CHILDREN AND YOUTH
RELIGIOUS EXPLORATION PROGRAM
AT THE UU CHURCH OF DAVIS



At the very core of our vision is that Children’s and Youth Religious Exploration (CYRE) in our congregation is a shared ministry. It is not a ministry carried solely by either the minister, or by a director of religious exploration, or by the congregation alone. The success of CYRE relies on the joint efforts of:
• Members of the congregation that volunteer for specific CYRE program opportunities, • The CYRE Council,
• The Director of Religious Exploration (DRE), and
• Church staff in the RE program.

The program is not possible without active participation of parents of children in the CYRE program and other congregational members. The ministry of the CYRE program is a shared ministry across the entire congregation with people of all ages, talents, and diverse gifts. We consider participation and leadership provided in various CYRE programs not a duty but an honor and gift given to and by the adult members of this congregation.

Effective delivery of the CYRE program is carried in a three-tiered approach. We distinguish three levels of involvement that reflect volunteer and staff responsibilities as well as long-term versus one-time engagements. The three parts of the CYRE program are described briefly below.


I. PROFESSIONAL MINISTRY AND STAFF RESPONSIBILITIES
The Director of Religious Exploration (DRE) coordinates a full exploration ministry that includes children, youth, and adults. This ministry provides leadership, spiritual guidance, and training to the CYRE Council and congregational RE associates involved in the CYRE program. Areas of responsibility for the DRE are:

• Foster spiritual development of council members, teachers, and RE associates
• Train teachers and religious exploration leaders and associates
• Support recruitment of teachers and other RE leaders and associates
• Support selection and development of curriculum
• Provide RE orientation for new families
• Provide pastoral care with children, youth, families, and adults
• Ensure the flow of information among various RE-related groups and activities;
o Inform board, Committee on Ministry, Caring Committee about CYRE activities.
• Work with the committee on ministry to integrate the exploration ministry into other ministries of the congregation (e.g. worship and social justice) and the church’s ministry as a whole
• Advocate for youth participation in all aspects of church life and leadership
• Lead worship services
• Promote congregation-wide RE (e.g. coordinate a small group ministry program)
• Participate in church administration,
o Serve on Coordinating Team,
o Supervise RE staff
• Participate in Rites of Passage

Staff is an invaluable part of the professional ministry and provides administrative and programmatic support to the professional ministry and the CYRE program as a whole. At a minimum, three part-time staff positions are supported by the congregation:
• Childcare provider / bridgehouse coordinator
• Youth program leader
• Staff support (specific needs depend on priorities of future minister)
o Registration and attendance
o Purchasing and maintaining supplies
o Database management
o Support for the DRE and Council activities


II. CYRE COUNCIL RESPONSIBILITIES
A level of attention, deliberation, leadership, and decision making to the religious exploration program is essential in a congregation seeking growth in numbers as well as maturity of faith and which takes ownership of its CYRE program. The following areas of special responsibility (a.k.a. portfolios) are assigned to individual members of the CYRE council:

1. Safety policy, CYRE policy, policy implementation, visioning
2. Teacher recruitment
3. Curriculum during academic year
4. Specialty curriculum programs (CoA, OWL)
5. Special events (secret buddies, easter, sedar)
6. Summer curriculum and activities
7. Council recruitment

Council members with specific portfolios will seek out “leadership buddies” from within or outside the council to help them manage their specific responsibilities. In most cases, portfolio holders will delegate responsibilities for specific activities to an activity leader (from the congregation, not necessarily a council member) and they will seek the support of the minister and staff as needed.

The CYRE Council will consist of seven regular members that are appointed for 3-year terms (similar to the Board and the Committee on Ministry). Membership rotates such that only 2-3 members rotate out each year (usually sometime over the summer). Areas of special responsibility are assigned for one year at a time. The DRE and any staff significantly involved in RE programs (e.g., youth coordinator) are ad hoc members of the CYRE Council.


III. WHOLE CONGREGATION INVOLVEMENT / RELIGIOUS EXPLORATION ASSOCIATES/LEADERS

The entire congregation shares the lay ministry of the CYRE program under the leadership of the DRE and the CYRE Council. The CYRE Council coordinates implementation of the CYRE program with the congregation. The congregation - and particularly parents of RE students - will be asked and are expected to take on temporary leadership roles for specific activities in the RE program. These include teaching, leading and organizing specific events, assisting in Sunday RE classes, and leading or supporting year-long programs such as the Coming of Age and Our Whole Lives. The CYRE Council works with the congregation on raising awareness in, support of, and active engagement in this shared ministry among the members of our wonderful congregation.