Religious Exploration Overview

GENERAL INFORMATION
Registration
Registration is required for children and
teens (From Nursery through High School)
who attend more than three times. It is a
courtesy to our volunteer staff, and the
information that you provide helps us to
ensure a safe and nurturing environment for
your children.
We ask that you give
consideration to becoming a Religious
Exploration volunteer, after 6 months
attending.
Worship
From the Sunday after Labor Day to the
second Sunday in June, services are at
10:30 am and are led by our minister or a
guest speaker. During this time, children
attend the first part of morning celebration
with their families in the Sanctuary.
In the summer the services are also at 10:30
am but are informally led by a member of the
congregation, or guest. Children start out
down in classes during summer religious
exploration.
Schedule
Religious Exploration classes begin with the
congregation singing the children downstairs.
Classes start with a Children’s worship
service that begins around 10:45. Parents
are welcomed and encouraged to participate
with their children whenever they wish to.
Parents should come to pick up their children
(Nursery through third grade) as close to the
conclusion of classes as they can, or meet
your children at the top of the stairs. Safety
should always be paramount, and we do not
want young children leaving the building
without a parent. Classes end at around
11:45.
Nursery Care
Nursery Care is available during services and
is staffed by Religious exploration Volunteers
and paid attendants. It is geared towards
infant through Preschool ages, and provides
a comfortable place for children to play, do
crafts, and listen to stories.
Commitment
Our Religious Exploration program is a
cooperative effort. Parents are urged to
become a part of the program through
volunteering, donating supplies, and helping
during events. Parents should also attempt
to bring their children regularly to their R.E.
classes. Family commitments are crucial to
the success of any RE Program, and to the
building of community for our children and
youth.
RELIGIOUS
EXPLORATION
OVERVIEW
MISSION STATEMENT AND VISION
Mission Statement
Our Mission is to provide a liberal religious
education in a nurturing environment that
promotes ethical values, builds
compassionate community, and encourages
individuals to search for their own truth and
meaning.
Vision
The foundation of our mission involves respect,
consideration, acceptance and appreciation for the
many different belief systems of the world, UU
principles and values, responsibility on all levels
from the inner self to the world around us, and
connection to the larger Unitarian Universalists
community.
2912 Club House Road
Finksburg, MD 21048
410-861-8820
Website: http://www.cedarhurstuu.org/
Director of Religious Exploration:
Jennifer A. Harvilak, 443-789-0552, or
email to cuudre.jh@gmail.com
Religious Exploration – Children & Youth
Our religious Exploration Program is theme
based, from month to month, and utilizes the
model of “Spirit Play”, combined with Small
Group Ministry for children and Youth. Our
goal is for our classes to facilitate
connections by placing an emphasis on
relationships, rather than “Teaching”. We
also seek to give students enough time to
experience sacred space and worship time,
together.
Classes delve into Unitarian Universalist
history and philosophy, look to the wisdom of
other faith traditions and our six sources, and
establish a youth and child centered
atmosphere. We build on our 7 Unitarian
Universalist Principles, while focusing on our
abilities to make a difference in the world
through social action projects.
Some benefits of this model include:
•
•
•
Children/youth develop spirituality in
the context of a particular faith
tradition by examining their own lives
and experiences in the light of the
wisdom from the tradition. It is in
examining and exploring their own
experience as it intersects with
wisdom from our Unitarian
Universalist Principles, Sources, and
tradition that children/youth develop
a Unitarian Universalist identity and
spiritual practice.
Allows for meaningful social action
projects, with ample time to reflect on
the experiences, rather than just
doing a service activity without
thought to how it affects the world.
Allows for more meaningful Chapel
time that builds on itself, and helps
students to form community
•
•
relationships as young Unitarian
Universalists.
Allows leadership roles for older
students, and provides opportunities
for deep sharing and discussion.
Having lasting themes through the
month allows students to really grasp
a topic and discuss it at length,
rather than jumping from lesson to
lesson.
Religious Exploration - Adults
Adult Religious Exploration includes
programming for members and friends 14
years and older. These programs take many
forms, from casual forums to more structured
classes, and cover a wide range of topics.
Having a broad selection depends on
member support and participation. If you are
interested in facilitating a course or have a
suggestion for the Committee, please contact
Jennifer Harvilak.
In addition to special programs that are
offered periodically, the following Adult
RE classes are currently being offered at
Cedarhurst on an on-going basis:
Taiji & Chi Quong: The Three Treasures
Taiji Class offers instruction at Cedarhurst to
all who are interested in the Old Northern
Yang Taiji Chi and Quong classes. Wear
loose, comfortable clothes. Shoes are
optional. Instructors : Bruce Payne and
Maureen Harvey. The cost is $5.00 per
person, per session. 410-795-3117
Qi-Gong: Bob Campaglia offers instruction in
this form which helps to energize the mind,
body and soul, followed by stretching and
meditation. Nominal Fee required. For more
information, please contact Bob at
robc923@aol.com or at 410-804-5758.
Continued.....
Roots and Branches Small Group
Ministry: These small group ministry
discussion groups are held (Usually) on the
third Sunday of each month, following
services. All are welcome to attend these
theme based sessions. Simply get some
refreshments and come and join in.
The group meets in the sanctuary, beginning
around 12 – 12:15.
*Roots and Branches takes a break through
Summer, and runs from September through
June.
The group is facilitated by Jennifer Harvilak
and Guest facilitators. For more information
about the group, or to be a guest facilitator,
contact Jennifer Harvilak.
Any Questions may be sent
to the Director of religious
Exploration at:
cuudre.jh@gmail.com