Children’s Religious Education

Welcome to Children’s Religious Education (CRE) at First Unitarian Church of Orlando, a Unitarian Universalist congregation. We are so glad you are here! We serve families with children 9 months through 12th grade. We offer a theme-based approach so that everyone is learning something similar: kids, youth, adults, groups, and worship services alike.

Here’s a look at our themes:
2017–2018 | Understanding Racism
2016–2017 | World Religions
2015–2016 | Changing the Climate

Online enrollment is open.

Sunday Mornings

Nursery – Every Sunday, All Year

Nursery care, located to the left of the Enrichment Center breezeway, is available for children from 9 months through 6 years of age from 9:15 am to 12:15 pm each Sunday.

Wiggle Room

Our Sanctuary features a Wiggle Room for families and their little ones. This space allows parents to see and hear the worship service during those times when their active little ones need an opportunity to wiggle, gurgle, or play.

Childcare During Worship (CDW)

Childcare During Worship is offered on Sunday mornings at times when there are no regular Children’s Religious Education classes. During the Program Year, this is typically during the 9:30 am worship service and adult education offerings.

Where Do We Start?

VPK (age 4) through 12th grade students begin their Sunday Religious Education (RE) with their families in the Sanctuary at 11:00 am. After “Words For All Ages” they are escorted to classes as follows:

Elements

Made up of students from VPK through sixth grade, then further subdivided into three groups that we call:

• Earth (VPK–Kindergarten) in the Nursery.
• Wind (1st, 2nd & 3rd graders) in rooms 1, 2 & 3.
• Fire (4th, 5th & 6th graders) in rooms 1, 2 & 3.

The Elements students rotate through learning centers. Their class lets them experience the day’s lesson through a variety of options that may include:

• Story & Discussion
• Craft & Activity
• Music & Movement

This allows us to meet the needs of our students by increasing engagement and retention. It also allows volunteers to focus on their area of interest and gives us ample flexibility to adjust the program as needed.

Youth RE

Click here to see the programs for students 7th–12th grade.

Special Days

One-Room School House

There is much value in multi-age classrooms. Roughly once per month, depending upon events or our learning goals, children will attend One-Room School House. We may host guest speakers, prepare for an upcoming service, or organize a community outreach project. On these Sundays, we still begin in the Sanctuary; parents can sign-out their child(ren) in the Assembly Room at 12:15 pm.

Intergenerational Worship

Several times a year we have intergenerational worship, and children remain in the Sanctuary with the adults for the entire service. These services typically in include Water Communion, the Holiday Pageant, the 11:00 am Easter service, and Flower Communion.

Please check the church calendar for additional “kid-fun,” such as our Halloween Party, Christmas Pageant, Easter Party, Field Trips, and more!

Additional Groups & Classes

Youth Group

Youth Group is for students 7th grade (and 12 years old) through 12th grade. We then meet on the first and third Sunday of the month from 12:30 to 2pm. Please see the Youth page for additional information.

Our Whole Lives (OWL)

OWL is is the age-appropriate compliment to any parents’ human sexuality education efforts. This secular curriculum is based firmly on the values of respect, responsibility, justice, and inclusivity. We offer four of the six OWL courses: K–1, Upper Elementary, Middle School, and High School. Please see our OWL page for additional information on upcoming classes.

Our People

Our Director of Religious Education (DRE), Regina Knabe, has over 20 years’ experience as an educator working with students “crawling through college” and beyond. Her motto is “catch kids doing things right.”

The RE Committee is our governing body. Committee members, in partnership with the DRE, serve hours upon hours planning classes, trainings, events, and curricula as well as budgeting, decision-making, and preparing monthly, term, and annual reports and evaluations that maintain a healthy program.

Our Nursery Staff has a deep affection for early childhood development. They are well trained, CPR-certified, and experienced with the specific needs of this age range. Most importantly, these people love your kids.

1U Volunteer RE Teachers are background checked, vetted, and matched to a position in keeping with their skills, talent, and passion. They are not just incredible people doing great things for kids: RE Volunteers are the teachers you wanted when you were a child; they are making an impact on your child’s faith formation.

The congregation at large has a powerful influence on our children. They lead by example and live their values here on campus and out in the larger community. We are proud of our members that live their true selves, stand up for injustice, and make the world a better place.

All of our people are helping to raise the next generation of UUs. We have a wonderful village, and we hope to see you in it soon.

Get Involved!

We are helping to raise the next generation of UUs—informed and engaged community activists with progressive values. We all have a part to play. What skills and talents would you like to share with the kids of 1U? Please visit our Volunteer Page to start your journey.

For more information, contact:

Regina Knabe, Director of Religious Education, at DRE@OrlandoUU.org