We provide children, youth, young adults, and older adults an opportunity to explore, reflect, and learn in a nurturing spiritual community. Unitarian Universalist religious education programs offer all ages inspiring:

• Ethical growth – internalizing enduring values like justice, equity, and compassion, and gaining tools to act on them in everyday life.
• Social growth – connecting with peers and people of all ages on a deeper level. Finding acceptance among people who see beyond the superficial.
• Spiritual growth – feeling a connection with the sacred within, among, and beyond us.

Our RE offerings are developmentally appropriate and age groupings will be determined based on the children and youth attending. Some examples of RE on a Sunday morning might be our youngest children singing songs about kindness, 2nd graders engaging with a story about loss and bereavement, 5th graders talking with a Muslim couple about Islam, 7th graders learning about responsibility in a lesson from our progressive sexuality education program, and high school youths raising money for the local homeless shelter. Many programs incorporate social justice activities, worship opportunities, service trips, fellowship, and fun.

Our Director of Religious Education and Minister lead many of our congregations’ lifespan programs. Parents and other members of the congregation often lead them, too. Teaching can be a very fulfilling way to deepen one’s own faith.

Children’s religious education programs are typically offered on Sunday mornings, and high school youth and adult programs are usually offered on afternoons or evenings.

We invite you to explore these pages and contact our Director of Religious Education to get connected.

Religious Education Classroom Expectations

Our religious education program is a community-run program.  The children, youth, families, volunteers, staff and the entire congregation share in the success of this program.

Come and have fun with each other!  Our program is designed to be a fun place to learn and share.  Children and youth are encouraged to participate at whatever level they are willing and able to enjoy.

Classroom Covenant:  At the beginning of the program year, each class helps create a classroom covenant between themselves, other students and adults.  Through the covenant, the children and adults affirm their commitment to respecting one another, treating each other with patience and kindness, listening to each other, learning together, and other ways of positively being together.  The covenant is a reminder of our commitment to help each other in community.

Positive Expectations (Positive Discipline Techniques):  Our program is developed to provide a warm, positive, engaging environment in which our children may learn and grow.

We encourage the use of positive methods of discipline, which will encourage self-control, self-direction, increased self-esteem and cooperation.  Staff will focus on what youth can say or do differently and explain to children why certain behaviors aren’t allowed.  If positive methods fail, the staff religious educator may contact the parent or guardian to consider other options.

Mandatory Reporting

Any staff member or volunteer working with minors who suspects that a minor is being abused or neglected must report that suspicion to the local Department of Human Services. It is NOT the role of the reporter to prove if abuse or neglect has, in fact, occurred. The key word is “suspect.” If someone suspects, he or she must report.

Injuries or Emergencies

Your child’s well-being is extremely important to us.  In the event of an injury, a medical emergency, or other immediate need, the parent or guardian will be alerted immediately.  An incident report will be filed with the Director of Religious Education after the incident is resolved.

In the event of an evacuation, children will be taken to the  playground.  Fire extinguishers are available on all levels.  Emergency exit routes are mapped by the door to each room.