Religious Exploration

Welcome to our Religious Exploration (RE) ministry for children, youth, and adults! The primary goal of our RE ministry is to inspire discovery, inquiry, interrelationships and reverence for life in its infinite diversity. We prepare congregants of all ages to engage with the world as loving, curious, courageous individuals of conscience ready to inspire positive change by living into our Unitarian Universalist values. This is also informed by the CUUC vision that our community will be a welcoming “sanctuary without walls” that promotes diversity, fellowship, spiritual growth, and inspiration, while committing to people and the planet through social action and service.

“I love bringing my children to the RE program at CUUC because I know everyone involved shares my highest level of personal values. The adult volunteers are dedicated to promoting a sense of belonging and fellowship that isn’t always available in a school or extracurricular environment.” – Jessica L.

In Religious Exploration (RE) classes and activities, young people have a safe place to make friends and build supportive community, to learn about different beliefs, respectfully question each other’s thinking, articulate their own religious ideas, and engage in social action that puts their values into practice.  Each class uses age appropriate curricula to provide the tools for all ages to understand and articulate their Unitarian Universalist faith. We offer safe spaces to understand and explore beliefs in an intergenerational community. 

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Ages & Stages

Children

In the early years, we focus on building a trusting community, and introducing children to the sources of our faith and UU Principles. Children learn about UU history and traditions, and the beliefs and practices of other religious traditions that serve as sources for Unitarian Universalism. 

• Child Dedication. During a child dedication ceremony, the congregation and the parents share in the joy of welcoming children into the community. We declare our shared responsibility for the care and nurture of every child. Each child is recognized by name, and blessed with water and a flower. Ceremonies take place during the regular service, although private ceremonies may be arranged if desired.
• Childcare. Our youngest children are cared for in a loving, safe environment. Stories and activities reinforce belonging in community and cultivate their sense of awe and wonder.      
• Classes. We offer age appropriate classes and activities during the academic year for children. We follow curricula that offer guidance on life’s big questions, ethics and morality, the qualities of the UU faith, exploration of other faiths that includes visits to other house of worship– and more. And we learn from prophetic voices and direct experience of awe and wonder. We also offer Our Whole Lives (OWL) classes for children in alternating years. OWL is positive, comprehensive, and age-appropriate educational program that promotes healthy self image, relationships, safety, and communication with parents and caregivers.

• Coming of Age (COA). Coming of Age marks an important step in the religious development of our 8th and 9th graders. The group spends a year engaging in a journey of meaning-making and faith formation, developing personal statements of belief and faith identity that reflect our Unitarian Universalist history, heritage, and principles. The program culminates in a full Sunday morning worship service created and presented entirely by the youth who also share who they are and what they believe at this point in their lives. Each youth has an adult mentor to support them on this journey. This curriculum is offered every other year.
• Our Whole Lives (OWL) classes for middle school and high school youth are offered in alternating years. OWL is positive, comprehensive, and age-appropriate educational program that promotes healthy self image, relationships, sexual health, safety, and communication with parents and caregivers. All programs in the series are based on four primary goals: to provide accurate, developmentally appropriate information; to increase self-esteem and understand relationships with and responsibilities towards others; to develop interpersonal skills including communication, decision-making and problem-solving; and to teach responsibility for personal health and safety. Parents are required to attend orientation in order for their child or youth to participate in this program. This curriculum is offered every other year.
• Youth Group. Youth need space to connect with their peers in supportive community, participate in congregational events, learn about leadership, and engage in social justice projects. Youth Group is a place where youth can explore, connect, and grow. 
• Bridging. Each spring we recognize youth who are Bridging into adulthood, and are preparing to transition to college or other post-secondary education, or begin their work lives.  This is a public ceremony during a worship service.
• Activities. Youth lead worship each year in an always-memorable service in which the youth select readings and music and offer sermons; led activities for children such as the Halloween party; and participate in social justice activities like making bag lunches for a local community services center, or social activities.

Adults

Faith development and religious exploration continue over our lifetimes. We offer adults the opportunity to learn, grow, share and deepen in supportive community. These are opportunities to be introduced to new ideas and experiences, tell your own story, deepen understanding of Unitarian Universalism and sources of our living tradition, engage with ethical and moral questions, participate in calls to faith in action as we work to build communities of love and justice, and have spiritual experiences that inspire, transform, and sustain.

Adults have opportunities to continue exploring and deepening their faith and spirituality through classes and groups. These offer space for each person to start where they are and embrace questions or ideas that move them as we learn together and build relationships.

• Creating Theology Together is a class led by Rev. Danielle and Rev. Tracy, where we focus on defining theology and considering our personal relationship with theology. We explore where we each come from, what we carry, and how that impacts, informs, or challenges us. As we continue organizing around social issues, we also explore how theology might inform our individual and collective organizing. 
• UUA Common Read invites participants to read and discuss the same book across congregations. The UU Common Read can build community in our congregations and our movement by giving diverse people a shared experience, shared language, and a basis for deep, meaningful conversations.
• Date with Death Club is a series led by Rev. Danielle and Rev. Tracy, offering a non-dogmatic exploration of mortality in community, ranging from philosophical to spiritual, from humorous to informational. It provides a safe and brave space to explore the taboo topic of our mortality and the possibility of living a more awake life by facing the reality of our death. Dates coming soon.
• Communicating About Feelings is a class for parents/caregivers and early elementary children to exploring feelings and emotions in an engaging, imaginative, and age appropriate way. We meet for five 30 minute sessions to explore topics such as understanding feelings, relaxation skills, understanding thoughts, managing intense emotions, and mindfulness. After each session, there are skills that adults an children can practice together. Dates coming soon.

Monthly Adult Groups 

• Journey Groups are small groups that hold theme-based monthly meetings in which attendees explore their deepest values and inner voices. Facilitators provide formative spaces where individuals can nurture their spiritual journeys collectively and without judgment. Together, we can grow in depth and spiritual maturity. 
• Parents/Caregivers of Young People Who are Exploring Their Gender Identity is a support group for parents and caregivers of young people as they understand and affirm their gender identity.
• Parents/Caregivers of Tweens/Teens is a mutual support space for adults exploring the spiritual adventure of parenting MS & HS youth.
• Parents/Caregivers of Young Adults is a mutual support space for adults of young adults (approx. 18-29 years old) who are navigating changing relationships and family dynamics.
• Science & Spirituality. A monthly book club exploring intersections between science and spirituality.
• Depending on interest and availability, we offer various classes for adults, such as in the history of Unitarian Universalism, or speakers on spiritual or social justice topics.

Role of Parents/Caregivers in RE

Parents and caregivers are their children’s primary guides throughout the week, playing a central role in their spiritual development.  Encouraging children to attend worship, classes, and activities helps nurture their curiosity while building a sense of community with their peers and teachers.  Showing interest in what they learn and volunteering in classes demonstrates that you value spiritual exploration. Sharing your beliefs and journey with your children reinforces that they will continue to learn and grow throughout their lives.  Talking about how you act on your beliefs and values encourages them to do the same, and helps your children understand their important role in shaping this world.