Read about our summer 2008 programming.  Click here.

Welcome to First Unitarian Church’s religious education program for children.

THE LEARNING COMMUNITY
This is the name used for our Sunday school program for infants through high school. The mission of this program is to bring together a diverse group of children, youth, and adults who covenant together:

• To create a welcoming, safe and caring learning environment;
• To teach and promote love, reason and freedom in religion;
• To foster life-long spiritual growth; and
• To seek peace, liberty and justice in our world.
   

EDUCATION IS A JOURNEY FOR ALL INVOLVED
Community Learning at First Unitarian Church means that everyone is involved in the journey of education. Adults do not stop learning, and our children are sometimes our best teachers. The expectation is that all parents/guardians will contribute to their child’s classroom experience. We offer classes from September through mid-June for children up to 6^th grade. We offer fun classes during the summer months as well.

Most of these grade levels have more than one class; we have 15 classes for each service. Every class has a registration limit and all are taught by volunteer teachers who commit themselves to the entire school year. Our teachers are interviewed and screened as is our paid Nursery and Junior Preschool staff.

VISITING FOR THE FIRST TIME

Children and youth are welcomed and encouraged to visit our Learning Community. However, after three visits your family will be asked to register. The 9:15 service is very popular and some of the classes for young children are full, however  there is lots of room available at 11:15.

Visiting families are asked to check in with the Registrar before class begins. You will be placed in a classroom that is still accepting registrants. This is particularly important for children 6^th grade and younger because we have more than one class per grade level.

Once you have a class assignment parents are asked to accompany their child. It is recommended you arrive early if you are visiting for the first time. Give yourself plenty of time to find your way around.

Parents are welcome to visit a class on their own – many do – or stay with your infant or child until everyone is comfortable. There are two other alternatives: You are welcome to take your child to service or bring an infant to the Daisy Bingham Room where the service can be seen via closed circuit TV and a fussy child can be attended to. Ask an usher for directions.

Classes end at :30 past the hour. This allows time not only to complete the lesson, but to bring the group to closure. Our time together is precious. Parents with children 12-years and younger must pick them up from the classroom. We are an inner-city church and children can get lost easily.

Parents are required to remain on the church grounds during Sunday school.

Following the service you are invited join us for coffee hour in Fuller Hall, in the basement of the Sanctuary, for coffee, juice, and visiting with friends. Check out the bookstore, which carries a selection of books for children and parents.

BECOMING AN ACTIVE PARTICIPANT
It is highly recommended that you register your child or youth. Once you register you will receive emails and mailings pertaining to class activities plus Front Steps, our monthly church newsletter. Forms are available at the Information desk in the Buchan complex. The Registrar will take your registrations, answer your questions, and help you find the appropriate class for your child.

Registration Fees: $45 per child for pledging families; $80 per child for non-pledging families (two-child maximum). Payment is required at the time of registration. We do not want financial concerns to prevent any child from participating in the Learning Community. Scholarships are available to those for whom these fees present a hardship. Please contact  Cathy Cartwright(ccartwright@firstunitarianportland.org), 503-228-6389, ext. 14, for more information.

To view our Religious Education Brochure, click here.

WE DO SO MUCH TOGETHER!

Together Time is first Sundays, when everyone – men and women, boys and girls – begin our morning in worship. Children and youth join their families in our Sanctuary for the first 20 minutes of worship before being directed to class. It is a time for music and story. We light our Chalice and sing “Spirit of Life.” It is a beloved time together.

Children’s Chapel are worship services specifically modeled with children in mind. We gather in our historic Eliot Chapel during class time. Parents are more than welcome to join us! Be sure to check the Front Steps or the Sunday Bulletin for dates.

Traditions and Ceremonies: Certain Together Times are dedicated to our special traditions and ceremonies. We begin our year with Homecoming Sunday, when we dedicate our wonderful volunteer teaching staff. We each bring a flower to celebrate Flower Communion on the first Sunday in May. Twice a year babies and children are welcomed into the community during Child Dedication when we honor the potential of every child. Our annual Christmas Pageant (over 80 years old) is presented on a Sunday evening in mid-December. All these and more are included in the Learning Community Calendar.

Socials, overnights, get-togethers, and social justice are just a few of  the many activities that are included in our Learning Community programming. If your family values include a church community,  attending these small group activities is vital. It is connecting with others that help to make our lives whole.

To view the RE yearly calendar, click here.

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION STAFF FOR CHILDREN

Cathy Cartwright, CRE (ccartwright@firstunitarianportland.org), Director of Religious Education for Children, 503-228-6389 ext. 14

About Cathy Cartwright:

Cathy Cartwright,CRE, has been a part of the staff at First Unitarian Church since 2004. Previously she was the Director of Religious Education (Life-Long Learning) for East Shore Unitarian Church in Bellevue, WA. Cathy's formal education is in fine arts and she also has extensive training and experience in community work, including Vista. Recently she obtained the title of Credentialed Religious Educator. Cathy works,  alongside Dana Regan,  with the Religious Education committee to provide leadership and oversight for the Learning Community for children. She directs Children's Programs at First Unitarian Church including year-round nursery and summer programming. Cathy is also active within the denomination, serving as a Good Officer for the Liberal Religious Educators Assocation, and an ongoing consultant for the Pacific Northwest District.

Nicole Bowmer (nbowmer@firstunitarianportland.org), RE Assistant, 503-228-6389, ext. 16