This has been a very busy and exciting year for me here at First Unitarian Universalist 'Church of Detroit. As my first year as Director of Religious Education I had a lot to learn, and a lot I wanted to implement. With the support of our minister, Larry Hutchison, my parents, and many congregational members and friends we have completed a very successful year. We started the year with about 19 youth and we now have about 43 who attend.
To get things going at the beginning of the year, I worked with Mark Schwing at the Dally in the Alley table to promote our program.
In Second Story Church, we began the year, as we plan to end it with a family clean up day. Our youth as well as parents and teachers have taken a lot of pride in our space this year. As well as these major cleanup days, Bonnie Wright came in one, day to help with cleaning and decorating, and so did Katie Orloff. Cindy Hill, Lynda Darga, Dan Secrest and Stuart Smith also helped with hanging bulletin boards and pictures on the walls. A church grounds clean up and bulb planting also happened at the beginning of e year with help from Mark Schwing, Bob Teed, Cindy Hill and Linda Barton. At the high school overnight the youth even began to organize our many libraries, which we hope to open to the congregation next fall.
To recruit teachers and volunteers Celeste Headlee, Mark Bendure and Gwen Winston all participated in skits during Sunday services. It must have worked - we had some great teachers this year. Our teachers and curriculum for this year were as follows: Ages 5-8 were taught by Dan Secrest, Susan Miller-Anderson and Bonnie Wright, the curriculum. was Around the Church, Around the Year. Ages 8-12 were taught by Cindy Hill and Stuart Smith, the curriculum was also Around the Church, Around the Year. With small class sizes these groups were usually combined. This year Gloria Neale, Lencha Acker and Janis Thompson have all played a part in working with our high school group. Our curriculum this year focused on what it means to be a Unitarian Universalist. Youth gained a deeper understanding of our religion, as well as our church building. Children also had the opportunity to meet many congregational members and learn about their role in our church.
Elementary school highlights include tie dying t-shirts and fabric we hung as curtains, building churches out of cardboard boxes, creating a large chalice banner using felt, and individual chalices out of flower pots to take home. The high school group especially enjoyed their fellowship brunches at Twingoes and exploring The Book of Questions with Jan, and planning their coffeehouse with Sumarah Smith.
Nursery care provider Katie Orloff has provided warm, loving and consistent care in our nursery. Although she has enjoyed this year, with a changing schedule she has asked us to look for a replacement for next year. We will be sorry to see her leave. If you have any suggestions for a new childcare provider please let Jennifer know.
First Fridays have been an overall success. Although the usual number of children that have participated has been small, we have had a good time. With great structured activities, such as celebrating the day of the dead, decorating for the holidays, making valentine cards, watching movies and playing games there has been something for everyone. Our last First Friday on May 7 was the most successful. We had 13 youth that enjoyed Middle Eastern Folk dancing and dramming, a scrapbook class, putting together a dollhouse and performing and attending the high school sponsored coffeehouse. We plan to promote these events a lot more among our families and the community.
The RE youth have led and participated in many services this year, every other month the youth led an intergenerational service, and the other months they attended the first part of the service as guests. I worked with Larry and-the Lay Leaders to make this experience meaningful for all of our youth. The Water Ceremony in September, which was followed by a Sundae Sunday in coffehour was a great way to kick off the year. In October the youth led a Day of the Dead Service. In December the youth led a holiday service as well as participating in the Kwanzza and the Christmas Eve Service. In January many youth participated in the Peace service, and in March we all enjoyed the Dr. Seuss Service. In May the Intergenerational Mother's Day service had a theme of Peace as we recognized Julia Ward Howe. Carmen, Jessica and Amber's high school graduation will be recognized at a service in June.
Thanks to chaperones Charlene Evans, Maria Mejer, Janis Thompson and Art Gabhart this year we hosted both a high school and elementary overnight. The high school group also had two opportunities to spend the night at Birmingham Unitarian Church. As our high school youth have begun to get to know the BUC youth, Nancy Otto (BUC DRE) and I have discussed many possible events for next year.
Our youth have had the opportunity to participate in many field trips this year. In October we went to the cider mill. In November we went to the African American Museum. In December we had an end of the year brunch at El Comal restaurant. In February some of us marched in the MLK Freedom Peace March, later in the month we went to the DIA to see the Adinkra Music and Dance Company. In March a few of our youth participated in Bowl for Kids Sake to benefit Big Brothers and Sisters. We hope to have one more field trip before the year is over.
We've had other fan events here at church too! In October Lencha Acker came in and taught us a Mexican tradition of decorating sugar skulls for the Day of the Dead holiday. In October 2nd Story youth helped UNICEF by Trick or Treating for coins in coffee hour. In December Noel Night was a fun time. Thanks to all the volunteers, we had many activities for children to participate in ranging from crafts and cookie decorating to storytelling. Many church families and visitors enjoyed this evening. One family discovered us that night and has been coming since! In April our church hosted a Hip Hop concert as part of the Heartland annual meeting.
As well as planning and hosting many-church activities, and field trips I have also written regular newsletter articles, maintained a database of our RE families and friends, shopped for supplies, made phone calls, and sent out mailings, maintained bulletin boards, organized coffee hour crafts and networked with other local groups regarding coordinating future events.
As well as holding RE meetings I attended board meetings, social action meetings, development meetings, building and grounds meetings, membership meetings and growth meetings on a regular basis.
Aesthetics are important to me. I have done a lot to make things look better. Hopefully congregational members will join us for our open house at the end of the year to see how things have brightened up upstairs.
This year our youth have had the opportunity to participate in a few meaningful service projects around the community. The first thing they did was to create artwork for people living with HIV at Wellness House. In December some made Christmas crafts for the elderly. We've had two opportunities to serve breakfast to those in need at the Cathedral of St. Paul. During the Heartland Annual meeting high school students helped to clean up a lot with Detroit Summer.
We have had some successful fundraising this year as well. Thanks to a large donation of products from Roots and Wings (a store that closed in Southgate) a Little Caesar pizza kit fund-raiser, and a Souper Sunday we have been able to raise some extra money for our program.,/P>
With generous donations from church members we have also received many art supplies and toys. Many people also donated flower bulb s for fall planting, and the Women's Book Club donated many books to our RE library.
As you can see the RE Committee has been very busy. It has helped immensely to have some very dedicated members. Members include: Cindy Hill, Charlene Evans, Celeste Headlee, Maria Majer, J. Fran Morgan, Bonnie Wright Sumarah Smith. Jessica Gant is our youth representative. Youth John Evans and Gabriel Nothnagel also attend meetings on a regular basis.
As the year comes to an end I am still very busy. I'm making plans for our June graduafion/RE recognition Sunday, assisting Sumarah Smith in organizing summer programming for our youth on Sunday mornings. I am recruiting teachers and selecting curriculum for the fall. I'm also looking into possibility of having a Summer Peace Camp, and fundraising possibilities to make it happen. I have begun to work with some of our youth that will be putting on a play in a couple months. The RE committee has also been discussing the idea of a fall camping trip. Both Waterloo and the Pinery in Canada have been suggested.
I have so many memories of this place as a child. As I have explained to many of you, I feel that I gained so much as -a human being by being raised in this church. I was taught so many important values and lessons here. This is why I am so dedicated to my work. I want many other children to have similar experiences. My biggest goal for next year is to get more children and families involved with this great program we have to offer. I also hope to retain the youth we have and convince them and their parents how important consistent attendance is.
I'm looking forward to next year. Now that I have my foot in the door, and a better understanding of the inner workings of the church I will be able to soar next year. I look forward to my continued work with all my friends and mentors here at First U.U.
Thank you to everyone who has helped in any way. I have received so much support this year, not only has it made my work so much more meaningful, it has created a much more supportive place for our children.
In Peace,
Jennifer A. Teed, Director of Religious Education