This is the time of year when the RE Committee and I are thinking about who will be our RE Teachers in the fall. We feel this is a request that should go out to the entire congregation, not just the parents of the children and youth in our program.
So here we go… we are asking… how about you? Have you ever considered volunteering with the religious education program? We of course need good teachers, but we also need additional RE Committee members and Youth Advisors. And after the first of the year we will be looking for OWL (Our Whole Lives Sexuality Education) facilitators. Do you see yourself working with the children or youth of this congregation? I bet you have questions about what it would be like to teach or assist with our programs. I’ll try to provide some answers right now.
Why do teachers volunteer their time? The best way to get an answer is to ask one of our teachers! Sharing the excitement of learning and exploring new ideas with children and youth can be a very special experience. We learn as much, or more, from them as they do from us, and their fresh outlook helps us to keep our youthful perspective. The curriculum materials we provide will help you to explore and clarify your own religious ideas, and delve into the varied religious heritages that have influenced Unitarian Universalism.
I’m still forming my own beliefs. How can I teach religion to children? As UUs, most of us spend our entire lives formulating our religious beliefs. It’s a part of what we’re all about! Since we have no creed, we don’t try to “teach” our children religion. Instead, we help them to question, to wonder, to grow their own spirituality. We teach them how to think about religion, not what to think about it. Our teachers don’t need theological certainty, just open minds, helping hands, and loving hearts.
My kids are grown (or I don’t have kids). Why should I get involved in RE? Social responsibility begins at home, within our own congregation. What better way to assure our future, as well as that of our denomination, than to work with children and youth, who are its heartbeat? It is very rewarding to share the joy of celebration and discovery. They will benefit from your viewpoint. Differing perspectives are valuable to their growth.
I enjoy the worship too much to miss it. Good News! We all worship together one Sunday each month. And one Sunday every quarter will be dedicated to our upcoming partnership with IAM (Interfaith Assistance Ministry). Most months we will have three teaching Sundays, and we have Teaching Teams of three teachers per classroom, so the teaching commitment is for one Sunday per month, leaving three or four for attending worship.
Can I do this? Well of course only you can answer that question, but be assured that you will be well supported. Each fall we hold a Teacher Training, where we learn about teaching RE at UUFH. You will be introduced to the curriculum you’ll be teaching and have the opportunity to meet with the other teachers on your team to discuss your class and how you will work together. And, of course, you will have my support! I am here to help with anything you may need as a RE teacher.
Our Policies. As any responsible program would, we have policies concerning what it takes to be a volunteer in our program. The most important are that you have been with this congregation for at least a year and that you can pass a background check. Beyond this we have a thorough Children and Youth Protection Policy that you can review at any time.
I hope that you think about what I have said and get in touch with me if you have an interest in volunteering in any aspect of our program. Ask a teacher or RE Committee Member; I am sure they will be happy to talk about why they volunteer in RE!
Vicki Benavides
Director of Religious Education
693-3157