Why do I support Faith Formation?
My family originally came to SUUS in 2006, seeking a spiritual home which was consistent with our values and respectful of many sources of inspiration. So much of our history, culture and language derive from religious traditions, yet many faiths require commitment to dogmas which we cannot accept for ourselves.
I think we can all agree that it is essential for children and adults to have exposure to many spiritual practices and faith traditions so that people of all ages may interpret for themselves the many great mysteries of life. Unitarian Universalism provides a constructive path for us to do that, and we want to share that with our young people.
I got involved in youth Faith Formation while my own kids were very young. We learned about many faiths and spiritual practices but always emphasized how those traditions fit with our UU values. My favorite classroom experience was “Neighboring Faiths,” but I also enjoyed leading OWL classes and the Harry Potter UU curriculum. I have been involved as a member of the youth Faith Formation committee almost the entire time I’ve been a member at SUUS. It has been a great pleasure to get to know the kids and watch them grow up.
My kids are now grown, but I stay involved with FF because I love it. The pandemic has set us back in many ways, but I am gratified that FF has continued to gather for in-person events and lead many activities for all ages. Young families are the lifeblood of any congregation. We hope to attract young families by reaching out to the community and welcoming visitors. We hope that you will join us. You do not need to spend a great deal of time to make an important contribution to this effort.
-Scott Swenson