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Religious Growth & Learning News
Chelsea Maitland is our new Religious Growth Director
The big news of course is that we have hired a new Religious Growth Director. Here is her statement which appeared in the bulletin on Saturday, August 21 for the RGD Candidate Forum and Interview:
Hello Lincoln UUs!
I am delighted to be your candidate for the position of Religious Growth Director.As some of you may know, I have had ties to the Unitarian Universalist Church of Lincoln for almost twenty years. My UU roots were planted at this church. As a child I began exploring UU identity and was embraced by the community as I participated in worship services and RGL class experiences. As a teenager, I took the lead in facilitating church conferences and creating youth worship services as well as serving as a youth liaison between this church and the Prairie Star District. I am also a graduate of the Coming of Age program which helped solidify my understanding of my own religious beliefs and convictions.
In the years that followed, I stayed connected to this church by intermittently providing childcare and teaching the Preschool class. I also regularly read the church newsletters as I filled my life with University studies and a multitude of jobs within the field of education. I graduated from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln with a degree and teaching certification in Secondary Education with an endorsement in Social Sciences. I am now continuing my studies as I pursue a Masters degree in ‘Teaching, Learning, and Teacher Education’.
I am fortunate to have worked as the half time Director of Religious Education at Second Unitarian Universalist Church of Omaha this last year. My work there has allowed me to help others explore what gives their lives meaning, as well as enriched my own life as I grow in my career as a Religious Educator. Working with Unitarian Universalists is very rewarding, and I am particularly excited about creating connections between generations. I am interested to hear YOUR thoughts about how we might enhance the richness and depth of your Religious Education program together.
I feel very blessed to have this opportunity to be presented as your candidate for the position of Religious Growth Director. I look forward to our meeting time on Saturday, August 21st, when I can hear from children and adults alike about your dreams for the Religious Education program. I am also anticipating the questions which you may have for me about my hopes and visions for working within this church community. I am hopeful that we might walk together on the path of religious exploration in the years ahead. I believe we have much to learn from one another, and I am excited by the possibilities. Chelsea
Our Religious Growth Director Search Team (Mark Weddleton, Education & Membership Coordinator; Trish Lanning, Tonya Haigh, Debbi Barnes-Josiah, Religious Growth & Learning Committee Members; Julie Enersen, Worship Arts Director; Fritz Hudson, Minister) received 22 applications for the position. We conducted preliminary interviews with six applicants and final interviews with two.
We recommended Chelsea because:
- She brings the experience of serving as Religious Education Director of the Second Unitarian Church of Omaha this past year. The Rev.Nancy Haley says “she excelled because of “her enthusiasm and creativity.”
- She brings the experience of serving on the staff of the Lincoln YMCA Community Learning Center at Elliott School and as Visitor Services Associate at Lincoln Children’s Museum.
- She holds a B.S. Degree in Education from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, with Nebraska certification to teach secondary school social sciences.
- She is currently pursuing an M.A. at UNL in Teaching, Learning and Teacher Education.
- She was a participant in our church’s religious growth & learning program from mid-elementary school through high school and is a graduate of our Coming of Age program
RGL Wing & Whole Building cleanup
Saturday, September 25 from 9 - 1 the RGL committee will be putting the polishing touches on the RGL wing. The Building committee will also be taking care of some other parts of the building. Come and help if you can!
Classroom Blessing
Every year the children bless the classrooms in order to help us all start the year off on the right foot! Children are invited to join the RGL committee and our new Religious Growth Director Chelsea Maitland bless the classrooms on Sunday, September 12 at 9:15am.
Christina's Corner
The preschool class will be finishing up our Summer Book Buddies Club on Sept. 5, with Dr. Seuss’s Oh, The Thinks You Can Think! On Sept. 12, we will begin our 2010-2011 RGL program year! Our curricula this year is We Are Many, We Are One. This series of lessons “offers young children the opportunity to learn about their religious community and tradition, as well as freedom to discover and express their uniqueness. The four units in this program encourage children to use their minds, bodies, and emotions to develop their sense of identity and self esteem within the Unitarian Universalist community and their world”. I’m looking forward to another exciting year of working with our children, and I encourage parents [& other interested adults!] to join us as classroom volunteers and share in the FUN!
