We have a really exciting year in RE for children and youth shaping up! We are offering nine different programs this year; our regular classes and OWL classes All of out OWL programs are fully staffed with trained facilitators and our regular programs are close!
What follows are class descriptions for all the classes for children and youth. These class descriptions will be on the website soon and a new RE brochure will be out soon as well.
Grades K/1. Love Surrounds Us and Our Whole Lives (OWL). Children, ages 5 -7, meet in a room next door to the nursery. This program explores our Seven Unitarian Universalist Principles. The Principles encompass all the ingredients of a good and faith-filled life based on equality, freedom, peace, acceptance, truth, care, and love.
January-February 2015, during RE, we will offer Our Whole Lives (OWL) an 8 week age- appropriate, sexual education program. This class requires parental orientation and approval. Parents will receive more information with orientation dates in the fall.There is an overview of the Our Whole Lives programs on Thursday, September 11, 7-8:15 PM, at Waters House, at UUSS.
Grades 2-4. Spirit of Adventure. Children ages 8 - 10 begin together at Waters House for a brief, interactive Children’s Chapel. Unitarian Universalist ritual, sharing, mindfulness practices, curiosity and movement are all part of children’s chapel worship.
After Children’s Chapel, the group divides into two, mixed -age groups and travels with an adult to their Adventure. Spirit of Adventure develops UU identity thru art, nature, exploration, movement, games and fun challenges.
Grades 5/6. Heeding the Call and Our Whole Lives (OWL). September - December 2014 we will offer OWL, an 8 week, age-appropriate sexual education program. OWL fosters the development of sexual health and ethical values as it nurtures the worth and dignity of all participants. Children are encouraged to value themselves and act on their values throughout their whole lives. This class requires parental orientation and approval. There is an overview of the Our Whole Lives programs on Thursday, September 11, 7-8:15 PM, in Waters House, at UUSS.
January - June, 2015, Heeding the Call: Qualities of a Justicemaker. Heeding the Call is a social justice curriculum that not only explores linked oppressions in our society, but also encourages participants towards personal growth in values that counteract the marginalization of others. Workshops on empathy, courage, abundance, joy, and other qualities ask participants to recognize how these standards can be tools for justice.
Grades 7/8. Popcorn Theology/Neighboring Faiths and Our Whole Lives (OWL). Sunday mornings alternate between Popcorn Theology and Neighboring Faiths. Popcorn Theology utilizes our youth’s interest in learning through visual media. Thru movies, websites, social media, and more, youth examine issues of theological and ethical importance to our world. Neighboring Faith is a world religions program to deepen youth's understanding of the dynamic, fascinating, and varied world in which they live. The youth will have field trips to nearby religious communities.
Tuesday evenings, October 2014 -May 2015, we will offer OWL, a 27- session, age-appropriate, sexual education program. OWL fosters the development of sexual health and ethical values as it nurtures the worth and dignity of all participants. Youth are encouraged to value themselves and act on their values throughout their whole lives. This class requires parental orientation and approval. There is an overview of the Our Whole Lives programs on Thursday, September 11, 7-8:15 PM, in Waters House, at UUSS.
Grades 9-12- Senior Youth Group and Our Whole Lives (OWL). Youth group meets Sunday mornings, 10:30 AM - 12 noon in Waters House. Our youth group is open to the youth of our congregation and their friends. Our advisors work in collaboration with the youth; all working toward empowering the group to be youth-led and directed. Youth group focuses on five components: social action/justice, worship, activities and fellowship, learning, and leadership opportunity. Committed youth group members may also participate in district and continental events, including District Youth Conferences (Cons) and the Youth Caucus at General Assembly. Cons are held throughout the year at various UU congregations throughout the region. These weekend youth retreats offer opportunities for friendship and spiritual reflection in addition to workshops, worship, dances, shared meals and communal living.
Tuesday evenings, February - April 2015, for grades 11/12, we will offer OWL. OWL is a 12-session, age-appropriate, sexual education program. OWL fosters the development of sexual health and ethical values as it nurtures the worth and dignity of all participants. Youth are encouraged to value themselves and act on their values throughout their whole lives. This class requires parental orientation and approval. There is an overview of the Our Whole Lives programs on Thursday, September 11, 7-8:15 PM, in Waters House, at UUSS.
