Guest information

Welcome! We are glad you’ve decided to come and visit San Marcos Unitarian Universalist Fellowship.

For those planning to visit the church for the first time, the following are some tips for how to make your visit enjoyable for you and your child(ren).

Our religious education classes take place down the stairs you will see in our foyer.  Once you reach the bottom of the stairs, the religious education classrooms will be down the hallway on the right.

When bringing your children on Sunday, please allow plenty of time to find the classrooms and meet our childcare providers and Religious Education teachers. Adult Religious Education begins at 9:45am, and childcare is provided at that time.

Worship service begins at 11:00am.  Children will be released after “Words for All Ages” to their classrooms for Children's Religious Education classes. Feel free to attend part or all of the class to help your child adjust to the new surroundings.

Please meet your child and teacher after class and the end of services at noon. Take time to talk with the teacher to discuss what the topic of class was and raise any questions/concerns you may have.

If, after a couple visits, you and your family decide that this church is a comfortable religious home, please take the time to complete a Registration Form.

If you have any questions before, during or after your visit to the church please feel free to contact Rev. Brian Ferguson or Chair of Religious Education, Stacey Gardner.

 
Sunday Classes

At San Marcos Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, we work together as a community to raise our children in a positive, inclusive, and respectful way.

Living our faith is a part of who we are; we try to find ways in our classes, our program, and our community to help others and set a positive example. We hope you will join us!

Our Religious Education is based on the seven Unitarian Univeralist principles (see the condensed versions below). A typical "Sunday school" session is like a large family's living room. Discussions include viewpoints and "lessons" that apply to each person's age and readiness level. In the process, we are learning to take turns, to talk one person at a time, and to respect the age and perception of each person.

UU Principles (adapted for RE Use)
1. Every person is important
2. People need to be fair and helpful to others
3. Every person is different
4. Each person gets one vote
5. Each person must decide his or her own beliefs
6. All living things are connected to each other

Traditions:
1. Our own experience
2. Wise men and women (both past and present)
3. World religions
4. Judeo-Christian teachings
5. Reason and Science
6. Native traditions based on Nature

Sunday Schedule

9:45 - 10:45 Childcare provided during Adult Religious Education
11:00 Worship begins
11:15 Children and Youth enjoy Words for All Ages and then exit with teachers
11:15 - 12:00 Children's Religious Education classes
12:00 Teachers bring children upstairs to the Fellowship Hall

Registration

You may register using this form.


2011-2012 Programs and Curricula

Pre-Kindergarten (ages 2-5):

Curriculum: Curriculum of Love: Cultivating the Spiritual Nature of Children

For fall 2011, the Childrens RE classes will be using Curriculum of Love by Morgan Simone Daleo. This program seeks to build the spiritual awareness of each child-- fostering an environment of respect, gratitude and thoughtfulness in which the children can learn spiritual values that connect humans to one another.  The program has ten core values which will be explored through movement, art, storytelling, sharing and discussion, listening, and play. These values are harmony, mindfulness, service, self-reliance, community, history, compassion, beauty, balance and joy. By the end of this program, the children will have a better understanding of the interconnected web of human existence that is a core part of the Unitarian Universalist faith.

School Age (K to 5th Grade):

Curriculum:  Curriculum of Love:  Cultivating the Spiritual Nature of Children

For fall 2011, the Childrens RE classes will be using Curriculum of Love by Morgan Simone Daleo. This program seeks to build the spiritual awareness of each child-- fostering an environment of respect, gratitude and thoughtfulness in which the children can learn spiritual values that connect humans to one another.  The program has ten core values which will be explored through movement, art, storytelling, sharing and discussion, listening, and play. These values are harmony, mindfulness, service, self-reliance, community, history, compassion, beauty, balance and joy. By the end of this program, the children will have a better understanding of the interconnected web of human existence that is a core part of the Unitarian Universalist faith.
 
Youth Group (6th to 12th Grade):

Curriculum: Coming of Age

We will explore, act, and investigate our beliefs.  What do you think?  Where in the big Unitarian Univeralist picture do you see yourself?  Through the Coming of Age curriculum and our own activities with Lisa and Bart Simpson, we will continue with our youth group to have fun and answer the big questions.   In the end, we will have a ceremony!

So of course, we have to have retreats, outtings, ice cream, community service, and just plain ole good times with our friends!  Y'all rock!  See ya on Sundays!


Religious Education Staff and Volunteers


Our Director of Religious Education is Stacey Gardner. After earning her Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Education, Stacey spent six years teaching Pre-K and Kindergarten students in Houston and San Marcos before moving on to her favorite career yet as the mother of her two children, Rowan (6) and Brynn (3).




Christina Rasco is the Religious Education teacher for our pre-school aged children for the upcoming school year, but has taught all levels of RE over the past three years. A lifelong Unitarian Universalist, she truly appreciates the value of being raised within the Unitarian Universalist community and is grateful to be a part of the experience for SMUUF’s youth.





The school age class is taught by Marissa McCottry, a 2008 Texas State graduate with a degree in Elementary Education. Marissa is also a substitute teacher in the San Marcos CISD, and begins her second year teaching our kids.




Our Youth Coordinator is Teresa Smetzer. As a school teacher at Texas Preparatory School, Teresa spends her time in San Marcos teaching elementary children, chasing after her own sons, and enjoying a very active time with our youth group.