Religious Education

First Parish Church’s Religious Education Program is a values-based program that encourages our children and youth to be the best people that they can be. We offer religious education classes that allow children and youth to develop their faith as Unitarian Universalists and youth groups that encourage a sense of community. Children and youth learn the importance of giving back to the world that embraces us in its care as they participate in service projects throughout the year.

Nursery Care

We have a nursery in the lower level of Fellowship Hall, across the parking lot from the church.  Parents of infants and toddlers, up to age three, can leave their children to be cared for by our Child Care Coordinator.  Our Nursery hours are 8:45-10:15 and 10:45-12:15.  We ask that you be prompt in picking up your child after service. Parents are asked to leave their cell phone number with the Child Care Coordinator and to put their phones on vibrate.  If your child becomes upset we will call you so that you can come be with your child.  Parents who prefer to spend time with their child(ren) are welcome to remain in the nursery where we broadcast the service on the radio.  Nursing moms are welcome to nurse in church.  If more privacy is desired, there is a rocking chair and radio broadcasting the service in the parlor which is through the door at the front of the church on the right side of the Pulpit.  There are changing tables in the nursery, in the bathrooms in the Vestry, and in the women’s bathroom in Fellowship Hall.

Sunday Morning Classes

For the 2011-2012 year, our children and youth will be exploring the roots of Unitarian Universalism by learning about its Judeo-Christian heritage.

Sunday mornings begin with all children, youth and adults gathering for the service at either 9 am or 11 am in the Sanctuary. Children and youth stay to hear “A Message for All Ages.” After that, all children ages 3 and up are welcome to participate in one of our Religious Education classes held in Fellowship Hall and in the Vestry. Visiting children will need to have parents fill out a Visitor’s Form. Classes end at 10:25 and 12:25.

Our Curricula

We follow a three trimester schedule each year: 

• Fall (Sep.– Nov.)
• Winter (Dec. – early Mar.) 
• Spring (Mar. – May)

During 2011-2012, we will explore Unitarian Universalist history by learning about its Judeo-Christian roots for the Fall and Winter Trimesters. We recognize that many families do not espouse Jewish or Christian theology, but we feel that it is important for our children and youth to become familiar with Unitarian Universalist history.  It is also important for our children and youth to be familiar with widely known Bible stories so that they can relate to them when heard in a social or literary context.  When learning about and discussing Bible stories, we make sure to help our children and youth make a connection between the messages that those stories contain and our Unitarian Universalist Principles.

In addition to studying Judeo-Christian roots we will also spend some time in February covering “Lessons in Loss”- an exploration of how to deal with change, loss and death.

For our Spring Trimester we follow a workshop rotation model where three sets of workshops focused on service projects are offered.  This year we will have the children and youth decide what service projects they wish to be involved in and then plan the Spring Trimester.

Some of the curricula that we will cover in upcoming years include:

• 2012-2013:  World Religions, Diversity
• 2013-2014:  Unitarian Universalism History and Beliefs

Our Program Coordination

The Religious Education Program at First Parish Church is coordinated by our Director of Religious Education, Michelle Cote (RE [at] fpc-stow-acton [dot] org, 978- 897-8149).  She works in collaboration with the Religious Education Committee, a group of volunteers from our congregation, to ensure that our program is of highest quality.

Our Teachers

Our Religious Education Program is a cooperative one and is dependent on adult volunteers to ensure that we have a high quality program.  We ask parents to volunteer to teach after they have been part of the church for a year.  Volunteer teachers are provided materials, guidance, and support from Michelle, our Director of Religious Education.  Volunteers do not need to have the same skill set as a school teacher; they just need to be willing to learn along with their classes and have fun. 

More Information

• Registering your children for classes.
• The different youth programs we offer to supplement RE classes.
• Youth music and theater opportunities at the church.
• Calendar of youth events.