Children & Youth : Church School
Church School: Preschoolers through Seventh Graders
Church School classes meet from early September through May and are offered for children ages 4 to 14. There is a separate Youth Group for teens in eighth through twelfth grades.
Our religious education program strives to build a respectful, loving, accepting community that nurtures the spiritual growth of our members. It supports the search for religious meaning and encourages responsibility. Together we celebrate the many joys of living in this world and of being a part of this church community.
Children are given the opportunity to explore the great variety of world religious beliefs; to learn about Unitarian Universalism; and to discover, question, and discuss their own spiritual feelings and beliefs. We strive to provide a feeling of belonging, an experience of beauty, and a sense of joy for our children.
The specific goals of our religious education program are to inspire:
- a feeling of personal worth
- a capacity for love
- respect for others and their beliefs
- ongoing spiritual growth
- curiosity about life
- the courage to think and act independently
- a responsible attitude toward our environment
- the development of personal morals and ethics
- knowledge of our religious heritage and the religious experiences of humankind
 Our lessons and activities are designed to accomplish these goals. In addition, the children participate in their own worship services, a yearly Sunday morning pageant and other special activities such as Sukkot (a Jewish harvest celebration), Flower Communion and a Valentine's party.
Classes are taught by volunteer parents and church members who demonstrate a loving, caring attitude toward our children and model the behaviors described above.
Church School Curriculum 2009-2010:
Tapestry of Faith
Third through Fifth Grades: Moral Tales
This program, with its foundation of storytelling, is designed to give children the spiritual and ethical tools they need to make choices and take actions based on UU beliefs and values. Tools include inner resources such as conscience and empathy; spiritual resources, including faith, prayer and forgiveness; and external resources that include wise teachers and the larger community. Moral Tales aims to help raise children who can discern what is right and true, hear and follow the call of love, and turn their moral beliefs and ethical concerns into concrete action.
Sixth and Seventh Grades: Amazing Grace
Using stories, activities and discussion, this fun and engaging program aims to help students understand right and wrong and be able to act on their ethical beliefs. Amazing Grace will help equip youth for moving safely and productively through the middle and high school years, as well as help them along the path of becoming empathetic and responsible adults. We want students to feel supported in their decisions about doing the right thing; to understand what our culture, UU and other religions say about right and wrong; and to recognize the virtues their families and faith community have promoted and why.
Children in Preschool through Second Grades: Spirit Play
Spirit Play helps children find meaning in their lives in the context of Unitarian Universalism and find their own religious language for wondering about bigger ideas. Using many Montessori teaching methods, Spirit Play presents stories of our faith and church using simple, beautiful materials, and then gives children a chance to tell the stories themselves through play. Subject matter includes the Flaming Chalice, UU history, Judeo-Christian stories, and beginnings and endings such as the Universe Story and the mystery that some people call God. Questions to be wondered about include: Where did we come from, What is our purpose, How do we choose to live our lives, and What are our gifts and How do we use them. Spirit Play creates a spiritual community of children, supports multiple learning styles and creates a strong UU identity for children. Among the Montessori elements used are the idea of teacher as guide rather than leader and an emphasis on art, nature and beauty in Spirit Play materials.
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