Religious Education Curriculum
Welcome to the Children and Youth Religious Education program at UUCF! From our nursery to our senior high youth group, we have exciting plans for another year of religious growth and learning.
Our religious education classes provide a loving and nurturing environment where children are able to explore their beliefs, deepen their understanding of the sacred, and enrich their religious lives. We strive to create a supportive atmosphere where children and youth can be themselves while learning to acknowledge, accept, and affirm the differences in others.
This year, our religious education program focuses on understanding and living the Unitarian Universalist Principles and Purposes. Through our time together in worship and in class, we teach our youth that we are all here to help each other on our individual religious journeys.
Infant-Toddler Care: Children up to age 3
Our childcare program provides loving care and supervised activity for the youngest members of our church. Our goal is to provide a warm and nurturing environment where trust naturally grows, helping children to become comfortable and happy with their first association with the church. Simple toys, picture books, and music are part of their environment. Parents may remain with their child as long as needed for the child to become comfortable with the caregivers and surroundings.
Pre-School – Kindergarten: Rainbow Seekers Rainbow Seeker is our UU-themed curriculum for three to six year olds. Our intention is to offer our youngest children the experience of being UU simply by playing and having fun with church friends. Our structured routine will help children feel comfortable and confident. Through rituals, stories, and fun activities, children are introduced to some of the "gems" of our UU Principles.
Elementary – Middle School: Carry the Flame
This year we are offering a multi-age range (early, middle, and upper elementary/junior high) self-discovery and religious identity program called Carry the Flame. This program seeks to expand participant's self-awareness, spirituality, and religious identity by exploring our UU Principles. Each participant receives a workbook filled with interesting and challenging discussions and activities that relate to one of the seven principles.
High School: Young Religious Unitarian Universalist
Our high school youth participate in a group known as YRUU (Young Religious Unitarian Universalists). Youth work in conjunction with a Youth Coordinator and team of advisors to make decisions concerning YRUU programming including worship, social action, community-building activities, topics for discussion, and opportunities for leadership development. YRUU allows youth to deepen their understanding of how real-world issues relate to UU Principles and Purposes, and how they as individuals can apply these Principles and Purposes in their own lives.
Our Whole Lives
Our Whole Lives, or the OWL program, is a series of sexuality education curricula for six age groups: grades K-1, grades 4-6, grades 7-9, grades 10-12, young adults (ages 18-35), and adults. Our Whole Lives 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, Our Whole Lives 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. Participants typically meet once a week in a safe, supportive peer group environment with specially trained leaders. Parental consent is required and regular class attendance must be a priority. Classes are held at the Unitarian Universalist Church in Long Beach and other UU churches in the Los Angeles area, Orange County, and Inland Empire
