Religious Exploration

We value our children and youth because of their own innate worthiness as people and because they are the future of our community and our world.

As Unitarian Universalists, we do not seek to provide our children with ready-made answers to life's questions in the form of a fixed creed or doctrine. Instead, we seek to provide our children and youth with an environment in which they may grow up with a strong sense of values and morals as set forth in our 7 UU Values (see JETPIG below). To this end, we are committed to offering a Religious Exploration (RE) program which will enrich the lives of our children and youth, helping them to recognize and realize their full potential and build firm foundations for meaningful, ethical lives, always with a holy curiosity.

Meet JETPIG!

Our UU values in children’s language: These values can be in any order, but JETPIG offers us an easy way to remember them by spelling out their name using the first letter of each value.

Love Love is the power that holds us together and is at the center of our values.

Justice We show up for justice, inclusion and democracy. We dismantle racist systems and build Beloved communities.

Equity We respect and value everyone and we act to ensure that every person has the right to flourish with worth and dignity.

Transformation We learn and grow as the world changes

Pluralism We celebrate that we are all sacred beings, diverse in culture, experience, and theology.

Interdependence We honor the web of life, protect our Earth and all beings from harm and exploitation.

Generosity Generosity is an expression of compassion and loving kindness. It includes giving of ourselves, our hearts, our humanity, and our service.

A note from our director of religious exploration

Hello and welcome to our Religious Exploration community at UU Catskills. We are happy to have you with us.

Here at UU Catskills, we offer a safe space where children and youth can ask big questions, where curiosity and wonder are encouraged and the ideas of children and youth are valued. It is here where our children begin their life-long process of spiritual discovery. It is here where our children discover the meaning of Beloved community.

I look forward to getting to know you and welcome your questions as you seek a spiritual home for your family.

In Beloved Community, Jane Podell, Director Religious Exploration

On most Sundays:

Our children (preschool and up) begin their Sunday morning experience with their families in the sanctuary, providing them with a sense of community, a feeling of at-oneness with each other and the world, an affirmation of what we believe and a feeling of inspiration.  They take part in the chalice lighting, first hymn and remain present through "Not For Children Only" that addresses the sermon topic of the day in an age-appropriate way. They are then sung out of the sanctuary to their Religious Exploration (R.E.) session in our R.E. space.

R.E. Sessions:

After leaving the sanctuary, our children gather in the R.E. space and participate in the sharing of "joys & sorrows"and listen to stories related to questions of importance. The power of a meaningful story is placed into the hands of the children who explore their wonderings and reflect its meaning through discussion, art work or drama activities.

Toddlers

Our nursery, located in the room next to the R.E. space, provides a safe and happy place for infants and toddlers while parents attend the service. Our youngest children are under the care of a paid and background checked adult caregiver who is experienced in working with young children of various ages.

pre-k Through 6th grade

We are part of a wider theme-based ministry network called Soul Matters. This group of over 150 Unitarian Universalist congregations across the country follows the same monthly themes. The themes are shared in worship, music, children's programming and in small group ministries.  Bringing us into deeper connection, we are companions traveling a new journey together each month.

Our monthly themes

How do these values offer us both challenge and comfort? What might it mean to place them at the center of our living and loving? What promise do they hold for us individually as well as collectively? These are some of questions that will guide and bless our journey in the 2025 ~ 2026 year ahead.

September:  BuildING Belonging
October:  Cultivating Compassion
November:  Nurturing Gratitude
December:  Choosing Hope
January:  Practicing Resistance
February:  Embodying Resilience     
March:  Paying Attention
April:  Embracing Possibility
May:  Awakening Curiosity  
​June:  Flourishing Together

Social Action

oNE of the hallmarks of Unitarian Universalism is social Activism …

… That’s because UUs have always believed we must apply our faith to the world we live in. The Religious Exploration program is designed to encourage our children and youth to become involved in social action within our community and the world at large. Social Action is integrated into our R.E. program throughout the year.