Layne Richard-Hammock, DRE
Heritage UU Church, Cincinnati, OH
If a program is values-based and the values taught are expressed in the principles and sources, which I would imagine is true for most RE programs, it is my strong feeling that we should name it UU Identity. To say our religious education programs indoctrinate seems to me to be something of an inconsistency. I believe if more people in the world lived by UU values the world would become a much better place in very short order. I believe in our UU values. Our RE program is built around the theme "Roots and Wings." For many years, UU teachings have done a really great job with the "Wings" part. It is my belief that in today's overwhelming world we owe our children the very best "Roots" we can give them to help them grow. They deserve to be "rooted" in a loving and nurturing church community. And, yes, it is my hope they will stretch their wings far and wide because they have a secure foundation and a place to come home to. I believe in evangelizing our children in UU values and in fostering UU identity.

Terry Stafford, DRE
Beacon Unitarian Church, Coquitlam, BC, Canada
Today's parents face some unprecedented challenges, among them teaching children to lead full lives in a diverse, multicultural society. It's hard for parents to do this kind of training alone, so being a part of the church community is invaluable. Parents need the ongoing support and encouragement of others who share their values. UU children's programs provide an opportunity for children to learn strong values. Like all parents, UU parents want their children to develop a reliable sense of integrity and to be compassionate members of society and their families. We want them to learn to trust themselves and the environment we bring them into, and ultimately to take responsibility for making their world more trustworthy. We want them to grow up knowing that it matters that they are alive, that they make a difference. Children need structure and feedback to develop these values. And the structure needs to be consistent with the way their role models live their lives. We need to model for them, respect for self and others; tolerance for the views of others; and the importance of using their minds and hearts to determine what is right. UUs don't give children absolutes; ours is a religion that embraces paradox, complexity, and diversity. If we have primary guiding principles, they might be love (the context of life) and hope (the creativity of life) and, of course, respect.

Rev. Chris Fry, MRE
Unitarian Church of Davis, CA
Yes, the endless tasks associated with RE will continue, but many of them (despite our obsessiveness about them) could be let go of for a time -- to preserve the health and sanity of the DRE and to re-focus everyone's attention on what is more precious and important. I came across a quote by Robert Frost yesterday that said that community is "that place where love and need are one." If your folks can identify one or two things they really need in RE, things that would bring them joy and meaning, I think there would be a clearer sense of what most needs doing this year. So I guess if I were in your shoes, that would be where I would focus my efforts at present -- at listening and encouraging the DRE and others to identify what it is they love and are "called" or "moved" or "inspired" at present to do (and it is hard to feel inspired or called if you are exhausted). I would trust that the path (including, over time, the monies and volunteers) will be made clearer if people follow that love, that need. That, at least, has been our experience here where we have a growing RE ministry (and I use that last word intentionally).