Religious Education 

Policies and Procedures

Sunday Morning Schedule

• 8:30 a.m.
  • Nursery opens
  • PreK-Kindergarten opens, children arrive with coats, mittens, etc.
• 8:50 a.m.
  • First worship service begins
  • 1st through 12th graders are in the sanctuary with their families
• 9:15 a.m.
  • It is at approximately this time that 1st through 12th graders leave the sanctuary to start class
• 10:00 a.m.
  • First worship service ends
• 10:15 a.m.
  • 1st-12th grade classes end
• 10:30 a.m.
  • PreK-Kindergarten opens, children arrive with coats, mittens, etc.
• 10:50 a.m.
  • Second worship service begins
  • 1st through 12th graders are in the sanctuary with their families
• 11:15 a.m.
  • It is at approximately this time that 1st through 12th graders leave the sanctuary to start class
• 12:00 p.m.
  • Second worship service ends
• 12:15 p.m.
  • 1st-12th grade classes end
  • Nursery closes

Religious Education is a Cooperative Affair

It is important to note that the RE program is a cooperative affair, and as is true with all coops, everyone’s contribution is necessary to its success. It is for that reason that we ask all families with children in the program to contribute in some way. That might be by teaching, or substituting, or by helping with service projects or special events, or in many other ways. The important piece is that everyone – including many who do not have children in the program! – contributes in some way, according to her or his gifts.

Attendance, Arrival, and Dismissal

Our sacred trust is embodied in our Safe Congregation policy which requires that all children through 4th grade be signed in and out by a responsible parent or guardian. PreK through Kindergarteners go directly to the classroom, where parents/guardians sign them in. For 1st through 4th graders, the sign-in sheets are on the greeter table; please be sure to sign your children in before you go into the sanctuary together for the service.

Ten or fifteen minutes into the service comes the point when the congregation sings the children to class, and teachers will be present to lead them to their classrooms. Upon arrival in the classroom, the 1st through 4th grade teachers will take attendance and check it against the sign-in sheets. In the event of a discrepancy, the Director of Religious Education will return to the sanctuary to speak with the parent or guardian.

In order to plan the lessons, including intentional closings, all classes end at quarter past the hour. That will be 10:15 a.m. at the first service and 12:15 p.m. at the second service. This will give parents the opportunity to grab a cup of coffee and say hello to a couple of folks before going to sign them out of class. Please be mindful that the volunteer teachers cannot leave until you do pick up and sign out your child, so please do be there on time. Students in 5th grade and above will be dismissed from class at quarter past the hour.

RE Greeters are available before, during, and after the service to provide information, answer questions, and guide parents to their children’s classrooms.

Please remember that when children are here at church, they are still primarily the responsibility of their parents or guardians. No student of any age will be allowed to wander the grounds unsupervised during class time.

Intergenerational Services

There are several intergenerational services each year. These are services designed for the participation by all ages. However, we understand that PreK through Kindergarteners may not have the “staying power” for an entire service, so childcare will be offered for those families who wish to use it.

Days When There Is No Class, But It Is Not an Intergenerational Service

There are occasions when there is no RE and the service is not specifically designed to be intergenerational. These are typically weeks when church attendance is light, such as the Labor Day and Memorial Day weekends. Activities are provided on these days for elementary aged children whose parents would prefer an alternative to them remaining in the worship service.

Field Trip Policy

There are various occasions throughout the year when your child may go on a field trip. These are valuable opportunities that may be part of a Sunday morning religious education class or a youth group activity, or perhaps a social justice service project. As always, we are concerned with keeping our children safe and well cared for. To that end, we have an Emergency Contact and Medical Information form and a permission slip that must be completed if you would like your child to go on such trips. Please see the full policy, or contact the Director of Religious Education (mmills@firstuunashville.org) for more information.

Registration

We hope you are as excited about the coming year as we are. If you would like your daughter or son to participate and have not already registered him or her, registration forms are available in the RE Library, from the RE Greeter, and from teachers in the classrooms. Or you can register online.

Registration is required for any child or youth who will participate in any part of the program. The primary reason for this is safety: if your children are to be in our care, we need to know who you are and how to be in touch with you.

The entire RE program, including the cost of purchasing curricula, supplies, expenses associated with service projects, and numerous other costs are supported exclusively by pledges from members and friends of First UU Nashville. If a registered RE student’s parent or guardian pledges finances to the church, the RE program is available free of charge. The cost of the program for families that do not pledge finances to the church is $50.00 per child for the year. If paying that amount would lead to a financial hardship, please contact Marguerite Mills, DRE, and arrangements can be made so your child can participate in this rewarding program.