Religious Education for Children and Youth
Welcome! Whether you are new to Unitarian Universalism and are searching for a religious home for your family or are a member of this congregation, we are pleased you are visiting our website to learn more about our Religious Education Program for Children and Youth. See also our Adult Education Program which offers a wide variety of classes for personal and spiritual growth.
OUUC Philosophy of Religious Education
We seek to provide children with an environment that is creative and safe; one that encourages personal exploration and promotes each child's journey to their own belief system and world view. Adults accompany children on this journey while recognizing that spiritual growth is unique to each individual. The OUUC Religious Education Program is designed to both promote individual self-exploration and give children knowledge of the many sources of spiritual inspiration and the UU values and principles. We are committed to providing an environment that encourages and empowers children to learn. Our Sunday morning experience is a fun and active part of the vibrant community of the OUUC. Our children laugh, grow, make friends, explore tough questions, and sometimes even try to change the world.
Visitors, Registration, and Fees
We welcome newcomers throughout the year, and your family can visit any class, with a very few exceptions. Our Director of Religious Education (DRE), Sara Lewis, can give you a short tour of the classrooms and show you where your child would go for class. For younger children, parents may accompany their child to class if they wish. If you plan on visiting more than three times throughout the year, we ask that you complete a registration form, which is available from the DRE, or you can print one from the Registration Form link in the right panel on this page. Completing this form will get you signed up for communications and announcements from the RE program. OUUC feels strongly that providing religious education classes for all ages is part of our larger mission and ministry, and consequently there is no fee for participation. Some families choose to make a donation to the RE program, which can be dropped off at the church office with “RE” on the memo line.
Infants to 3 year olds.
We have nursery care for young children at each service, staffed by qualified youth from our program.
Preschool – Kindergarten
Spiritplay is a Montessori-method class, with stories told
with physical manipulatives that the children can also use. After a brief
story and discussion of Wondering Questions, children have time to work
on art, yoga, stories, or the creation of their own sacred space.
1st – 3rd Grade
This class is active, creative, and story
-based. There will be three programs during the year, supporting our three pillars of religious education: UU identity, World Religions, and Faith in Action.
Fall: Spirit of Adventure
UU Identity through Sports, Technology, Medicine, Building, and Science.
Winter: World Religions Picture Books
Exploring Asian Religions with beautiful picture books and fun activities.
Spring: Wonderful Welcome
How can we practice hospitality and welcoming in our lives?
4th – 6th Grade
Through story, activities, and lively discussions, this class will explore UU Identity, World Religions, and Faith in Action.
Fall: Create a Country
The class will design a country based on UU Principles.
Winter: Asian Religions
Learning about the religions originating in Asia.
Spring: In Our Hands
A peace and social justice program.
Middle School (Only at 11:00 a.m.)
The Middle School group explores their own faith and ethical development, neighboring faiths, and social justice, and also has a lot of fun as a group, transitioning toward a youth-led group.
Youth Group (12:30 - 2:30)
The youth group meets for mutual support and fun, as well as pursuing a variety of projects, many dreamed up and led by the youth themselves.