Dear Families and Friends, 

This year I’m thinking a lot about our church theme “Meet the Moment” and what it means for our children and youth programming. It reminds me of the advice given in child-centered educational models to “enter the world of the child.” But how do we see the world through a child’s eyes and support their spiritual development?

 

Child-centered approaches suggest three simple steps…

1) Be curious about how children are making sense of their world 

2) Become co-explorers with them on their journey 

3) Support them in deepening their understanding and agency 

 

So what does this look like at UCM? Well, like it already does! I’m often struck by the care and tenderness by which I see adults enter the worlds of children here. It’s clear both children and youth have many loving adults who take an interest in their joys, their hobbies, their passions, and also their concerns and challenges. 

 

This shared process of meaning making is true from a child’s first days in the nursery all the way through our Bridging Ceremony. And this year in Spiritual Exploration we’re piloting child-centered offerings that will also support us in deepening this practice:

• Grades PreK – 4 children will explore our UU values and monthly themes through art, building, stories, and play, at their own level. 
• Middle school youth (Grades 5-8) will take the lead in how they explore and live out our UU values together through service projects and social gatherings. 

 

Adults will continue to be co-explorers on their spiritual journeys supporting them every step of the way. Are you interested in becoming a co-explorer and helping our young congregants make meaning of and live out our shared values? Our program very much needs nursery, middle school, and high school volunteers once a month. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you might be able to help. 

Loris Malaguzzi, founder of the child-centered Reggio Emilia education model, wrote, “Learning and teaching should not stand on opposite banks and just watch the river flow by; instead, they should embark together on a journey down the water.” This year, let us all – children, youth and adults – embark down the river and meet this moment together.

With heart, 

Caitlin