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Our historical
archives tell us how religious education for children, youth, and adults
has evolved in our congregation. What happened often depended upon the
talents of the “Sunday School Superintendent” and the involvement of the
minister. Since the early 1800s, both denominations – Unitarian and
Universalist – had developed materials that could be used by individual
congregations. Our congregation also subscribed to these materials.
Early
religious education called upon students to memorize Bible-based answers
to questions about their faith. Universalists taught the hopeful message
of a God of Love to distinguish themselves from other denominations, as
did Unitarians. The lessons, which were the same for all children
whatever their age, told stories of Jesus and other famous people. The
aim was to inspire the young to lead a moral life. There were also
periodicals for parents and teachers. By the 1850s, the Unitarians were
following other denominations in using lessons written for specific age
groups. We adopted
the 1857 tradition of celebrating Children’s Day on the second Sunday in
June.
By the late 1800s, our Young People’s Religious Union met on
Sunday nights for Fireside Room lectures and performances in Channing
Hall.
RE classes were held
in the church basement, unless the number of children was too large for
that space. When that happened, the older children met in the parsonage
next door. Sunday School picnics and other outings involving all ages
were a regular part of our church life.
High on the shelves
in our library are copies of the 1930s curricula for religious
education, the New Beacon Series, which was ushered in by Sophia Lyon
Fahs and seminary teacher Angus MacLean.
[Boys] In the 1960s,
curricula came in boxes of materials that the children could use to
discover answers to questions about evolution, communication (Jane
Latourette’s materials), decision making, and enjoyment of the
wonder of being at home in this world. During this time we
developed
our
first
materials dealing with sexuality.
Our board gave much
time and consideration for its adoption.
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When the number of
children in RE classes increased in the 1950s, we used the church
basement for class space for preschoolers, and the former parsonage at
10 S. Gilbert (minus the rooms upstairs and downstairs that we rented to others) for the older children. In the fall of 1961 we tore out kitchen
appliances and cupboards to make space for one more class. Then, in
1962, we were able to erect the Worthley Building.
Lifespan Religious
Education
Today we are
exploring what it takes to raise lifelong UUs. Our young people have
said they have a hard time explaining to their peers what Unitarian
Universalists believe, so through Life-span Religious Education we work
to provide them with a strong sense of Unitarian Universalism in a
variety of ways, such as using a chalice-lighting ritual in our
classrooms, claiming stories from our past, choosing curricula that help
young people develop a UU identity, and providing resources that parents
can adapt to celebrate UU traditions at home. We incorporate our
Judeo-Christian heritage in LRE materials, exploring the breadth and
depth of our tradition.
We have also begun
to emphasize inter-generational events, such as Family FUUN Nights,
Coming of Age, and youth service trips, most recently to New Orleans.
UUSIC is also home
to many learning opportunities for adults in our congregation, including
monthly book discussions, Buddhist Sangha, Covenant Groups, Interweave,
Secular Humanists, Social Justice, and Worthley Evenings. Our Welcome
Home Wednesdays program, now in its fifth year, provides classes in the
fall and spring on such topics as Bible studies, current issues,
personal development, social service, spiritual practices (such as
meditation and yoga), and UUism.
Throughout the
years, our RE program and other activities have provided opportunities
for the meaningful participation of our members, young and old, in the
lifelong learning that is so important to our UU community.
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Since
the early days of our congregation, organizing a Sunday
program for young people has been a priority. For more
than a century, this was done through the efforts of
the Sunday School Superintendent, a volunteer from the
congregation, male or female, who made sure that a program
for young people was provided. Among the early superintendents
was Bertha Shambaugh.
 Along
with changes in curricula and the erection of the Worthley Building in the 1960s
came a change in the role of the superintendent. The job title became “Director
of Religious Education.” Faye Strayer was
the
first DRE to
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be paid, earning $50 a month (“Peace Corps pay,”
as Charity Rowley remembers it). Through the 1980s, the DRE position was supposed to be
one-quarter time, but in truth our DREs have worked many more than 10
hours a week.
 In 2000, Lois Cole
joined our staff as Director of Religious Education, the first DRE to
come from outside the congregation. During the 2003-04 year, her job
became a full-time position with a new title: Director of Lifespan
Religious Education. In this role, Lois leads a program offering
educational opportunities for UUs of all ages.
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Unitarian
Universalist
Society
of
Iowa City
