OT, a little. UU?'s
[email protected]
Andrew (7) is VERY much into art. So we signed up for a local homeschool art
class. It's a 6 week session, once a week. We are getting our feet wet with
local homeschoolers. I know no one right now, homeschool or unschool.
Anyway, this class is held in a church or fellowship hall, I guess? It is
Unitarian Universalist. We don't go to church. Andrew has been to a few
vacation Bible school days with friends. He wants to go to this church. He has
asked what UU means. I have read the literature but I am seeking more personal
info. from UU's and/or those who know more about it. I don't want my hubby's
and my preferences to influence him without a fair chance for him to see what's
what.
We read Bible stories and read his actual Bible. We all enjoy it. But he
has never asked to go back to the church's he has been in with friends. We have
only been to this church 3 times and only for his art class and he really
doesn't know anyone, but he has an interest in being there more often.
If anyone can lend some info., I'd greatly appreciate it. Feel free to email
off list.
Pamela
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
class. It's a 6 week session, once a week. We are getting our feet wet with
local homeschoolers. I know no one right now, homeschool or unschool.
Anyway, this class is held in a church or fellowship hall, I guess? It is
Unitarian Universalist. We don't go to church. Andrew has been to a few
vacation Bible school days with friends. He wants to go to this church. He has
asked what UU means. I have read the literature but I am seeking more personal
info. from UU's and/or those who know more about it. I don't want my hubby's
and my preferences to influence him without a fair chance for him to see what's
what.
We read Bible stories and read his actual Bible. We all enjoy it. But he
has never asked to go back to the church's he has been in with friends. We have
only been to this church 3 times and only for his art class and he really
doesn't know anyone, but he has an interest in being there more often.
If anyone can lend some info., I'd greatly appreciate it. Feel free to email
off list.
Pamela
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Fetteroll
on 1/29/05 5:41 PM, b229d655@... at b229d655@... wrote:
Its roots are Christian and, at least on the East Coast, the services have
the same structure as mainline Protestant, but it's now a liberal church
based on humanist principles.
Basically it's a place where anyone regardless of religious beliefs can get
together with others who agree with the 7 principles:
* The inherent worth and dignity of every person;
* Justice, equity and compassion in human relations;
* Acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth in our
congregations;
* A free and responsible search for truth and meaning;
* The right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within
our congregations and in society at large;
* The goal of world community with peace, liberty, and justice for all;
* Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a
part.
My daughter says she likes it because "They don't tell you what to believe."
;-)
The best thing I read when we were first looking at going was:
100 Questions That Non-Members Ask About Unitarian Universalism
http://www.uunashua.org/100quest.shtml
(If you click on the PDF link (and have Adobe Acrobat installed) you can see
the whole thing rather than one question at a time.)
Joyce
> I am seeking more personalI believe there are a fair number of UUs on the list :-)
> info. from UU's and/or those who know more about it.
Its roots are Christian and, at least on the East Coast, the services have
the same structure as mainline Protestant, but it's now a liberal church
based on humanist principles.
Basically it's a place where anyone regardless of religious beliefs can get
together with others who agree with the 7 principles:
* The inherent worth and dignity of every person;
* Justice, equity and compassion in human relations;
* Acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth in our
congregations;
* A free and responsible search for truth and meaning;
* The right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within
our congregations and in society at large;
* The goal of world community with peace, liberty, and justice for all;
* Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a
part.
My daughter says she likes it because "They don't tell you what to believe."
;-)
The best thing I read when we were first looking at going was:
100 Questions That Non-Members Ask About Unitarian Universalism
http://www.uunashua.org/100quest.shtml
(If you click on the PDF link (and have Adobe Acrobat installed) you can see
the whole thing rather than one question at a time.)
Joyce
[email protected]
In a message dated 1/29/2005 7:38:44 PM Eastern Standard Time,
fetteroll@... writes:
I picked up some literature about UU kids too. Andrew will enjoy that :0)
Pamela
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
fetteroll@... writes:
> 100 Questions That Non-Members Ask About Unitarian UniversalismThanks for the 7 principles and this link. I have begun reading it already.
> http://www.uunashua.org/100quest.shtml
I picked up some literature about UU kids too. Andrew will enjoy that :0)
Pamela
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Nisha
--- In [email protected], b229d655@c... wrote:
He wants to go to this church. He has
> asked what UU means. I have read the literature but I am seeking
more personal
> info. from UU's and/or those who know more about it. I don't want
my hubby's
> and my preferences to influence him without a fair chance for him
to see what's
> what.
We "signed the book" at a UU here in Augusta almost a year ago. I
like it for the most part. I love the CUUPS group here and am active
with them. (That's the pagan group for those that wouldn't know that)
I like the RE classes here, (religious ed) the thing I like the best
about them is that the kids are being exposed to what different
groups of people believe without being told, "this is the one true
way" while learning about those beliefs. My son's class is learning
about Jewish holidays and beliefs(K-1 age group) and my daughters is
learning about different types of eco systems and how animals live
in different parts of the world.
Last week the "sermon" was on evolution. Not about how it was wrong,
but about how it makes sense. I was able to buy a couple of books
from these people for the kids.
http://www.earthethics.com/born_with_a_bang.htm was one of the books.
http://www.thegreatstory.org/K-12programs.html
these were the people that came and did a sermon as well as a
seminar that I really enjoyed on the subject.
I didn't agree with everything they had to say, but it was certainly
refreshing to hear someone speak on the subject without ignoring a
lot of scientific stuff that points to evolution.
ANyway, I'm rambling. If you want my take on UU's in more detail,
let me know. Probably ought to take this one off list.
Nisha
Nisha
Most UU churches will also have a UU 101 type of class that is quite
good. They also usually provide childcare onsite for younger kids,
as well as munchies or lunch in the deal too.
No pressure to join, just offering information. :)
Nisha
good. They also usually provide childcare onsite for younger kids,
as well as munchies or lunch in the deal too.
No pressure to join, just offering information. :)
Nisha
--- In [email protected], b229d655@c... wrote:
> Thanks for the 7 principles and this link. I have begun reading
it already.
> I picked up some literature about UU kids too. Andrew will enjoy
that :0)
>
> Pamela
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
[email protected]
In a message dated 2/1/2005 3:15:21 PM Eastern Standard Time,
nishamartin@... writes:
while your there. What goes on, what the kids are exposed to. I guess our best
route would be to go and see. I just wanted to hear about experiences to see
if it was something I could connect with. Thanks again.
Pamela
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
nishamartin@... writes:
> We "signed the book" at a UU here in Augusta almost a year ago. IThanks for the input. That's what I am wanting to hear. What it's like
> like it for the most part. I love the CUUPS group here and am active
> with them. (That's the pagan group for those that wouldn't know that)
> I like the RE classes here, (religious ed) the thing I like the best
> about them is that the kids are being exposed to what different
> groups of people believe without being told, "this is the one true
> way" while learning about those beliefs. My son's class is learning
> about Jewish holidays and beliefs(K-1 age group) and my daughters is
> learning about different types of eco systems and how animals live
> in different parts of the world.
> Last week the "sermon" was on evolution. Not about how it was wrong,
> but about how it makes sense. I was able to buy a couple of books
> from these people for the kids.
while your there. What goes on, what the kids are exposed to. I guess our best
route would be to go and see. I just wanted to hear about experiences to see
if it was something I could connect with. Thanks again.
Pamela
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
diana jenner
b229d655@... wrote:
homeschooling family??
we're all so ding-dang scared of the local evangelicals (we're one of
three liberal congregations in a city with a "church on every corner")
that we don't offer our facilities to our support group :'(
it works for YOU, without dogma nor creed telling you what you MUST
believe, all in the context of 7 principles which include "respect for
the interdependent web of existence of which we are all a part." A
search for personal Truth is the keystone to the principles on which the
faith is founded (this connection really clicked when I heard Ben
Lovejoy speak about Rules vs Principles) see: uua.org
I had a scrap of paper with some notes from the RE director... aarrgghh
lost now, but it said something like: Love is our faith, Quest for Truth
is our dogma, Service is our prayer. The kids say a little poem: We
light this candle to celebrate Unitarian Universalism; this is the
church of the open mind, this is the church of the loving heart, this is
the church of the helping hands, this is the world of which we're all
part. Our symbol, the flaming chalice, came about during WWII, so our
service groups in Europe could be identified by people in need.
This said, unschooling (homeschooling at all, for that matter) is not
automatically understood nor accepted by everyone of this faith... The
democratic process is an important aspect of our principles, some feel
we are removing ourselves from the process by removing our children from
state-provided education. (Very funny that last year's L&L conference
was held in the city named for the UU family who firmly established
institutional education for all American children)
As a religion, we are just exploring ways to support our homeschooling
members. Last year, there was an article about time together as a
family, in our UU World Magazine... the author made some nasty remark
about homeschoolers and their "family beds and macrobiotic diets," which
caused a big stir including letters from homeschoolers who presented
their lifestyles as a means to have more family time. This was quickly
followed with an article about the "newly-discovered" UU Homeschoolers
(and the token "it didn't work for us" family).
It's an exciting time to be involved in this church... a growing,
thriving, unafraid of change establishment! (It was the teen youth
groups from the Unitarian and Universalism Churches, in the 60s, who
began the process of combining both religions into one -- children are
given their vote at age 12, when they voluntarily sign the membership book)
and accepting, instead of scary and domineering.
The Bible is fun to read and to explore. It's freeing for ME to read
these stories with the kids and allow them to find their own meaning and
truth (if any) instead of repeating what I was told these stories mean
by people I never completely trusted.
Hannah really wants to think that all churches are as accepting of
diversity of beliefs as ours is... it's a tough lesson to discover
they're not!
~diana
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>Andrew (7) is VERY much into art. So we signed up for a local homeschool artGreat place to start meeting everyone! Have you met the UU
>class. It's a 6 week session, once a week. We are getting our feet wet with
>local homeschoolers. I know no one right now, homeschool or unschool.
>
>
homeschooling family??
>Anyway, this class is held in a church or fellowship hall, I guess? It isI'm so jealous! We've got 5 homeschool families in our fellowship, but
>Unitarian Universalist.
>
we're all so ding-dang scared of the local evangelicals (we're one of
three liberal congregations in a city with a "church on every corner")
that we don't offer our facilities to our support group :'(
>We don't go to church. Andrew has been to a fewAs an unschooler, I find this to be my *unchurch* - it's spirituality as
>vacation Bible school days with friends. He wants to go to this church. He has
>asked what UU means. I have read the literature but I am seeking more personal
>info. from UU's and/or those who know more about it. I don't want my hubby's
>and my preferences to influence him without a fair chance for him to see what's
>what.
>
>
it works for YOU, without dogma nor creed telling you what you MUST
believe, all in the context of 7 principles which include "respect for
the interdependent web of existence of which we are all a part." A
search for personal Truth is the keystone to the principles on which the
faith is founded (this connection really clicked when I heard Ben
Lovejoy speak about Rules vs Principles) see: uua.org
I had a scrap of paper with some notes from the RE director... aarrgghh
lost now, but it said something like: Love is our faith, Quest for Truth
is our dogma, Service is our prayer. The kids say a little poem: We
light this candle to celebrate Unitarian Universalism; this is the
church of the open mind, this is the church of the loving heart, this is
the church of the helping hands, this is the world of which we're all
part. Our symbol, the flaming chalice, came about during WWII, so our
service groups in Europe could be identified by people in need.
This said, unschooling (homeschooling at all, for that matter) is not
automatically understood nor accepted by everyone of this faith... The
democratic process is an important aspect of our principles, some feel
we are removing ourselves from the process by removing our children from
state-provided education. (Very funny that last year's L&L conference
was held in the city named for the UU family who firmly established
institutional education for all American children)
As a religion, we are just exploring ways to support our homeschooling
members. Last year, there was an article about time together as a
family, in our UU World Magazine... the author made some nasty remark
about homeschoolers and their "family beds and macrobiotic diets," which
caused a big stir including letters from homeschoolers who presented
their lifestyles as a means to have more family time. This was quickly
followed with an article about the "newly-discovered" UU Homeschoolers
(and the token "it didn't work for us" family).
It's an exciting time to be involved in this church... a growing,
thriving, unafraid of change establishment! (It was the teen youth
groups from the Unitarian and Universalism Churches, in the 60s, who
began the process of combining both religions into one -- children are
given their vote at age 12, when they voluntarily sign the membership book)
>We read Bible stories and read his actual Bible. We all enjoy it. But heIt feels good to be in *God's House* and discover it's actually comfy
>has never asked to go back to the church's he has been in with friends. We have
>only been to this church 3 times and only for his art class and he really
>doesn't know anyone, but he has an interest in being there more often.
>
>
and accepting, instead of scary and domineering.
The Bible is fun to read and to explore. It's freeing for ME to read
these stories with the kids and allow them to find their own meaning and
truth (if any) instead of repeating what I was told these stories mean
by people I never completely trusted.
Hannah really wants to think that all churches are as accepting of
diversity of beliefs as ours is... it's a tough lesson to discover
they're not!
>If anyone can lend some info., I'd greatly appreciate it. Feel free to emailAny other questions, feel free to e-mail me directly :)
>off list.
>
>
~diana
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
[email protected]
The 'creed' recited at every one of our UU services goes like this:
Love is the doctrine of this congregation
The quest for truth is its sacrament
And service is its prayer
To dwell together in peace
To seek knowledge in freedom
To serve humanity in fellowship
To the end that all souls shall grow into harmony with the divine
Thus do we covenant with each other and with God
(my husband, the neo-kemetic pagan says "and with the gods...")
Anyway. Perhaps that's what inspired those RE notes.
I like the description of UUism as an unchurch. :)
To bring this around to unschooling; I am a RE "teacher" about once a
month for 7-9 year olds at our UU congregation. And I currently really
dislike it. The curriculum is inane (teaching "social justice" as
envisioned by a bunch of middle aged people with no children), the kids
aren't really very happy there, and I'd really love to find a way to
make it more engaging. My Kwanzaa party with them was fun. Perhaps
more of that and a less forced, scripted interaction. Not used to
having 30 children in a room at once...it's not my ideal environment,
and I want to make it more worthwhile for them and me. I don't think
I'll volunteer to do this again next year, but in the meantime I'd love
to hear suggestions from you lovely folk about ways to enrich this
experience now.
Love is the doctrine of this congregation
The quest for truth is its sacrament
And service is its prayer
To dwell together in peace
To seek knowledge in freedom
To serve humanity in fellowship
To the end that all souls shall grow into harmony with the divine
Thus do we covenant with each other and with God
(my husband, the neo-kemetic pagan says "and with the gods...")
Anyway. Perhaps that's what inspired those RE notes.
I like the description of UUism as an unchurch. :)
To bring this around to unschooling; I am a RE "teacher" about once a
month for 7-9 year olds at our UU congregation. And I currently really
dislike it. The curriculum is inane (teaching "social justice" as
envisioned by a bunch of middle aged people with no children), the kids
aren't really very happy there, and I'd really love to find a way to
make it more engaging. My Kwanzaa party with them was fun. Perhaps
more of that and a less forced, scripted interaction. Not used to
having 30 children in a room at once...it's not my ideal environment,
and I want to make it more worthwhile for them and me. I don't think
I'll volunteer to do this again next year, but in the meantime I'd love
to hear suggestions from you lovely folk about ways to enrich this
experience now.
> I had a scrap of paper with some notes from the RE director... aarrgghhlisa near Chicago
> lost now, but it said something like: Love is our faith, Quest for
> Truth
> is our dogma, Service is our prayer.
Thalia Ravlin
--- In [email protected], diana jenner <hahamommy@s...>
wrote:
said, to me, UUism is like the "unchurch". I've met people from so many different
religious backgrounds who found their way to UUism because they wanted a place
where they could explore and experience spirituality and religion on their own terms
and form their own definitions of those things and how they fit into their lives.
You'll have to just try it out and see if it's a fit for you. A lot will depend on the size
and demographics of the congregation, the minister, and the RE director and what
their priorities are, but I think that you will find a striving for tolerance and diveristy
in any UU Fellowship you explore.
Because your son has expressed an interest in knowing more about it, I highly
recommend you try it out--personally, I think that UUism is great place for children
(and adults) to learn about different religions and different religious beliefs in a
supportive, tolerant and in my experience, a non-didactic, environment--talk with
the RE Director about the (dare I say it?)--"curriculum" for this year and next and
what their goals are in that area.
I do suggest that you attend at least four services, because depending on the church
they can vary widely from week to week depending on how much lay ministry there
might be, the time of year, etc. Also, if they offer an intro dinner, potluck, or
workshop I would look into it.
Thalia
wrote:
> b229d655@c... wrote:-_-_- I have read the literature but I am seeking more personal
>
> >info. from UU's and/or those who know more about it. I don't want my hubby'sI agree with Joyce, I'm betting there are quite a few UU's on this list and like Dianna
> >and my preferences to influence him without a fair chance for him to see what's
> >what. -_-_-_
said, to me, UUism is like the "unchurch". I've met people from so many different
religious backgrounds who found their way to UUism because they wanted a place
where they could explore and experience spirituality and religion on their own terms
and form their own definitions of those things and how they fit into their lives.
You'll have to just try it out and see if it's a fit for you. A lot will depend on the size
and demographics of the congregation, the minister, and the RE director and what
their priorities are, but I think that you will find a striving for tolerance and diveristy
in any UU Fellowship you explore.
Because your son has expressed an interest in knowing more about it, I highly
recommend you try it out--personally, I think that UUism is great place for children
(and adults) to learn about different religions and different religious beliefs in a
supportive, tolerant and in my experience, a non-didactic, environment--talk with
the RE Director about the (dare I say it?)--"curriculum" for this year and next and
what their goals are in that area.
I do suggest that you attend at least four services, because depending on the church
they can vary widely from week to week depending on how much lay ministry there
might be, the time of year, etc. Also, if they offer an intro dinner, potluck, or
workshop I would look into it.
Thalia
[email protected]
Thanks to all who posted and emailed off-list about this. All of your
comments and suggestions have helped me greatly.
I am going to try it out. Andrew is very happy about it and that's my focus.
Thanks everyone!!!! :o)
Pamela
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
comments and suggestions have helped me greatly.
I am going to try it out. Andrew is very happy about it and that's my focus.
Thanks everyone!!!! :o)
Pamela
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Pamale Teitelbaum
---> To bring this around to unschooling; I am a RE
volunteer political work. Although they weren't the
same ages as the kids you're teaching, most were
coming right from NYC public high schools and were, it
seemed, used to be 'talked at'. Part of being able to
serve the members effectively was (for me)asking what
was important/petinent to them, and they were shocked
and delighted that I prioritized what they wanted and
needed.
Can you ask the kids what they want out of your class?
Why are they there? as part of a greater religious
instruction program or a seperate class? I assume that
many are coerced into going by their parents? What do
they think social justice is and should be about?
Could you ask the kids to offer ideas for different
projects or activities (not even necessarily related
to 'social justice', just what they'd like to do) and
take a vote? You could use the whole 'voting' thing
to talk about democracy and how in a democracy
majority rules, but that doesn't mean that everyone
will be happy with the result and is this 'fair', or
what have you. This way, if everyone voted to square
dance or do some other seemingly non social justice
activity, you could justify it to the parents or
whomever else might have some issues with giving kids
that degree of freedom ;)
Your church sounds cool - I'd really be interested to
know what a curriculum for teaching 7 -9 yo about
social justice looks like. If you haven't already,
you might try reading John Holt's "Instead of
Education" - an amazing book with some incredible
insights on "teaching".
Pamela
momma to Aaron (6) and Joshua (8)
__________________________________
Do you Yahoo!?
Read only the mail you want - Yahoo! Mail SpamGuard.
http://promotions.yahoo.com/new_mail
> "teacher" about once amy union geared at offering opporunities to do
> month for 7-9 year olds at our UU congregation. And
> I currently really
> dislike it. The curriculum is inane (teaching
> "social justice" as
> envisioned by a bunch of middle aged people with no
> children), the kids
> aren't really very happy there, and I'd really love
> to find a way to
> make it more engaging. Not used to
> having 30 children in a room at once...it's not my
> ideal environment,
> and I want to make it more worthwhile for them and
> me. I don't think
> I'll volunteer to do this again next year, but in
> the meantime I'd love
> to hear suggestions from you lovely folk about ways
> to enrich this
> experience now.
>
>I ran a political activism intro for apprentices in
volunteer political work. Although they weren't the
same ages as the kids you're teaching, most were
coming right from NYC public high schools and were, it
seemed, used to be 'talked at'. Part of being able to
serve the members effectively was (for me)asking what
was important/petinent to them, and they were shocked
and delighted that I prioritized what they wanted and
needed.
Can you ask the kids what they want out of your class?
Why are they there? as part of a greater religious
instruction program or a seperate class? I assume that
many are coerced into going by their parents? What do
they think social justice is and should be about?
Could you ask the kids to offer ideas for different
projects or activities (not even necessarily related
to 'social justice', just what they'd like to do) and
take a vote? You could use the whole 'voting' thing
to talk about democracy and how in a democracy
majority rules, but that doesn't mean that everyone
will be happy with the result and is this 'fair', or
what have you. This way, if everyone voted to square
dance or do some other seemingly non social justice
activity, you could justify it to the parents or
whomever else might have some issues with giving kids
that degree of freedom ;)
Your church sounds cool - I'd really be interested to
know what a curriculum for teaching 7 -9 yo about
social justice looks like. If you haven't already,
you might try reading John Holt's "Instead of
Education" - an amazing book with some incredible
insights on "teaching".
Pamela
momma to Aaron (6) and Joshua (8)
__________________________________
Do you Yahoo!?
Read only the mail you want - Yahoo! Mail SpamGuard.
http://promotions.yahoo.com/new_mail