R.E. News
Religious Exploration (R.E.) Bundle o' News
If you are interested in being added to the RE listserv or helping with these events please contact Kinsey Moritz.
We require a new registration form for all young people (age 0-18) involved in RE each year to ensure we have correct and up-to-date information for everyone.
Update for RE for week of 11/30/2025
RENews:
This past Sunday, children and youth gathered for ERUUF’s annual Sock Hop. They began by learning about Urban Ministries, then got to work wrapping warm clothing. They decorated gift tags, made cards, and created wrapping-paper bags. We were grateful for the generous number of donations we received. Children and youth wrapped over 130 packages with socks and undergarments. The many coats, sweaters, and other warm items that we didn’t manage to wrap in the given time will also be donated to Urban Ministries. Thank you to everyone who contributed clothing and to all who volunteered their time to support this event!
Next week, we will resume regular RE classes as children and youth conclude November’s theme of gratitude.
Also, CLICK HERE to see our Winter R.E. flyer with dates and details for all of our family events at ERUUF this holiday season.
Update for RE for week of 11/23/2025
RENews:
This past Sunday, children and youth gathered to continue November’s theme of gratitude. They also enjoyed hearing the children’s choirs sing during the service.
The preschool and kindergarten class began in a circle, sharing their joys and concerns. They talked about donuts as a small symbol of gratitude, read the class favorite Thank You, Omu, decorated paper donuts, and finished with Krispy Kreme on the playground.
Update for RE for week of 11/16/2025
RENews:
This past Sunday, children and youth joined the congregation for a multigenerational service focused on gratitude. Through songs, stories, and shared reflection, they expressed what they are thankful for.
After service, the High School Youth Group met for a sandwich lunch and submitted questions to be answered by NC Harm Reduction Coalition, as their guest speaker wasn’t able to attend. Then they spent some time outside and did a leaf meditation.
We hope you can join us this upcoming Sunday as we continue with our RE classes! Children and youth will continue to explore the November theme of gratitude.
Also, CLICK HERE to see our Winter R.E. flyer with dates and details for all of our family events at ERUUF this holiday season.
Update for RE for week of 11/09/2025
RENews:
This past Sunday, children and youth gathered to kick off the November theme of the month: gratitude! The classes explored how gratitude can help us notice small things in life!
The preschool and kindergarten class started the class by playing a fun game of eye spy, then they had a discussion about how magnifying glasses can help them explore small things. Afterwards, they read the book “Giving Thanks” by Jonathan London, and practiced noticing tiny things with some natural objects from nature. They wrapped up the class by decorating rocks with acrylic markers.
The 1st - 5th graders began the class together, participating in a meditation (with chocolate chips and oranges!), watched a skit about a heron, and had a discussion about gratitude. Then, they split into groups based on interest. The activity group explored the trail to find a tiny nature wonder, while the game group played gratitude four corners.
Update for RE for week of 11/02/2025
RENews:
This past Sunday, children and youth gathered to wrap up the October theme of the month: cultivating compassion!
The PreK–Kindergarten group kicked off the class with a fun game of pass the pumpkin, followed by introductions and a thoughtful discussion about how we can include everyone during trick or treating. Then they participated in a Halloween fashion show and a fun Halloween trivia game!
The 1st - 5th grade group started the class with a centering activity, then they had a discussion about including everyone during trick or treating. Afterwards, they broke into groups based on interest. The activity group made paper pumpkin lanterns, while the game group participated in a skeleton relay!
The 6th - 8th grade group was led through a short meditation on compassion for others, had a “costume contest” using toilet paper and markers, and played many collaborative variations of tag.
High School Youth Group met outside for a special wax divination ritual, then shared a big lunch of sub sandwiches and chatted until 2PM.
Update for RE for week of 10/26/2025
RENews:
This past Sunday, children and youth gathered to learn more about the October theme of the month: cultivating compassion!
The PreK–Kindergarten group kicked off the class with a fun game, followed by introductions and a thoughtful discussion about showing compassion through generosity. They then enjoyed a compassion-matching game and created heartfelt cards for their loved ones!
The 1st–5th graders began the class by gathering together to listen to a story and have a meaningful discussion about stepping outside of their comfort zone to help others. Afterwards, they split into interest-based groups—the activity group played a game about stepping out of their comfort zone to help others, while the craft group continued working on their angel wing projects.
Update for RE for week of 10/19/2025
RENews:
This past Sunday, children and youth gathered to continue to explore the October theme of the month: cultivating compassion!
The PreK-Kindergarteners started the class by having a joyful dance party, then they introduced themselves and told the group something they were excited about! Afterwards, they worked together to create their class covenant and made heart magnets.
The 1st - 5th graders met together to sing a song, listen to a story about compassion, and have a discussion. Then, they split into groups based on interest. The craft group made angel wings, while the game group participated in a balloon balance challenge.
6-8th RE discussed equality vs. equity, then did a construction challenge to illustrate the concept. We also played giant Jenga!
High School Youth Group welcomed back our beloved advisor, Chris Cayer, and had a pizza lunch. Dennis McGrath visited to promote the upcoming Immigration Justice Weekend. They also discussed other upcoming events and shared their joys and concerns.
Update for RE for week of 10/12/2025
RENews:
This past Sunday, children and youth gathered to begin a new theme of the month: cultivating compassion!
The PreK - K group had a great time playing an icebreaker game, had a discussion about the difference that kindness can make, and read the book “Because Amelia Smiled” by David Ezra Stein. Then, the group made smiley face stickers to share with loved ones! After class, the group enjoyed playing on the playground together.
The 1st–5th graders sang a song and reflected on how small acts of kindness can make a big difference. They also performed a skit of the fable The Lion and the Mouse, bringing its message of compassion and helping others to life. After the skit, the 1st-5th graders split into interest-based groups for engaging activities. The activity group played Compassion Dominoes, where they wrote small acts of kindness they wanted to try on dominoes, taped them on, and knocked them over—creating a powerful visual of how even tiny kind actions can create a big impact. Meanwhile, the game group headed outside for a Smile Relay, working together in a relay race to create a smiley face out of tape.
Update for RE for week of 10/05/2025
RENews:
This past Sunday, children and youth gathered to wrap up the September theme of the month, belonging!
The PreK - K group played a fun game of ‘pass the pumpkin’, listened to the book “All the World” by Liz Garton Scanlon, and played a fun game to learn about the web of life. Then, the group had a great time playing on the playground!
The 1st - 5th grade group read the story “The Apple Tree’s Gift” and learned about the UU value of generosity. Then, they split into groups based on interest. Both groups headed outside to enjoy the beautiful weather. The activity group used leaf prints to create a chalice cloth, while the game group played the game parachute of belonging, where they learned more about their friends and practiced including everyone!
In 6-8th RE, we welcomed two new teachers joining us for this year! We also had a guest come talk about the opportunity for youth to be featured in the upcoming Art Gallery show. We played games related to interdependence and did a fun activity categorizing 20 random items.
High School Youth Group had our first Lock-In of the year, and 11 teens joined for a night of fun, food, fellowship, and lots of laughs.
Update for RE for week of 09/28/2025
RENews:
This past Sunday, children and youth gathered to continue learning about September’s theme of the month, belonging! The PreK - K group re-read the book ‘The Circles All Around Us’ by Brad Montague, made a group craft that fostered community, and played a fun parachute game. The 1st - 5th grade class listened to the Indian Buddhist Wisdom Tale ‘Indra’s Net’, then split into groups based on interest. The activity group made a community tapestry, while the game group made a human knot on the playground.
6-8th grade RE recognized the Fall Equinox by sharing stories of wild animals we’ve seen this year, then going outside to collect a few leaves for a fun divination activity.
Both middle and high school youth groups had access to a big “snack buffet” and could choose to stay inside for casual chats and games or take their snacks outdoors to join in the Connections Fair activities.
All of the children and youth also enjoyed Connections Fair! It was a beautiful day, and the LocoPops were delicious!
