*All minors are required to be registered to participate in religious education classes and events; please visit our registration form here.
PreK/K– Spirit Play
Stories that describe who we are, what we believe, and what are some of the different answers people have to the biggest questions about life are the focus of Spirit Play. Based on Montessori principles, Spirit Play gives preschool and kindergarten children a special circle of community in which their imaginations and curiosity are encouraged through play.
For the 2022 year, our themes will be on environmental justice, the church community, and different ways people feel and experience the sacred mystery that some call God.
1-3 Grades/4 – 6 Grades – Workshop Rotation: “Stories from Our Six Sources”
These classes will explore wisdom tales and notable Unitarian Universalists from history to the present day. Each month will focus on one story they will hear first and then explore for the next 3-4 Sundays through other activities such as skits, visual arts, crafting, cooking, music, etcetera. Members of the church come and share some of their favorite hobbies for a day, helping children engage with the stories through multiple disciplines and learning styles.
7-9 Grade – Popcorn Theology & Building Bridges
In Popcorn Theology, youth get to combine two things they love to do: watch movies and talk about them with each other! Popcorn Theology for Youth is built around popular movies on issues of theological and ethical relevance to Unitarian Universalist youth. (A list of the movies can be found here, subject to change with advance notice: https://www.shancarpublications.com/popcorn-theology)
In Building Bridges, we explore the world’s religions, particularly those in our neighborhoods and communities, to deepen youth’s understanding of the dynamic, fascinating, and varied world in which they live. It seeks to broaden their knowledge of humanity and embolden their spiritual search. This program places Unitarian Universalism in the context of world religions and allows youth to hear from and ask questions of people with different personal faith practices, both from within our denomination and from other houses of worship. Building Bridges engages the colorfulness and richness of faith practices and the things they have in common, and that differ.
Senior High Youth Group (10th – 12th Grades)– Braiding Sweetgrass & Young Voices for the Planet action plan curricula
Reflecting the various interests and activities that young people enjoy and encounter in our church community, the Senior High Youth Group rotates 4 themes for each month on Sundays: Worship, Social, Book Group, and Social Action. With this year’s church-wide theme of environmental justice, youth will read and discuss Braiding Sweetgrass and have the opportunity to develop an action plan for a cause they are passionate about through a partnership with the Green Sanctuary and Racial Justice ministry groups. Youth will also experience adult worship one Sunday a month in preparation for a Youth-Led Service they will design and lead in the spring!
*Our Whole Lives Sexuality Education (7-9 grade)
Honest, accurate information about sexuality changes lives. It dismantles stereotypes and assumptions, builds self-acceptance and self-esteem, fosters healthy relationships, improves decision making, and has the potential to save lives. For these reasons and more, we are proud to offer Our Whole Lives (OWL), a comprehensive, lifespan sexuality education curriculum for use in secular settings and faith communities.