What Makes Our Religious Education Programs Special?  They encourage independent and creative thought and ideas about life's "big questions" They celebrate diversity They explore moral and spiritual lessons to be learned from the world's major religions They explore humanist teachings and the role of individual conscience They develop respect for the environment They provide fun and fellowship  What Programs are Offered? Sundays, 10:30 - 11:30 AM, September through June We understand that children do not develop at the same rate – all age and class groupings are flexible. Nursery/Preschool (ages 0-4): Childcare for babies, toddlers, and preschoolers is available from 10:20 – 11:45 AM every Sunday. If enough 3-4 year-olds register by the end of September, we will offer a separate class for this age group. Kindergarten-Grade 3 (ages 5 and up): Spirit Play – This is a Montessori-based curriculum of stories about Unitarian principles, famous people and events in Unitarian history, and our Jewish and Christian heritage. The stories are told using props and are followed by a "wondering" session and art response. Since this class' success depends upon the children's ability to discuss stories, the class is suggested for children ages 5 and up. Grades 4-6: Holidays and Holy Days - This popular curriculum explores world religions through their major holidays. Click HERE for a schedule for this class. Junior Youth (grades 7-8) and Senior Youth (grades 9-12+): please visit our Youth Programs Page. Children in our small-group classes make better connections and have more fun when they attend regularly -  we encourage you to come frequently! It's My First Visit - What Do I Do? Please visit our Welcome Table to pick up a name-tag and information about our programs. If you have a baby or toddler, you may want take your child to the nursery at 10:20 AM to settle them in (the greeters in the church foyer will direct you) or you are welcome to keep your child with you during the service. Older children, including preschoolers, should go with you to the main sanctuary for the "family time" part of the service. This may involve a song, story, or group chat with the minister. After the "family time" part of the service, you should accompany your children downstairs to the appropriate classrooms (signs on the doors will indicate the class age groupings). Please introduce yourself and your children to the teachers or the Director of Religious Education, Sandy Cooper. After these introductions, you may rejoin the service in Panabaker Hall. Immediately after the service and before joining the congregation for coffee, you should go downstairs and collect younger children from their classrooms. Older children can go by themselves to join you during coffee-time. There are several multi-generational services throughout the year, which are intended to involve everyone (preschool to the elderly) in a meaningful, community building, spiritual event. During multi-generational services, there will be no children's classes, but the nursery will operate as usual. Get registration forms here: Word or PDF Special Dates Sunday April 12, Easter Multigenerational Service: All ages are invited. Childcare available for younger children. Easter Brunch to follow (green eggs and ham!). Saturday, April 18, Tower Climb for Wilderness (for the Alberta Wilderness Association): Come out and see the wonderful mural painted by the Grade 4-6 class "Help Preserve Alberta Wetlands" on level 33a. Sunday, April 19: Regular class programming resumes. Sunday, April 19, noon-1:45 PM, Parent Connections Meeting. We'll continue our discussion about how our own religious past affects or benefits the lives of our children and youth. All parents welcome. Bring a bag lunch for all family members. Childcare available. Deadline to request childcare is April 12. Please contact Sandy Cooper to register. Sunday, May 17, long weekend: The nursery/preschool is open as usual; supervised board games, puzzles and craft materials will be available in room 1 for children 5 and up. Sunday, May 24, Bridging Ceremony for youth leaving high school: Come out to hear their provocative thoughts on being Unitarian; help us wish them lots of luck in the coming years. Sunday May 31, Teacher Appreciation Ceremony; then a regular service: We'll need all the children and youth out to help us thank all the Religious Education Volunteers for all their time and effort this year. Sundae Sunday will follow (ice cream with all the trimmings!). Sunday, June 7 and 14, Green Sanctuary Days in the RE Program. We'll finish our Mosaic Tile Project so that it is ready to be mounted outside during the summer. All are welcome to be apart of our creation even you haven't yet taken part in the tile project. Sunday, June 21, A service for all ages about Children and Art with Brian Dorscht and Sandy Cooper. You won't want to miss this one! Sunday, June 28, Flower Communion Multigenerational Service; our annual church potluck to follow. July or August weekend: Family Retreat at Springbank Tipi Camp. Room for  6 – 7 families of up to 5 people (and anyone else interested) to come out from Friday afternoon to Sunday noon, live in Tipis and tents, cook and eat together and have a great time! Fireside sing-alongs, roasted marshmallows, the works!  Weekend to be announced. Please let Sandy know if you are interested and what weekends are good for you! Questions? Ask Sandy Cooper – Director of Religious Education  Direct phone: 403-230-4146 Email: Sandy Office hours: 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM Mon., Tues., Thurs., Fri. 1:00 -4:00 PM Wed.