Life Long Learning

STATEMENT OF PHILOSOPHY
The purpose of our religious growth and learning programs at First Parish is to engage children and youth in a caring community where they will discover a life-sustaining faith and ethical framework modeled by adults who empower them to act on Unitarian Universalist principles. 

• Ethical development
• Spiritual development
• Unitarian Universalist identity
• Faith development

Council Chair: Linda Shary; Library: Carolyn Jenks.

LIFE LONG LEARNING GOALS:

• To create a religious community of children, youth, parents, and other adults at First Parish.
• To provide a cohesive, comprehensive curriculum of religious education for children and youth from birth through high school that conveys the essential values, heritage, and sources of the living tradition of Unitarian Universalism.
• To train, support, and recognize parents as religious educators in the contexts of home, work, church, and community.
• In cooperation with the Life Long Learning Council, to support First Parish in providing high quality programs that enhance religious education for all ages, including children's and intergenerational worship, youth programs, and intergenerational activities.
• To have fun.

Religious Education (RE)

Director of Religious Education, Rebecca Hinds, dre@firstparishportland.org

Rebecca Hinds: DRE@firstparishportland.org

Parents-of-Youth Meeting:
“Youth Ministry Development with the Director of Religious Education (DRE)”

When: Sunday, May 18, 2008 at 8:30 AM
Where: “Youth Room”, Second Floor Classroom in the Parish House

Are you the parent or grandparent of a Junior High or High School youth? Are you looking for ways to engage your child or grandchild in the life of First Parish? Would you like to see more youth programming and possibly a Youth Group at First Parish? Then please come to meet with Rebecca Hinds, DRE, and other parents/grandparents of youth. We will be talking about your experience raising Unitarian Universalist youth, brainstorming ideas for youth programming, and discovering together how First Parish can better serve its youth population.

Our DRE is very interested in developing Youth Ministry that is engaging, spiritually alive, and justice centered. But she needs the ideas and help of all you parents and grandparents as well as the support of the congregation.

Let’s make Youth Ministry happen at First Parish! We can start by getting the conversation going. So, see you Sunday, May 18th at 8:30am!

Organic Pancake Breakfast May 4th, 9–9:45 AM in the Multipurpose Room

Please join us and bring your friends!! $4 adults and $3 children.

RE hosts a Pancake Breakfast the first Sunday of every month. All proceeds benefit the RE program. It is a great way to support the children of this congregation, and, of course, to enjoy a delicious, affordable, and healthy meal.

End-of-the-Year Pizza Party and Sleepover!!

When: Saturday, May 31st at 7 PM
Where: First Parish Portland

We will be having an end-of-the-year pizza party for all children and youth in 4th grade and above. The 4-5 graders are invited to sleepover at First Parish. More details to follow. Please contact Rebecca Hinds with any questions.

Sincerely yours,
Rebecca Hinds

Come to the First Parish Library!

Located in the Parish House alcove, it is open any time for self-checkout (read directions on poster), and each Sunday during coffee hour with a member of the library committee to greet you.

There is a card catalog in which you can search for a book by author’s last name or title. Books may be borrowed for one month.

The books are arranged by subject (marked on shelves), including a section for children. We hope you find what you are looking for; if you need help or have book ideas, talk to the person in the library during coffee hour or contact Carolyn Jenks.

What’s New In The Library Alcove. . .

All books reviewed by the Library Committee can be found in the library alcove in the Parish House.

Now, here’s an idea. Long, long ago at First Parish we began a Book Discussion Group. It met every month for years and years, sometimes changing in ways of selecting books, but always open to everyone. Last year our numbers had dwindled to a few and in May we decided to end it.

This year, several people have expressed disappointment about that and hope for another Book Discussion Group. Well, the library was just given a book called The Book Group Book: A Thoughtful Guide to Forming and Enjoying a Stimulating Discussion Group by Ellen Slezak. It is full of essays describing different kinds of book discussion groups all over the country and there is a section containing book lists.

Anyone who is interested can start a brand new book discussion group at First Parish, and this is a book that may offer some inspiring ideas.

If you do decide to have a Book Discussion Group at First Parish, please be sure to call Barbara in the office (773-5747) to check for space availability and to get your group into the calendar. Be prepared to give her your starting and ending dates, day of the week and time of day.

—Carolyn Jenks