Rogue Valley Unitarian Universalist Fellowship offers a year-round liberal religious experience drawn from our Unitarian Universalist traditions, which affirm the great spiritual truths of all religions. RVUUF’s Religious Explorations (RE) program seeks to assist each child and youth in nurturing a spiritual life, ethical awareness, a UU identity and faith development. Children begin Sunday morning in our Great Hall with their parents where they experience the rituals of RVUUF worship: Chalice Lighting, Peace Candle, songs and storytelling. Following story time, we sing a special song for our children as they leave for their religious explorations classrooms: “May your minds be open to new learning, may your lips bring truth into the world, may your hearts know love and your hands do the work of justice as you go your way in peace.” In their classrooms, children and youth engage with teachers and community volunteers to light their own chalice, share their “Roses and Thorns” (Joys & Sorrows), sing, play, and engage with each other around seasonal themes.

R.E. ‘Quick Links’

• RVUUFian Parents public group on Facebook
• Religious Explorations on RVUUF blog

About our program

R.E. classes coincide with Sunday worship times, 10:30 to 11:30 am. Children start in the Great Hall with the adults and go to their classes after the story. During the summer, children go directly to their classes without first joining services.

Children ages 0 to 4 are welcome in the Nursery for playtime and snacks. Nursery begins at 10:30 a.m. and continues until noon. Classrooms are staffed by our Lead Teacher, Liz Bianco, and assisted by an adult volunteer. Children of guests are welcome.

Lead Teacher, Liz Bianco

Liz Bianco teaches upper-elementary to high-school students, ages 9 and older, and helps facilitate RVUUF’s teen youth group for ages 12 to 16. She also serves as lead teacher for the Religious Explorations program.

Liz is inspired by connecting children with nature, divine love, active service, self-awareness, peace and equality. She has a B.A. degree in Peace and Conflict Studies and training in counseling. She has created and led programs for children in gardening on her own and other local farms and in various school gardens.

Liz teaches sign language at Willow Wind community learning center as well as co-facilitates girls’ empowerment circles. Liz’s experience includes running a preschool out of her home as well as guiding and counseling children/ teens in the wilderness and teaching hands on learning and art.

Teaching Philosophy

Our Unitarian Universalist principles are shared with our children through a dynamic curriculum that incorporates experiential learning and uses the expressive arts. The classroom learning is extended into the larger community with a focus on compassionate community service.

Our Multigenerational Community

Throughout the year, worship activities and special events embrace a community of all ages. RVUUF’s youngest members have an opportunity to join multigenerational services such as Water Communion and Day of the Dead.

Enrolling your child

To ensure that children have a safe and positive experience, we ask that parents/guardians complete forms for Participation, Medical Information, and Permission to Use Photographs. We also ask parents/guardians to keep these forms up-to-date by filling out a new one as necessary. This form can be obtained from teachers on Sunday.

Volunteering in the R.E. Program

In the spirit of a cooperative religious community, adults with or without children in the R.E. program participate in the shared teaching of Unitarian Universalism. In accordance with our Safe Congregation practices, volunteers provide a necessary second adult during activities with children and youth.

Classroom assistants can help prepare snacks, join children in the garden, share stories or talents or play a simpler supporting role. They are an important addition to our classrooms and help our children to be part of an intergenerational experience. If you would like to volunteer in an R.E. classroom, we invite you to join your Neighborhood Team, whose leaders schedule the R.E. volunteers.

For More Information

Use RVUUF’s contact form to request more information from Lead Teacher Liz Bianco.

RE AT HOME: CHALICE CRAFTING
WITH THE SOUTHERN OREGON UU PARTNERSHIP!

The flaming chalice is the symbol of Unitarian Universalism. Former Southern Oregon UU Partnership Intern Minister Alison created these chalice-making crafts for you and your family to make at home. Watch the video above to learn how to make a Plastic Egg Chalice, visit the blog of the UU Fellowship of Klamath County (HERE) to learn how to make a Candy Dish Chalice, and find our Plastic Wine Glass chalice instructions HERE. These also make great gifts. Happy crafting, and happy chalice lighting!