Religious Education at UUSG


Click HERE for the current Prospectus!

To register your child(ren) for church school, you can fill out a form at UUSG, print this form and bring it to UUSG, or register online by clicking here.

Our Evaluation Forms are now available online!  Please click the appropriate link to fill out and submit the form electronically:

     Teachers  

     Parents & Guardians

     Students 

 

 

 

Mission Statement of the Lifespan Religious Education Committee

To provide education and ministry which will nurture the religious growth of our members and friends throughout their life spans. We are guided by our UUSG mission statement, covenant, and the Unitarian Universalist Association purposes and principles.


Goals

  • Share and explore the meanings of Unitarian Universalist values
  • Create opportunities for growth
  • Create opportunities for intergenerational connections

Educational Objectives

  • To provide opportunities for shared spiritual experiences
  • To provide an understanding of Unitarian Universalists as a group and as individuals, past and present
  • To help individuals answer the question “What is a Unitarian Universalist?” effectively
  • To provide opportunities for learning about our Jewish and Christian heritage
  • To provide opportunities for learning about world religions
  • To provide opportunities to act on UU principles and purposes
  • To promote the concept that all of life is religious education
  • To provide opportunities for shared spiritual experiences

LRE Programs

There are three major programs within Lifespan Religious Education at UUSG:

  • Children’s RE
  • Youth RE
  • Adult RE.

Children’s RE

It starts with the Nursery Program and completes with 5th grade.

Child Care: Childcare is provided for infants, toddlers, and children through PreK or age four. On Sundays when there is no church school program, childcare is extended to include children through Kindergarten or age five. In a loving and safe environment, our very youngest children explore and play together. Stories, playtime, art projects, and snacks are a regular part of our Nursery Care time.


Children's Church School: Children are grouped according to grade level (K-2, 3-5).
Children begin with their parents in the Sanctuary and then adjourn to their classrooms.  All children's church school classes are taught by volunteers from the church congregation.

  • Summer Church School & Childcare:  In July & August, we offerSpirit Play church school for grades K through 5.  Childcare is offered for children through PreK.  Older chidren are invited to remain in the service.

  • During the Regular Church Year (September-May):
  • During the 9:30am Sunday service, church school is offered for grades K through 5th.
  • During the 11:15am Sunday service, church school is offered for grades K through 12th.
  • We offer childcare during both services.

See the Curriculum page for more information about what is offered at each grade level.

 

Youth RE

Comprises the Our Whole Lives (OWL), Challenge, and Young Religious Unitarian Universalists (YRUU).

Our Whole Lives (OWL): This is a two-quarter program that provides comprehensive sexuality education. OWL helps participants make informed and responsible decisions about their sexual health and behavior. It equips participants with accurate, age-appropriate information in six subject areas: human development, relationships, personal skills, sexual behavior, sexual health, and society and culture. Grounded in a holistic view of sexuality, OWL provides not only facts about anatomy and human development, but helps participants to clarify their values, build interpersonal skills, and understand the spiritual, emotional, and social aspects of sexuality. OWL is taught by teachers that have gone through specific training for this class.

Coming of Age: Youth in 8th grade engage in a program called "Coming of Age."  At this age, youth are ready to find their own religious identity, and determine if they want to commit more deeply to Unitarian Universalism. The Challenge program includes learning about Unitarian Universalism, exploring other faith traditions and participating in a mentoring program.

Young Religious Unitarian Universalists (YRUU) / Habitat for Humanity (H4H): Youth in high school can participate in the YRUU youth group. Youth provide primary leadership for group meetings while adult advisors provide ongoing mentoring and support for youth leaders. YRUU activities include building community, worship, social action, workshops, leadership development, and participating in district YRUU conferences. YRUU youth can also participate in the Habitat for Humanity program. This year-long youth social justice program includes fundraising events, planning meetings, and training sessions which culminate in a ten-day out-of-state trip in July. While the core objective directly supports Habitat for Humanity’s purpose to bring decent and affordable housing to those in need, it simultaneously affords each participant personal involvement and growth in areas such as leadership, teamwork, communications, planning, etc.

  •  Sunday mornings at 11:15am for students in high school

Adult RE

Provides programs to the adult portion of the congregation.

Adults have many options for religious education: small groups, covenant groups and other programs. The Adult RE program is not divided into semesters. Classes may consist of a single session or may meet regularly throughout the year.

Small groups are always open to new members. For more information, please send an email to LRE@uusg.org.
The current groups are:

  • Small Group Ministry
  • Simple Living Circle
  • Women’s Guild
  • UU Buddhism Meditation & Study Group
  • Sacred Harp Singing
  • Games Night
  • UU Atheism/Humanism Study Group
  • Saturday Supper & Seminar Series
  • Healthy Habits Group
  • Hypnosis
  • WomenSpirit Rising
  • Friday Flicks

Covenant groups are ongoing small groups whose members agree to covenant with each other. Covenant groups typically offer support or outreach to the wider community. For more information, contact LRE@uusg.org.

  • Reiki Covenant Group
  • 2nd Sunday (Storytellers) Covenant Group
  • Big Ideas Covenant Group

Other programs include classes, discussions, movie nights, etc. These programs are announced in the church newsletter.

The LRE programs are detailed each year in a Prospectus for Lifespan Religious Education Programs which is sent out to parents of registered students prior to each church year. The Prospects contains the following information:

  • LRE calendar summary for the school year
  • A note from the Lifespan Religious Education (LRE) Committee
  • A description of the Mission, goals and objectives of the LRE program
  • A description of the Programs for Children, Youth, and Adults
  • Contact information for the LRE Committee members
  • Registration Instructions for Programs
  • Sunday Morning LRE Schedule