Our Religious Exploration programing is designed to enable children and youth to participate in the mystery of the universe by freely questioning, developing spiritually, acting ethically, and growing in relationship with Unitarian Universalism. Our program focuses on the theological, spiritual, and ethical development of children and youth at all stages in their lives. Children/Youth programing follows a 4-year thematic cycle in classes grouped by age between Labor Day and Memorial Day. During the summer multi-age instruction is provided.
This year the theme is Living Faith. The classes are:
- Creating Home (K-1) – helps children develop a sense of home grounded in faith
- Moral Tales (2-3) – provides and ethics and faith-based framework for thinking about what it means to be just and good
- Toolbox of Faith (4-5) – qualities of our Unitarian Universalist faith are presented as tools for living
- Building Bridges/Middle School Youth Group (6-8) – a world religions program to deepen youth’s understanding and embolden their spiritual search
- High School Youth Group –
This is a big year for OWL (Our Whole Lives) Sexuality Education here at East Shore. We are offering the class for Junior High (grades 7-9), High School (grades 10-12) and Early Elementary (grades k-1). More information and registration links are available on the website.
We’re also confirmed for Coming of Age this year. Coming of Age is a program which allows Youth to deepen their relationship with East Shore Unitarian Church and Unitarian Universalism. Youth explore their view of the world and lead a worship service in May. This program uses mentors, if asked to be a mentor, please consider saying “yes.”
Finally, to better work with the online system we’ve changed the way classes are registered for as well as the cost of the classes (materials fees). We lowered the class fee this year by more than half and removed the family pricing option. Families with fewer than five children who are participating in regular RE classes will pay less than they did on the previous model. The OWL class pricing for members and pledging friends has also been reduced. We did add a class fee to the Coming of Age class to support the new books that each youth will receive. Another change is that, other than the K-1 OWL class, attendees for the OWL classes who are not members or pledging friends are being asked to pay a higher rate. This is due to the cost of putting on the class.
When you register your family you will see that there is a materials fee of $25 for each class that you register for. You may opt to pay online by credit card or to send a check for all the classes combined. If you need a scholarship, please contact Felice at [email protected] for directions.
We’re excited to Explore, Reflect, and Learn in community with the church’s children this year. If you would be interested in being part of the teaching team please contact Aisha Hauser, Director of Lifelong Learning. Background check required.