We're glad you're here!
Welcome to our community of growth, visioning, reflection, and spirit building. We invite you to join us in this exciting journey!
Religious Exploration at UCSI begins with discussions of experiences that hold meaning for children and youth: experiences of nature, the mystery of life, family, friends and community; experiences of loneliness, sadness, and times when life does not proceed as we would wish. These are the focal points of exploration in both children’s worship and classroom activities.
As they grow, children and youth in our program gain an understanding of the nature of religion and its relationship to their lives. With their teachers as guides and mentors, they explore our Unitarian and Universalist heritage, its roots in the Judeo-Christian tradition, and the similarities and differences with other religions. We promote responsible self-esteem, respect for others and a positive attitude toward life.
Curriculum and Programming
We introduce children to the seven principles of Unitarian Universalism and to the precepts and practices of a variety of religions through stories and hands-on activities.
Our children begin three of the usual four Sundays in the Sanctuary where they participate in readings and share their joys and concerns after which they are "sung out" to their classrooms. One Sunday a month, they stay with their classes for a young people's worship service.
As our children grow into young adults, we hope to keep them involved through peer bonding, the exploration of issues pertinent to their lives, and Church community service.
Visitors
We welcome new families in our Religious Exploration classes. We ask the adult responsible to fill out a form providing us with basic information. After four visits, the family will be asked to register their children.
Registration
We ask parents to register each child who will be participating in the UCSI exploration program. Our registration fee is $30.00 per child. No family will be excluded if payment is a hardship. Please see the Religious Exploration Coordinator or a member of the Religious Exploration Committee.
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Stairway silhouttes... |
Get Involved
Our program counts on the congregation's participation. We ask families to serve as Religious Exploration greeters and chalice lighters, to assist in teaching and childcare, and to facilitate special events and social gatherings.
Early Childhood Room
With childcare providers and parent volunteers, preschoolers (and younger children) explore the concepts of friendship, family, community. Activities include story time, free play, and arts and crafts. Drop off and transition time begins at 10:30 to give children time to separate comfortably before the upstairs service begins.
Nursery (6 months - 2 years)
We provide a nurturing caregiver who is available in the Early Childhood Room every Sunday. Parents are welcome to leave their child with the very capable staff provided in our child-friendly space. Please leave diapers, cell phone number and other items necessary to make your child feel comfortable. You are also welcome to stay with your child until he/she transitions to the environment.
Our Early Childhood Kids (2-6 years)
The children will be experiencing Picture Book Bible Tales by Kate Tweedie Covey. This exciting curriculum uses picture books for teaching young children about Bible Stories while relating them to our Unitarian Universalist principles. In each session, the children sing songs, hear a story, participate in a sharing circle and respond to the story through crafts, games, and movement. These fun activities include: a Hopscotch game, mummy making, a living Nativity, a “we-ma-way” lions den, and classical bible songs.
Our Explorer group (7-13 yrs)
This group will spend the year discovering Traditions with a Wink, also by Kate Tweedie Covey. This curriculum teaches an understanding of UU faith that can replace the vague "we can believe anything we want to" statement with: "We come from a long tradition of questioning and searching, loving kindness and good works." The lessons use diverse sources such as the Internet, the Bible, Judeo-Christian Traditions, ancient Myths and UU rituals including the flower communion.
Our Youth Group (14-18 years)
The youth will meet with their advisers on the second and fourth Sundays of most months. While youth meetings are typically youth driven, the theme of programming overall will encompass project based and leadership activities that will help lay the groundwork towards future endeavors (e.g. service trips). For example, the youth will be engaged in efforts to help renew and define their loft space. They will assist in the Explorers or Early Childhood room once a month and we hope to deepen our relationship with organizations such as UU-UNO (Unitarian Universalist- United Nations Office).
Youth particiapte in New Orleans Renewal Program
The UCSI young people secured a grant of $2,000 from the Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations (UUAC) to help pay some of the expenses associated with their volunteer service project in New Orleans last spring. They held fundraisers throughout the church year to supplement the grant with an additional $1000 to enable their participation in the New Orleans Rebirth Renewal Program of the Center for Ethical Living and Social Justice Renewal.
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| Relaxing in the common dining room in New Orleans |
The five Staten Island teens, ranging in age from 14 to 16 years old, were inspired by the work of Unitarian Universalist Youth in our neighboring Brooklyn congregation, First Unitarian Congregational Society of Brooklyn, with whom they partnered in this exciting venture. The week long curriculum from Saturday to Saturday, created a tremendous opportunity for our youth to offer service to those in need, while examining the history of the city, the flood and levee system breaches, and recovery projects.
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Sunday Schedule
10:30 am Early Childhood Room
open for drop-off and transition.
10:45 am Service begins: Children age 6 and up begin their time at church in the sanctuary sitting with their parents and/or friends.
11:15 am Children and youth go to their classes with guides and advisors.
12:15 pm Religious Exploration ends. Parents of younger children should
come downstairs to pick up their children where they can check in with their
teacher. All children and parents are encouraged to join hospitality hour in the Parish Hall.
First Sunday
On the First Sunday of each month, children gather for chapel and fun activities downstairs and youth have a special activity beginning at 10:45 am. The Early Childhood Room is open for younger children.
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Religious Exploration Responsibilities
Our Religious Exploration Committee and part-time Religious Exploration Coordinator strive to provide a structure for our program that offers the children the security of the familiar and opportunities for exploration.
Responsibility for the Religious Exploration Program is shared by the Religious Exploration Committee, the Minister, and members and friends of the congregation.
Our nursery is staffed on Sunday for infants and toddlers.
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Mission Statement
The mission of our religious exploration program is to provide a joyful, safe and nurturing environment, which encourages:
- spiritual growth through the
practice of free inquiry
- respect and appreciation for diverse cultures, beliefs and world religions
- guided exploration of Unitarian
Universalist principles
- the power to make ethical choices
- service to the wider community
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| Michael Porter, Religious Exploration Coordinator |
Contact Michael Porter at:
michael.uucsi -at- gmail.com
Minister's Comments
"I am so excited about the program that the Religious Exploration Committee, teachers, parents and volunteers have launched and the children and youth have embarked upon here at the Unitarian Church of Staten Island. Through this brochure, I hope you will dig deeper into what it can mean for children and youth to explore the central questions and mysteries surrounding living, learning and laughing together in a spiritual community dedicated to building the beloved community we dream of."
—Reverend Susan Karlson
minister -at- uucsi.org
RE Registration Form
Click here for a form to register your child for the Religious Exploration program at the UCSI.
Other Resources
For religious questions during the week, check out Between Sundays and UU & Me.
Child Dedication Ceremonies
If you are interested in celebrating and welcoming your child into the world during a Sunday Worship Service, please contact the minister or Religious Exploration Coordinator for more information.
Unitarian Universalist Principles
- Everyone is important
- Treat everyone fairly
- Everyone is welcome and we keep learning
- Everyone is free to look for what is true and right
- It is good to talk to each other about things that concern us
- We want a peaceful, fair and free world
- We care for our planet earth
The Six Sources
- These ideas come from many places:
- The sense of wonder we all share
- Women and men long ago and today—people whose lives remind us to be kind and fair
- The ethical and spiritual wisdom of the world’s religions
- Christian and Jewish teachings which tell us to love all others as we love ourselves
- The use of reason and the discoveries of science
- The harmony of nature and the sacred circle of life
Thankful for all of these ideas, we want to learn even more. We come to church where we share our thoughts and feelings and promise to trust and help one another.
Committee
- Simone Andrews and Kate Howard, Co-Chairs
- Mary Hernandez
- Diane Matyas
- Raffaella Iosue
For more information, please contact us at re -at- uucsi.org
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