At Mission Peak, we strive to provide our children and youth with a safe place to explore their own ideas and discover what they believe to be true. We encourage questioning and thinking broadly about faith and spirituality. Mission Peak has a three-year theme rotation for our religious education offerings for children: one year of Judaism and Christianity, one year of Unitarian Universalism, and one year of World Religions. This year (2019-20) the theme is Judaism and Christianity.
Our elementary age classroom will be exploring Judaism and Christianity through the Joyful Path Curriculum. Using the Bible and other wisdom stories, A Joyful Path teaches interdependence, self awareness, respect for nature, stillness, forgiveness, prayer, meditation, and integrity. Topics Covered are: energy, the body, feelings, heart nature, the will, the intellect, God within all, letting go, the universe, prayer, the Bible, the life of Jesus, Christian holidays, kindness, and nature.
The youth group meets on the 2nd and 4th Sundays of the month. On the 2nd Sunday the youth have game Sunday and the 4th Sunday they have small group ministry. The youth group also have a fall and spring retreat, several outings, they host the Easter Egg hunt and many other exciting adventures.
Honest, accurate information about sexuality changes lives. It dismantles stereotypes and assumptions, builds self-acceptance and self-esteem, fosters healthy relationships, improves decision making, and has the potential to save lives. For these reasons and more, we are proud to offer Our Whole Lives (OWL), a comprehensive, lifespan sexuality education curricula for use in both secular settings and faith communities.
Our Whole Lives helps participants make informed and responsible decisions about their sexual health and behavior. With a holistic approach, Our Whole Lives provides accurate, developmentally appropriate information about a range of topics, including relationships, gender identity, sexual orientation, sexual health, and cultural influences on sexuality.
Our Whole Lives Offers...
Our Whole Lives Values...
While Our Whole Lives is secular, it is not value-free. The program gives clear messages about the following key sexuality issues:
Our Whole Lives recognizes and respects the diversity of participants with respect to biological sex, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, and disability status. The activities and language used throughout the program have been carefully chosen to be as inclusive as possible of this human diversity.
Every other year, Mission Peak UU, and other congregations in the Bay Area, offer Coming of Age to their youth. In our next rotation Mission Peak UU is planning to develop and implement our very own Coming of Age Program. More information coming soon!
Mission Statement
The Children and Youth Religious Exploration Committee (CaYRE) sets the direction of the children’s religious education program at MPUUC and works with the Director of Religious Education in organizing children’s and religious exploration classes and activities.
Activities
The CaYRE Committee serves its mission by:
1: Maintain open communication with the board via CaYRE committee meeting minutes and email.
2: Act as Substitute DRE on the DRE’s scheduled days off, or in emergencies
3: Work with DRE to set curricula for the program
4: Work with DRE to update RE registration each fall.
5: Work with DRE, minister, and worship associates to produce the holiday pageant and other intergenerational worship services.
6: Assist DRE with recruiting of teachers.
7: Provide support during Teacher Training.
8: Provide support to youth and DRE with regard to the Our Whole Lives (OWL), Coming of Age (COA), and youth group programs if needed.
9: Investigate other opportunities for increasing a family’s religious education through other activities.
Interactions
The CaYRE Committee works with:
· The minister, who supervises the DRE and sets intergenerational service dates
· Worship Associates to confirm intergenerational service dates
· The Board, to communicate critical issues that may affect our children’s religious exploration
· The congregation, through our holiday pageant and other intergenerational worship opportunities, Our Whole Lives and Coming of Age programs, and the youth service
· Database Administrator, by collecting RE Registration forms from new and existing families for entry into the MPUUC database.
Term Limits
none
Desired Qualifications for Committee Members
Have a vested interest in furthering the religious exploration of the children and youth of MPUUC.
Positions and Duties of Committee Members
Act as Sub-DRE at least once per year
Attend bi-monthly CaYRE committee meetings
Provide support (meals, childcare, etc) as necessary for teacher training
Assist in teacher recruitment
Assist in RE registration each fall