Religious Education Week

How do you experience the sacred, the holy in your faith community? Join us at Ferry Beach for Religious Education Week as we come together to honor our individual spiritual journeys, explore our connections as Unitarian Universalists and search for the sacred and the holy in this magical place along the southern coast of Maine.

Our theme for our week together is HOLY WOW:  Experiencing the Sacred in our Faith Communities. The Rev. Martha Niebanck, of First Parish in Brookline, Mass. will help us begin each day with inspiring worship while mother and son duo, Laurie Loosigian and Matt Loosigian, will set our melodic tone as Musicians of the Week. To help us wind down at the end of the day, we invite you to participate in a time to gather together for story and song in our new, nightly “Spirit Circles.” And that’s just the tip of the iceberg!

 RE Week is known for the quality programming offered each year. This year’s workshops for adults include:

Spirit of Life

Rev. Adam Robersmith from the UU congregation in Geneva, IL will lead this new Tapestry of Faith workshop created by Barbara Hamilton-Holway. Through daily explorations, this program seeks to bring meaning, beauty, inclusivity, and growth to Unitarian Universalist adults as we deepen our spiritual awareness and connections.

The Puzzle of Professional Leadership

 Long-time Religious Educator and former LREDA President Pat Ellenwood will guide religious educators through the many facets of what it means to be a professional religious leader. Through small group discussions, exercises, and creative activities, participants will gain insight and skills to strengthen their leadership skills.

Yoga and Meditation

For folks who want to begin their day centering themselves as waves go by and seagulls fly…

Daily Dialogues and Ecoadventures (for Young Adults ages 18 – 35)

Continuing to be part of a faith community after being in youth group or being new to Unitarian Universalism -- as young adults -- requires that we support each other in becoming strong lay leaders and voices of inspiration. Rev. Dan Harper will gather our young adult population for the weekend or the entire week and facilitate conversations about faith leadership while exploring the beauty of the natural world around Ferry Beach.

Then, of course, we offer fabulous programming for children and youth – from pre-schoolers to high schoolers!

You don’t have to register for programming to enjoy the beach. Many come to read, sit on the porch, hike, enjoy nature and be with the other Ferry Beachers. All are welcome. But we do have some traditions that we’d like you to know about.

Each morning, we invite you to participate in any personal spiritual practice, (e.g., yoga on the beach, running/walking, polar bear dip, etc.) or just sleep in. After breakfast, we worship in the Grove and then it’s on to morning programming.

We eat our meals together, family style. After dinner, there is a “sing-along” of traditional Ferry Beach tunes, with Laurie and Matt! It is great fun (you need not be a virtuoso to join in). Each evening, there will be a different fun and intergenerational program for everyone to enjoy, followed by new Spirit Circles.

If you enjoy lobster, register early at the front desk for the “Lobster Bake and Barbeque.” The barbeque is part of the registration fee, but lobster must be purchased separately (generally between $10 and $15 per lobster). There will be reminder signs posted.

Ferry Beach has a general store which sells jewelry, postcards, etc. and ice cream. We can “keep a cup” there with money for the week so we don’t have to carry loose change.

You may wish to bring some glitter and clear nail polish to participate in “Happy Toes.” Many of us glitter each others’ toes – men, women and children alike!

Certain activities occur daily (like social hour from 5-6 before dinner) at various locations.  Porch chats will occur on the Quillen Porch from 3-4 pm.  Look for a schedule posted on the porch and near the dining room to tell you what they are.  We have a sand castle “contest” every year on one of the afternoons which is open to all.  Afternoons are generally unstructured and you are free to relax on the beach, play volleyball or Ultimate Frisbee or participate in one or all of the nature outings offered by Ferry Beach staff.

Another favorite tradition is the “Talent-No-Talent” (or TNT) show. Everyone is welcome to participate, from those just learning to play an instrument/sing/dance/act/etc. to veteran performers. Thunderous applause is guaranteed! A sign-up sheet will be posted on the front porch of Quillen sometime during the week.We encourage you to sign up, but please keep acts under three minutes and no lip syncing. Many people enjoy dressing up (how ever YOU define that) on this last evening together.

So whether you’ve been coming to Ferry Beach all your life or this will be your first time, we hope you’ll treat yourself (and your family, too!) to a week of fun, friendship and spiritual renewal in this special place where beloved community is integral to the RE Week experience. 

Coordinators:  Kimberly Luck, Jenn McAdoo and Anne Principe