Plans for R.E. in 2020-21
Children’s religious education programming will be entirely online until further notice as we continue to observe social distancing in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
This year will be unique and different! We have tried to develop a variety of R.E. plans to meet the needs of children of all ages and who learn in a variety of different ways, within the constraints of our need to remain physically distant from each other until the pandemic has passed. The R.E. Year will begin on Sept. 13.
Home Spiritual Practice Kits
Families that register to participate will have kits that cycle between families every two weeks (with the option of a quarantine phase at the church for families that request it). Each kit will have a chalice and a different simple spiritual practices to explore as a family (some of which are familiar from our centering moments in church and some of which will be brand new to families).
Sunday Morning Tea Party (all ages, but targeted at pre-K to K) – Sunday at 10 a.m.
We will meet via Zoom and get a chance to see each other’s faces, say hi, and share a story together, And because each tea party needs pastries and fabulous attire, we will also have a (optional) muffin recipe suggestion and costuming suggestion for each Sunday.
Family Movie Night (all ages, but targeted at K-4th grade) – Friday at 6:30 p.m.
In place of a Sunday RE class for K-4th graders, we will instead have a movie night where we will show a Pixar short film, and follow it with discussion questions. Families can choose to join in a Zoom discussion with other families or can log off and discuss with their families alone.
Twilight Zone Class (5th-6th grade) – Sunday at noon
We will watch a Twilight Zone episode (created by UU Rod Serling!) and discuss the big ideas that are explored in the episode.
YUUTs Online Collective Journal (7-8th grade)
Instead of another Zoom class for our Zoomed-out junior high schoolers, we will create a collaborative journal for them to contribute to with a combination of deep reflection and deep silliness.
Service Sundays (all ages) – First Sunday each month at noon
We are taking our service project programming online! Families will have the opportunity to register in advance, and a kit of materials will be delivered to your house. For those who want to, we will meet via Zoom to keep each other company as we work on our service projects.
Junior Youth (6th-8th grade) – 2nd and 4th Fridays each month from 6:30 to 8 p.m.
We have been having so much fun in Junior Youth this summer that we are increasing our meeting time to twice a month. We will meet via Zoom for a variety of fun activities, from movie watching, to playing games, to cooking challenges.
YRUU (high school youth group) – Sunday, 4-6 p.m.
We will meet in a combination of socially distanced in-person events and online (depending on pandemic conditions in Columbia). The teens will use their first meeting to brainstorm activities.
Upcoming R.E. events
Bridging Service – 10:30 a.m. May 23
Join us for our special service in which we honor our graduating seniors as they bridge from youth into adulthood.
May Schedule
May 2:
10 a.m.–Morning Tea Party
Noon–Service Sunday
May 6:
6:30 p.m.–Family Movie Night
May 9:
10 a.m.–No Morning Tea Party!
10:30 a.m.–Intergenerational Outdoor Flower Communion
Noon–Twilight Zone Class
May 14:
6:30-8 p.m.–Junior Youth
May 16:
10 a.m.–Morning Tea Party
Noon–Craft Workshop
May 20:
6:30 p.m.–Family Movie Night
May 23:
10 a.m.–No Morning Tea Party!
10:30 a.m.–Bridging Service
May 28:
6:30-8 p.m.–Junior Youth
May 30:
10 a.m.–Morning Tea Party