Frequently Asked Questions about the Religious Education (RE) Department
- Do you charge a registration fee?
We do not charge a registration fee*, but rather rely on your generous annual pledge to provide funds for the general operating budge, which includes the Religious Education Program. For children and youth, we do ask that you fill out a Religious Education Registration Form. For Adult Religious Education classes, please check in with Interim Director of Lifespan Religious Education, Barbara Stoddard at . *Classes held during the week or on Sundays after the regular service times may charge a small enrollment fee, depending on the class activities. The Interim Director of Lifespan Religious Education approves the fees for any classes.
- Are there any Religious Education classes or activities that include all ages?
Yes! Please see the RE Calendar for existing multi-generational (multi-gen) events, or suggest a workshop or event by emailing the Interim Director of Lifespan Religious Education, Barbara Stoddard at As we work towards building our program, we plan to include multi-generational activities and worship services like New Year’s, Earth Day, and Flower Communion!
- What is a Multigenerational (Multigen) Service?
First UU offers several services when children and youth, Preschool through 12th grade, are encouraged to attend the full service. On these dates, we do not offer RE classes, but do provide childcare for ages 6 months to 5 years. The back of the sanctuary has a soundproof “Quiet” room for parents with vocal children who would like to attend service. Check out the RE Calendar for our Multi-gen service dates.
- Can children and youth attend worship services that are not multi-generational?
We encourage children and youth to attend the first part of each service. Children and youth have the option to remain throughout the entire worship service, but may gain a better, age-appropriate, understanding of our UU faith by attending RE classes. Our RE classes engage the children and youth in spiritual and intellectual activities that fulfill the need adults gain from the worship services. After being sung out of the service, children gather with their class in the gallery to meet their teachers. Teachers accompany the children to their appropriate classrooms. We invite visitors to accompany their children to the classrooms so that they can sign in with the teacher. Classes are released 15 minutes after the service ends.
- What are Adult Religious Education (ARE) Classes?
Various ARE courses are offered on Sunday mornings and throughout the week. In our religion, no one tells you what you must believe or how you must practice your faith. Rather, we guide you along your path toward determining that for yourself. Our fourth principle calls that the “free and responsible search for truth and meaning.” See this page for a look at this semester’s ARE Class Offerings.
- How do I make a monetary contribution to the Religious Education Department?
We rely on your generous annual pledge to the church to provide funds for the general operating budget, which includes the Religious Education Program. If you would like to make a separate donation to the Religious Education Department please contact the Director of Religious Education, Barbara Stoddard, at . If you would like to volunteer with the RE Department, please fill out a volunteer interest form for either Adult Religious Education volunteers or Children and Youth Religious Education volunteers.
- Do you provide childcare for events that are not held during worship times on a Sunday?
Upon request only, childcare can be provided for church-related events. First UU does not provide childcare for non-church groups. For more information about requesting childcare for your event, download the Childcare Requests and Booking Policy, or contact the Childcare Coordinator, Karyn Skwarek, at
- How can I connect in person with other members and families outside of the sanctuary?
The First UU church community welcomes you to join us Sunday mornings from 8:30 am to 12:30 pm in Howson Hall for fellowship. We encourage you to grab a cup of coffee and meet with your fellow congregants. We provide coffee, juice, tea, bagels, cookies, and other treats for a suggested donation of $1.00. Howson Hall also offers a live feed of the service and overflow seating if needed.
- What measures do you have in place to ensure the safety of our children and youth?
We use the Child and Youth Safety Policy as adopted by the Board of Trustees in 1995, 1998, and 2004. The purpose of this policy is to provide procedures for protecting children and youth from all forms of abuse and harm at our church. This policy pertains to all activities associated with our church. We also abide by most of the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services minimum standards for licensed childcare facilities, but we are not a state licensed childcare facility.
Highlights:
- Maintenance of a ratio of 1 adults to 7 youth (aged 14-19 years old); 1 adult to 10 children (aged 12 months-14 years); and 1 adult to 4 infants (6 -12 months) in the classrooms. Each group of children or youth will always have a minimum of two adults present.
- In the Infant and Toddler Childcare rooms, when a child in the group is under 18 month of age, the oldest child in the room must not be more than 18 months of age older than the youngest child in the room.
Incidents and Safety:
- For all infant, children or youth injuries, accidents, or illnesses that occur on church grounds during church-related events, a staff member will provide and fill out an Incident Report. Parents or guardians will receive a copy of the report, and the staff will file additional copies in the RE Office and in the main church office.
- If a staff member or member of the congregation has a concern about a child’s safety or well-being, this information must be reported to the Interim Director of Religious Education or the minister as soon as possible.
- First UU does not permit alcohol, illegal drugs, firearms or other weapons, or fireworks at Church-sponsored events for infants, children, and/or youth.
Staff and Volunteers:
- All staff (16 years or older), youth advisers (25 years or older), and volunteers (14 years or older) that work with our infants, children, and youth must complete a background check, sign the Code of Ethics, be CPR/First Aid Certified, and undergo training. Staff and volunteers may not provide any kind of medication for infants, children or youth.
Our Child and Youth Safety Policy Fact Sheet provides the information above as in a basic one-page version of both policies combined, or you may download the full Child Safety and Child Abuse Prevention policy adopted in 1995.
- How can I stay connected to the Religious Education Department online?
- When your family registers with the RE department, we will invite you to join our Registered Families Google group. This e-mail service will keep you updated with volunteer requests, special events, etc. You can also join by sending a message to .
- If you are a registered middle school youth or if you are the parent/guardian of such a youth, you can contact other members of the middle school class as well as the middle school teacher by using the FUUCA Middle School RE mailing list.
- For registered high school youth and parents/guardians, you can contact other members of the high school class as well as the high school teacher by using the FUUCA High School RE mailing list.
- When you fill out a Volunteer Information Form, we will invite you to join our RE Volunteer Google Group. This e-mail service will keep you updated with volunteer requests and opportunities. You can also send an e-mail to us at if you would like to join.
- Our church also has a Facebook page.