What We Offer Through the Lifespan

We provide children, youth, young adults, and adults an opportunity to explore, reflect, and learn in a nurturing spiritual community. Unitarian Universalist religious education programs are offered to all ages, inspiring:

• 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.

Religious education programs include more than classes. On a Sunday you might find the preschoolers singing songs about kindness, the 2nd graders engaging with a story about loss and bereavement, the 5th graders talking with a Muslim couple about Islam, the 7th graders learning about responsibility in a lesson from our progressive sexuality education program, and the high-school youth raising money for the local homeless shelter. Many programs incorporate social justice activities, worship opportunities, service trips, fellowship, and fun.

Our religious educator and minister lead many of our congregations’ lifespan programs. Parents and other members of the congregation often lead them, too. Teaching can be a very fulfilling way to deepen one’s own faith.

Children’s religious education programs are typically offered on Sunday mornings, and high school youth and adult programs are usually offered on afternoons or evenings.

Register Now for Our Upcoming OWL Class!

We’re now accepting youth for our January Our Whole Lives (OWL) class, open to 5th–6th graders. This program offers comprehensive, age-appropriate sexuality education grounded in the values of Respect, Responsibility, Justice, and Inclusivity.

Classes meet Sundays from 10–11:30am
January 11 – March 15, 2026
 
Parent Sessions:

• Dec. 18 (via Zoom – optional Q&A sessions)
• Jan. 4 (in-person mandatory orientation)

 Cost: $250 per student (scholarships available).

Parents can sign up for the Zoom Q&A on the R.E. bulletin board outside the classrooms to receive the meeting link.

Register your child here for the Fall (September 2025 – January 2026) Children and Youth Program.

Nursery Care (ages 0-4)
Lead Teacher: Carolyn Sander
Co-teacher: James-Oliver Mack
Nurturing and dependable care provided 9:30am- 1:30pm every Sunday. Subscribe to the weekly children/youth religious education email to make sure you are notified of any updates to the nursery care schedule.

Ages 5-11
September Theme: Soul Matters
Lead teacher: Tameka Spires
Crafts, projects, games, and more inspired by the interdependent web of life.

Ages 11-15
September Theme: Lego ValUUes
Lead Teacher: Lacey Edwards
Crafts, projects, games, and more inspired by the interdependent web of life.

Youth Assistant Teacher Program (Ages 13-17)

Youth who are looking for ways to develop leadership and contribute to the church should consider joining our assistant teacher program! With the support and oversight of our religious education team, they will help one of our RE classes by leading a small group station and providing general support. Youth assistant teachers receive training in child safety and development and have the opportunity to develop their skills in close collaboration with experienced teachers. To apply, send an email to dre.firstu@gmail.com with the subject line “Youth Assistant Teacher Program.”

We invite you to explore these pages and contact Elizabeth Tolbert, Director of Lifespan Religious Education at dre.firstu@gmail.com to get connected.