The Rev. Dr. William Ellery Channing, the nationally-renown Unitarian minister of the early 19th century, wrote: “The great end in religious instruction, is not to stamp our minds upon the young, but to stir up their own; not to make them see with our eyes, but to look inquiringly and steadily with their own; not to give them a definite amount of knowledge, but to inspire a fervent love of truth…”

I grew up a Unitarian Universalist, and so I have experienced Unitarian Universalist religious education (UURE) all my life. One of the most distinctive elements of UURE is how nurturing it can be, gently guiding people of all ages to examine our own beliefs, our own values and ethics – never forcing creeds or mandatory beliefs upon us, but encouraging us in the task of undertaking “a free and responsible search for truth and meaning” (our 4th UU principle).

We are very lucky at the UUCiA when it comes to religious education. First of all, Thea Shapiro is a gifted Director of Religious Education, and we are blessed to have her. But Thea is just the start. As the saying goes, “It takes a village to raise a child” (often attributed as an African proverb from the Nigerian Igbo people). You, the members and friends of the UUCiA, are a wonderful village for all of the children and youth who cross our threshold. This is a congregation that clearly loves children and youth – a congregation that takes great joy in its role in helping to raise wonderful, thoughtful children into wonderful, thoughtful adults.

This coming Sunday, September 27, we will have a “RE kick-off”. After the service, Thea and I will talk to those interested in learning more about Religious Education at the UUCiA. I hope to see you then… I’m plumb excited to be a part of it.

In faith and hope,
Lara

Posted by Rev. M. Lara Hoke on September 23rd, 2009