I often hear non-church-goers say derisively, “People just go to church for socializing.” Underlying this is the belief that the meaningful practice of religion and the development of social connections are two entirely separate things. But within Unitarian Universalism, the creation of deep connections is part of the process of creating the Beloved Community, and … Continue reading Summer 2022 Religious Education Plans

How do you do religious education in a pandemic? It is a question we have never had to answer before, so we don’t have an easy answer to turn to. We all have different needs and capabilities in this time, and so the R.E. Team has tried to put together a variety of different programming … Continue reading R.E. Plans for the 2020-2021 Year

I have never been much of a photographer, but I always get so much joy seeing the photos you all post of your children enjoying themselves at church. So in this new year, I want to post more pictures to share with you all so you can joy seeing what your children are up to … Continue reading DRE’s New Year’s Resolution

One of the programs we are most proud of at UUCC is the Our Whole Lives (OWL) curriculum, the comprehensive UU sexuality education curriculum that provides thorough information about healthy relationships and sexuality to young UUs (as well as other young people who wish to participate).  OWL seeks to provide accurate, developmentally appropriate information that … Continue reading OWL Training and Other OWL News

Virtually every religion tradition creates sacred altars, from Buddhist shrines to Pagan nature altars to Catholic offrendas – each with their own unique set of sacred objects that hold fascinating symbolic meaning. There is something about a physical space with objects that can be experienced through the senses – that we can see, and touch … Continue reading A Sacred Space for Children at UUCC

As we gear up for another intergenerational service this weekend, I want to share some thoughts I have been having recently about what I hope you and your children get out of these services. One of my goals as DRE is to support your children in developing a strong sense of their identity as Unitarian … Continue reading Intergenerational Services at UUCC

Dear Families and UUCC Community, It is such an honor to begin my work as Director of Religious Education at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Columbia. This position combines two of my great passions in life – education and my love of religion, spirituality, and most particularly Unitarian Universalism. It is all the more meaningful … Continue reading Letter to Congregation from New DRE Jamila Batchelder