Education - Teaching Children & Teens

Teaching Children and Teens

We believe in a hands-on approach.

For example, our middle-schoolers visit nearby churches, temples, mosques and sweat lodges to personally and respectfully observe how others worship.

We don’t just talk about religion with our children. Almost all of our youngsters are involved in community service projects, and at various times of the year they are directly involved in worship services

Related Content

"The great end in religious instruction ... is not to stamp our minds irresistibly on the young but to stir up their own; not to make them see with our eyes but to look inquiringly and steadily with their own; not to give them a definite amount of knowledge but to inspire a fervent love of truth; not to form an outward regularity but to touch inward springs...."

Rev. William Ellery Channing, 1837

What do Unitarian Universalists teach their children and teens?

We teach them about many religions and wisdom traditions, in particular the Principles and Sources from which Unitarian Universalists draw their inspiration.

We give them a strong foundation in religion so they can make good decisions about the role it should play in their lives. For example, we teach them:

About Jesus – about how he challenged established leaders and ideas, and spent time ministering among society’s outcasts and needy.
About the other major religions of the world, including the beliefs of Jews, Muslins, Hindus, Buddhists, Confucians and Sikhs.
About the stories that have been told for centuries by indigenous peoples.
About those who found (and still find) comfort, guidance, and spirituality while communing with nature.

We explain the history of our own religion—how Unitarianism is a 450-year-old branch of the Protestant Reformation, how Universalism teaches that salvation is not tied to a particular denomination or belief.

We warn our children about the lure of modern cults and, at the same time, point out to them the irony that most religions originated with disaffected minorities.

Youth

For youth aged 13-18 we offer a wide variety of programs. Youth leadership roles are encouraged and supported throughout the program in ways that are appropriate for their ages and maturity. Program topics range from UU identity and various aspects of spirituality and world religions, to relationship issues and the environment. Hands-on social justice projects are also a component of the program.

Under the direction of our experienced Youth Program Coordinator, our youth group meets most Sunday evenings at 7:00 pm at the church. Activities may include a mentoring program, monthly "coming of age" activities, optional Our Whole Lives (OWL) sexuality curricula, a special Grade 12 Program, plus trips and conferences.