“Teamwork is the ability to work together toward a common vision. The ability to direct individual accomplishments toward organizational objectives. It is the fuel that allows common people to attain uncommon results.”—Anonymous

More than a month has passed since the visioning weekend. I hope many of you had an opportunity to participate in what I construed as very energetic and productive process. Even though I supervised the childcare and helped in the kitchen for most of the day, I made sure I heard snippets of conversation and could feel the warmth and energy that was created.

The unveiling of the mission and vision statements and the affirmation of both signifies a commitment to the future of the congregation and its growth (perhaps in numbers but certainly in depth of purpose and intentionality). The goals that were generated by participants at the visioning day clearly indicated support for Lifespan Faith Development (LFD) or Lifespan Religious Education as it’s also called. Additionally, many ‘dots’ voted for Young Adult RE, Adult RE, and Youth Retention—all topics within LFD.

On March 21 during the forum time, 10-11 a.m., I hope to offer more definition and clarification about Lifespan Faith Development, a relatively new concept and approach within Unitarian Universalism for what we have long called Religious Education/Exploration. This is an important topic for the RE committee as it deliberates how LFD might be structured and implemented.

Deciding on this change, not just in a name, but also in philosophy will affect the job description for the settled Director of RE. It would definitely affect the committee’s work. Vision often implies and sometimes pushes for change. Lifespan Faith Development is more than children’s or youth RE, it’s more than adult RE—it’s a change in how one thinks of ‘church’ and what is expected from the experience of ‘church’.

I hope to see many of you at the forum and welcome your thoughts, concerns, or questions.

See You on Sundays,

Benette Sherman
Interim DRE

RE NEWS
March 14: No RE classes, but childcare offered
March 21: Regular RE classes
March 28: No RE classes, but childcare activities are offered for preschool-6^th grades
April 4: Easter Intergenerational Service (children in the service for the full hour)

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