Religious Exploration

The Religious Exploration program (formerly Religious Growth and Learning [RGL]) has been guided by our Director of Religious Exploration, Sara Palmer, and supported by the RE Committee, chaired by Amy Firestine.

Current 2017-18 RE Programs:
Children RE - Infants to 8th Graders:
- Provided each week at both campuses
- Nursery - integrated into family-style Religious Exploration, not in a separate room
- Monthly programming includes:

• Two weeks of programmed curriculum (this year is UU Identity through Signs of Our Faith) tailored to younger and older interests and abilities
• One week of ActionSpace - a current-events social justice themed based on learning and activities (for example, in September we learned about immigration and detention centers; kids from 4 to 16 drew posters for a vigil at the Berks County Detention Center held later that day, tried singing "This Little Light of Mine" in Spanish, created egg shakers for vigil participants, and discussed the fairness and equity of detaining refugees)
• One-to-two weeks of MakerSpace - an opportunity for kids to practice UU values and fellowship around self-directed activities (CrafterSpace, TinkerSpace, BakerSpace, GardenerSpace, BuilderSpace, MoverSpace)

- Upcoming:

• 5&6th graders - OWL - Winter 2018 (offered biannually)
• 7th&8th graders - COA - Winter/Spring 2018 (offered biannually)

Youth RE - 9th - 12th Graders:
- Scheduled alternating weeks at each campus to increase exposure to congregation and work with Youth schedules
- Monthly programming includes:

• Two weeks of Youth-Advisor-staffed programmed curriculum (this year is UU Identity and leadership development through Bringing the Web to Life,) discussion of current events through a UU lens, planning of Youth Led Service (Spring 2018,) planning of Youth Service Trip (early Summer 2018)
• Two-to-three weeks of less structured activity - Youth participating/assisting in Action or MakerSpace, attending service as a group/serving in the sanctuary (as lay liturgist, greeter, usher, performer, running sound, setting up for coffee hour, etc.)

Young Adult/Adult RE:
- Young Adult-focused programming not present; working with Rev. Lyn and Young Adults to listen to problems and solutions
- Adult RE includes mix of informal and formal groups and workshops:

• Sunday Morning Forum at Clover Lane
• Covenant Groups at both campuses
• Journey to Justice at Clover Lane
• Minister Discussion Group at Market Street
• Examining Whiteness at Clover
• upcoming - Adult OWL for Winter 2018

Current RE Counts/Volunteer Participation:
Children/Youth RE:
- we have 54 C/Y registered from 35 families
- here's a chart of current attendance at each location by Sundays:


- 30-35 adults have volunteered as Infant-to-8th Grade Leaders or Youth Advisors, but only 13 have signed up to lead sessions - our program would be more successful with greater commitment from those volunteers or additional adults ("many hands make light work")

Young Adult/Adult RE:
- numbers are harder to track, due to the larger number of informal programs and adults who share (or forget to share :) ) attendance counts
- overall attendance seems to be 10 people per event (Covenant groups, Forum, Examining Whiteness, etc.)