Kick off your children & youth year with CER!
Lenore Bajare-Dukes
Dear UUs of Central PA cluster,
You are invited to join other RE folks from other similarly-sized congregations and your UUA Congregational Life staff from across the country in an RE Kickoff: Connections, Skills, & Planning in Changing Times!
As
you prepare to gather in, your UUA staff in the Central East Region (and beyond) want to
support the lay leaders and religious professionals who work to welcome children and youth into your congregations in getting your year off to a great start! (We invite you to forward this email to any who might be interested!)
We’ve heard from many of you: it’s not always easy to create spaces that meet the needs of children, youth, their caregivers, and all-ages community – especially in these changing, unpredictable times. And, we’ve also been taking in stories of even seemingly-small ways that congregations are helping nurture young UUs across generations. We can share these learnings with one another, and we can lean on each other to help.
When you register, you’ll get access to some online videos & short articles in September, then join two live online gatherings in October. You’ll hear about what’s working in RE in these times, and think through common challenges. You’ll have our support to get aligned with your people and set intentions for the purpose, goals, and activities of your RE program in these changing, unpredictable times.
FAQ:
Who can sign up?
This is designed for teams to attend together, since we have time built in for you to plan.
If responsibility for RE is held by a religious professional in your congregation, you’ll want to go to that person first to plan your team attendance together.
How do I sign up?
Register (free!) by September 27.
Please each register for the same date, your choice of:
- Two Thursdays: October 10 & 24, 7-9PM, OR
- Two Sundays: October 6 & 13, 4-6PM ET
Once you register, you’ll have access to the online on-demand content starting September 6.
But…is this really for me & my specific context?
Do you want to plan how your congregation can welcome children & youth and gather in all-ages vibrant UU community this year?
Can you gather with the others who also hold some responsibility for that in your congregation?
If you have a religious professional who is responsible for RE, are they on board?
Then the answer is YES!
This event is for RE teams and programs of all kinds and sizes. For instance:
If you have a few children and youth, no RE classes, and a couple of people committed to making children feel at home in your congregation – come map your strengths and plan your welcoming!
If you are re-building an RE program with a few lay leaders and/or staff members – come hear what’s working and move into your year with shared priorities!
If you have an established faith development/RE program – come enjoy planning time & get ready to move through this year’s challenges!
Whether you are a few leaders who work informally together or an organized RE Council, come get aligned with each other!
Whether you are lay-led or have a team including a religious professional (or several), come connect with teams of a similar configuration and hear what’s working!
We really do hope this will support you in starting your year off well. Please let me know if you have any questions about how to participate!
Best regards,
Lenore
--
Lenore Bajare-Dukes :: she/her
Congregational Life Staff, Central East Region
Based in Lancaster, PA
About me :: Schedule
a meeting with me on Calendly.
Unitarian Universalist Association
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Missed our last May Skill-Up for Leaders in Changing Times? Check out our tips for wrapping up the year with appreciation, learning & growth here!