Last week I was preparing materials for our second and third grade Sunday School class. The lesson I was looking at was about Angus McLean. Who? Well Angus is one of those Universalists who is well know in religious education circles. He’s not quite as recognized as Sophia Lyons Fahs, but for those of who teach the UUA Philosophy of Religious Education Renaissance Module, we know Angus. Basically, Angus pointed out for us that a child’s most important spiritual teacher is the family. Does this mean I’m out of a job? Close up shop here in the Religious Growth and Learning program for children? Well, not quite. Angus also believed, as do I, that we all need community and connections to make sense of our values and the events in our everyday and global world. What we teach here can reinforce what values and actions are lived out at home. We can also offer support to the adults in the family who are the teachers of values, the shapers of personalities, and the tenders of spirits. There is an old saying – I’ve heard that it’s originated in music circles, psychology circles, art circles, science and math circles, spiritual guidance circles, just about every genre – and it is simply this: A teacher can not take their students to a higher or greater level than where they are. I believe that. And I think that it’s important to pay attention to as we raise and nurture our children. It is important that as adults we do not stop where we landed when we began our adult life, but that we continue to seek new information and integrate it into our relationships, especially those with our children.We can learn from Angus. Let’s us, as adults, gather in growth and learning and spirit so we can reflect the highest ideals of the families in this faith community. Then of course, we need to commit to being here every week for our children so they can observe and integrate the work we do here; as Sunday School teachers, youth advisors, child care workers and committee members, into a life they are crafting, filled with love, spirit and service.
See you in church and on the Web - Lori
