RELIGIOUS EDUCATION

The greatest gift we can give our children and youth, is "roots and wings." Unitarian Universalist religious education seeks to give all of our members roots of connection and values as well as wings of responsibility and hope. Religious education is a lifelong process of personal growth. The classes and curricula are presented in the context of our religious community where children, youth, and adults are safe to explore ideas and spirituality, develop supportive friendships, and have fun.

Sunday Morning Curricula (11:00 - 12:15) Questions? Contact Carrie Jankowski.

Ages 3-6, Preschool Discovery

Spirit Play stories, games, crafts and activities await kids in this age group to help them begin their journey as a UU kid.  Classes are fun and focused on social interaction and a journey of discovery of who we are and our connections to this place we call home.

Spirit Play is a new UUA endorsed curriculum that is based on storytelling.  Stories are drawn from all the world’s religions and are used to help our students wonder and learn about our world.  Messages in the stories illustrate the seven UU Principles, as well as explorations in UU history, lessons from our Earth, World Religions and the wonder and awe of life.  The stories are followed by a response time and then an opportunity for the students to put their reactions to the story into an artistic representation of their own choosing.  Classes are fun, in-depth and hands-on.

Explorers: Ages 7-10.

Voyageurs: Ages 10-13.

Curriculum this year will focus on Lake Superior.  Creative and artistic hands-on experiences based on the great lake will serve as a springboard for discovery about our physical, ecological, and spiritual connections with this body of water.

Other Religious Exploration Opportunities

Ages 4-14 Big Creek Club  

In addition to our Sunday morning programs, there is a special opportunity for children (and families) to participate in our adopted creek project, which is a component of the EarthKeepers Initiative ~ a coalition of area faith communities dedicated to active stewardship of the Earth.  This is our second year of stewardship at Big Creek at Nancy Irish and Vince Villa’s home.   This project, in connection with our Lake Superior experiences, will continue to give our students experience with local environmental issues and the opportunity to collaborate with area youths to promote environmental awareness.

The Fellowship of the Phoenix

This is a group sponsored by the Marquette Unitarian Universalist Congregation for the purpose of providing a place for UU and unaffiliated teens to have "good clean fun" together, explore different cultures and religions, and learn how to work cooperatively through activities, trips, and service projects.  For more information contact a member of the RE committee.

“Our Whole Lives” (OWL)

Our Whole Lives is a healthy, respectful program in human sexuality that will be offered to youth in 7-9th grades (ages 11-14).   OWL, a Unitarian Universalist and United Church of Christ curriculum, is taught by trained facilitators.  Sessions to be scheduled from Oct.-May. Please see the September Newsletter for additional information and dates for interested parent orientation.