Religious Exploration
Religious Exploration for Children & Youth
Welcome to the Religious Exploration (RE) program! We strive to provide a program rich in opportunities for our children to grow spiritually in a caring and loving environment. We value diversity and inclusiveness, believing that there are many spiritual paths, not just one. We affirm the uniqueness of each child in their spiritual development.
Working together, the RE Committee, the Minister, and the Director of RE develop an overall plan to provide programs to foster these goals.
Children and Youth in Worship
Sunday morning worship begins with the entire congregation together for chalice lighting, music and a Time for All Ages story or activity, after which students go to their religious exploration classrooms (though all children regardless of age are welcome to stay in our sanctuary during service). UUCL holds multigenerational worship services for the whole hour about once a month. To find out which dates these are, check the calendar or the weekly announcements. They are frequently held the Sunday before major holidays. The nursery remains open during multigenerational services.
Participating children and youth must be registered for safety and organizational reasons. This may be done online here. You can also obtain a paper copy of the registration form at UUCL on Sunday mornings.
Click the toggles below for more information on each part of RE.
The nursery is open to children birth to 3-years during worship on most Sunday mornings. Care is provided by experienced, background-checked adults.
UUCL children ages 4-11 participate in our Unitarian Universalist Adventures Program. Students gather in the RE Space for a welcome, and a short lesson on the topic which adults will explore in the sermon or one of current interest. Then children are invided to respond to the experience at one of eight Learning Centers: Art, Bookshelves and Mailboxes, Headphones, Pretend, Publication, Spiritual Practice, Tent, and Unitarian Universalism. The emphasis is on values, creativity, and faith development.
In 2025-26 students in grades 7-12 are following the “coming of age” curriculum titled Becoming created by Soul Matters (more information can be found here.) Youth are focused on exploring their childhood, what they believe now, and how they may develop themselves and their faith in the future. Activities include social experiences; a camping trip; a heritage trip to Boston, Massachusetts; writing a personal credo; and leading worship as a group.
Parents and guardians are the primary providers of their children’s RE. It is in the context of the family that the largest part of their spiritual growth takes place. We encourage you to talk openly with your children about religious issues and to model the values that you consider important.
The success of our Sunday program depends on cooperation between children, parents and teachers. Parents and caregivers are asked to participate in our Religious Exploration program at a level that meets their availability and skills. Opportunities include teaching, substitute teaching, assistant teaching, chaperoning, preparing supplies, organizing events and more. You are encouraged to:
- Bring your child regularly and on time to help us foster a strong sense of community
- Introduce yourself to your child’s teachers, stay informed and pass along information about your child
- Volunteer to help in your child’s class with special events and projects
- Attend multigenerational services and church social events
- Consider joining the RE Committee or volunteering as a teacher
Families are also invited to join in on monthly social events that give adults and children alike an opportunity to get to know one another and enjoy being in community. UUCL sends out a Sunday afternoon email with content from Soulful Home, which offers ways for parents, caregivers, and their children to be connected to one another and UU values.
Love Leads the Way Capital Campaign is underway!