Newcomers are invited to participate in whatever way feels comfortable to them. We work hard to welcome people of all ages with special needs or abilities. If there is something that our program can do to help a child or youth have a positive experience in our classes, please feel free to let us know.

 

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Religious Education Program Overview

The Westside Unitarian Universalist Congregation religious education program follows a three year cycle focusing on a different component during each season. This gives each child or youth a well rounded religious education, offering a strong identity as a Unitarian Universalist, knowledge of stories and traditions of other world religions and experience living our beliefs through social and environmental action. We supplement these classes with activities and special programs creating a vibrant experience of a living tradition.

During the fall each year our children and youth learn about Unitarian Universalism. We combine an ongoing exploration of the Unitarian Universalist principles, continuing development of a Unitarian Universalist identity and study of both Unitarian and Universalist history to gain a deeper understanding of who we are.

For the holiday season we take a few weeks to prepare for a holiday pageant or play celebrating the holiday. The children and youth choose a starring or supporting role, culminating in a performance during a Sunday service in December. 

Beginning in January we learn about world religions including stories from the Hebrew bible (Old Testament) and the New Testament for greater understanding of Judeo-Christian cultural references and western culture. We also touch on other world religions and spiritual practices striving for greater understanding in our global community.

In the spring we focus on social or environmental issues. We bring in resources from our church community as leaders to help us learn about social problems and environmental issues while doing some hands on work inspired by the children and youth.

For the summer season we have a more relaxed family style program with field trips and all ages’ fun. We traditionally have a “Solstice at the Beach” celebration and other trips to local parks and beaches along with some fun classes focused on science and culture.

With regular weekly attendance our children and youth move into adulthood with a solid foundation as Unitarian Universalists and a comprehensive knowledge of world religions as well as experience putting their personal beliefs into real life practice.

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Curricula for 2007-2008

Nursery (Ages 6 weeks to about 3)
Our youngest members and friends learn about Unitarian Universalism being the church of the loving heart and welcoming hands through loving care with our nursery care provider. The nursery is located near the sanctuary for easy access and adjustment for the child and parents. Quiet babies in arms are welcome in the service. Julie Vance is our infants/toddlers teacher.

Preschool (age 3 to kindergarten)
Children ages 3 to about 6 join together in a fun filled active time. Spirit Play! The preschool-kindergarten class will be led by new staff member Donna Mikula. Donna comes to us with extensive experience with children in many settings including RE Programs and Montessori classrooms. Each week the children will see a story presented in a specific way. The stories will follow our Pillar system in content to some extent. Fall; UU identity, winter; world religions and spring; social or environmental activism Following the story the children will choose to play out one of the stories from previous weeks, or to create some art, or another activity available on our shelves. After clean up, the class ends with a closing ritual and a snack.

Early Elementary (Kindergarten, 1st and 2nd grade)
During the fall our first and second grade children will use the curriculum UU Super Heroes to reinforce our seven guiding principles and learn about important people from our faith tradition. We will learn about our rich history and ripe future as Unitarian Universalists.

Children entering and moving through the milestone of the “age of reason” will continue using the curriculum Timeless Themes and Bible Superheroes this winter. This curriculum teaches UU kids stories from the bible. It is important as people living in our culture to understand the basics of bible stories. These curricula help us talk with our children about the stories of the bible and the lessons they have to teach us, without teaching the bible as truth.

Older Elementary (3rd grade to 5th grade)
Our older elementary children will explore their Unitarian Universalist history and beliefs with the curriculum A Spirit of Adventure. This weaves religious identity and history with active and fun projects. Children this age also become more involved in some of our social action projects—including A Guest at Your Table with the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee and our partner church project.

During the winter season this group will use the curriculum Bibleodeon, to learn about the stories of the bible. As our children form their own beliefs, it is important to learn about what other faiths teach. Bibleodeon helps us know what the stories of the bible are and to form our own opinions about them.  

Middle School (6th to 8th grade)
The Middle School group will be studying our Unitarian Universalist heritage and living faith while also learning about word religions with the curriculum Compass Points. This interactive program brings together identity development and learning with a great, fun environment for a year long of great Sundays!

The Middle School group also begins to form a Junior Youth Group, sometimes meeting away from regular church times. They also begin choosing some service projects that help them live their beliefs, completing these with lots of support from parents, teachers and other invested adults.

High School (9th to 12th grade)
This fall our high school youth will deeply examine our Unitarian Universalist Faith. We use both Heresy Apparent and Truth and Meaning. We will be visiting other UU Churches in the area to learn just how richly varied our faith is. This group often takes time for social action working toward self directed projects with strong adult support.

During the winter season we will be learning about other faiths using Neighboring Faiths and Truth and Meaning. We will visit other houses of worship and learn from people practicing other faiths what their beliefs are and how they live those beliefs.

Young Religious Unitarian Universalists (YRUU) Youth Group
Our youth are invited to participate in a fantastic opportunity to grow and learn within our youth programming. Social activities combine with social action, spiritual growth, learning together and positive youth and adult interaction to form a strong youth group. Our youth are active in our congregation, at the district level and nationally.

2007-2008 Curriculum Plan

Unitarian Universalist Principles
and Sources — The Rainbow Path

“We look for answers inside ourselves and from wise people, world religions, the Bible, science and nature.” ~From Free to Believe, Sheltering Spirit: The Shelter Rock Faith Curriculum, by Tirrell H. Kimball and Richard S. Kimball