Religious Exploration-A Lamp in Every Corner- As we approach the end of our 2018-2019 RE year, the children will take this time to reflect on what we have learned. We will also be telling the story of Zora and her family lamp or chalice, taking time to look at our own chalice lighting and delving into what the light of truth and the flame of love really encompass. The miracle of social change will be our penultimate focus this exploration year.

Religious Exploration- In today’s world, it’s easy to confuse needs versus wants. This week, the children of First Parish will be creating a planning board in order to be able to tell the difference and will have the opportunity to explore their own short-term and long-term needs and wants. Part of being empowered is being able to stand up for yourself, and in order to do that, you first need to know yourself. This class is all about ‘know thyself’, but frames it in a constructive and philosophical way.

Religious Exploration In May – This month is all about empowering our children! What does it take to make kids feel secure enough in themselves to tackle the world we live in? It starts with knowing themselves; this month we are going to take a look at children who are changing the world, get a firm grasp on who we are as individuals and a group, and figure out what things are important to us as a young community of First Parish. This month’s work will begin to set the stage for our upcoming 2019-2020 year!

Easter Sunday- This year’s Easter Sunday will include bag decorating for the children of First Parish followed by our annual Easter Egg Hunt outside (weather permitting) located behind the church on the playground and in and around the Memorial Garden. The children will have a chance to hunt for over four hundred eggs filled with treats and surprises! Please be aware that some egg will have products containing nuts and other possible allergens to those with food sensitivities so if your children have these sensitivities please check their eggs as they open them!

Religious Exploration April 14th – Easter is a religious holiday, but some of its customs, such as Easter eggs, are likely linked to pagan traditions. The egg, an ancient symbol of new life, has been associated with pagan festivals celebrating spring. From a Christian perspective, Easter eggs are said to represent Jesus’ emergence from the tomb and resurrection. Decorating eggs for Easter is a tradition that dates back to at least the 13th century, according to some sources. One explanation for this custom is that eggs were formerly a forbidden food during the Lenten season, so people would paint and decorate them to mark the end of the period of penance and fasting, then eat them on Easter as a celebration. This Sunday the children of Religious Exploration will get a chance to decorate their own Easter eggs as we discuss life, our own origins, and what individuality looks like!

Religious Exploration– What does it mean to be whole? Each week those that welcome us to First Parish invite us to bring our “whole selves” to our meetinghouse but how many of us understand what it means to be unified with the self, complete, or whole? This month the children of First Parish will be exploring the concept of the “whole self”, discussing what that means and untangling the many pieces that make us unique individuals. All about self-exploration, this month’s goal is to allow each of us to explore what makes us…well…us! Through a variety of expressive art exercises, games, discussions, and readings, the children will begin to put a voice to who and what they think they are, while at the same time learning about the inherent worth and dignity of those around them. Don’t miss this amazing opportunity for self-growth in April!

Religious Exploration– This week the children of Religious Exploration at First Parish will be closing out their unit on Catholicism with a look at the rituals known as the seven sacraments: baptism, confirmation, Eucharist, anointing of the sick, confession, holy orders, and matrimony. Our own UU practices have similar and different practices and we will be exploring those as we build our final religion board!