Welcome To Religious Education at The Unitarian Universalist Church of Weymouth. Our RE Mission is to provide, through the participation of parents and other members of this congregation, guidance for our children and youth in their personal, ethical, and spiritual exploration, in a safe, nurturing, inclusive, and engaging environment. Our RE Vision is to continually evolve toward a multi-generational community of aware, involved individuals who live the values of our faith.
Our Seven Rainbow Principles: Children's Version 1. Respect the importance and value of all beings 2. Offer fair and kind treatment to all 3. Yearn to learn and grow throughout life 4. Grow by exploring ideas and values together 5. Believe in your ideas and act on them 6. Insist on peace, freedom and justice for all 7. Value our interdependence with nature |
AN INTRODUCTION TO THE MORAL TALES CURRICULUM
Every day our children go forth into a complex world where they are often faced with difficult decisions and situations. Moral Tales aims to provide children with the spiritual and ethical tools they will need to discern what is right and true, to hear and follow the call of Love, and to turn their moral beliefs and ethical concerns into concrete action. Each session has a central story that draws upon many of our Unitarian Universalist Sources and Principles, portraying moral dilemmas and paths to goodness and justice through a variety of cultural and religious lenses. In this way students will develop an awareness and understanding of other religions as they strengthen their own identity as Unitarian Universalists. Each session begins with a ritual of sharing opening words, lighting a chalice, and centering in silence before hearing a story. After the story students engage in a hands-on activity that provides an opportunity for them to reflect on and participate in the story they’ve just heard. Ritual and craft activities help students relate to each other and the characters in the story. The first five sessions are part of the Seeking Truth/ Discernment Unit of Moral Tales. Students are encouraged to draw upon inner resources such as conscience, intuition, and empathy; spiritual resources such as faith, prayer, and forgiveness; and external resources that include wise teachers and the larger community. The next six sessions constitute the What Would Love Do Unit of Moral Tales. These sessions focus on the ways love calls us to act in the world with humans, other living beings, and the Earth. Students receive an introduction to spiritual practices grounded in love that include generosity, welcome, and nonviolence. The last five sessions introduce tools and attitudes necessary to bring about goodness and justice in the larger world. Students explore responsibility, courage, persistence, and cooperation as they begin to build their own moral compass grounded in an ethic that reflects our Unitarian Universalist values and practices. |