Religious Education at MUF

The Morristown Unitarian Fellowship Lifespan Religious Education Program has three components – children/youth programming, adult programming (lifespan learning) and multigenerational programming. We are committed to building a multigenerational community through worship, fun community building events, religious education opportunities and social justice activities.

We meet as an inclusive community to celebrate Unitarian Universalism and to explore our own personal and/or spiritual beliefs. We warmly welcome guests into our Fellowship. Children are welcome into our religious education classes and Time for all Ages at 9:00 am to start the beginning of our time together as a multigenerational community. Our children and youth participate in Chalice Chapel once a month.

Our children’s covenant is: “We are Unitarian Universalists. We are the Fellowship of the open mind, loving heart, helping hands, and together we care for the earth and work to bring peace and justice into the world.

Our Program

Our Time for all Ages starts at 9:00 am until approximately 9:20 am in the sanctuary. After the Children’s Choir sings, our children and youth depart for their classrooms. Our RE classes end at 10:30 am. Chalice Chapel happens once a month. Our full year calendar can be found on this website. Here you will be given information on when our children and youth meet for RE, Chapels and special events including multigenerational and family friendly services.

Our Religious Education Program for Grades 1 through Jr. High is based on a two-year cycle. This year Grades 1 – 6 will be learning about Unitarian Universalist Identity and Heritage, World Religions and the Interdependent Web of Life. This is accomplished by three units in the fall, winter and spring. Jr. High youth are entering a Coming of Age Program this year. Preschool (age 3 ) and Preschool/Kindergarten (ages 4 and 5) engage in a full year curriculum with 8 teachers who guide our children in teams. Sr. High Youth Group meets from 9:00 am until 11:00 am. Here they further their understanding of Unitarian Universalism, met in a safe community where they are free to express their deepest concerns and desires and build a Habitat house in July.

Next programming year -2010/2011 - our units for Grades 1 – 6 are Unitarian Universalist Identity and Heritage, Jewish Heritage and Christian Heritage and Peace and Justice. Our Jr. High youth will be learning about different religions through a curriculum called Neighboring Faiths.

Throughout the year, our children are engaged in social justice activities. We strongly believe in the democratic principles and teach our children how to affect change through peaceful means - beginning in their own lives. Our comprehensive Unitarian Universalist curriculum touches on six areas: Community Building, Worship and Spirituality, Social Justice, Leadership Development, Adult/Youth and Child Relationships and Learning.

This year, we will be offering Our Whole Lives (OWL) – a comprehensive sexuality curriculum – for grades 1 and 2. This course will take place in the winter and will be offered for one hour after the regular RE Programming.

Our Minister’s Perspective

The question I often have in mind with the religious education lens is “What kind of souls do we wish to grow?” here at the Morristown Unitarian Fellowship. What do you notice that is different about individuals, young and old, who spend time on personal growth, religious exploration, spiritual practice, community building and justice making here at the Fellowship? I like to imagine that collectively, our congregational life together will make a notable difference in the lives of our members and the way we move individually and together in the larger community.

The Reverend Allison Miller

What Our Families are Saying - Why Does Your Family Come to MUF?

"I want my children to have a sense of community and belonging."

"I want my children to have an understanding of different religious traditions and beliefs."

"I want them to feel like it is ok to believe."

"I want them to feel it is okay to explore the full range of spiritual possibilities."

"I like it that we have no set dogma and it's ok to ask questions."

"I want my children to have a place apart from the rest of the world, with moments of quiet for reflection and growth."

"I want my kids to learn compassion in a place where it's ok to be a kid."

Our Seven Unitarian Universalist Principles for Young People

We Believe:

That everyone is special and important.
That we should treat each other fairly and with understanding.
That our congregations are places where all people are accepted and where we learn together.
That each person must be free to search for what is true and right in life.
That everyone should have a vote about the things that concern them.
In working for a peaceful, fair and free world.
In caring for our Earth and all its inhabitants.

The Sources of Unitarian Universalism for Young People