Welcome-a Radical Spiritual Practice
Our first Unitarian Universalist Principle, in kid language, tells us that “Everyone is important.” The second Jagged Rock of Unitarian Universalism is “All souls are sacred and worthy.” To kids I teach this rock as “All people matter, no matter what.” The third Jagged Rock is “Courageous love transforms the world.”
These are deeply radical, radically welcoming, courageous ideas, actions, and beliefs that Unitarian Universalism asks of us, and they are the bedrock of my family ministry.
Part of my role as a Religious Educator is to make every person in each family feel they can experience faith development in a community where they are supported, respected, and loved.
“I certainly wish our children could have had you as their RE Director! You are SO creative! And the curriculum is so meaningful! “
—Wendy Dougherty, UUI Founding member (shared with permission)
“I have never experienced a religious educator who connects with children and youth the way that Susanne does. My children know that they are loved and valued as individuals at church, and building relationships is a huge part of the RE program. This, along with engaging curricula and activities, keeps them wanting to come back to church.”
—Kristel Robinson, UUI Board Member
“Susanne's warm, calm and engaging presence made us feel immediately at home at UUI. From the very first day we visited UUI in 2018, my children had a place in the church community, and that was entirely because of Susanne's caring approach to leadership and creative vision for the RE program.
When asked what Susanne's strength is as the RE director, congregants constantly comment that Susanne knows and loves every child. She pays attention to what is important to our children and youth, what their likes and passions are, and she integrates those passions into exciting RE curriculum and social justice and service activities.
Susanne makes families feel incredibly supported and included. She meets families where they are at, pivoting when schedules change and new needs develop. When my husband's mother died of Alzheimer's in 2022, Susanne was incredibly supportive of the children and of us, the parents, constantly checking in to see how we were and if we needed anything from the church community. What really showed me how special Susanne is, however, was when she showed the same amount of love and attention when my daughter’s hamster died. Susanne knew that my child's grief over their pet was important and worthy of her time. And she took the time.
Taking my kids to UUI was my idea, but since that first day, my kids are who take me to church every week. They look forward to the community that Susanne has fostered in the RE program. Thanks to Susanne's leadership, my family knows we belong at UUI.”
—Sarah Grain, RE Council
Susanne Hinson-Rieger, 317-418-1679 (voice or text), susannehinson@gmail.com
