RE Volunteers Needed!

The UUCF Religious Exploration (RE) program is larger than most UU congregations. With more than 25 individual classroom sessions every weekend it takes a lot of planning and many volunteers to keep everything running smoothly. Although many of our volunteers are parents, all members of the congregation are asked, invited and urged to help us build a loving community for our children, youth and families. Please sign up for one of the following positions.

Teacher

Teaching is a great way to learn more about Unitarian Universalism and to get to know other members of the congregational community. The RE program year begins after Labor Day and runs through early June. The RE year usually includes about 32 days. We recruit teams of four teachers for each class, so each teacher need only be in class sixteen sessions per year--eight as lead teacher, eight as the support teacher. Our RE staff team leads teacher orientation and planning sessions twice a year and offers ongoing support and assistance throughout the year. In addition, RE committee members function as class liaisons.

You do not need to be a parent to teach, and our program is a cooperative program--100 percent of our classroom leaders are volunteers supported by our Religious Exploration staff. We cannot continue to provide our nurturing and high-quality program of community building and spiritual development without our volunteer teachers. We hope that you plan on joining a teaching team as part of your commitment to UUCF and Unitarian Universalism.

We currently need a number of teachers for fall 2011 (the number in parentheses is how many we still need):

• 4:30 - 5th and 6th (1); 7th and 8th (1); Senior High (2)
• 9:15 -
• 11:15 - 1st (1); 4th (1)

If you would like to teach our children, please contact dre [at] uucf [dot] org (Natalie Fenimore), Minister of Religious Exploration, or re [at] uucf [dot] org (Elisabeth Peebles), Religious Exploration Program Assistant.

If you feel a call to work with our great Senior High youth, contact our Youth Program Coordinator, youth [at] uucf [dot] org (Helen Rose). 

Religious Exploration Admininstrator

If you are not sure that being in the classroom is the right place for you, consider the RE Administrator position. Duties of RE Administrators include welcoming visitors, preparing snack, locating supplies for teachers and spending time with a child that needs some extra attention. RE Administrators are scheduled to work approximately one service per month, and training is available for this position.  We currently need Administrators at 4:30 and 11:15.  If interested, please contact RE Assistant re [at] uucf [dot] org (Elisabeth Peebles).

Librarian

We have a resource library for use by our RE teachers and families. Can you manage two or three hours a month to help keep our books in order? Volunteers for this job can work as a group at your convenience during the day or evening. If you would like to help us maintain and organize our library materials and recommend future purchases contact re [at] uucf [dot] org (Elisabeth Peebles).

Middle School or High School Coordinator and Chaperone

The middle school and high school groups maintain active social schedules. We need coordinators and chaperones for parties and trips. Or, if you are interested in joining the Youth Ministry Committee(YMC) to help with the planning of the program, please talk to youth [at] uucf [dot] org (Helen Rose).

Worship Time RE Committee

If you have would like to take on additional leadership responsibilities in the RE program please speak to dre [at] uucf [dot] org (Natalie Fenimore)or the RE Committee Chair to be considered for future openings on the RE Committee.

RE Committee Working Groups

The following RE Committee working groups are looking for congregant members (To volunteer, please contact the member listed after the group you are interested in):

• Communication scottkinva [at] hotmail [dot] com (Scott Kestner)
• Greening RE jennie [dot] gemingnani [at] gmail [dot] com (Jennie Gemignani)
• Teacher Appreciation scottkinva [at] hotmail [dot] com (Scott Kestner)
• YAC (High School) youth [at] uucf [dot] org (Helen Rose)

We anticipate starting working groups soon on the following topics. To express
an interest in these groups, contact dre [at] uucf [dot] org (Natalie Fenimore).

• Music in RE
• Safety and Wellness
• Social Justice
• Family Activities

While it is not part of the RE program, UUCF sponsors several activities throughout the year for children and families, such as Christmas Craft Day, Secret Pals, Easter Egg hunt, picnics, retreats, etc. These fellowship events need leaders and helpers if they are to continue. Please contact Lay Minister for Fellowship about how you can help with these and other family events.