Religious Exploration - Family Ministry
In line with Unitarian Universalist values, the Anchorage UU fellowship promotes knowledge as a catalyst for understanding and tolerance. Accepting and respecting diverse beliefs and cultures begins early and is founded in our robust Religious Exploration (RE) program for children, youth and adults.
The vision of Lifespan Religious Exploration is to provide a nurturing community where people develop personally, spiritually and ethically; and where we instill a passion for a life long journey of learning and exploring the great mysteries. Through exploring the sources of our religion at any age, we pursue theses goals:
-
To love and respect ourselves and other seekers.
-
To value the search for truth and meaning within a caring community.
-
To inspire wonder and joy by engaging mind and body, heart and soul through ritual and celebration.
-
To explore the tenets of UU heritage through its principles and sources of faith.
-
To seek liberty, peace and justice for all by participating in social justice issues and opportunities both locally and worldwide.
As a family ministry, RE programs are aimed at every stage of our lifespan, from young children to adult.
-
Children & Youth programs — age-appropriate curricula for toddlers to teens
-
Family and Extra Curricular RE Programs — encouraging connection within and beyond AUUF walls
-
Our Whole Lives (OWL) — sexuality education from kindergarten to adult
-
Religious Exploration for Adults can be found as a component of the Adult Programs Ministry.
Religious Exploration Resources
When and Where
Most RE activities take place in classrooms on the lower level of the AUUF facility. The facility floor plan document includes a diagram of lower level classrooms and associated age groups.
AUUF Facility Lower Level Floor Plan - A map of downstairs classroom locations and age groups
2019 - 2020 RE Program Calendar: current year dates for RE programs and events
Curricula and Learning Aids
AUUF RE Library
Our RE spaces include a lending library with books chosen to illustrate and support our UU principles and their application. The AUUF RE Library is located in the RE Staff Office downstairs at the fellowship. Parents and children are welcome to browse and borrow these books. All RE curricula are also available for parent examination. Check out procedures are based on an honor system and posted on the bookshelves. Please note titles of any books that you take home and the date they are borrowed.
Resources Online
Parent Resources — tips for building community, complimentary at-home activities and online enrichment resources
Teacher Resources — curricula, teaching materials, lending library and other support items for RE teaching teams.
RE Paperwork and Forms
Whether checking out an program for the first time; or having decided to involve your child or youth in a class; or volunteering your assistance, we need you to complete some paperwork. This is important not only for logistics and to facilitate communication, but also to provide a safe and secure environment. Please follow the links to obtain the PDF version of the forms you need. A few forms have online versions available on appropriate web site pages (noted). Paper copies are also available at the Parent Information Station downstairs at AUUF.
-
First Time Visitors:
Guest Information Form: hard copies also available from classroom teachers
-
Teachers / Classroom Volunteers:
Volunteer Interest / Commitment: Indicate the RE programs/activities you can assist with
Volunteer Screening / Background Check: Required for all Teachers / Advisers
-
Youth Coordinator / Adviser Volunteer Application
Hard copy only available from the RE staff
-
Children & Youth Participants:
1 or 2 forms, depending upon age:
Child / Youth Registration Form: Required for all participants in RE
Youth Permissions Form: Required for youth (6th grade and higher)
-
Fall Frolic Participants
Fall Frolic Registration: 2019 frolic form
-
Coming of Age (COA) Participants
COA Application: Includes a Registration Form, Youth Participant Information Sheet and Parent Information Sheet.
-
Our Whole Lives (OWL) Participants
Includes Informational Letters provided by the DLRE to complete Age/Grade, Season, Year, and Meeting Dates on the form
OWL Registration - 5th & 6th Grade, fall 2019
Informational Letter to Parents - 5th-6th grade program
OWL Registration - Junior High Grades 7-9, fall 2019
Informational Letter to parents and youth - Junior High program
OWL Registration - Grades K-1st, first quarter 2020 - pending
Informational Letter for parents - K-1st grade program - pending
OWL Registration - 11th/12th Youth Aerie, first quarter 2020 - pending
Informational Letter for Parents and Teen, 11th/12th Youth Aerie program - pending
