Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of DeKalb

Children's Lifespan Faith Development Program (LFDP)

Unitarian Universalism welcomes children not only for who they will become in the future but for all that they offer right now. In Unitarian Universalist faith development programs (religious education), our goal is to help children make meaning of their experiences within the framework of our faith. Whether learning about our faith—roots and identity, world religions, life's experiences, questions and mysteries—or how we can live out our faith in the world, we hold children in communities of safety, love, and justice where they are valued just as they are.

We share with children soul-stirring stories, transcendent moments of care, ways to mark the sacred and congregations that help us cherish and numbers our days. We want children to know the power of faith shared in community. We are all part of the interdependent web of life: a family sharing our home on this earth.

We help children find ways to make the values and principles of Unitarian Universalism part of the fabric of their beings. We work, play, worship, and learn with people of all ages in our congregations. Our children's questions invite our wonder; their trust encourages our hope. We return their questioning with affection and respect, and in doing so our congregations grow and deepen in faith and life-affirming inspiration.

On Sunday Dec. 21, 2008, we will be presenting a full length Winter Solstice Pageant which will comprise the Sunday morning service for that day. The title of the Play is What's It All About? -- and it's a presentation in readings, songs, and costumes and dramatizations – of Winter rituals around the world in a wide variety of religious and cultural traditions. (I've not heard of some of them myself!) There are parts for everyone -- it's written by a UU author -- all ages, genders, sizes, and dramatic experience! I'll be calling parents of children during the next couple of weeks to recruit. Once we have all the kids assigned to roles, I'll be asking adults to supplement the cast.

Bill Lamb has agreed to be the Jester -- the Lord of Misrule – who will "preside" over the proceedings. We need some creative folks to build a Time Machine for the event -- we'll be using a folding screen over which we'll need to place large sheets of butcher paper with machine controls (they can look like whatever our fancy can devise!) drawn or painted on them. There will be a musical number with instruments that I'll be borrowing from NIU's School of Music -- xylophones and drums. It'll be WAY cool!
I've spoken to Kathy Clark and Sarah Adkins about helping out with some of the costumes. Many costumes can be improvised quite easily out of old clothes and scarves people have lying around.

Here are some things we'll need:

--large white shirts upon which symbols can be painted to wear over regular clothes
--scarves with African prints on them (or swatches of fabric or belts, turbans, etc)
--bathrobes that can be made to look like Japanese Kimonos (we need at least 2 -- one child sized)
--Satiny or brocaded Chinese-looking bathrobes
--old bathrobes or housecoats in light colors upon which symbols or designs can be painted

I'm hoping this fun exciting activity will serve as one aspect of "jump starting" a new phase in UUFD's Religious Education program-- in other words, Lifespan Faith Development. If you are interested in being in the Cast or Crew -- and I'll need just about everyone in some capacity or other -- please call Glenda at 815-787-6209 – or leave a message with Bonnie at UUFD. Thanks!

Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of DeKalb
158 N. Fourth Street
DeKalb, IL 60115
815-756-7089
uufdchurchoffice@aol.com

Child care services available.

Our church is handicapped accessible.

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