“Jo, I just wanted to let you know I think of you and UUCWV often. I truly believe my morals and love and acceptance for others was fostered at our church and for that I am so grateful. I often think of the Seven Principles and realize how as I’ve grown older, those words have resonated with me more and more and I’m thankful I have them to carry with me.”
~K.D. a teen (now young adult) I served in my home congregation.
As a child growing up in Parochial school, attending Sunday school, and weekly Bible lessons I had religion in my ear many hours per day. Upon leaving the Catholic faith I only retained a small amount of what was taught. I want our children and teens to have a different experience, the experience of learning and loving and growing together so that when they become adults they can say “UU RE made a difference in my life”
Over the years since becoming a UU, I have taught RE classes from our youngest ones all the way up through adult education. I served as the Youth Coordinator at my home congregation for 7 years, and am currently serving as Youth Coordinator in a much larger setting. I really love working especially with our teens because they are in such a pivotal place in their lives. Though more importantly I remember where I was as a teen wishing that I had more support, more guidance, and more love, I want to be a safe person for our children and teens to connect with.
I have been teaching Adult Religious Education classes for the past three years since beginning my internship. I have taught spiritual practice classes, Soul Matters classes, history classes, classes on race and white supremacy, and I even teach a Ukulele class! It has been such a joy to spend time with the adults in my congregations, we always each end up learning from one another and leaving our class with a greater sense of purpose and passion. Here is the lesson plan for my adult UU History class: “U, U, and UU’s the Good the Bad and the Ugly”
The Seven Principles are central in my life and I want to help nurture a program which teaches and exemplifies them in its curriculum and teachers. I believe that what we teach and how we teach it is key to passing our values onto our younger generations. Together with the Religious Educators and the entire congregation we would work to create an environment that is both spiritually nurturing and fun for all ages.