LifeSpan Religious Education at Hopedale
Broadly speaking, religious education is part of worship, leadership development, spiritual growth, committee work, social gatherings and every aspect of building community at Hopedale. Bluntly, religious education doesn’t only happen on Sunday mornings, down in the basement, with young people as students. Religious education is how we learn and grow throughout our lives, within a supportive community. The term “LifeSpan” directs our growing awareness and attention to the full ministry of religious education opportunities for all ages.
Adult Religious Education Series
On Sunday afternoons in February 2012, our Student Minister Bruce Beisner will offer a series of adult religious education classes on Unitarian Universalist identity and theology here at Hopedale. The classes will be based on the book “A Chosen Faith” by John Buehrens and Forrest Church and will take place from 1:30pm to 3:30pm on February 5, 12, 19 and 26, 2012. The book offers essays which discuss the foundations of our Living Tradition and the sources of our faith. Copies of the reading text will be available prior to each week’s session. The first discussion on February 5 will be about experience and reason. Following sessions will focus on: influences from world religions; the theology of interdependence; and putting our faith into action. Please plan to join us after you have lunch on Sundays for these lively and enlightening discussions. You are welcome to attend as many or as few as you are able.
Children’s Religious Education
Our Children’s Religious Education classes are typically held each Sunday morning when the children are sung to their classes after participating in the first part of the worship service. During the service they experience chalice lightings, readings, hymn-singing, a story for all ages and a time when participants are able to share joys and concerns. Classroom time include lessons and activities that explore holidays, important life questions, the world’s religions, mythology, science discovery, UUA history, life and death, and decision-making. Some Sunday Services are meant to be intergenerational with children and adults participating in worship together. For more information about Children’s R.E. please contact Celia Ellison.
