Fall 2016 Classes

Last week, we began our new season of classes for the children and youth. We've made some changes that should make for an even better learning experience.

We've expanded our offerings to three classes: Elementary Learners, Advanced Learners and the Teens. We are excited to have many of our Early Learners grow into a new class with a curriculum that will help them consider their own beliefs and theologies. The teen class is becoming more of a youth group, with conversations with the minster and times together to cook and share food.

Classes are on Sunday mornings. The children and youth start in the service. After Together Time with the minister and then assisting collecting food for Clemson Community Care, they go to classes. Elementary and Advanced Learners finish by 11:40 (usually around the end of the service.) Teens go a little longer, until noon.

Elementary Learners: Spirit Play

Kindergarten through 3rd grade (Ages 5 – 8)

Spirit Play, modeled partly on the Montessori method of learning, encourages children to ask questions of wonder. Stories from all traditions, including our own, introduce children to promises (principles) of Unitarian Universalism. To reinforce these, children have independent work time as part of the lesson. The stories this fall will mainly focus on the themes and historical UU’s explored by the congregation each month, as well as earth-based holidays, and some of our basic UU lessons.

Teachers: Beth Carraway, Kari Carson, Kathy Gillcrist, Rhonda Powell, Christine Prado, Olivia Sparkman, Pamela West

Advanced Learners: Toolbox of Faith

4th through 7th grade  (Ages 9-12)

Toolbox of Faith invites participants to reflect on the qualities of our Unitarian Universalist faith, such as integrity, courage, and love, as tools they can use in living their lives and building their own faith. Each of the 16 sessions uses a tool as a metaphor for an important quality of our faith such as reflection (symbolized by a mirror), flexibility (duct tape), and justice (a flashlight).

Teachers: Sarah Harcum, Karen Hiebel, Meg MacArthur, Carl Thompson, Martha Thompson

Teens: World Religions Exploration

8th grade through 12^th grade (Ages 13 -18)

This fall the teen program will utilize a Youth Ministry approach with teens in the service on first Sundays and meeting afterward for lunch and discussion with the minister, other Sundays will focus on Social Justice discussions, Coming of Age activities, and Food & Fun in the kitchen (life skills preparation).

Teachers: Mandolin Bright, Chad Carson, Cindy Lee, Riley Stevens, Kristin Trowell

We hope you consider bringing your children to these classes to help them consider their spirituality. 

Also, we thank everyone assisting in these classes. If you are interested in being involved, teaching is an excellent way to learn and develop your own theology as well.