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Hello Everyone!
We are looking forward to kicking off another wonderful church year with all of you! I’d like to give you a quick overview of the Religious Education programs that we will offer this year, help you get to know our Religious Education staff, and invite you to join us for a Backpack Blessing at the Homecoming service this Sunday, September 10.
OUR FOCUS
- Building Community
- Faith Formation
- Caring for Others
- Equity and Diversity
OUR PROGRAMS
Kindergarten & Under
Using stories, conversation and activities,
children learn the seven core values of Love,
Pluralism, Transformation, Equity, Justice,
Interdependence, and Generosity. Themes
such as how we are connected to the earth,
how to be kind and fair, how everyone is
different, and how change is part of life are
explored, creating a values-based
foundation for future learning.
1st-3rd Grade
The 1st-3rd grade group focuses on stories
and biographies. The children learn about
Unitarian Universalists and other notable
figures who inspire them and exemplify our
values and tradition. This age group learns
through stories, activities, and outdoor
exploration about people who exemplify each
monthly theme.
4th-6th Grade
The 4th-6th grade group focuses on the
religions of the world. They might look at
the monthly theme and learn about how
different faith traditions (including ours)
approach that theme. For example, they
might compare how Buddhists, Taoists,
and Christians think about a theme like
Resistance or Peace.
7th-12th Grade
The 7th-12th grade group (Youth Group)
rotates between our three core programs:
Coming of Age, Neighboring Faiths, and Our
Whole Lives (OWL). These programs help the
youth understand themselves, the religious
world we live in, and their relationships with
others. These programs build on the faith
formation and values the youth have learned
in previous years.
OUR EDUCATORS
Lindsay Trank
Lindsay (she/her) is a certified K-9 teacher with
over 15 years of teaching experience.
She is the Director of Religious
Education at the UU Church and Co-
Director of Woodsong Nature School.
Lindsay loves spending time
outdoors and is excited to share her
love of learning and nature with
children.
Lauren Smith
Lauren (she/her) is a certified Montessori early
childhood teacher with several years
of teaching experience. She is the
Nursery Director at the UU Church
and Co-Director of Woodsong Nature
School. Lauren grew up in a rural
area and has fond memories of her
childhood spent outdoors.
Aubrey Baker-Clark
Aubrey (she/her) is a religious educator at the
UU church and primarily works with
the children in 4th-6th grade. She
has had such a great time getting to
know each of the kids! Aubrey works
full time at Raynor Door Authority
and enjoys the change of pace on
Sundays when she helps create a
safe and engaging environment for
the kids to explore the UU faith.
Allyson Rosemore
Allyson (they/them) is an urban
farmer as well as a food and
ecological justice educator and
advocate. As a devout believer in the
healing powers of time spent in
nature, it will come as no surprise that
Allyson considers themself the world’s
queerest Wendell Berry Enthusiast.
When weather and teen shoe choices
allow, you’ll find the youth group in
our woodland.
As always, if you have any questions, reach out to Lindsay Trank, Director of Religious Education, at reuurockford@gmail.com.
Hope to see you at the Homecoming Service this Sunday!
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