Unitarian Universalist Congregation
of the South Jersey Shore

Religious Education for Children and Teens


Welcome to the UUCSJS Religious Education Program!

Each week, the children in our community join the congregation for the beginning of our Sunday service. After collecting donations for the food pantry, a women's crisis center and a local animal shelter, the children are presented with a special message or story and then are "sung out" by the congregation to their Religious Education classes. The youth are divided by their school grade into the following four classes:

Spirit Play  Grades Pre-K to 2nd Bibleodeon  Grades 5 to 7
Spirit of Adventure  Grades 3 to 4 Popcorn Theology  Grade 8 and up



SpiritPlay - Grades Pre-K thru 2nd

SpiritPlay is a storytelling religious education program. During each class, the storyteller relates a story while presenting visual cues (small objects, pictures) to the children as a way to help the children remember the story. The stories include tales from many different faith traditions, and also introduce the children to some our Unitarian Universalist ancestors.

Following each storytelling, the children are encouraged to interpret the story through art expression, or can revisit past stories.








Spirit of Adventure - Grades 3-4

Spirit of Adventure is an active Unitarian Universalist Identity curriculum for children using the themes of sports, medicine, food, science, building, exploring and the web of life as ways to discover the people and values of our Unitarian Universalist faith.











Bibleodeon - Grades 5-7

Bibleodeon introduces Hebrew and Christian scriptures by presenting the best-known stories in a fun atmosphere so students can experience the Bible as one of many wonderful UU sources.

The course includes interactive challenges such as investigating the Cain-Abel crime scene, acting in amusing playlets with characters like the Fatted Calf, and giving awards to outstanding biblical women. The class will explore connections between biblical events and Unitarian Universalist principles, between biblical ideas and their own lives.


Popcorn Theology - Grades 8 and up

This class takes the concept and popularity of visual entertainment and uses it to explore issues of theology and ethics in popular films and cartoons.

Each class session will include viewing a segment of a popular movie or animated television show followed by a discussion exploring concepts such as truth and meaning, choices, other faith traditions and their responses to important theological and ethical issues, and the ways in which our faith can help us understand our questions, seek answers, and deal with the trials of life.


"The great end in religious instruction, is not to stamp our minds upon the young,
but to stir up their own . . ."      -- William Ellery Channing


If you have any questions about the UUCSJS Children's Religious Education Program, or would like to register your child for our Children's RE classes, please contact the Director of Religious Education, Heidi Jannsch, at (609) 965-9400 or by email at sjsdre (at) gmail.com.


Children's RE Mission and Vision Children's RE 2009-10 Schedule


Replenishing the Environment: Volunteers from our Children's RE program spend a windy afternoon planting native plants in the marsh.
Summer Sessions: The kids enjoy a nature walk with Kim Peters and Jack Miller.


Our classes are based on UU Principles:

Our Mission

Through our Children's Religious Education programming, we encourage our youth to ask questions and explore. We seek to instill in them confidence as they set out on their unique spiritual journeys. We hope to establish a lifelong dedication in our youth to the Unitarian Universalist community at large.

Our Vision

Our Children's Religious Education Program provides weekly, age-appropriate classes covering introductions to different religions, UU history, UU identity, environmental and global issues, and social justice issues. We welcome new members to our youth program in a way that encourages them to make connections and want to return. We offer opportunities for the youth in the program to make a positive impact on our local and global community, and initiate opportunities for them to connect with other UU youth in our district.

Our Teachers

Our teachers are dedicated volunteers from the congregation who enjoy sharing with and learning from our community's youth. Please contact the Director of Religious Education if you are interested in participating in this unique volunteering opportunity.

Calendar of Events

Sep 13Ingathering Intergenerational Service,
After Service - Ice Cream Sunday
Sep 20Pinwheels for Peace
Sep 27Classes begin
Oct 4RE Classes
Oct 11RE Classes
Oct 18RE Classes
Oct 25Halloween Party
Nov 1RE Classes
Nov 8RE Classes
Nov 15RE Classes
Nov 22RE Classes
Nov 29RE Classes
Dec 6RE Classes
Dec 13RE Classes
Dec 20, 10 am(No RE classes)
Dec 20, 4 pmWinter Solstice Singing Ritual
Dec 28RE Classes
Jan 3RE Classes
Jan 10RE Classes
Jan 17RE Classes
Jan 24RE Classes
Jan 31RE Classes
Feb 7RE Classes
Feb 14RE Classes
Feb 21RE Classes
Feb 28RE Classes
.Starting in March - Mystery Pals!
Mar 7RE Classes
Mar 14RE Classes
Mar 21RE Classes
Mar 28RE Classes
Apr 4Easter Egg Hunt
Apr 11RE Classes
Apr 18RE Classes
Apr 25RE Classes
May 2RE Classes
May 9RE Classes
May 16RE Classes
May 23RE Classes
May 30RE Classes
Jun 6Flower Communion service
In June: Date TBA (Fri-Sat)Murray Grove Family Retreat
Jun 13Last day of classes
Jun 20Summer Solstice Intergenerational Service
Jun 27Summer Sessions begin

Color Code:
Intergenerational Sunday Service - No RE Classes
Holidays/Special Events - all children from all classes will be together during class time