An example of a credo statement for Coming of Age from 2005
I like this credo because the writer does not try to answer to many questions, but rather, take a few questions from the question sheet and expand on them, making them personal and an expression of who the writer is and how he/she is feeling.
Credo Statement
Growing up, I never really had a religion. No one ever said, “Believe in God”, or “This is the only way.” I never heard about God, except on Easter and other days when my mother would bring my grandfather to church. When I came to a2u2 for the first time, it was something new for me. We learned about all the religions, not just one, and I learned to accept all religions, not just one. Through the Coming of Age Program, I have been presented with a question that has never been asked by anyone but me. What do I believe in? I’ve thought long and hard about this question. Nothing seems to fit. I don’t think there is someone up in Heaven that controls our every move. I don’t believe that you go to Heaven or Nirvana or get reincarnated when you die. I explored many religions, but none seemed to fit me. It wasn’t until I was writing my Credo, that I discovered what I believe in. I was looking in my coming of age folder and found a page of questions I could ask myself to help with my credo statement. I saw one that stated, “In times of trouble, where do you go to find strength?” I realized that I didn’t believe in God or any other being, but in music. I always go and play music when I’m sad, happy or looking for help. So I discovered that I believe in two things, music and the people who create it.
Music has always been a big part of my life. I started singing in the Boy Singer’s of Maine in 2nd grade, and since then, I have continued to play many different instruments. Music has always been a way to relax for me. When I’m sad, happy, or in need of something to do, music has always been the answer for me. Not only do I enjoy playing music, but also listening to it. I listen to all different types of music and enjoy them all. Like playing music, listening to music is something I do to relax.
The people who create music are also important to me because each one of them has their own way of playing and their own beliefs about how to play. For example, I once had a piano teacher who was very strict. She always followed the book and I was not allowed to explore. Now I have a teacher who allows me to learn at my own pace as I please. This is important to me because I have never been one “Coloring in the lines.” I’ve always wanted freedom and the opportunity to learn as I please. People who create music are all………(this is incomplete so that you may continue with your own thoughts)You should write about 2 more paragraphs to finish a credo like this.
Saturday, May 23, 2009
Monday, April 13, 2009
Religious Heritage
WE ARE WAY BEHIND IN WHAT I WANT TO COVER, so I want to change the last few dates of class. We won't meet this coming week on Sunday, you will have Senior high youth group and please come, because you have lots to work on! I want to propose meeting Friday night from 6-9pm with pizza and salad, May 1st and June 5th do the same. We can do a double sessions, get back on track, and be ready for the final Sunday. IF you can't make it let me know.
Homework Due April 26th. To help you with your UU biography that you are supposed to write, here it is again. 1 page typed, about 250 words. You can e-mail it to your mentor or me: amann@a2u2.org, or bring it to church, or even mail it to church if that is easier. I think when we get them all together I can put them in a booklet, including your biographies (which you can get in also if you have not yet) as part of the final ceremony on June 7th. The ones I have so far are really good. If you need some ideas:
Edmund Halley - Astronomer
John Adams - Second president of the United States
Charles Steinmetz - Engineer, Educator, and Research Scientist
Florida Ruffin Ridley - Educator, Writer, and Social Activist
Melvina Reynolds - Singer, Songwriter, and Political Activist
You can look them up on wikpedia, or you can ask me for a short description which I have many of in my office. Please ask if you want one to use as a guide or springboard.
The other assignment was to choose one of the activities on the handout about the history of Allen Ave. If you are missing this handout, I will have them in your classroom for the next few Sundays on the bulletin board. Just take one.
Summary of last class:On March 29th we met and talked about our church's Religous Heritage. As we talked about, churches are like families. They sometimes change locations, change their names, change their theologies, and even gain and lose members. But, like a strong family, strong churches are able to re-group, move forward, and be attentive to the changes in society, so as to meet the needs of the membership. a2u2 is a strong church, with strong leaders and caring people. We continue to move ahead to ensure generations a place to come to and practice liberal religious values. You can be proud to be a part of it.
In summary this is our history.
1821 First Universalist Society of Portland. We had a 1200lb bell in the highest steeple in town and it was on the corner of Congress and Pearl street.
1865 First Universalist Church. We had the largest organ in Maine and could seat 1,100 people and it was on the corner of Congress and High Street. We had outgrown our old church and received help and money to build a really big church.
1964 Messiah-All Souls Universalist Church. This church was on Stevens Avenue. We joined together with this church when we could not sustain ourselves any longer. Membership had declined at the last church and we had to sell it.
1969 Universalist Church of Portland. This was the same building and location and group of people. The name was changed to reflect the joining of the congregations.
1971 Allen Avenue Unitarian Universalist Church. This new building is on our current site, Allen Avenue. The new name reflected the merger of the Unitarians and the Universalists. We more recently refer to the church as a2u2.
Our COA calendar:</strong>
I am having trouble finding a weekend that works for everyone to go to Boston, so I am going to go with our original dates with one change. We are only going to go on the trip for the day on Saturday all day and evening. This will change a little bit of what we see, but that is fine. We will meet at a2u2 at 7am and return around 10-11pm that night at a2u2.
We also need to pick a fundraiser for the trip (car wash on (May 31st?) or soup and bread sale (May 10th?). I will check with Gabe's mom who offered to do the soup sale. I will get back to you on that.
Our closing ceremony will be Sunday, June 7th at the 11am service.
So, the new COA dates:
Friday, May 1st 6-9pm
Saturday, May 30th 7am - 11pm
Friday, June 5th 6-9pm
Sunday, June 7th 10:30am (11am service) ceremony and party afterwards
Homework Due April 26th. To help you with your UU biography that you are supposed to write, here it is again. 1 page typed, about 250 words. You can e-mail it to your mentor or me: amann@a2u2.org, or bring it to church, or even mail it to church if that is easier. I think when we get them all together I can put them in a booklet, including your biographies (which you can get in also if you have not yet) as part of the final ceremony on June 7th. The ones I have so far are really good. If you need some ideas:
Edmund Halley - Astronomer
John Adams - Second president of the United States
Charles Steinmetz - Engineer, Educator, and Research Scientist
Florida Ruffin Ridley - Educator, Writer, and Social Activist
Melvina Reynolds - Singer, Songwriter, and Political Activist
You can look them up on wikpedia, or you can ask me for a short description which I have many of in my office. Please ask if you want one to use as a guide or springboard.
The other assignment was to choose one of the activities on the handout about the history of Allen Ave. If you are missing this handout, I will have them in your classroom for the next few Sundays on the bulletin board. Just take one.
Summary of last class:On March 29th we met and talked about our church's Religous Heritage. As we talked about, churches are like families. They sometimes change locations, change their names, change their theologies, and even gain and lose members. But, like a strong family, strong churches are able to re-group, move forward, and be attentive to the changes in society, so as to meet the needs of the membership. a2u2 is a strong church, with strong leaders and caring people. We continue to move ahead to ensure generations a place to come to and practice liberal religious values. You can be proud to be a part of it.
In summary this is our history.
1821 First Universalist Society of Portland. We had a 1200lb bell in the highest steeple in town and it was on the corner of Congress and Pearl street.
1865 First Universalist Church. We had the largest organ in Maine and could seat 1,100 people and it was on the corner of Congress and High Street. We had outgrown our old church and received help and money to build a really big church.
1964 Messiah-All Souls Universalist Church. This church was on Stevens Avenue. We joined together with this church when we could not sustain ourselves any longer. Membership had declined at the last church and we had to sell it.
1969 Universalist Church of Portland. This was the same building and location and group of people. The name was changed to reflect the joining of the congregations.
1971 Allen Avenue Unitarian Universalist Church. This new building is on our current site, Allen Avenue. The new name reflected the merger of the Unitarians and the Universalists. We more recently refer to the church as a2u2.
Our COA calendar:</strong>
I am having trouble finding a weekend that works for everyone to go to Boston, so I am going to go with our original dates with one change. We are only going to go on the trip for the day on Saturday all day and evening. This will change a little bit of what we see, but that is fine. We will meet at a2u2 at 7am and return around 10-11pm that night at a2u2.
We also need to pick a fundraiser for the trip (car wash on (May 31st?) or soup and bread sale (May 10th?). I will check with Gabe's mom who offered to do the soup sale. I will get back to you on that.
Our closing ceremony will be Sunday, June 7th at the 11am service.
So, the new COA dates:
Friday, May 1st 6-9pm
Saturday, May 30th 7am - 11pm
Friday, June 5th 6-9pm
Sunday, June 7th 10:30am (11am service) ceremony and party afterwards
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Homework due
So the first thing is: Here are the homeworks that are due before class.
1. A biography of yourself that is about 4-6 sentences long. Hobbies, siblings, pets, age, school district etc.. You can use the example sheet that I handed out. I am mailing the handouts from the first meeting to those of who could not make it. Please e-mail this or bring it to class if you want. I know some of you have already sent it in. amann@a2u2.org
2. Get together this month. Do something that you BOTH would enjoy. I know you will not always have the same interests so that is why it is a good idea to talk about it and agree on something that you can both enjoy and maybe even learn something new together! It should not cost too much money and should be about 1-2 hours long probably. This is a get to know you activity.
3. CREATE something to share with the group that is about you. Examples are on the handouts I gave out. It should be about 3-5 minutes long and you have to have something tangible or concrete to go with it. We decided as a group that everyone would do this. Introduce what it is your sharing; then tell us about it and show us; and tell us why you chose it.
I want to clarify a little bit on the topic of "natural selection and evolution" by Charles Darwin, which we touched on briefly in class.
Natural selection and evolution are scientific theories.
Religion is a philosophical theory.
So, science is not about belief - it is about making inferences based on evidence.
And Unitarian Universalists believe in the importance of reasoning based in science and thinking clearly. In addition, we believe in experiences that transcend mystery and wonder, which moves our spirit and help us appreciate the forces that create and uphold life.
So there you go. We can talk about it more at class if you like. If you want to read the full article of the handout I gave you, go to:
www.uuworld.org
The next meeting is March 29th from 9:15am - 10:15am.
Think Spring!
1. A biography of yourself that is about 4-6 sentences long. Hobbies, siblings, pets, age, school district etc.. You can use the example sheet that I handed out. I am mailing the handouts from the first meeting to those of who could not make it. Please e-mail this or bring it to class if you want. I know some of you have already sent it in. amann@a2u2.org
2. Get together this month. Do something that you BOTH would enjoy. I know you will not always have the same interests so that is why it is a good idea to talk about it and agree on something that you can both enjoy and maybe even learn something new together! It should not cost too much money and should be about 1-2 hours long probably. This is a get to know you activity.
3. CREATE something to share with the group that is about you. Examples are on the handouts I gave out. It should be about 3-5 minutes long and you have to have something tangible or concrete to go with it. We decided as a group that everyone would do this. Introduce what it is your sharing; then tell us about it and show us; and tell us why you chose it.
I want to clarify a little bit on the topic of "natural selection and evolution" by Charles Darwin, which we touched on briefly in class.
Natural selection and evolution are scientific theories.
Religion is a philosophical theory.
So, science is not about belief - it is about making inferences based on evidence.
And Unitarian Universalists believe in the importance of reasoning based in science and thinking clearly. In addition, we believe in experiences that transcend mystery and wonder, which moves our spirit and help us appreciate the forces that create and uphold life.
So there you go. We can talk about it more at class if you like. If you want to read the full article of the handout I gave you, go to:
www.uuworld.org
The next meeting is March 29th from 9:15am - 10:15am.
Think Spring!
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