Religious Education

Notice

In-person Religious Education will begin on Sunday, 30 January 2022 for Grade 4 and 5 OWL and will continue for Grade 8 and 9 OWL and Grade 10 through 12 Senior High. All other age groups will continue to have access to these RE activities to be done at home. 

Childcare for babies, toddlers, and pre-schoolers will not be available for the time being. 

About

Our religious education program is grounded in Unitarian Universalism, with roots in the Humanist tradition. We seek to foster Humanist UU identity development, ethical development, and creation of beloved community, all while striving to be fully present, enjoying being with one another.

When in-person religious education is available, all youth will start in the Sunday 10:30 a.m. Assembly with their adults. Following the Time for All Ages segment of the Assembly, youth are excused from the assembly hall to meet their RE teachers in the lobby. They will then be led to their classrooms. Classes continue until 11:30 a.m. to allow adults to enjoy Assembly and fellowship before picking up youth from their classrooms. Younger children through grade 3 must be picked up and signed out of their classes by a parent/guardian. Youth in grade 4 and older are excused by their RE teachers to meet their adults.

Our RE program is run on a cooperative model, meaning that parents/guardians who register children in RE are required to volunteer with the program alongside other congregants. We make every effort to make sure volunteering is simple, convenient, and fun. You’ll choose a grade-level group that interests you, dates that work for your schedule, and we’ll provide the rest: session plans, materials, etc.

Registration is required, but visitors are always welcome.

Education program by grade

Kindergarten to First Grade: Chalice Children

Chalice Children focuses on Unitarian Universalism, the strength of community, wonder, awe and life issues we all share; all done in a playful, joyful, and supportive way.

Kindergarten to Grade 1: Chalice Children

Grade 2 to Grade 3: Rainbow Path

Rainbow Path focuses on the eight principles of Unitarian Universalism. Using youth-friendly language and concepts, the Rainbow Path curriculum engages youth in understanding and living out our shared values.

Grades 2 to 3: Rainbow Path

Grade 4 to Grade 5: Lodestone or OWL

Open to all 4^th & 5^th grade youth, this curriculum dives deeply into areas that can be of concern and curiosity to youth: money, death, race, and sexuality.  We’ll engage in guided discussions and activities to help explore how living out our values can happen within the context of these big issues. NOTE: “Our Whole Lives” (OWL) Lifespan Sexuality Education is offered for half of the program year for Grade 4-5 youth.  Please see our OWL Page for more information on that program.

Grades 4 to 5: Lodestone/OWL

Grade 6 to Grade 7: Crossing Paths

As middle schoolers, our youth are ready to engage with the wider community and consider the many theological paths and destinations offered by the religious traditions of our neighbors; and what they share with UU Humanism (or don’t). In previous years, this program centered around in-person visits to other faith communities, but this program year it will instead involve youth and instructors attending virtual services together.

Grades 6 to 7: Crossing Paths

Grade 8 to Grade 9: Our Whole Lives (OWL)

A comprehensive, developmentally-appropriate program that introduces key topics in sexuality. Focused on supporting youth to gain knowledge, life principles, and skills to understand and express their humanity in life-enhancing, values-grounded ways.

Note: Youth who are not registered in Grade 8-9 OWL may attend Grade 6 to 7 Crossing Paths or Grade 10 to 12 UU Heritage classes.

Grades 8 to 9: Our Whole Lives (OWL)

Grade 10 to Grade 12: UU Heritage

UU Heritage is centered around preparing our youth to enter the wider world with a solid grounding in the history of Unitarian Universalism. This curriculum also prepares participants to make the most of their time on the Boston Heritage Trip (open to those in Grade 10-12 who have not previously been on the FUS Boston Heritage Trip). We are tentatively hoping for the Boston Heritage Trip to be scheduled for the summer or fall of 2022. Financial support for this trip is available from the Ogren Travel Fund for RE. To qualify for this support, youth must attend at least 75% of the UU Heritage RE sessions. 

Grades 10 to 12: Senior High Youth Group