and fruit, water, juice).
Ideally, we would like all children to sing at both services on pageant Sunday, but if your child can sing only at one service, please let me know.
Here’s to another great pageant!
— Kris Langabeer