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Message from the Minister
"There is no office higher than that of a teacher of youth, for there is nothing on earth so precious as the mind, soul,
and character of the child." -- William Ellery Channing
We live in a difficult world, a complex world. In our world are forces that are detrimental to the minds, souls, and characters of our children.
In a market culture that pushes to the side community values, where is a child to experience a community that models moral courage? In a consumer culture that identifies worth with possessions, where is a child to learn about the value of the human spirit? In a secular culture that glorifies violence, where is a child to develop a moral language and critical thinking? In a political culture that demonizes the opposition, where is a child to learn civility and mutual respect? In a tribal culture that separates people by their differences into adversarial groups, where is a child to gain an appreciation for diversity and the democratic roots of citizenship?
Where? In our religious community and church school, our purpose is to grow the minds, souls, and characters of our children. It is a purpose worthy of our best efforts, for there is nothing more important than the religious education of our children.
The Reverend Burton D. Carley
Minister, First Unitarian Church
Church School Philosophy
Since we are a non-creedal church, our school does not instruct our children what to believe. Instead, we seek to give our children a variety of experiences from which to create their own spiritual beliefs and practices.
In a respectful, safe, and non-judgmental setting, students learn about many different religious paths from teachers who come from diverse backgrounds and religious heritages.
According to Sophia Fahs, Unitarian Universalist religious educator and author,
The religious beliefs which an individual makes his own undoubtedly influence his character development. But of even more profound influence than the beliefs themselves are the ways through which beliefs are acquired…
Our Religious Education program offers children many opportunities for learning, worship, fellowship, and service. All of which are central to our Unitarian Universalist faith.
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