Nursery Care
Infancy - 2 years old
A warm welcome awaits our youngest members in our well-equipped nursery and toddler rooms. A safe environment allows for exploration, relaxation, and a feeling of "home away from home.“ Consistent care is provided by a qualified child care provider who is assisted by volunteer adults and teenagers. All nursery parents are asked to participate on a rotating basis.
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Treasure Hunting
3, 4 & 5 Years Old
This curriculum involves children in the exciting search for meaning in life at the concrete level of their understanding. Each week - through stories, songs, games and crafts - the children explore the meaning behind a UU principle, and then take home a treasure - a reminder of the discoveries made in class. Treasures discovered throughout the year include the importance of each person, the UU heritage, the power of feelings, and the fragile harmony of nature.
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Super Heroes / Experiences With the Web of Life
Grades 1 & 2
Super Heroes introduces children to the stories of people from the Bible who have acted with courage and wisdom in their attempts to lead their lives fully and make the world a better place for others. Experiences With the Web of Life provides the building blocks toward respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part. This curriculum uses a variety of sources, emphasizing both scientific observation and spiritual teachings of earth-centered traditions that celebrate the sacred circle of life and instruct us to live in harmony with the rhythms of nature.
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Timeless Themes / Keepers of the Earth
Grades 3 & 4
In Timeless Themes, children are introduced to the biblical literature central to our cultural heritage and to the human issues that inspired these scriptures: the timeless themes of loneliness, loyalty, trust, jealousy, transcendent power, human responsibility, love of freedom, speaking out against injustice, respect for the beliefs of others, love of one’s neighbor and forgiveness. In discussing Bible issues, children are invited to think about Unitarian Universalist values. Keepers of the Earth presents stories and traditions from Native American culture, emphasizing a close relationship to nature and our responsibility to the environment. The children will gain a sense of the interconnections with the natural world by doing a variety of “hands on“ activities. This program gives a greater value and worth to their understanding of our seventh Unitarian Universalist principle: “We believe in caring for our planet Earth.“
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Our Whole Lives (O.W.L.) / Kingdom of Equals
Grades 5 & 6
The overall goal of Our Whole Lives is to create a positive, comprehensive lifespan educational program that helps participants gain the knowledge, values, and skills to lead sexually healthy and responsible lives. This program is based on relevant and holistic attitudes and values, including self-worth, sexual health, responsibility, justice, and inclusiveness. Leaders are specially trained to facilitate the program for this age group. The Kingdom of Equals curriculum draws on the four Gospels of the New Testament, enlightened by twentieth-century findings and interpretations. Lessons deal with central messages of the Jesus teachings and themes relating to our UU Principles and Purposes, such as tolerance, forgiveness, and reverence for life. Stories covered in this program were chosen on the bases of two criteria: the strength of their religious message, and their general fame. Stories which our students might encounter in the culture at large, including the birth and Easter stories, are presented in the context of Unitarian Universalist perspectives.
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Neighboring Faiths, Part II
Grades 7 & 8
This curriculum introduces youth to the faith traditions and practices of other religious groups in their community. This year our focus will include the study of Islam, Native American Spirituality, Earth Centered traditions, Hinduism and Buddhism. The curriculum provides a number of processes for engaging participants in a religious journey that invites the participation of parents, other interested adults and religious leaders in the congregation and the community. This journey builds community among the youth, connects them with their congregation and the larger community, and helps them clarify and strengthen their Unitarian Universalist identity.
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Coming of Age
Grades 9 & 10
With guidance from their leaders and mentors (to be chosen from our congregation), these youths will be engaged in activities, experiences and discussions which will lead to the development of their own personal belief statement. A weekend pilgrimage to Boston - the center of our historical UU beginnings - will round out the year. In sharing our faith and mission, this program provides our youth with opportunities to explore our Unitarian Universalist history, to understand our purposes and principles, and to create and participate in meaningful projects or social outreach.
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