Broad Wings, Deep Roots: Religious Education for Children and Youth
by the Rev. Alison Cornish, Minister

The Unitarian Universalist Congregation of the South Fork serves children of all ages in a variety of programs. Sunday morning classes and services are a part of our religious education program, but only a part. Ultimately our curriculum embraces all experiences, planned and unplanned, which we enjoy together in religious community.

Religious education begins with an introduction to the principles of Unitarian Universalism and lessons from UU-based curriculum, such as "Holidays and Holy Days" and "We Believe," which explore world views as well as one's own beliefs, values, and philosophies. Curriculum themes are chosen by the minister, religious education committee, and the children, giving all those involved a voice in the types of programs we offer. The classes are taught by UU parents and members of the congregation.

Religious education happens not only in classrooms, but in play, in chance encounters with one another, in formal ritual, and in informal conversation. Important as developmentally appropriate programs are, it's also important that children come to know Unitarian Universalism by being a part of the whole community. This happens in a number of ways:

• All of us, except the very young, begin each Sunday morning together in worship.
• A nurturing daycare is provided for the youngest children.
• Two Sundays a month children in like-age groupings work with curricula that emphasize ethics and Unitarian Universalist values.
• Once Sunday a month, we have Worship for All Ages. This gives children a regular opportunity to engage with the full worship experience, not just part of it.
• One Sunday a month, a member or friend of the congregation is invited to bring his or her own interests and ideas to a gathering of all children in their own ground-floor space.

My friend and mentor, the Rev. Beth Graham, is often asked what she remembers most about growing up in a Unitarian Universalist congregation. "Knees," she’ll answer. Wandering through coffee hour, looking up at adults talking animatedly with one another, she was in a forest of knees.

We want to offer our UUCSF children a richer experience of adults than knees. Broad Wings, Deep Roots therefore involves adults who aren’t parents as well as those who are, and also brings children of different ages together with each other and with the adults. Having children in our midst keeps us aware of the importance of the whole of religious community.

Those interested in enrolling in the program should contact the Chair of the Religious Education Committee, Imke Littman, 631-324-3116, or me, Alison Cornish, 631-537-0132.