UUFP From Joanne Dingus
Religious Education Committee Annual Report
July 1 2007 through Jun 30, 2008
Director of Religious Education:
Joanne Dingus
Religious Education Chair:
Lisa Woodman,
Members:
Brandy Bergenstock, Patti Calkins-Hunter, Joanne Dingus,
Purpose:
The Director of Religious Education (DRE) provides professional
leadership and support to the full range of lifespan religious
education (RE) activities at the UUFP. While the primary focus of
the position is RE for children and youth (nursery-12th grade), the
position may also include limited support for the adult RE program.
The UUFP Religious Education Program is committed to
fostering a safe and loving community where all are accepted and
empowered to search and question our individual paths by celebrating
our shared history and experiences.
To support this mission:
- We will provide opportunities for lifelong exploration and
learning.
- We will ensure that acceptance and tolerance are taught and
modeled.
- We will show appreciation for our UU history and the world at
large.
- We will foster a sense of community through intergenerational
activities and relationships.
Paid Position:
22.5 hours per week
Committees:
Works with Religious Education committee currently chaired by
Report:
It has been another exciting year in RE. As we come to the end of
our program year, I would like to share some of the highlights with
you.
·
In July we decided to establish a children’s choir that would meet
during the month of December. This gave the regular volunteer
teacher’s a break from teaching classes and gave the children a
chance to perform their music.
·
We dedicated the nursery to Susanna Butler. A beautiful hand-painted
sign was purchased in her memory.
·
In August, we held another fantastic summer camp for children.
Brandy and I circumnavigated the world with Ferdinand Magellan and
24 happy campers for five days. Lots of guest speakers and teachers
helped with the activities. We went slightly over budget so will
plan to remedy this in future camps.
·
In September Buffy and I led the Tapestry of Faith adult education
pilot program. It was very interesting to be part of a program that
will help create curriculum for use around the world.
·
Lisa Woodman resigned from her duties as RE Chair. The position was
left unfilled for a few months and then later filled by
·
Pat Millspaw and Jonathan Garner led the teens in rebuilding some
playground equipment that had been donated by the Drees family.
·
I found the Stewardship Conference in
·
In October, 27 children and youth participated in the annual
fellowship retreat. Also a new YUUth Group was created by Patti
Calkins Hunter, Ashley Dernovish and I. Social events have happened
once or twice a month ever since.
·
Amy Goodrich resigned from the RE Committee.
·
After a workshop on Appreciative Inquiry with Frankie Price Stern,
David Walsh led a luncheon meeting on AI with RE volunteers. A
beautiful RE pamphlet on why people teach religious education
classes was created.
·
As in past years, the youth helped out at PORT checking in clients.
·
The decision was made to stay with two services throughout the
summer. The RE committee and myself were very much in favor of this
decision.
·
Brandy and I participated in a five week class on Non-violent
Communication with many other members of the fellowship.
·
A children’s offering was established. It got off to a good start,
but now needs to be reintroduced to make it a habit.
·
After several months of searching, Ashley Cooper was hired to work
in our nursery on Sunday mornings.
·
The Lewis and Clark spring camp entertained and provided a learning
environment for 18 children over spring break.
·
The YUUth Group has plans to take Red Cross training with Bob Mosolf.
·
Plans are in the work for a summer youth and adult band.
·
Many RE families will go camping together in early June.