Our Whole Lives (OWL)

We offer Our Whole Lives for seventh and eighth graders (ninth graders with permission from our Minister) every other year.

Our Whole Lives (OWL) is a lifespan human sexuality curriculum with modules designed for children in kindergarten through adults. We offer the unit for 7th through 9th graders every other year. Classes are led by two facilitators who have gone through an extensive training program, and we offer parents of children the chance to do a modified version of the lessons their children are experiencing so that conversation and ongoing support can be offered at home.

Our Whole Lives models and teaches caring, compassion, respect, and justice. It is a holistic program that moves beyond the intellect to address the attitudes, values, and feelings that youth have about themselves and the world.

Unlike many other sexuality curricula currently available, this program is comprehensive and progressive. In an inclusive and developmentally appropriate manner, it addresses sensitive topics that are typically excluded. Click here for a full description of each unit.

Contact Dory for more information, to register your child, or to learn how to support the OWL program as a volunteer. 

Vagabond Theater

Vagabond Theater is a new opportunity for children 8-17 years old to explore their UU values through the art of theater. Theater can happen at any time, as long as one person has a story to tell. In the fall, on the first 3 Sundays of each month, children and youth will work as a team to practice the skills of costume design, storytelling, scene design, problem solving and more, while creatively exploring UU values and the themes that shape their daily lives. They will work for 3 months, on the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Sunday mornings to write, rehearse, and perform a script of their choosing.  Children are encouraged to register even if they are unable to attend every session. Register here. 

Coming of Age

After completing the Our Whole Lives program as seventh and eighth graders, we encourage those children to continue their journey to adulthood in the Coming of Age program. In three overnights at the church, we focus on what it means to become a participating member of the congregation. Between overnights, the youth engage in a wide range of activities related to congregational life, from worship to volunteering to committees to community outreach. Participants are encouraged to articulate their own spiritual ideas and explore spiritual practices, working with mentors from the congregation. The program culminates with a Unitarian Universalist heritage trip to Boston and a youth-led worship service in the spring. Because our spiritual lives are always changing and growing as we experience new things, this program is open to all high school students as part of our Youth Group Program. Please see the “High School” page.