Register for Our Whole Lives
Our Whole Lives (OWL) is a sexuality education program for youth that 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. This program is comprehensive and progressive. In an inclusive and developmentally appropriate manner, it addresses sensitive topics that are typically excluded. All of our OWL teachers have been through formal training. Sign up your 7th-9th-graders for the 2013 OWL course.
Register for the Posada Pageant
Sign your children up for the Sun., Dec. 16 Posada Pageant. We've rolls to fill at both services. Rehearsal will take place on Sat., Dec. 15, 9:30-12:00 noon.
CRE registration information
From Sep. 16, 2012 through June 16, 2013, while their parents and caregivers attend services in the sanctuary, children and youth may attend age-appropriate, spiritually-enriching classes, briefly described below. You must register your children ($25/child) and participate in the cooperative CRE program by volunteering 10 hours through SEVA (Self-Enlightening Volunteer Apparatus). If your family needs a financial waiver, please contact Children’s Religious Educator Nikevia Thomas (nthomas@allsouls.ws). SEVA is not waived.
Welcome!
- Nikevia Thomas, Children’s Religious Educator
- Meagan Henry, Director of Lifespan Religious Education and Family Ministries
- The Rev. Dr. Robert M. Hardies, Senior Minister
- The Rev. Dr. Susan Newman, Associate Minister
- Cheryl Ann Jones, Children’s Music Educator (part-time)
- Constance Ofori, Childcare Provider
- Kimberly Adams, Childcare Provider
Classes
Nursery Care (birth - 23 months) 9:30 & 11:15
Location: Nursery (lower level in the room at the rear of the Dining Room)
Two professional caregivers provide childcare and supervised play for infants. Parents should stay until their children until they are comfortably settled; listening devices are available to hear the service. Vibrating pagers are also available so CRE staff can silently contact parents in the Sanctuary. Parents may serve as Class Aides through SEVA.
Very Young Learners (PreK 2-3 years old) 9:30 & 11:15
Location: Hamele 2
The VYLs work with Story Play, a story-centric curriculum with activity centers that lets children access their various intelligences in a non-secular setting. VYLs do not attend Children’s Chapel, but participate in the monthly Story for All Ages in the Sanctuary. Parents may serve as Class Aides through SEVA.
Young Learners (PreK 4-5 years old) 9:30 & 11:15
Location: Hamele 4
The YLs work with Spirit Play, a Montessori-based curriculum with a multi-sensory approach of wondering, learning centers, stories, and a community of children, teachers, and parents. YLs may, at their own pace, ponder the abiding questions of life: Why are we here? What matters to me? What is important to others? How can I be the best person I can be? YLs worship in the classroom and at the monthly Story for All Ages in the Sanctuary. Parents may serve as Class Aides through SEVA.
Primary Learners (Kindergarten - 2nd grade) 9:30 & 11:15
Location: Hamele 3
PLs work with Judeo-Christian stories, relating them to the Unitarian tradition through discussion, art, games, and much more. They learn concepts and language through a multiracial, multicultural lens and are encouraged to articulate their developing individual faith. As the year progresses, PLs are introduced to the idea of social justice, actively developing a service project. Parents may serve as Class Aides through SEVA.
Intermediate Learners (3rd - 5th grade) 9:30 & 11:15
Location: Children's Chapel Classroom
ILs work with Judeo-Christian stories, relating them to the Unitarian tradition through discussion, art, games, and much more. They learn concepts and language through a multiracial, multicultural lens and are encouraged to articulate their developing individual faith. ILs learn about social justice, actively developing a service project. Parents may serve as Class Aides through SEVA.
Middle School (6th - 8th grade) 11:15 ONLY
Location: Hamele 1
MS youth work with Judeo-Christian stories, relating them to the Unitarian tradition through discussion, art, games, and much more. They learn concepts and language through a multiracial, multicultural lens and are encouraged to articulate their developing individual faith. MS youth learn about social justice, actively developing a service project. Every Sunday, they start the day in the Sanctuary, leaving for class after the Anthem.
High School (9th - 12th grade) 11:15 ONLY
Location: Spirit Room
In conjunction with the Youth Ministry Coordinator and the Director of Lifespan & Family Ministries, HS youth craft their own curriculum and plan fellowship excursions, which may include an overnight retreat, team challenges, outdoor adventures, meditation workshops, and social events with other youth groups. The HS youth also have opportunities for social justice work, including a weeklong service trip to New Orleans. They are encouraged to direct their own learning and to integrate with the church’s adult community. HS youth begin each Sunday in the Sanctuary, leaving for class after the Anthem, and they participate in the spiritual focus reflection every first Sunday.
Religious Education Committee
The Religious Education Committee embodies congregational responsibility for the religious education for children and youth by articulating directions and supporting the professional and volunteer staff in realizing the goals of the program.
Meeting once a month with the Religious Educator, Family and Lifespan Ministries and the Children’s Religious Educator, committee members articulate the direction and design of the religious education program by listening to parents and congregants, planning and implementing religious education events, supporting training sessions and working with other adults in the wider congregation to build a religious community. We offer you a glimpse of the program here but encourage you to download a full brochure for more complete listings and information.
- Helen Fox (2013) Chair
- Kysseline Cherestal (2013)
- Shelley Finlayson (2013)
- Jon Fetter-Degges (2014)
- Lucy Newton (2014)
- Marah Stets (2015)
- Michael Cuff (2015)
