Faith and Spiritual Growth

Faith and Spiritual Growth — Children and Youth

UCUP uses the R-four curriculum at https://rfour.org/ It is a  Christian education resource site with more than 250 lessons for grade school, youth, and confirmation. We have been using this curriculum for over 5 years.  We have also used the Seasons Curriculum. Both curricula are focused on scripture and Bible stories. R-four comes with a weekly outline that includes an AV file with media  clips appropriate to the lessons.

Meet our Sunday School Child and Youth Teachers – Robert, Rosemary and Judy, and our Nursery Attendant, Aria.  Our teachers have taken the Ministry Safe training and have completed background checks. We have a Safe Church policy and are an “open and affirming” and “reconciling” church. Our children read from the NIV Children’s Bible.

I am Robert Brown.  I grew up in Iowa, went to Grinnell College there, and became interested in becoming a teacher.  After college, I worked for the Yuma Elementary School District in Yuma, AZ for three years, went back to Iowa for 12 years, went to Hawaii for three years where I taught at St. Andrew’s Priory School, and I taught in Tacoma from 1991 until I retired in 2014.  Since retirement, I have enjoyed teaching Sunday School classes.  One of my best experiences has been finding the R-four curriculum because I find it challenges me as much as it challenges the children to think critically about the Bible stories; it doesn’t pretend to have answers or solutions for every problem, but gives interesting perspective on how to think about a problem or how God might handle it.  Our kids seem to respond to this curriculum really well.

My name is Rosemary Jones and I have the privilege of teaching Sunday school at United Church in University Place. I am a native of the Pacific Northwest, growing up in Tacoma and attending St Paul’s United Methodist church from the age of 2, until coming to UCUP in 2010. I love being a part of this vital and inclusive faith community. I taught elementary music and string instruments for 25 years, then 9 years teaching kindergarten and two years teaching first grade before my retirement. I also raised two children of my own. Teaching Sunday school is a great joy in my life. The young people we shepherd are growing in their faith and connection to our church family and community with each passing year. 

Shalom, Rosemary

I am Judy Thierry. I am a mom and grandma and retired pediatrician. I enjoy the Rfour curriculum as I am preparing and learning right along with the children and youth. I have taken the Ministry Safe training and recommend everyone to look at a 7 minute video by a youth pastor on creating a safe environment for our children. Whether you are a parent, aunt, uncle, child care provider, grandparent – no matter your relationship, we can be informed and create the right barriers to protect our children in all environments and especially in our houses of worship, camps and classrooms.   

Greetings! My name is Aria Messer-Doolé! I am the nursery attendant and welcome children ages 0 – 4 in our nursery during Sunday worship services.

I have three kids that I have loved being a mama to who are 24, 16, and 10. I have worked with littles and youth my entire life through church service and volunteer efforts. Let’s have fun in the nursery!