Home
Minister's Page
Lay Led Services
Music
Sm Grp Ministry
Church School for Children at Fi
Renovations
Calendar
Newsletters
MBD Coming Events

A Look Back at Ministers

Our programs

 First Parish History

Unitarian Universalist Association

Disbursement Form

Church School for Children at First Parish of Beverly

MISSION STATEMENT

The mission of our religious education program is to provide the children of First Parish with a moral and spiritual framework upon which they can form their own religious convictions.  In the words of William Ellery Channing, we want “to awaken their consciousness, their moral discernment, so that they may discern and approve for themselves what is everlastingly right and good.”

The goals of the Religious Education Program of First Parish Church are that each child:
…..understand UU history and philosophy and feel a part of both our church community and the greater Unitarian Universalist Association.
…..feel loved and good about themselves.
…..be capable of caring, sharing, giving, and receiving in relationships with one another.
…..feel wonder and delight for the miracle of life, and appreciate the shared human responsibility for the care of our planet.
…..acknowledge and value all the world’s great religious stories and traditions.
…..be aware of diverse life-styles and living conditions, and recognize the kinship underlying any superficial differences.
…..understand and be respectful of the religious beliefs of others.
…..have the resources to make ethical, just decisions.

 My name is Deb Sweet and I am the Director of Religious Education here at First Parish.  I have the pleasure of not only serving the church as its religious educator for the past sixteen years, but I have also watched my own two daughters grow up in the church, becoming confident women, comfortable with their religious heritage and committed to living out the seven Unitarian Universalist Principles we hold so dear.  As a parent I understand what brings families to our door.  We are searching for a nurturing environment where our children are both welcomed and encouraged to spiritual growth.  As the religious educator I strive to provide that same caring atmosphere I sought some twenty-five years ago as a parent looking for a church in which to raise my own children.  We all…adults as well as children and youth…need a community to call home.  We need a community that will guide us and sustain us, challenge us and comfort us.  First Parish is that kind of loving community.
PROGRAMMING

NURSERY
A nursery room in Hale Hall is available for use during our church service.  Childcare service is provided through a parent cooperative and staff babysitter.

PRE-K & KINDERGARTEN
We Are Many, We Are One is based on the premise that young children learn about religion through relationships.  It offers young children the opportunity to learn about their religious community and tradition, as well as the freedom to discover and express their uniqueness. 

GRADE ONE, TWO & THREE
Wonderful Welcome explores how and why we are willing to welcome others into our lives.  Welcoming is a major component to being a Unitarian Universalist.  Through this curriculum, our children learn how we welcome strangers and friends, family and peers.  They also learn how to welcome both animals and nature into their lives.  This is done by exploring such gifts as love, kindness, acceptance and community.

  

2009-10 RELIGIOUS EDUCATION COMMITTEE:

Gabrielle Montevecchi, chairwoman (978) 922-2480

Ransom Richardson, treasurer 
(978) 969-1913)

Diane Marceau (978) 921-6566

Stephanie McGowan (978) 927-6617

Cheryl Rand (978) 232-9465

Robin Trefry (978 927-9532)

 

Church School Registration Forms
GRADE FOUR, FIVE & SIX - Toolbox of Faith
With this curriculum the children will use the model of a toolbox to explore those elements they will need to face life’s challenges as a Unitarian Universalist.  Some of the tools that will go into their personal toolbox are duct tape (for flexibility), a compass (for integrity), sandpaper (for humor) and a flashlight (for justice).

GRADE SEVEN, EIGHT & NINE
Neighboring Faiths is a program of study in which our grade 7, 8 & 9 youth explore the history and development of both non-Unitarian Universalist faith traditions as well as other Unitarian Universalist churches.  An important part of this course is visits to the religious institutions the youth study.

OWL (Our Whole Lives) Grades Seven, Eight & Nine
This class uses a comprehensive approach to teaching about human sexuality.  Based firmly on the values of respect, responsibility, justice and inclusiveness, the course helps youth apply these values to their behavior and provides them with information and skills they can use throughout life.  The class generally meets on Sunday evenings and requires participation by parents in an orientation. 

YOUTH GROUP
Our youth group is for grades seven through twelve.   Over the church year, this group is involved in a combination of service, worship, and recreational activities.   Our youth advisors are Carol Jones and Paul Knight.
MYSTERY FRIENDS     Our Mystery Friends intergenerational activity begins this year on Sunday, January 10.  Mystery Friends is an opportunity for the children and youth of First Parish to get to know the adults and older youth of our congregation a little better.  Sign-up for adults and older youth who want to be senders will take place during Coffee hour on January 10 and 17.  This year we are also asking parents who want their children to participate in this activity to sign up their children at our Mystery Friend station at the back of the sanctuary on Jan 10 and 17.  Notes and cards from senders with hints of who they might be, can be left in the children’s mailboxes (located across from the Hale Hall rest rooms) on January 24 and 31, and on February 7.  The object of the activity is for the children to try to guess the identity of their sender.   On revealing day (Sunday, February 7) our pairs finally meet up during our celebratory Coffee hour tea party in Hale Hall.  For more information about Mystery Friends, contact Victoria Hackett ((978 922- 0081) or Deb Sweet (978 927-3617).

FPC’s PARENTING GROUP-SPIRITUAL PARENTING IS BACK!  Our first meeting will take place on Saturday, January 23rd.  In keeping with the custom of New Year’s resolutions, we’ll take the time and space to consider our parenting intentions for the coming year.  To facilitate this, Dave Flynn will lead us in a meditation suitable for all levels of experience.  We’ll have a craft or activity in Hale Hall along with babysitters for the children while the adult discussion takes place.  Following  the mediation, stay around to share a potluck meal with the other families in attendance.  Doors open at 4:30 for the kids to settle in with the sitters.  Parents move upstairs at 5 to begin our meeting.  At 6, we return to Hale Hall to eat together.  Please bring a nut-free dish to share.  Babysitting  before the potluck is included, $5/per child.  Your RSVP is greatly appreciated – it helps us book an appropriate number of sitters and obtain sufficient supplies for kids’ activities.  Respond to Sarah Shamel, sishamel@alumni.princeton.edu, 978-969-1913.

Page Updated 25 January, 2010 01:40 PM