Suzanne Says Yes!
At the Special Congregational Meeting held on Sunday, April 20, the members of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Cheyenne overwhelmingly voted to call the Rev. Suzanne Meyer to be our Settled Minister. Soon after the meeting, the Search Committee called Suzanne. Suzanne accepted the call and will be our new settled minister. She will move to Cheyenne soon, but will not start at the church until August.
The Search Committee did a wonderful job and we thank you.
Yippee!
Mike Shonsey
President
Religious Education
Welcome to the Religious Education Program!
Religious Education has always been an integral part of the life of this congregation. We are blessed to have a rich history of support for a strong and creative program. Church members and friends devote much time, energy and love to nurturing the spirituality of our children. Our congregation truly embraces the fact that our children are the future.
We provide a fun and safe environment where children and youth can explore the mysteries of life. Unitarian Universalist principles are reinforced through energetic, hands-on lessons that draw from our diverse and inspirational sources. Social action projects encourage a broader vision of the world.
We strive to create a place where each person is honored for the gifts she or he brings to the program. This is a place where children learn the joy that can come from being part of a loving, intentional community.
At the Unitarian Universalist Church of Cheyenne we offer programs which nurture religious curiosity, creativity, and connection!
Sunday Programming
Welcome to Sunday morning religious education programming! Children preschool to 5th grade spend the first fifteen minutes of the service in the sanctuary with their family. After a special time for all ages, the teachers and the Director of Religious Education (DRE) will escort the children downstairs to their classes. You are welcome to join your child or drop into his or her class at any time!
Nursery - Ages 0-3
In the nursery our youngest enjoy an environment of love and warmth. Play, cuddling, and stories are part of the morning. The nursery is staffed by trained teenagers and adults. The nursery is open from 10:15-11:30.
Please note: Parents of infants and toddlers often like to have their children with them in the sanctuary. We welcome this and assure parents that the noises made by young children are rarely a distraction to others. Sometimes, however, children get restless and need room to crawl around. The nursery has a speaker and a window to the sanctuary. Parents can stay with their children if they wish and still hear the service.
Preschool through Kindergarten
We Are Many, We Are One
Offers young children the opportunity to learn about their religious community and tradition, as well as the freedom to discover and express their uniqueness. Encourages children to use their minds, bodies, and emotions to develop their sense of identity and self-esteem within their Unitarian Universalist community and their world. Through stories, games, songs and crafts this class enjoys learning about where they fit into this big, beautiful world.
1st, 2nd, and 3rd Grades
Walking the Rainbow Path
This curriculum draws children into the spiritual practice of living their faith in everyday life. It gives children the tools to build the framework of a belief system; it offers images, stories, experiences and language to help them name and celebrate their own spiritual truth. This class has fun in a stimulating and inspirational environment!
4th and 5th Grades
In Our Hands
This peace and social justice curriculum engages older elementary students in an action oriented exploration of an important part of our Unitarian Universalist heritage and values. Through this interactive program children will explore ways to put their beliefs into action!
6th, 7th, and 8th Grades
Popcorn Theology
Uses modern movies coupled with youth's interest in video technology to encourage specific learning opportunities which examine issues of theological and ethical importance to our world. In this innovative curriculum, youth examine how choices we make effect our lives and the world around us. Join us for popcorn and a movie!
Senior High
YRUU (Young Religious Unitarian Universalists)
The Senior High Youth Group is a self-directed and energetically led group focused on social justice and spiritual exploration. In addition to participation at the congregational level, the youth also participate in district-wide events with Unitarian Universalist Youth from around the region. This dynamic group is a safe and welcoming place for teens to explore their own spiritual path. We have coffee! Energize your body while you energize your spirit!
Special Sunday Programming
Children's Chapel and Intergenerational Services
Once a month children in preschool through 8th grade gather during Sunday service for a multi-age children's chapel focusing on either a seasonal or Unitarian Universalist theme. Some past children's chapel themes have included Martin Luther King Jr., Beltane, Chinese New Year, Samhain, Easter, and Social Justice Sunday.
Several times throughout the year the Minister and the Director of Religious Education collaborate on intergenerational worship services. During these special services children and adults share the sanctuary on Sunday morning in a sacred time that speaks across the lifespan.
Weeks of Celebration
In mid-November we kick-off the Weeks of Celebration. This program was developed by our DRE and is unique to our congregation. Beginning with Guest at Your Table (a UU Social Justice project) and ending with Kwanzaa this multi-cultural and multi-age program celebrates holiday traditions from many cultures and countries. Celebrations include Gratitude, Rohatsu, Hanukkah, Yule, Christmas, and Kwanzaa. It is during this time that we present our annual holiday pageant.
Summer Programming
Summer Sundays
In the summer our Sunday morning children's program moves outside (weather permitting) in a multi-age exploration of environmental issues, Native American spirituality, or peace and social justice lessons.
Summer Camp
Every summer we are proud to present a week-long day camp for children from ages 5 - 10. In 2007, Hogwarts Cheyenne helped children discover "The Magic Within" as they played quidditch, attended potions and herbology class, and learned magic spells (affirmations ~ shhh don't tell anyone!). In 2006 we hosted Peace Camp bringing the John Denver Peace Cloth to Cheyenne. Please visit our website often for information about Summer Camp 2008.
Special Programming
Our Whole Lives
Our Whole Lives is a series of sexuality education curricula for five age groups: grades K-1, grades 4-6, grades 7-9, grades 10-12, and adults.
Our Whole Lives helps participants make informed and responsible decisions about their sexual health and behavior. It equips participants with accurate, age-appropriate information in six subject areas: human development, relationships, personal skills, sexual behavior, sexual health, and society and culture. Grounded in a holistic view of sexuality, Our Whole Lives provides not only facts about anatomy and human development, but helps participants to clarify their values, build interpersonal skills, and understand the spiritual, emotional, and social aspects of sexuality.
Coming of Age
Coming of Age helps youth in 7th and 8th grade discern for themselves what it means to be a Unitarian Universalist, individually and as part of the larger faith community. The program involves individual activities, family participation, and working with a mentor from within the congregation.
Coming of Age is a way:
~To encourage youth to explore what it means to be a Unitarian Universalist.
~To help youth move into the adult role of identifying and acting on personal beliefs and values.
~To recognize and publicly honor the movement of a youth from childhood to adolescence within the Unitarian Universalist tradition.
Through monthly activities with mentors and two overnight retreats youth explore UU Heritage, leadership, social justice, theology and beliefs, spiritual practice and a vision quest. The program culminates with a special recognition service and celebration in May. Coming of Age is truly a rite of passage.
9th Grade Trip
In ninth grade our youth participate in a ten day trip to the Hopi and Navajo lands of New Mexico and Arizona with Unitarian Universalist from the entire front range. This trip is very affordable and has been a life changing event for the youth that participate.
Last but certainly not least...
Religious Education Team
Our program is coordinated by the Religious Education Team,
which is responsible for both long-range planning and short-term action. We
have a core group of members who create programming and a wide range of
volunteers that carry out our liberal Religious Education vision. Our
Director of Religious Education is dedicated to coordinating the various
programs to ensure continuity throughout the lifespan of our children and
youth.
Safety
We have a Safe Congregation policy in place to assure maximum safety for your children in any of our programs. All of our volunteer teachers are trained undergo a national background check before participating in any of our religious education programs.
We invite you to join us on this inspirational adventure as we explore our rich and diverse history, develop a secure sense of individuality, deepen our understanding of the great mystery of life, and explore the world around us!
Welcome!