Youth Religious Education
2007 - 2008 School Year
The Religious Education program at UUCSV is healthy and growing. Currently, we are ministering to thirty-six families, and have approximately forty children enrolled in the program. We have a dedicated, experienced group of volunteer teachers and caregivers who have much to offer to our children and youth.
Registration for all religious education
programs is open for the fall. We always
welcome visitors.
Ages under two
Nursery
Care for infants is available at all times as
needed, with adult care provided.
Ages two - four
Chalice Children (all year)
Theme and Description
Based upon a philosophy that a child’s spiritual development is related to direct experience, this curriculum helps young children learn what it means to be a Unitarian Universalist. Using a chalice theme, children learn about their religious community, engage in sharing with others, and explore a sense of belonging.
Goals for Participants
- To nurture affection and affirmation for a child’s individuality;
- To develop a sense of belonging to a Unitarian Universalist community;
- To foster acceptance, trust, and an appreciation of themselves and others in their world;
- To create a sense of connection to nature and the universe;
- To develop self expression, cooperative skills, and creative achievements as they learn and grow.
This is a great program that encourages
interactive play and expression as our littlest
ones begin to learn a bit about their Unitarian
Universalist heritage and how they fit into that
world. This program focuses most on our third
principle of “acceptance of one another and
encouragement to spiritual growth in our
congregations”.
Elementary School (grades K – 5)
Experiencing the Web of Life (all year)
This hands-on program focuses on our seventh
principle, “respect for the interdependent
web of all existence of which we are a part”.
Through a variety of activities, children will
explore the natural environment and our deep
connections to the world around us.
Middle School (grades 6 – 8)
You the Creator (fall semester)
Theme and Description
Middle school youth and leaders explore together the power that everyone's creativity has to shape the world.
Goals for Participants
- To be empowered creatively;
- To see themselves as creators;
- To connect with universal creative powers;
- To generate new ideas;
- To enjoy new experiences;
- To experience the happiness that comes with being in touch with one's creativity.
This highly hands-on program teaches the value of trusting in yourself as a creator, no matter what that might be. Through an exploration of the arts children will learn to express themselves in new ways. This program will alternate with the Race to Justice program throughout the semester. Exploring creativity is one of the ways we follow our fourth principle of “a free and responsible search for truth and meaning”.
Race to Justice (fall semester)
Theme and Description
Promotes self-esteem, reduces prejudice, and affirms racial, ethnic, cultural, and familial diversity. Directly addresses the definition and nature of racism in age-appropriate ways, engages participants in hands-on activities, and builds community.
Goals for Participants
- To promote self-esteem in a caring community;
- To understand racial justice and diversity issues through experiential learning exercises;
- To understand and affirm the value of multiculturalism;
- To see oneself and others as active agents for racial justice.
As our middle school age youth begin to connect further to the world around them, they are often confronted on a daily basis with prejudice and racism, unfortunately still a reality of our times. The goal of this program is to teach them about what this is and how to best deal with it in light of our first principle “the inherent worth and dignity of every person”. Youth will also begin a service project that will carry through the year.
OWL—Our Whole Lives (spring semester)
This human sexuality curriculum, taught within
the context of our seven UU principles, explores
biology, but also the social and health issues our
youth face in a challenging world around them. If
you haven’t already, you must see me for a
parent orientation and sign a permission slip in
order for your child to participate in this class.
Once this class begins, it will be a closed group
so that youth feel comfortable and develop close
bonds as they explore this area of their
lives.
High School (grades 9 – 12)
Truth and Meaning/YRUU Service Project (fall semester)
Theme and Description
This curriculum for high-school youth explores questions about Western religions that young people encounter in their daily lives. In particular, it compares and contrasts Unitarian Universalism with other Western religions. The sessions are grounded in the format of questions about religious practices and theological concepts, life and afterlife, religious "extremes," religious prejudice, and dogma and creeds. Rather than offer concrete answers, the questions invite youth to develop their own answers.
Goals for Participants
- To create answers to questions non-UUs often ask UUs about Unitarian Universalism;
- To relate these answers to the history of major Western religions and Unitarian Universalist history;
- To experience spiritual growth.
This curriculum focuses on two of our principles, the third “acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth in our congregations” and the fourth, “a free and responsible search for truth and meaning”. As our oldest youth begin to ponder adult issues and questions, this program will give them a vehicle to question and think about the world around them. In addition to this curriculum, youth will continue a service project once/month.
OWL—Our Whole Lives (spring semester)
See middle school description above
General Information
In addition to our formal curriculums, our
children join the adults at least once/month for
part of the service. There will also be several
special programs and youth-led services throughout
the year for youth and their families. For further
information or to register your child in our
program, please contact Sybil Argintar.
