Religious Education Philosophy
If there’s one thing you can say that’s true about all UU churches it’s that each one represents a congregation of diverse beliefs. You may be wondering how it is possible to hold “Sunday School” classes for children in this environment. It is possible, largely due to the Seven Principles. The adult version is printed on the inside back cover; the young people's version is on the outside back cover of the prospectus.
Your child may have already asked you the answers to some of the questions religions frequently attempt to answer, such as “Is there a God?” “What does God look like?” and even “How do I know what to believe?” You and the other individuals in your home form a “domestic church”: your beliefs will help you decide how to answer those questions. But, as an individual with UU Principles, you will probably tell your child that we all have the right to seek and explore and determine our own answers to life’s meaning.
Our RE Program exists to help you support your child in this search. We do this by exposing them to many different religious traditions. We also do this by allowing them a safe place to ask questions and by affirming their right to question. We talk to them about how Unitarian Universalists throughout history have found their paths. We give them opportunity to interact with and learn from their peers, other members of our congregation and other UU churches. We give them some of the tools they will need to start that journey towards their spiritual identity. We provide opportunities for community service and justice work so they can experience how to be UU in the world.
Our goal is to provide an environment that is nurturing and stimulating, yet challenging and stimulating. We hope your child comes to see this as their church home, a safe place where they can seek fellowship with a diverse group of fellow seekers, young and old alike. We do this through offerings in what we believe are the five elements of a good religious education program: worship, education, fellowship, social action and leadership. A look at our calendar for the 2005/06 year hopefully will provide you and your family with opportunity to explore all of these areas with your larger UU family.
Unitarian Universalist Church of Birmingham
A member congregation of the Unitarian Universalist Association
Location: 4300 Hampton Heights Drive · Birmingham, Alabama · 35209 · U.S.A
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 19786 · Birmingham, AL 35219
Phone: (205) 945-8109 · Fax: (205) 945-8111
E-mail: office@uucbham.org
Copyright © 2006-2008 Unitarian Universalist Church of Birmingham
All Rights Reserved.