An Update from the Director of Spiritual Development
(September 1, 2021)
Hello RE Families!
I know you all are anticipating the time when we can reconnect in person as much as I am. While we are gearing up to determine what religious education programming might look like for the upcoming year, we would like to share a few updates about our program. With the rise of the Delta variant, it’s become apparent that we’re going to be nowhere close to “normal” for some time. However, I look at this as an opportunity to welcome and embrace changes to our RE program. This whole year has been trial and error but many of us learned some new things that moved us out of our comfort zone, I know I did!
As we begin to return in-person, our focus will be on opportunities for fellowship and reconnecting. During this upcoming year, we imagine religious education may take the form of outdoor and indoor team bonding activities, multi-generational worship services, social emotional learning, play, games, silliness and social justice projects as well as resources to bring RE into your family life . These opportunities for fellowship and connections will help us as we move towards re-building/re-gathering with thought and meaningful intention. Then we will plan to introduce some more traditional RE classes including curriculum/lessons & OWL classes as we move further along.
In order for all of these wonderful events and activities to take place we need several more volunteers. I have already reached out to our talented and highly dedicated team of volunteers who have helped in the past, but we are still in need of more volunteers to support our in person programming for this upcoming year. We look forward to our once robust religious education program becoming active and vibrant again, but can’t do this without a dedicated group of volunteers. We hope you consider sharing your talents with our religious education program at AUUC by filling out the following form. https://forms.gle/s2RwjGMLXsYJ36qQ8
AUUC will be implementing a universal mask requirement for all indoor church activities, including religious education. Each of the RE classrooms downstairs also has its own dedicated air purifier and AUUC has increased the frequency of our cleaning services. The comfort and safety of our teachers, facilitators, and participants are our first consideration in determining how we move forward with our religious education program. Please let us know if there is anything else we can do to support you or your family. I am also available to speak if you have any questions or concerns. The re-entry task force is on their way to making even more updates which will be communicated over the upcoming weeks.
Warmly,
Ali Mills, Director of Spiritual Development
At AUUC, we are committed to nurturing the spiritual growth of people of all ages through shared experiences, ministering to each other, and education.
Our cooperative lifespan religious education program is a key way we minister to the children, youth, and adults in our community. We have a vibrant program administered by our Director of Spiritual Development, Ali Mills [email protected]).
Our fun and enriching program is divided into two categories: Adult and Children’s. Click on the buttons on the right for more information about either of these programs.
For more information about our Adult Spiritual Development program, contact: [email protected]
For more information about our Children’s Spiritual Development program, contact [email protected]
AUUC’s New LGBTQ+ Resources Bibliography
All are invited to look at AUUC’s LGBTQ+ Resources Bibliography Please help Nancy D and Kate M grow this listing of books, films, and other resources by sending either of them titles you recommend. Included in this bibliography is the excellent documentary film “State of Pride,” free of charge on YouTube.