HOME
EASTROSE Fellowship Unitarian Universalist
1133 NE 181st Avenue, Gresham, Oregon -- 181st Avenue between Glisan and Halsey

WE ARE A WELCOMING CONGREGATION
..
PROGRAMS
Religious Education Music Social Activities
Adult Religious Education Art & Poetry
 Outreach, Social Justice & Community Connections

Religious Education
 
Unitarian Universalists believe that spiritual growth and self discovery is a lifelong process. Here at Eastrose we have created a supportive, nurturing community where all of us can explore the wisdom of many religious traditions, come to understand new truths and engage ourselves thoughtfully and with purpose in the world we share.
The overall theme for children and youth  Religious Education this 2007-2008 program year is  Unitarian Universalist Heritage and Identity.   The Eastrose Religious Education program (officially named by children in the program “UUniverse RE”), provides opportunities for children and youth to experience worship, participate in social action, build community and deepen religious understanding and spirituality. 

Katie Ten Eyck is the Director of Religious Education. The age groupings for Religious Education at Eastrose change from time to time to work best for the children who are attending.  If a child is not comfortable in one age group, they have freedom to change to a different group.   Talk to the Director of Religious Education for details.

Sunday Mornings: 

  • Infants and toddlers share the Rosebud Nursery. Our childcare-givers engage them with art, stories, free play and snacks. We aim for security, contentment and the beginnings of happy shared experiences.

  • Older Preschoolers/Kindergarten - Second Grade:  “The Treasure Hunters ”    This year’s curriculum for our older preschoolers and kindergarteners through 2nd graders uses the theme of “treasure hunting”. Each week through games, crafts, songs and stories children explore the meaning behind a Unitarian Universalist principle or value. The “treasures” discovered throughout the year include the importance of each person, the power of feelings, the joy of friendship, UU heritage, the interdependence of people and the harmony of nature. In each class session children complete activities to fill both a class and a personal treasure chest.
  • Third - fifth grade:   "The Adventurers"  The curriculum for this class is called “Spirit of Adventure”. This very actively styled class involves physical movement, challenge and adventure.  It is designed to use that great energy that often comes in the door, particularly with boys but out girls in this age group love it too.  “Entering” activities, lots of games and a Council Circle are part of the routine. Children in this class will experience UU principles, heritage and values through activities like dissecting a computer, building cantilevered architecture using graham crackers, interviewing a sports coach, trying circus arts, etc.  The eight themes to be explored are sports, medicine, food, science, building, winter holidays, exploring, and the Web of Life.  Guest “experts” from the congregation also join the class for interviews and demonstrations. FUN!  And a strong spirit of adventure in exploring the principles of Unitarian Universalism.
  • Junior Youth (grades six through nine): a journey with a curriculum called “Compass Points”.  
    “Compass Points” - sprinkled with the enthusiastic inventiveness of the JY teaching team - is described as “a program for adolescents exploring their selves, their beliefs, the UU faith, their relationships with others and the world.” Sound a little dull? Don’t even think it! Even as these youth tackle some pretty big religious ideas and universal questions, they find their own perspectives, energy, creativity and concerns honored and challenged. That’s Unitarian Universalism!   Okay youth - where do the following fit in to your Unitarian Universalist experience?
    • “Radical Hospitality”
    • The “My Unique Lemon Activity”
    • A “Transcendental Mystery Dinner Party”
    • UU martyrs
    • “Wise Guys”
    • What’s the Bible to us?
    Surprising, inspiring, empowering, and with great companions all along the way!   Classroom update: Youth have been working on painting their class room this fall. As of the latest work day (Nov. 10) there is a brilliant green air duct and the north and south walls are purple. Wow!

If you have questions about our children's program, please speak with Katie Ten Eyck, Director of Religious Education.


Philosophy and Goals: 

Unitarian Universallists believe that spiritual growth and self-discovery is a lifelong process.  Here at Eastrose we have created a supportive, nurturing community where all of us can explore the wisdow of many religious traditions and come to understand new truths.  We express this in our curricula, our special activities, and inter-generational celebrations.

We know that the success of a religious education program for children and youth depends greatly upon parents and other caring adults.  Our teachers bring warmth, enthusiams and commitment to their classes, to your children.  We encourage parents and care-givers to bring their children to RE classes as consistently as possible. 

Our Goals are to help our children and youth:

  • Develop their self-esteem and respect the worth of others,
  • Accept the responsiblities that freedom requires,
  • Understand that they can make positive choices,
  • Clarify moral, ethical and interpersonal values,
  • Create a sense of community with feelings of belonging and identity,
  • Understand and appreciate our religous heritage through the study of Unitarian Universalism and world religions. 
  • Respect the interdependency of all life on Earth.
  • Work for peace and justice for all in an ever-changing world. 
The Curriculum: 

The Religious Education program provides opportunities for children and youth to experience worship, participate in social action, build community and deepen religious understanding and spirituality.

The major themes the program address are: 

  • Unitarian Universalist History and Identity, 
  • Judeo Christian Heritage, 
  • World Religions, 
  • Social-Environmental Responsibility, 
  • Spirituality and Values.
We use curricula tailored to the developmental stages represented in each class and incorporate a variety of activities to address the wide range of learning styles within our classes.

Religious Education Committee: 

This committee meets monthly to support, plan and develop the RE program.  We are always open to input from our religious community.  New members are welcomed. 



Adult Religious Education
Lifespan Religous Learning

Spiritual growth is a lifelong pursuit based on inquiry.   We periodically offer a variety of classes and discussion groups for adults.  If you wish to receive information about ARE - Adult Religous Education, please visit Eastrose and sign up for the newsletter.



MUSIC

The Eastrose Choir: 

The Choir practices every Wednesday evening from 7:00 to 9:00  (September through June) and sings in service twice a month. 

On other Sundays, music is provided by talented members or guests.  If you have a musical talent, please share it with us!  Do you play piano, guitar, or other instrument?  Your talent can be part of our Sunday services, solo or in a group. 

The Eastrose Band:

The Band often plays for services, sometimes presenting music of a certain artist or subject as the backbone of the service.

ART & POETRY

Our Art-in-the-Lobby program offers an opportunity for Eastrosarians (and sometimes other friends) to exhibit their art, crafts, or thoughts.  Shows have included as many as 35 paintings and may be presented as a virtual exhibit on the Eastrose website.

Eastrose poets share their poetry in services as well as on our website.  Eastrose occasionally has a Poetry Sunday service with Eastrosarians reading favorite poems, both their own and of other authors.

ACTIVITIES

Seven @ Seven Dinners --  Potluck dinners for adult couples and singles are held throughout the year in members' homes.   These have been popular events and a time to get to know one another better.

Interest groups, study groups, and support circles convene as needs and interests arise.

Sunday Lunches  --  Potlucks are held at noon on the first Sundays after services.  Everyone is welcome (even if you forgot to bring food). 

Parties and Socials --  These vary from year to year, and often social events are added.  Some to plan on are:

  • Service Auction party in the spring with a different theme each year -- the events offered and bought are often large and almost all-Eastrose events.  
  • An Easter Egg Hunt delights both children and adults each Easter.  
  • A Solstice Party in the winter.
  • Winter Fest (an English style High Tea with music) in December  
  • Church Picnic in the summer at a lovely location is always a favorite. 

COMMUNITY SERVICE, SOCIAL JUSTICE, and CONNECTIONS

Eastrose members give time, money and supplies to support Snow-CAP and Daybreak Shelter of Human Solutions, as well as the UU Service Committee, the United Nations Association, Citizens Against Discrimination,  the Community of Welcoming Congregations, and other service and social justice projects.  

Eastrose Fellowship has a relationship with the following local organizations:

SNOW-CAP COMMUNITY CHARITIES
17805 SE Stark, PO Box 33225, Portland, Oregon 97292, 503-674-8785

Eastrose is a founding member of Snow-CAP, an association of churches providing food and clothing to families in need in East Multnomah County since 1967.  Eastrose contributes money, food, supplies, and other needed items to SnowCap each month. 

Daybreak Homeless Shelter
Human Solutions

Eastrose is one of the supporting churches of Daybreak Homeless Shelter,  a community group composed of congregations from various spiritual traditions and other service organizations.  The group responds to the needs of homeless families in Metro East Portland by providing temporary shelter and support to those families as they look for housing and emploment.  Peace Church of the Brethern provides the space for the Day Center and office for the organization.  Host churches provide overnight lodging, meals and hospitality.  Supporting churches assist with food, volunteers, supplies, and/or financial assistance.  Eastrose is a "supporting church, and as such contributes money and food each month to Daybreak Shelter.

COMMUNITY OF WELCOMING CONGREGATIONS

Eastrose is a member of the Community of Welcoming Congregations, an association of religious congregations begun in the Portland metropolitan area that welcomes and affirms people of all sexual orientations.  The Unitarian Universalist Association provides an extensive process for a congregation to become an official Welcoming Congregation.  Eastrose received formal UUA certification as a Welcoming Congregation in 1998.  Eastrose's membership includes gays and lesbians, both couples and singles.