Religious Exploration
Religious Exploration for Children
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.
The goals of RE are to foster:
- Ethical growth – internalizing enduring values like justice, equity, and compassion, and gaining tools to act on them in everyday life.
- Social growth – connecting with peers and people of all ages on a deeper level. Finding acceptance among people who see beyond the superficial.
- Spiritual growth – feeling a connection with the sacred within, among, and beyond us.
Working together, the RE Committee, the Minister, and the Director of RE develop an overall plan to provide programs to foster these goals.
All children regardless of age are welcome in our sanctuary during service. Religious Exploration classes for ages 5-18 are offered from September – June. All lessons are taught by trained volunteers under the guidance of UUCL’s Director of Religious Exploration. Students participating in Religious Exploration must be registered, and may do so here.
The nursery is open on Sundays from 9:45-11:15 a.m., and is staffed by experienced, background checked, volunteer caregivers. Children younger than age 5 are welcome to join us there to read stories, play with toys, interact with other young children, and receive attentive care. The nursery is open on a drop-in basis, but all children attending must by registered for UUCL RE. If your child is not yet registered, that may be done with this link.
Elementary age children usually begin in the service with the rest of the congregation to participate in the Welcome, Opening Hymn and Time for All Ages before going to their RE classes. 2024-2025 curriculum is taken from Soul Matters, and follows the same themes as those presented during worship. Lessons usually include a story that helps explain the theme of the day, then games, crafts, and discussions that allow students to further explore that theme in terms that will be accessible to them. To learn more about Soul Matters programs, interested readers can visit their web site.
Youth 7th-12th grade usually stay in worship with the rest of the community for the first 15 minutes of each service. Teens are also encouraged to participate by being a greeter or leading a portion of worship.
Following the Time for All Ages youth participate in RE classes. The curriculum for 2025 includes Virtue Ethics This program’s premise–in the words of the Buddha, recited in every workshop Opening–is that “our thoughts and actions become habits and our habits shape our character.” We have some control over our character. We can shape the person we want to be by making intentional, thoughtful decisions. The youth will also enjoy games and activities that help build Community with the program Deep Fun.
Youth occasionally participate in field trips and social activities. More can be learned about these events through UUCL’s weekly announcements, or the REcap & Upcoming RE newsletter.
We ask that children who are in our RE program register for safety reasons. This can be easily done online here.
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. We encourage you 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. To find out about upcoming events for all ages, refer to the announcements, the REcap newsletter, or the web site.
