Are you looking for:

• a community where children are enthusiastically welcomed and where diversity is celebrated?
• religious education for all ages that honors the Jewish and Christian traditions but also celebrates wisdom from the world’s other major religions?

• The Great End in Religious Instruction by William Ellery Channing The great end in religious instruction is not to stamp our minds upon the young, but to stir up their own; Not to make them see with our eyes, but to look inquiringly and steadily with their own; Not to give them a definite amount of knowledge, but to inspire a fervent love of truth; Not to form an outward regularity, but to touch inward springs; Not to bind them by ineradicable prejuidices to our particular sect or peculiar notions, But to prepare them for impartial, conscientious judging of whatever subjects may be offered to their decision; Not to burden the memory, but to quicken and strengthen the power of thought; Not to impose religion upon them in the form of arbitrary rules, but to awaken the conscience, the moral discernment. In a word, the great end is to awaken the soul, to excite and cherish the spiritual life. Channing, our minister from 1803 – 1842, wrote these words just as American Unitarianism was being born. They still "ring true" today and remain a source of inspiration for our religious education programs.

  age- and developmentally-appropriate worship and classroom experiences that honor a variety of learning styles and abilities?
• a church school curriculum that is guided, in part, by humanist teachings about the use of reason, the development of individual conscience, and the results of science?
• a program that celebrates the sacred circle of life and living in harmony with nature?
• an opportunity to provide input and feedback about your child’s religious education experiences?
• a community that welcomes and supports all people and all families?

If so, please consider bringing your whole family to join us on Sunday mornings!

A typical Sunday morning in our program offers:

• fun, smiles, and laughter, music, crafts, and community.
• joining with family and friends for the beginning of worship where a story or activity for all ages is featured.
• gathering in a sharing circle in the children’s worship space to welcome each other, and to share happy and sad moments from our weeks.
• a special story or activity on a particular theme such as: love, courage, or compassion.
• a project to help others in the outside world.
• an opportunity to meet and connect with people of all ages.

We invite you to join us any time that is convenient for you and welcome your questions about our open house or programs. For more information, contact Dan Kane,ministerial intern, at DKane@ASCBoston.org.

For more information on the transition in our CRE staff, please see this letter to the congregation from Rev. Kim K. Crawford Harvie.