Religious Education Programs
Nursery
Our Nursery is open each Sunday through both worship services from 9:00 am to
12:45 pm Our Nursery provides a safe, child friendly, supervised
environment while parents are involved in other church activities. During
Worship Services, children under age three are welcome in the Nursery. Toys,
books, games, simple crafts and age-appropriate activities will be provided.
Our Nursery is staffed by an experienced staff member and a teen nursery
assistant. Please review the Nursery guidelines for further information.
Location: First Floor, to the rear of the Social Hall on the left
9:30 am Religious Education Program
SpiritPlay
9:30 AM, ages 4 through 7
Based on the Montessori method, and drawing on a “morning-as-worship” model,
Spirit Play embraces multi-age grouping, self-directed learning, creative
expression, multiple learning styles, cooperation and respect within a
classroom community, the sacred mystery of life, and a commitment to freedom in
spiritual exploration. Through story, wondering, and creative art response,
children make meaning of the language of our faith and life’s questions.
Location: Room 207, upstairs, first room on right.
SpiritAdventure
9:30 AM, ages 8 through 11
An innovative, experiential program which offers a hands-on approach to
religious exploration, engaging all the senses in giving voice to the child’s
emerging spirit. This program incorporates the following:
-
Youth Chapel:
This worship service will be geared to the interests and attention span of the
children with all the familiar worship aspects, including music and activities
appropriate to the theme. Children will help plan and lead worship.
-
Service Learning:
Each month, the children will participate in a service project. The children
will establish the year’s theme for projects in the home, church, local and
global community.
-
Poetry and Spirituality:
Poetry provides a window to the soul, and gives voice to the spirit. These
Sunday mornings will provide an opportunity for children to encounter their
spirit through hearing, engaging, and writing poetry.
-
Drama, Art, and Music: The arts offer yet another avenue for spiritual
exploration and expression.
Middle School
9:30 AM, ages 12 through 14
How Do I Know What to Believe: This curriculum provides an opportunity for youth to explore diverse and
personal beliefs about the Bible, God, Death, People and the Unitarian
Universalist faith.
Preschool
We Are Many, We Are One: This year-long preschool curriculum offers
children the grounding of a religious community and tradition, along with the
freedom to discover their uniqueness. The underlying theme throughout is
anti-bias, multicultural education which celebrates diversity and
interdependency.
Location: Rainbow Room (First Floor, adjoining the kitchen)
Kindergarten and First Grade
Spirit Play: Based on the Montessori method, and drawing on a
“morning-as-worship” model, Spirit Play embraces multi-age grouping,
self-directed learning, creative expression, multiple learning styles,
cooperation and respect within a classroom community, the sacred mystery of
life, and a commitment to freedom in spiritual exploration. Through story,
wondering, and creative art response, children make meaning of the language of
our faith and life’s questions. This year’s program will focus on stories of
our Unitarian Universalist faith and history.
Location: Room 207, upstairs, first room on right.
Second and Third Grade
We Believe, Learning and Living Our Unitarian Universalist Principles: This
fun curriculum uses the seven UU principles to teach about our faith. Each
lesson includes a variety of activities such as stories, games, art projects,
drama and worship.
Location: Room 207, upstairs, first room on right.
In Our Hands: A Peace and Social Justice Program, Gr. 1-3: A peace and
justice curriculum that helps children explore peace and fairness through
stories, discussions, and activities. Participants learn to resolve conflicts
through peaceful ways of handling disagreement.
Fourth and Fifth Grade
Traditions with a Wink: : Designed to teach our children about our
Unitarian Universalist traditions, this curriculum explores the powerful
stories of our history, our long tradition of questioning and searching, and
our vision of hope, all the while adding fun to maintain enthusiasm.
Winter Module – Our Whole Lives, Gr 4 - 5: This portion of the OWL
curricula helps participants learn about and discuss the physical and emotional
changes of puberty. The program offers accurate, unbiased information from a
faith perspective to assist preteens to make responsible decisions and stay
healthy.
Location: Upstairs, Curtis Room (second door on right)
Middle School (Grades 6 through 8)
How Do I Know What to Believe: This curriculum provides an opportunity for youth to explore diverse and
personal beliefs about the Bible, God, Death, People and the Unitarian
Universalist faith.
Location: Upstairs, Room 205 (end of the hall)
Teen Group (Grades 9-12)
The Teen Group meets weekly at 9:30 am. Our program for youth has a flexible
format to respond to the needs and interests of the group. This group
incorporates the following five aspects: youth leadership development, worship,
social justice, fellowship, and education. Youth will be encouraged to
participate in district-wide youth events. Teens are also invited to join the
adult choir, work in the nursery, and assist in religious education classes.
Location: Teen Tower Room (Upstairs from the foyer)