We have over fifty children and teens enrolled in our Our Whole Lives (OWL) comprehensive sexuality education programs right now, at four different age levels: grades K–1, grades 4–6 (puberty), grades 7–9 (early adolescence), and grades 10–12 (adolescence). Close to half of those en- rolled are not part of UUCPA, testifying to the high reputation of our OWL curriculum. We offer all our OWL courses at no charge so that all families, regardless of income, can enroll their children. This makes OWL one of our more significant social justice programs.
While OWL might be the most noticeable religious education program we offer, our other religious education programs are of equally high quality. In the elementary grades, we provide basic religious literacy through an introduction to Western and non Western religious narratives. Navigators provides a traditional scouting experience without restricting access due to gender identity, sexual orientation, or belief in a deity (one child calls it “Everybody Scouts”). Our Neighboring Faith Communities course helps middle schoolers gain intercultural competency, while our Ecojustice class introduces the same age group to hands-on environmental justice. Our well respected Coming of Age course for grades 8–9 gives participants an opportunity to reflect deeply on self identity. And we have a diversity of opportunities for high school youth, including leadership opportunities, service projects, and a youth group.
Nor do we rest on our successes. The Children and Youth Religious Education Committee has convened a curriculum subcommittee to review all our course offerings. We are constantly developing new curriculum ma- terials, some of which are beginning to be used by other congregations. We are constantly innovating and improving. We care about kids, and we care about education.
And now a word from our sponsor: UUCPA is currently in the middle of its annual fundraising drive. You should receive your fundraising letter in the next week or so. And everyone at UUCPA — especially the kids who benefit from our excellent programs — would appreciate you making a generous pledge of financial support.
—Rev. Dan Harper, Associate Minister of Religious Education
Sunday school calendar (including OWL K–1 and 4–6)
Sunday, February 19:
- 9:30 am: Sunday school
- (No OWL K–1 and 4–6)
Sunday, February 26:
- 9:30 am: Sunday school
- 10:30 am: Fourth Sunday brunch
- 11:00 am: OWL K–1 and 4–6
Youth calendar (SHYG, Coming of Age, OWL 7–9)
Sunday, February 19:
- (No Coming of Age) (No OWL grades 7–9)
6:30 pm: SHYG
Sunday, February 26:
- 11:00 am: Coming of Age
- 5:00 pm: OWL grades 7–9
- 6:30 pm: OWL parent discussion group
- 6:30 pm: SHYG