We are a small lay-led spiritual community with a strong emphasis on families. We currently have more children in RE than we have adults in the Sanctuary! Our Religious Education (RE) program focuses on the growth of spirituality with the Seven Unitarian Universalist principles as our guide. Once the children have been given a strong foundation in the UU faith, spiritual exploration expands to include appreciation of world religions. As our children reach middle school age, they are introduced to community service, which is a vital aspect of our UU faith. Our Fellowship meets on the second and fourth Sundays of the month, September through June. We meet at our new home, the former Mrs. B’s Barn on Route 15 in Jericho. Our children attend the first part of the service with their families. We request that families sit together and model appropriate behavior. This portion is planned with the children in mind, and includes music, joys and concerns, and a children's moment. Then the children leave the service to attend religious education (RE) classes. These are age appropriate, but you as the parent are always the final judge of where your child will be most comfortable. Director of Religious Education Leslie Dunn can help you decide which group is best for your child, and answer any other RE questions or concerns you may have.

Children’s Version of Unitarian Universalist Principles:

We believe:
1. That each and every person is important
2. That all people should be treated fairly and kindly
3. That we should accept one another and keep on learning together
4. That every person must be free to search for what is true and right in life
5. That all people should have a vote about the things that concern them
6. In working for a peaceful, fair and free world
7. In caring for our planet earth, the home we share with all living things

Nursery/Pre-School (0-4 years old): Our youngest RE participants are welcome to gather in the Nursery/Pre-School during regular services. With guidance from Barbara Merrill, Moya Cavanagh will provide a nurturing environment where the children will begin learning the rituals of our RE program, adapting the UU pre-school curriculum “We Are Many, We are One.”

Kindergarten-2nd Grade: Elena Spensley and Elise Doner teach this class. We are using resources from 2 UU curriculums, "Love Surrounds Us" and “Wonderful Welcome.” Through stories, lively discussion, games, and crafts, we introduce the children to the 7 UU Principles, and explore how UU Spirituality can guide us in everyday life.

3rd - 5th Grade: This year the class is being led by Sandra Limoge, utilizing the UU “Toolbox of Faith” curriculum. The focus of this class is on living the 7 Unitarian Universalist Principles, building community both within our class and within the Fellowship. It is our hope that each child will EXPERIENCE the UU beliefs so that they may begin the process of making decisions about how they will incorporate them in their daily lives.

Project Reach Out (PRO) Middle School: This group is co-led by Delia Clark and Scott Esmond. Project Reach Out is a creative community service program based on Unitarian Universalist principles. Most of our service projects occur on service Sunday mornings, but sometimes run longer than the service time. Some of our service projects include hosting Fellowship dinners, baking for Meals on Wheels, working for the Special Olympics, walking in the COTS Walk and reading to refugee children. We will use the UU “Riddle and Mystery” curriculum this year. Project Reach Out gently helps our youth become aware of issues in our community, and helps them to channel their natural compassion into the habit of service.

Youth Group: This high school group is led by Jen Rettew and will be utilizing the UU Curriculum "A Place of Wholeness". The group plans to gather each month to explore the role of spirituality in life’s work, family and pastimes. Youth will have support in coordinating social events every other month and participating in meaningful community service. Youth in our Fellowship may choose to participate in our "Coming of Age" program once they reach ninth grade. Youth who reach the age of sixteen may decide to sign the membership book and become a voting member of our Fellowship. They may choose to explore this decision within the "Coming of Age" process.

The Care Covenant
It takes a Fellowship to raise a child.

• We take care of ourselves and each other.
• Kind words and cooperative play are part of taking care. Grabbing, pushing, hitting, and hurting words are not.
• Parents, please keep your children in eyesight outside of Religious Education activities. Children, please keep your parents within eyesight outside of Religious Education activities.
• We are all responsible for all of our children. It is the job of everyone in the Fellowship to ensure that each child feels safe. If you are uncomfortable with a situation, then please alert the parents of the children involved.
This covenant is in effect whenever and wherever the Fellowship is together.