RE for Youth

• The UUFCM offers childcare, religious education (RE), and exploration opportunities for
  pre-school aged children through upper-elementary age.
• For the 2019-20 school year, our elementary-age youth group will be following the Soul Matters Sharing Circle curriculum, a thematic lesson plan that implements questions and activities related to monthly themes, such as Expectation, Belonging, Attention, Awe, and more. Materials included in the curricula draw from a diverse array of scriptures, literature, science, nature, history, and philosophy to support the overall message. 
• Children start out the morning in worship with the gathered community and leave service after the Story for All Ages. The remainder of the morning is spent in our child-friendly RE Room where our wonderful teachers engage children in age-appropriate activities that encourage spiritual development and growth. A Sunday morning lesson for our children generally includes: a reflection, story, mindfulness exercise, and craft/activity, with discussions throughout. The goal of these lessons is to instill a sense of acceptance, tolerance, and connection to other people and our world, while also helping children become more literate in other people’s beliefs as they develop their own. Middle and high school youth are welcome to stay in service or assist with RE in leadership roles.
• We also have a nursery for our younger children to play and wiggle in. Our little ones
  can leave for the nursery when the older kids head out for RE, or whenever they need to
  get a little energy out. Simply let our qualified nursery staff know, and they will
  guide your child to the nursery. Feel free to accompany them or stay and enjoy service.
• We offer several multigenerational worship service opportunities throughout the year
  when our children stay in worship with the gathered community for the entire service.
  Children are always welcome to stay in worship with their families if that is preferable
  and they feel comfortable doing so.

​OWL Education Program Begins January 5, 2020

During the 2020 spring school semester, UUFCM will be offering Our Whole Lives sexuality education to children in 7-10th grade every Sunday afternoon beginning January 5th and ending April 26th, excluding the Sundays surrounding Spring Break and Easter Sunday. This secular curriculum “helps participants make informed and responsible decisions about their sexual health and behavior. With a holistic approach, Our Whole Lives provides accurate, developmentally appropriate information about a range of topics, including relationships, gender identity, sexual orientation, sexual health, and cultural influences on sexuality,” (The Unitarian Universalist Association website). This program is free and open to the public, and parents who are interested in registering their children for Our Whole Lives sexuality education can contact our Director of Religious Education, Kendra Peffers, at re.uufcm@gmail.com by October 27th.
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Please don’t hesitate to contact our Director of Religious Education, Kendra Peffers,
with any questions, comments, or concerns at re.uufcm@gmail.com.
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