- What is Family Ministry?
- Facets of Family Ministry at UUCF
- Family Ministry This Month
- Sign Up to Receive the Family Ministry Newsletter
- This Month’s RE Schedule
- This Month’s Ongoing Groups and Events
- Upcoming Family Ministry Activities and Announcements
- Information for New Families
- 2023-24 RE Class Dates
- 2023-24 RE Class Options for Elementary-age Children
- 2023-24 RE Class Options for Middle and High School Youth
- About Our Whole Lives (OWL) Lifespan Sexuality Education Program
- RE Policies and Procedures
- Sign Up Your Child/Youth for Religious Exploration (RE)
What is Family Ministry?
Family Ministry at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Fairfax is an approach to faith development that recognizes that faith development:
- Happens throughout our lives, at all ages.
- Happens wherever we are; on a walk, in a class, at home, in worship.
- Views parents, grandparents, caregivers as the primary religious educators for their children.
- Creates an intentional community of all ages.
Family Ministry seeks to meet people where they are and includes families of all kinds – as families – in the life of the congregation. It’s not just about families with children. At the same time, it recognizes that families with children require significant attention.
Facets of Family Ministry at UUCF
- Children and youth participate regularly in worship services.
- Music Ministry includes opportunities for families, children and youth.
- Religious exploration structured as small-group ministry that supports and educates parents and other adults as well as children.
- Social justice and social action for all ages.
- Resources for at-home spiritual deepening.
- Whole-congregation social and educational events.
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Family Ministry This Month
April Message from Diana Tycer, Director of Family Ministry and Lifespan Faith Formation
We’ve reached the last quarter of the congregational year – but rather than winding down, it really feels like the activity level on campus is increasing! So many wonderful things are happening this month – a variety of reproductive justice and democracy initiatives, a major Earth Day event on April 21, anniversary recognitions, social activities for parents and kids, and of course the most important of all – the launch of teacher recruitment for the 2024-2025 Congregational year!
The RE Committee is planning twelve classes for children and youth next year, including all levels of Our Whole Lives (OWL) – the comprehensive human sexuality program. A total of 52 volunteer teachers will be needed to offer all these classes. The RE program runs like a cooperative, and all parents are expected to make a substantial volunteer commitment at least once every three years. For the past several years, a core group of adults (mostly parents) have been volunteering repeatedly – keeping RE strong in these post-pandemic years. They are exhausted and need a break. It is time for those who have not been teaching to step up. Parents make up about 75% of the RE teachers each year, so we really do need everyone to pitch in to the best of their ability. Plus, teaching is a great way to get to know other RE parents and develop closer relationships with others at UUCF. Check out the classes and sign-up to teach HERE.
In April, the Religious Exploration classes begin to wind down. The Coming of Age students are busy finishing their credos and preparing for the annual Coming of Age Worship Service. The OWL class for grades 7-9 will wrap up this month and will hold a make-up session on April 14, at 9 a.m. for those who missed key parts of the curricula. The Crossing Paths 7-9 class will be studying their final religion: Islam. The 6th grade visits the African-American Museum of History and Culture on April 20. The 5th grade continues with their OWL course. Grades 3 and 4 are learning about the importance of water to all life and are learning about water conservation. In the Grade 2 Circle of Trees curricula, students will learn about climate change and the important role trees play in maintaining Earth’s atmosphere. And the youngest children (preschool through grade 1) continue to make deeper friendships and learn about UU values and principles in their fun and active classes. It is never too late to sign your children up for RE and have them join a class!
I look forward to seeing you and your family on campus this month in RE or at some of these fabulous events highlighted below!
Warm regards,
Diana
Diana Maren Tycer (she/her)
Director of Religious Exploration, UUCF
dtycer@uucf.org/703-625-1935
Sign Up to Receive the Family Ministry Newsletter
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This Month’s RE Schedule
- Sun., Apr. 7, 10 a.m. Start out in worship service. Spring RE in session for ages 2 through HS. Child care is available.
- Sun., Apr. 14, 10 a.m. Start out in worship service. Spring RE in session for ages 2 through HS. Child care is available.
- Sun., Apr. 21, 10 a.m. All-congregation worship service. No RE classes. Child care is available. Earth Day Celebration with activities and food after service.
- Sun., Apr. 28, 10 a.m. Start out in worship service. Spring RE in session for ages 2 through HS. Child care is available.
This Month’s Ongoing Groups and Family Ministry Events
MS OWL Movie Night meets Fri. 4/5 6-8:30 p.m. in Teen Pod
Joyful Noise choir meets Sun. 4/7 at 3:30 p.m. in the music room.
Voices of Hope choir meets Sun. 4/7, 4/14 and 4/27 at 4:30 p.m. in the music room.
RE Committee meets Tues. 4/9, 7-8:30 p.m. online.
RE Family Hiking is Sat. 4/13 at 9:30 a.m. at Riverbend Park.
MS and HS Youth Group meets Sat. 4/13 at UUCF, 7-9 p.m. in Teen Pod
Election Literacy for Youth and Young Adults meets Sun. 4/14 11:45-1:15 in Room 11.
Adult OWL meets Tues.online only, 4/16,& 4/30, 7-9 p.m.
VA. Inclusive History class to NMAAHC Sat. Apr. 20 11-5.
Earth Day Celebration is Sun. 4/21, 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. on UUCF grounds
COA Worship Rehearsal is Sat. 4/27, 10 a.m. -1 p.m. in the Sanctuary
4th-6th Grade Group meets Sat. 4/27, 3-5 p.m. at UUCF
April Hot Meals is Sun. 4/28, drop off donations before 9 a.m.
Teacher Appreciation Breakfast is Sun. 4/28, 9-10 a.m. in program building lobby
RE Potluck is Sun. 4/28 at 5:30 p.m. in the Commons.
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Upcoming Family Ministry Activities and Announcements
Date/Time | Event | Location |
---|---|---|
Fri. Apr 26 at 3:30 PM | April Hot Meals | UUCF Sanctuary Kitchen |
Sun. Apr 28 at 9:00 AM | RE Volunteers Breakfast | Program Building: Room 10-B and the Teen Pod |
Sun. Apr 28 at 5:30 PM | RE Family Potluck | UUCF Sanctuary Commons |
Sat. May 11 at 9:30 AM | RE Family Hike | Wolf Trap |
Sun. May 19 at 11:00 AM | May Food Drive | UUCF traffic circle |
Sun. Jun 2 at 10:00 AM | Child Dedication Ceremony | |
Thu. Jun 6 at 6:30 PM | RE Parents Night Out | Caboose Commons |
Fri. Jun 7 at 5:00 PM | Free Youth Tickets for Gay Men's Chorus Performances | |
Sun. Jul 21 at 12:00 AM | SUUSI '24 Registration Now Open! | Radford University |
Call for Nominations for 2024 Rev. Bill Welch RE Award
Deadline for nominations is May 6, 2024. The Rev. Bill Welch Religious Exploration Award recognizes the sustained service and dedication of RE volunteers who have gone above and beyond to create amazing RE class experiences. An ideal nominee for this award is someone who has taught multiple years in the program. This nominee displays patience […]
Fall RE Teachers Needed
Total teachers needed: 52 Teacher recruited so far: 28 Sign up here Interested in teaching Religious Exploration for children and youth? Visit the table in the Commons after Sunday services to learn about classes, the teaching schedule, and serving on a teaching team in 2024-2025. For more information or questions, contact Director of Family Ministries […]
Spring RE Classroom Helpers Needed!
Adult and high school students are needed to help teachers and students with crafts and activities in Spring RE classes. The RE program is child-centered, community-oriented and strives to make each child feel welcomed and valued. Achieving this requires many people who can nurture and support children in class. If you are not teaching this […]
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Information for New Families
UUCF offers Religious Exploration classes every Sunday from September through May at 10 a.m., for preschool children and Kindergarten through Grade 12 on 26 Sundays, as well as seven Sundays in the summer. Additionally, staff and volunteers offer Special RE programming or Fun and Fellowship for younger children when RE classes are not in session.
Children and youth (teens) begin each Sunday in the worship service with their parents at 10 a.m. and are dismissed to their RE classes around 10:25 a.m. Children and youth are always welcome to attend the entire worship service with their parents and are not required to go to RE classes. RE offers children and youth a supportive, loving and safe environment to learn about Unitarian Universalism, engage in fun activities and make new friends. Visitors to RE classes are always welcome! RE classes end at 11:30 a.m., allowing time for parents and guardians to socialize after worship services end at 11 a.m. or participate in post-service programming.
All new parents, children and youth are invited to participate in Family Ministry activities, like the monthly potluck suppers (usually the fourth Sundays of each month), the RE Hiking group, and music and arts events. Please fill out a blue visitors card in the Sanctuary on Sunday mornings or contact visitors@uucf.org so that we can send you information on UUCF activities.
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2023-24 RE Class Dates
Please mark your calendars for the following regular RE Class Sundays. Check the schedule above for what’s scheduled each Sunday of the current month:
Apr. 7, 14, 28
May 5, 19
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2023-24 RE Class Options for Elementary-age Children2023-24 RE Class Options for Elementary-age Children
Preschool & Kindergarten
Hello Friends – for children ages 2-3, all year.
The Hello Friends curriculum is chock-full of songs, stories, crafts and activities. Friendship is the theme, with lessons on how to be a friend, making friends, animal friends, being a friend to the earth and much more. Hello Friends was created with the littlest UUs in mind. The overall goal of this class is to provide children with a loving and welcoming experience, to help model a community of friendship and to lightly introduce Unitarian Universalist themes.
Chalice Children & 8 Principles – Ages 4-5, all year
Early childhood is filled with curiosity and wonder. In a group setting, with loving adult guides, young children can engage in spiritual seeking, develop their openness to sharing and experience the benefit of a supportive community. The Chalice Children curriculum centers the flaming chalice as the symbol of Unitarian Universalism. With free play, circle time, stories and songs, children learn they are part of a loving and caring congregational community. The 8 Principles introduces young children to the basic ideas of the UU principles: caring for ourselves and the earth, treating each other with kindness and fairness, being free to learn and search for what is true and the importance of listening to one another.
Grades K-4
Treasure Hunting/Soul Matters – Grades K-1, all year
Developed monthly by the Soul Matters Sharing Circle, these curricula are based on monthly worship themes. Each month’s theme is explored through stories, songs, meditation, projects and play. This curriculum was crafted using an anti-racism/ anti-oppression lens and is designed to foster inclusion, equity and justice as well as teach UU identity in an age-appropriate way.
Circle of Trees & World of Wonder – Grade 2, all year
These classes delve deep into the UU 7th principle and instill a respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part, and an appreciation of our world’s beauty, excitement and mystery. This class is designed to nurture and preserve children’s sense of wonder at the world and all its amazing plants, animals, spaces, textures, patterns and processes. The lessons offer children weekly opportunities to directly experience nature on the beautiful UUCF campus.
Love Will Guide Us & Soul Matters – Grade 3, all year
Drawing on the wisdom of the ages as expressed in many different traditions and cultures, along with direct experience, students engage theological questions about the origins of life, the meaning of death and what it means to be human. Participants will learn that asking questions is valued in Unitarian Universalism, even as they begin to shape their own answers to some major life questions: “Where did we come from? What happens when you die?” All sessions highlight love as the central aspect of Unitarian Universalism. Using the night sky and the North Star as metaphors, students are “guided to love.” All sessions included guided discussion, reflection, hands-on activities and self-expression to engage participants with various learning styles.
Toolbox of Faith & Gather the Spirit – Grade 4, all year
Kids love learning how to use tools! Toolbox of Faith uses real tools as metaphors for qualities of the Unitarian Universalist faith. With activities including stories, games, music and using real tools to do fun things, like bursting a balloon with a magnifying glass, hammering nails just to feel the power and mirror walks – leaders help student explore qualities like faith, courage, conviction, listening, humor and justice. Toolbox of Faith helps children understand what being a UU is all about. Gather the Spirit dives into all aspects of water as a major resource for all life. This curriculum encourages children to appreciate and conserve clean water as well as understand how their UU identity calls for the protection of this resource for all life on our planet.
Grades 5-6
Toolbox of Faith – grade 5, fall and winter; see above.
Grade 5 Our Whole Lives (OWL) Lifespan Sexuality Education – Grades 5, spring 2024
This is the second course in the highly regarded comprehensive lifespan sexuality education curriculum created by the Unitarian Universalist Association and the United Church of Christ. This ten-session class focuses on puberty and the physical and emotional changes adolescents can expect. In addition to explaining sexual reproduction, workshops also explore gender identity, peer pressure, consent, prevention of sexually transmitted infections and contraception.
Amazing Grace – Grade 6, fall-winter
Amazing Grace is a UU Tapestry of Faith curriculum that explores the concept of right and wrong. This curriculum uses UU sources and history to provide a rich philosophical base for ethical development. Diving deep into the ideas of sin and salvation, 6th graders will learn about the theological roots of these ideas and how UUs reconceived them during the past 300 years. The lessons are packed with action, information and challenges designed to equip students to safely navigate the middle and high school years, and the ethical choices they may face.
Inclusive Virginia History – Grades 6, spring 2024
Developed to supplement the Virginia history curriculum taught in schools, this 10-week class discusses the impact of colonization on the native populations of Virginia and explores how the growth of slavery in the 1800s impacted the lives of people of color before and after the civil war. Racial politics of the 20th Century, including Jim Crow laws and the civil rights movement, are reviewed. This class includes a field trip to the Smithsonian Museum of African-American History and Culture.
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2023-24 RE Class Options for Middle and High School Youth
2023-24 RE Class Options for Middle and High School Youth
The information below should help you and your youth decide which course is best for them. However, if you need additional information, please contact Diana Tycer or Courtney Firth, coordinator for youth and emerging adult ministries.
Coming of Age (COA)
This course examines the theology and values of Unitarian Universalism and culminates in a student credo of beliefs shared during the youth-led Coming of Age service in May. Students are eligible to go on the next Boston Heritage trip, scheduled for May 2025. An important component of this class is the matching of students with adult mentors in the congregation who actively live their UU values. Parents and students are encouraged to ask adults they know to mentor their COA youth, but RE staff can help find mentors if needed. All students should be matched with mentors by the end of November. NOTE: Registration for this class closes on Oct. 29, and no new students will be accepted after this date.
In addition to Sunday mornings, the Coming of Age class schedule includes these events:
- Sun., Sep. 17 – COA Commencement Ceremony. COA youth, mentors, parents and families join a luncheon immediately after RE at 11:30 a.m., and then at 12:15 p.m. proceed to the COA Commencement Ceremony, which includes ministers, RE staff, parents and youth, and symbolizes the start of each student’s spiritual journey to discover what they believe.
- Sat., Feb. 3 – COA Retreat. COA youth and teachers participate in an extended teaching session from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
- Sun., Mar. 10 – DC Adventure Trip. COA youth, mentors and chaperones metro into DC for a morning of fun and learning. The group typically attends a service at All Souls Church Unitarian, visits the National Portrait Gallery and eats lunch at Ben’s Chili Bowl.
- Sat., Apr. 27 – Rehearsal for COA Service. Youth and mentors gather at 10 a.m. to rehearse their roles in the upcoming COA worship service. End time varies but it may run until 1 p.m.
- Sun., May 5 – COA Worship Service. During this rite of passage students present their credos to the congregation, which is deeply moving for everyone. Students get their first experience planning and participating in an entire service.
7-9th Grade Our Whole Lives (OWL) Lifespan Sexuality Education
Our Whole Lives is a nationally recognized, comprehensive, sexuality education program that covers topics not addressed in the public schools, including gender identity, sexual orientation, pornography, all options for preventing pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections, consent and healthy relationships. The class meets for 26 sessions and regular attendance is expected. NOTE: Registration for this class closes on Oct. 1, and no new students can be added after this date. Those not registered by that date may take one of the other classes available for Grades 7-9.
OWL meets on some additional dates when other RE classes are off, ensuring most core content is completed by April, before spring sports and other activities create schedule conflicts. The last official class is on Apr. 28. OWL will not meet in May, leaving youth free to attend the Coming of Age service, the Mother’s Day service and High School Bridging service.
Before a youth may take OWL, a parent or guardian must attend a parent orientation session and sign a permission form. Parent orientations are scheduled for:
- Sun., Aug. 20, 2-4 p.m., in person, in the Program Building Social Hall
- Sun., Sep. 24, 4-5:30 p.m., online.
Crossing Paths
Crossing Paths explores major world religions and compares/contrasts beliefs with the values of Unitarian Universalism. This class includes trips to other houses of worship on Sunday mornings and at other times. Tenth graders are welcome in this class since it complements the world history courses taught in area high schools in 9th and 10th Grades. Registration for this class remains open all year; new students are always welcome.
Crossing Paths spends 4 consecutive weeks exploring one religion. The first week introduces the core concepts and practices of the religion. The second week compares and contrasts values and beliefs with Unitarian Universalism. The third week is a visit (in person or virtual) to a house of worship associated with that faith. The final week is a debrief about the visit and a review/summary of what has been learned. Religions studied include: Christianity, Buddhism, Islam, Judaism, Catholicism and Hinduism. A more detailed schedule of the visits will be shared in the fall. Parents are expected to chaperone on-site visits at least once during the year, but are always welcome on the visits, even when enough chaperones are already present. Parent transport to visit other houses of worship is the norm, but carpooling with RE teachers can be arranged.
High School Youth Class and Youth Group
High School Class is a relaxed fellowship that offers guided discussions on topics of concern to youth. It is moderated by adult facilitators and the coordinator for youth and emerging adult ministries. In addition to class meetings, the youth enjoy social events and trips and participate in social justice activities together. High School students in other classes are welcome to join HS youth group activities. Students are welcome to join the HS Youth Class at any time during the year.