Countryside Church Unitarian Universalist - Palatine, Illinois

Children, youth and adults are invited to join in our life span religious education programs. Spiritual growth and learning is a lifelong process through which we learn to relate the mysteries of life, to each other, and the world at large.

On All-Church Sundays, children attend adult worship service for the first part of the service which usually includes a 'story for all ages'. These dates are noted on the Worship Schedule page. All other Sundays, children attend "Skylight Chapel" in the RE wing of the building holding their own opening worship service, their own music, and even their own offering prior to attending age related classes.

Adult Programs: Includes Introduction to Unitarian Universalism, many other spiritual topics, as well as covenant groups.

Children and Youth Education

Our Children and Youth Religious Education Program is designed to nurture our children to:

develop a positive self - image;
become part of an intergenerational religious community
form a Unitarian Universalist identity;
experience the values, traditions and celebrations which are part of our heritage and ongoing religious life;
explore the truths to be found in the teachings of world religions;
develop, articulate and live by their own religious values;
sense their interconnectedness with each other and with the universe;
practice stewardship of the earth and its resources; demonstrate social responsibility;
experience the joy and wonder of lifelong learning.

ABOUT OUR CHILDREN'S CLASSES
click here for current class descriptions

ABOUT THE PROGRAM

Getting Acquainted

Religious Education (RE) students and parents are invited to participate, ask questions, and join us in the lifelong process of religious growth and learning. Parents are always welcome to visit our 'Skylight' chapel service and classes to learn more about our Religious Education Program. We are open to your ideas and concerns.

Worship

Worship is a central part of our religious education program, providing an opportunity for RE students to celebrate and explore the mysteries of life and to experience and reflect on their connections within their religious community and to the universe. Students participate in several types of worship experiences.

Once a month the RE students will attend worship with their parents. In these 'All-Church' services the students will be with their parents for the entire service and for 'Family Services' they will attend worship service for only the beginning portion of the service. On the remaining Sundays, the RE students will attend Skylight service in the RE wing of the building. All parents are welcome to attend Skylight services with their students. The RE professional will coordinate with classroom teachers so that the ideas presented compliment what is being taught in the classroom.

Registration
(click here to obtain registration form - PDF format)
(click here to obtain a permission form- PDF format)
(click here to obtain a permission form - Word format)

Registration takes place in September for new and returning RE students and for newcomers throughout the year. Please see our Religious Educator for a registration form. There is no fee for participation in our Religious Education program for children or youth. The program is supported through the annual operating budget of the church, so your pledge to the annual fund is encouraged.

Adult Involvement

Our Religious Education program is based on volunteer assistance. We need your help to make this successful. Consider offering your talents. We need teachers, librarians, assistants, event coordinators and helpers. When you register your student, please advise us what you are willing to offer.

Adult Programs

Covenant Groups provide a place for members and visitors to explore issues about spirituality and their life experiences in a sharing and listening small group setting. It’s a way to building meaningful personal relationships in the midst of a growing congregation. For more details, see Covenant Groups.

Adult Faith Development Programs allow adults the opportunity to choose from a variety of discussion groups, classes, and presentations centered on topics of interest to enhance their intellectual and spiritual lives. Our church newsletter, the Focus, provides updated information on current programs.

For a detailed listing of current programs click BROCHURE.

Program offerings typically include:

UU FUNDAMENTALS AND THE MEANING OF MEMBERSHIP
Facilitator: Members of the Membership Committee
This program is usually broken down into 2-3 sessions. It is recommended for people who are considering joining the church and people who have joined recently. UU Fundamentals explores our faith, its history, and Countryside Church. The Meaning of Membership explores what it means to be a Unitarian-Universalist and a member of this church.

BUILD YOUR OWN THEOLOGY
Facilitator:
Class size is limited to 10 and there will be a fee for materials. The goal of this popular UUA course is for each participant to prepare a personal credo. Participants find the sessions provocative and illuminating.

JOURNEYS RETREAT
Journeys was held May 11 & 12, 2007 at the Church. We explored how we connect with each other, within the church, and the larger community. Click here for the Journeys Brochure.

BOOK CIRCLE
Facilitator: Gail Wisniewski
Meet Sundays: 6:30 PM to 9 PM (pick dates at meetings)
All are welcome to attend meetings held roughly every 6 weeks to explore books on nature, science, psychology, religion, and politics within a spiritual and ethical context. The books for the next few meetings are usually chosen by the group at the end of the evening.

CONTEMPORARY FICTION BOOK GROUP
Led by: Laurie Lantz and Laura Mandell
Last Monday of each month
7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
All book lovers welcome! This book discussion group will concentrate primarily on contemporary fiction. The book for the next month is chosen at the end of each meeting.

OPEN FORUM
Facilitator: Vid Axel
Come and join in lively discussions of current events and topics every Sunday morning at 9:15 am in the Youth Room.

THE DRUM CIRCLE
Facilitator: Jim Zdunek
Meets monthly (first Friday of the month)
Participants explore drumming and percussion in an atmosphere of fun, openness and spirituality. Everyone is welcome whether you make music, dance, or just listen. We begin at 8:00 PM in the sanctuary and usually play until 10:00, but we have gone past midnight on some nights. We work with both improvisation and traditional rhythms. We are always willing to learn and experiment with the rhythms that come into our circles. When weather permits, we drum outside around a fire! All kinds of percussion instruments become part of the circle and at times we've welcomed djeridoos and flutes and assorted string instruments. Contact Jim Zdunek for more information: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it