The religious education classrooms at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Erie are open once again.

In-person classroom experiences are offered to school age children from first through twelfth grade. All are welcome to join us on Sunday mornings. In the near future, there will be links provided and take home packets available for youth who are unable to be with us in person, but are interested in exploring a path of faith formation. The RE program year runs from September through June and aims to provide our youth with a safe space to explore their beliefs and truths while being guided by our seven principles and six sources.

our seven principles

• first principle – the inherent worth and dignity of every person
• second principle – justice, equity and compassion in human relations
• third principle – acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth in our congregations
• fourth principle – a free and responsible search for truth and meaning
• fifth principle – the right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within our congregations and in society at large 
• sixth principle – the goal of world community with peace, liberty, and justice for all
• seventh principle – respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part

our six sources

• direct experience of that transcending mystery and wonder, affirmed in all cultures, which moves us to a renewal of the spirit and an openness to the forces which create and uphold life
• words and deeds of prophetic people which challenge us to confront powers and structures of evil with justice, compassion, and the transforming power of love

• wisdom from the world’s religions which inspires us in our ethical and spiritual life
• Jewish and Christian teachings which call us to respond to God’s love by loving our neighbors as ourselves
• humanist teachings which counsel us to heed the guidance of reason and the results of science, and warn us against idolatries of the mind and spirit
• spiritual teachings of Earth-centered traditions which celebrate the sacred circle of life and instruct us to live in harmony with the rhythms of nature

Michele Paich is the Director of Religious Education and she can be contacted at redirector@uuerie.org if you have any questions or concerns about the program.

Coming in the new year of 2023, Michele will have a virtual office hour available every Monday from 8:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. via a Zoom link that will be provided here and in our digital Weekend News bulletin and monthly Beacon Newsletter. If you are interested and do not receive the Weekend News and/or the monthly Beacon, please submit the required information below and we will be in touch with you as soon as time allows. Thank you.

If you are interested in more information about the RE program or would like to be included in our monthly newsletter, please submit your information and we will be in touch!