River Road Unitarian Universalist Congregation
Bethesda, Maryland ◆ 301 229-0400

Member Login

Ministry with Children and Youth

Our Religious Education Mission

The doors of River Road Unitarian Universalist Congregation are open
to all who would like to share in community with us. We strive to demonstrate our commitment to children, youth, and families in every aspect of congregational life. To that end, we covenant:

to provide a place in which our children can grow spiritually in community, with people of different ages and backgrounds;
to provide a community in which our children can grow individually with the love, respect and support they will need to enable them to find meaning and joy in life;
to create a space for learning where we will help them explore the rich cultural context in which they live, discover their own values and find ways to live a life consistent with those values;
to create a place where children are free, and encouraged, to express themselves;
to provide our children a place of healing and refuge for dealing with loss, disappointment, pain and fear;
to celebrate life and actively express our gratitude for all it offers; and
to help them become the kind of people who will enrich the world.

The Content of Our Religious Education

Our carefully selected curricula include opportunities for worship, community-building, social justice, creative arts, musical expression, and play. We recognize that our children are spiritual and religious beings and support them as they discover this throughout their lives. We offer opportunities to better understand life issues and encourage an openness to diversity and inclusiveness. Our program also acquaints children with Unitarian Universalist history and values, and exposes them to the richness of the world's religious traditions with some emphasis on Judaism and Christianity.

We Welcome Questions, Ideas or Concerns

Parents are encouraged to call us or drop by our offices if they have any questions about the program or would simply like to talk about children, youth, parenting, religion, and/or spirituality. Please share your ideas and concerns. The Children's Religious Education Committee, the Youth Ministry Committee, and the staff would like to know when the program is working for you and when it needs to be adjusted to meet your needs.

Our Religious Education Offerings for Children and Youth

Whatever your age, at RRUUC, your family will have the choice of a variety of programs, activities and experiences.

At every service, for members of the congregation two and older, we begin with “Time for All Ages” during which the religious education staff members share stories and lessons targeted to Congregation members of every age. During the service, children also may participate by lighting the chalice.
Following a “Time for All Ages,” the children generally leave the Sanctuary to work with religious education teachers in small groups. We have a nursery for the very young, but starting at age two, children take classes with special curriculum appropriate to their age and development. During the classes the children have opportunities for worship, community building, art and musical expression and play. To learn more, take a look at our specific descriptions of the curriculum[link to curriculum description page] for each age group.
Throughout the year, children also may participate in the youth choir, special services such as Stone Soup Sunday dedicated to the Congregation’s youth, social justice activities, the annual retreat and much more. For a complete description of special services and events, visit the events calendar[link to description of events].
As they grow, children may participate in many ceremonies that will mark their development and growth such as Child Dedication, Coming of Age, Rite of Passage and much more.

Religious Education Staff and Committee

Religious Education Staff

Ginger Luke, Minister of Religious Education
and Congregational Life
301-229-0400, ext. 105
gluke@rruuc.org

Kerridwen Henry, Director of Children’s Ministry
301-229-0400, ext. 104
khenry@rruuc.org

Beth Irikura, Director of Youth Ministry
301-229-0400, ext. 103
birikura@rruuc.org

Nicole Scafone, Nursery Childcare Provider

Children’s Religious Education Committee

Cheryl Dodwell, Co-chair
Mark Hanson, Co-chair
Karen Chopra
Maura DeMouy
Marty Rouse

	River Road Unitarian Universalist Congregation Bethesda, Maryland ◆ 301 229-0400	Search
	Spirituality Sundays This Sunday Upcoming Sermons Sunday Experience Attend Online Last Sunday Attend Current Service Sample Sermons Archived Services Lay-led Services Sermon Library 2010 Sermons 2009 Sermons Principles of Our UU Faith UU Theology & Practice 101 2008 Sermons UU Theology & Practice 101 2007 Sermons 10 Commandments 2006 Sermons 12 Gates 2005 Sermons 2004 Sermons 1998-2003 Sermons 2003 Sermons 2002 Sermons 2001 Sermons 2000 Sermons 1999 Sermons 1998 Sermons Music CDs Look To This Day! River Road Choir Youth Choirs Special Events Recordings Leadership Music Outreach Ceremonies Child Dedication Wedding/Commitment Ceremony Fees Ceremony Workbook Facility Rental Memorial Services Worship Service Components Covenant Groups Signup What We Believe Unitarian Universalism Voices of a Liberal Faith You're a Uni-What? Spiritual Direction Education Children Parental Responsibilities 2009-10 Program 2009-10 Registration Preparing for Worship Safety Issues Teacher Report Form Committee Youth High School Program - YRUU Murder Mystery Dinner Theater Middle School Programs Coming of Age Program El Salvador Delegation Registration Adult Enrichment Winter 2010 Classes Registration Evaluation Form Contemporary Issues Past Speakers History Book Store Library Survey Community Pastoral Care Submit Contact Info Adult Activities Art Exhibits Upcoming Exhibits Becoming an Exhibitor Preparing Your Exhibit Joining the Committee Book Groups Circle Suppers Day Timers Garden & Compost International Dinners Mindful Knitters ACTION Week 09 River Roadies Young Adults Youth Activities Activities Bazaar & Auction Volunteer Donate Valuable Items Dinners Dedication Partner Church Circle Suppers Fellowship Dinner Fiesta Murder Mystery Family Game Night Garden & Compost Holiday Parties Easter Halloween Winter Retreat Registration Accommodations B&B's Nearby Camp Map Directions Google Map Final Retreat Program 2009 Final Retreat Workshop Descriptions Photos Shelter Week Shelter Week 2010 About Interfaith Works Spring Auction Building Users Social Justice Council Organization Task Forces Advocacy Domestic Affordable Housing Children's Rights Environmental Food Fund Health Care Racial Justice Shepherd's Table Voting Rights Life Choices International Africa Latin America Middle-East Partner Church Peace Action Affiliations Interfaith Works OpenDoor Housing Fund UU Legislative Ministry UU Service Committee UUs for Social Justice WRRCAT Shelter Week Accomplishments 07-08 Getting Involved About Us Who We Are Mission & Values Our History 50th Gala Photos Years 40 to 50 First 40 Years Board Chairs Building Grounds Ministers Partner Churches Religious Education Our Name Facts & Stats Green Sanctuary Welcoming Congregation Denominational Membership What We Believe Meaning of Membership Preparing To Join How to Join Pledging Giving Guide Pledge Form Stewardship Brochure Fair Share Giving Guide Ministers & Staff Rev. Scott Alexander Scott's Bike Blog Scott's pictures Rev. Ginger Luke Immigration Reform Demonstration Homily Affiliated Ministers Rev. Dr. Bruce Marshall Rev. Rebekah Montgomery Rev. Dr. Bill Murry Rev. Dr. Lyn Oglesby Dr. Clif Hardin Andy Taylor Sheri Blanchette Diana Chimes Kerridwen Henry Beth Irikura Ota Safertal Adelaide Edelson Nicole Scafone Ministerial Transition Publications eWeekly & Newsletters Order of Service River Road Weekly Submission Guidelines Annual Reports Web Site What's New Web Updates Calendar Room Requests Chalice Lighters Contact Maps & Directions Staff Directory Email Lists Governance Articles of Incorporation Board of Trustees 2008-09 Priorities Board Book Liaison Areas Minutes By-laws Committee Charters Committees Endowment Finance Ministerial Relations Working Groups Policies & Procedures Strategic Planning Executive Summary Full Strategic Plan Monthly Update Small Group Reports Survey Results Awards Dan Lewis Leadership Fellows Muriel Davies Nominations Member Services Committee Lists Directory Photo Directory Email Subscriptions How to Pledge My Pledge History Update Information Member Login Building Rental Brochure Ceremonies Fees Info & Rules Contract Form Wireless Network	Directions Contact
	Home > Education > Children
Children Parental Responsibilities 2009-10 Program 2009-10 Registration Preparing for Worship Safety Issues Teacher Report Form Committee Youth Adult Enrichment Contemporary Issues Book Store Library Survey Member Login Username Forgot? Password Forgot?	Ministry with Children and Youth Our Religious Education Mission The doors of River Road Unitarian Universalist Congregation are open to all who would like to share in community with us. We strive to demonstrate our commitment to children, youth, and families in every aspect of congregational life. To that end, we covenant: to provide a place in which our children can grow spiritually in community, with people of different ages and backgrounds; to provide a community in which our children can grow individually with the love, respect and support they will need to enable them to find meaning and joy in life; to create a space for learning where we will help them explore the rich cultural context in which they live, discover their own values and find ways to live a life consistent with those values; to create a place where children are free, and encouraged, to express themselves; to provide our children a place of healing and refuge for dealing with loss, disappointment, pain and fear; to celebrate life and actively express our gratitude for all it offers; and to help them become the kind of people who will enrich the world. The Content of Our Religious Education Our carefully selected curricula include opportunities for worship, community-building, social justice, creative arts, musical expression, and play. We recognize that our children are spiritual and religious beings and support them as they discover this throughout their lives. We offer opportunities to better understand life issues and encourage an openness to diversity and inclusiveness. Our program also acquaints children with Unitarian Universalist history and values, and exposes them to the richness of the world's religious traditions with some emphasis on Judaism and Christianity. We Welcome Questions, Ideas or Concerns Parents are encouraged to call us or drop by our offices if they have any questions about the program or would simply like to talk about children, youth, parenting, religion, and/or spirituality. Please share your ideas and concerns. The Children's Religious Education Committee, the Youth Ministry Committee, and the staff would like to know when the program is working for you and when it needs to be adjusted to meet your needs. Our Religious Education Offerings for Children and Youth Whatever your age, at RRUUC, your family will have the choice of a variety of programs, activities and experiences. At every service, for members of the congregation two and older, we begin with “Time for All Ages” during which the religious education staff members share stories and lessons targeted to Congregation members of every age. During the service, children also may participate by lighting the chalice. Following a “Time for All Ages,” the children generally leave the Sanctuary to work with religious education teachers in small groups. We have a nursery for the very young, but starting at age two, children take classes with special curriculum appropriate to their age and development. During the classes the children have opportunities for worship, community building, art and musical expression and play. To learn more, take a look at our specific descriptions of the curriculum[link to curriculum description page] for each age group. Throughout the year, children also may participate in the youth choir, special services such as Stone Soup Sunday dedicated to the Congregation’s youth, social justice activities, the annual retreat and much more. For a complete description of special services and events, visit the events calendar[link to description of events]. As they grow, children may participate in many ceremonies that will mark their development and growth such as Child Dedication, Coming of Age, Rite of Passage and much more. Religious Education Staff and Committee Religious Education Staff Ginger Luke, Minister of Religious Education and Congregational Life 301-229-0400, ext. 105 gluke@rruuc.org Kerridwen Henry, Director of Children’s Ministry 301-229-0400, ext. 104 khenry@rruuc.org Beth Irikura, Director of Youth Ministry 301-229-0400, ext. 103 birikura@rruuc.org Nicole Scafone, Nursery Childcare Provider Children’s Religious Education Committee Cheryl Dodwell, Co-chair Mark Hanson, Co-chair Karen Chopra Maura DeMouy Marty Rouse

River Road Unitarian Universalist Congregation Bethesda, Maryland ◆ 301 229-0400

Member Login

River Road Unitarian Universalist Congregation
Bethesda, Maryland ◆ 301 229-0400