Annual Report 2005–2006
Report from the
Director of Religious Exploration
Reflecting back over the past year, there are many reasons to celebrate the current state of our Religious Exploration Program. I'd like to focus on a few of the highlights:
Deepening our partnership with Safe Passage: With the blessings and support (emotional and financial) of the wider congregation, a group of 20 UUs traveled to Guatemala last summer to assist Safe Passage. Confronted with the extreme poverty that families living around the Guatemala City garbage dump struggle with on a daily basis, this group — individually and collectively — explored how to put one's faith into action in a meaningful way. Some of the group's experiences were shared during an inspirational worship service last October.
Building our faith community: This year, over 130 children and youth registered and participated in our RE Program. Thanks to the generosity and support of our many volunteers who served as teachers, leaders and co-learners, we were able to provide a dynamic and creative program to guide our young people in the lifelong process of developing their own spiritual identities. This shared ministry is an important part of who we are as a church community.
Learning about Unitarian Universalism: At many different ages and in many different ways, we provided our children and youth with opportunities throughout the year to learn more about what it means to be a young Unitarian Universalist. Whether through learning about famous Unitarians or Universalists, exploring our UU principles, learning about other faith traditions, or working to make a positive difference in the world, our RE Program continued the ongoing work of supporting our young people in developing their religious identities as part of this UU community.
Putting our faith into action: The young people at First Universalist Church are no strangers to community service. Compelled by last summer's news of hurricanes along the Gulf Coast, children in grades 1–5 decided to support a UU congregation impacted by Katrina. As a group, they created a series of beautiful note cards that have been sold throughout the year and designated 100% of the profits to flood relief. A check for over $800 (from card sales and a weekly offering) along with a beautiful wall hanging and chalice window ornaments will be sent before the end of the church year to the North Shore UU Congregation in Lacombe, Louisana. Closer to home, our Junior Youth have coordinated donations for the St. Bart's food pantry and prepared meals on a monthly basis for Friendship House. Senior Youth have helped out at a variety of church events including bean suppers, the holiday fair and a celebratory breakfast for Coming of Age youth and their familiese.
Exploring our beliefs: Unlike other faith traditions, UU RE Programs focus on helping children and youth define their own beliefs rather than telling them what we think they should believe. A cornerstone of this approach is our Coming of Age Program. This year, 17 eighth- and ninth-grade youth worked since September identify and delvie into their own spiritual beliefs. Youth visited and learned about a number of other faith traditions, explored a variety of spritiual practices, wrestled with some of life's "big questions" in small-group discussions with adult members of our congregation, and developed their own personal credos. The worship service this May in which they shared those credos provided a great example – as well as a source of inspiration – for many people of how to do this important work.
The mission statement for our church states that "[w]e are commited to being an inclusive, caring, and spiritual community. Through deep personal connections and exploration of diverse spriitual, philosophical, and religious beliefs, we support and honor individual and collective journeys in life and faith. We unite to create and sustain a world of increased love and justice." Clearly, our ministry to children and youth goes a long way in helping us fulfill our mission!
In peace and friendship,
Jenn McAdoo
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