Religious Exploration for Children & Youth

“We are Unitarian Universalists: a people of the open mind, the loving heart, and the helping hands.”

Our Religious Exploration Program brings together adults, children and youth to actively build a supportive community that embraces diversity, inspires confidence, encourages growth, and develops values that we take with us on our life journey.

Sunday morning Worship: Childcare available

Children are always welcome in the sanctuary where small toys and activities are available to keep their hands busy. Childcare is also available for children of all ages every Sunday morning during worship (10:30 – 11:30 AM), for those children who prefer not to stay in the sanctuary.

Religious Exploration Classes, grades Pre-K to 6

During the regular church year, classes are held on the first and third Sundays of the month, from 9:30 – 10:15. Each Sunday we start our learning all together and then split into two classrooms: Classroom 1 for grades PreK-3, and Classroom 2 for grades 4-8. Our RE kickoff this year is on September 15, 2024 – please join us!

During the 2024-2025 church year, we will be learning about our newly-adapted UU Shared Values: Justice, Equity, Transformation, Pluralism, Interdependence, and Generosity; all centered around an ethic of Love.

For questions or registration information, please contact our Director of Religious Exploration, Colleen Munson, at colleen.munson@UUCSW.org

Coming of Age for Grades 7-9

Coming of Age is a time when our youth reflect on their core values and beliefs. This time represents the transition from childhood into adolescence, when they take responsibility for their own spiritual lives. Coming of Age is the stepping stone between the religious exploration classes of their childhoods and the increased agency and ownership that comes with high school youth group. This class is led by the minister and will culminate in the group leading a worship service together to recognize their transition into adolescence. Open to grades 7-9. If you are interested in participating, please email colleen.munson@uucsw.org.

OWL (Our Whole Lives) – Lifespan Sexuality Education

We offer OWL for different age groups on a rotating basis.

From the UUA website: “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 curricula for use in both secular settings and faith communities.”

Here is more information about the “Our Whole Lives” Curriculum: uua.org/re/owl

High School Youth Group

Youth group is a place for teens to explore how they want to live out their Unitarian Universalism in the world. They choose the activities and service projects they want to engage in and have the support of advisors in making those plans a reality. The youth group works as a team to set their own goals, support each other, and practice what it means to live in covenant. Youth group meets on the 1st and 3rd Sunday evenings of the month from 5:30 -7:00 pm.