Religious Education

Welcome to Olympia Brown Religious Education! We are thrilled to join you and your family on your UU journey.

While we understand that religious education takes place primarily in the home, we enjoy our time together on Sundays to start lessons that can be carried on throughout the week. Come join us and get involved today!

Children's Programming

In the children's program at OBUUC, we spend our time together exploring and embracing the children's version of the Seven Untarian Universalist Principles:
* All people are important
* We should treat people fairly and kindly
* We should accept each other and help each other grow
* We should search for what is true and good
* All people should have a voice about things that concern them
* We should work for peace and freedom everywhere and try to make the world one family
* We should take care of the Earth which gives us life

At both 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. services we offer a fully staffed nursery for infants up to three years old. It is stocked with age-appropriate toys, books, and climbing/crawling equipment. There is also a diaper changing station and rocking chair for feeding or cuddling. Our staff is happy to feed your infant or toddler (with bottles or snacks that you provide or for older toddlers - snacks that we have on hand) and they will contact you immediately if your child is unhappy or inconsolable.

The three-year-olds through 5th-graders start their morning in the sanctuary with lighting the chalice, listening to music, sharing a story for all ages, etc. Then we go to George Bray Hall to have a snack together while sharing joys and concerns and a children's collection. The remaining time is spent with age-appropriate lessons that explore the Principles in-depth, work on social justice projects and create bonding among the children.

Registration
Registration is required for every child participating in our program and there's ALWAYS ROOM for more! You can find a form in the left column at RE Registration Form.

Helping Hands Club Calling all children in Kindergarten through Middle School to join our Helping Hands Club, our social service group for kids which meets on the 3rd Sunday beginning September 19th. We will meet from 12:45 to 2:30 p.m. in George Bray Hall, lower level of the church.

Youth Programming

OBUUC Youth Ministry follows a nine-month-long curricular calendar that introduces important religious topics through story, discussion, crafts, and other activities.

Notice to Parents/Guardians Beginning this year, youth registration forms must be signed by parent/guardian before a child can participate in UU Teens and Youth Group. This means bringing friends to either group will change in the fall; any friends attending must also have a registration form signed by a parent/guardian before they can participate.

Sunday morning Middle School Learning group - UU Teens (UUTs): 11 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. in the Annex lower level - 419 Sixth Street.

High School Youth Group: 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. Sunday evenings in the Annex lower level - 419 Sixth Street.

UU Teens (UUTs): Grades 6-8
This younger youth group for sixth, seventh and eighth graders is concurrent with the Sunday morning
11 a.m. service. It runs one hour and 15 minutes, and meets in the Annex on 6th Street. Together they forge friendships, develop a sense of themselves as Unitarian Universalists, envision contributions to the larger community, and provide a safe and supportive space for one another as they reflect on their personal values and spiritual journeys, and enjoy events, social service projects, and overall good times.

Youth Group: Grades 9 - 12
The Youth Group's goal within our religious community is to:
- Provide a bridge between childhood and adulthood
- Facilitate discovery and appreciation of personal gifts and talents, a joy of living and a belief in life's potential in a setting which accepts diversity and exploration
- Identify what participants, as adults, will need from a church and why they would choose to be a part of one.

This group runs with the assistance and support of several adult advisors. Youth Group activities come in all shapes and sizes -- discussions, social service activities, "movies with a message," weekend retreats and social outings. Youth Group plans and presents Youth Sunday, an annual All Church Sunday with a theme of significance to the young people themselves. All activities involve adult advisors.
What's Happening? Newsletter is the monthly newsletter that is mailed to parents and teens to keep in touch. The current newsletter is also available by clicking on the link to the left.
Youth Group Calendar Click on the link at the left to see the dates and times of meetings, outings, overnights, Youth Cons, Life Cycle Trainings, and Affirmation Lessons.
Teaching Team Aides Often teens gain as much from guiding others as they would from enrolling in the Religious Education Program themselves. It is possible for kids participating in UU Tweens to help children in the Children's Program 1 or 2 Sunday mornings a month during the 11:00 service. Teens attending Youth Group on Sunday evenings can also help younger children in the Sunday morning Children's Programs during both services. Teen aides must be in grade seven or above and will participate in teacher training sessions. Interested teens should contact Leann Pomaville.
UU Teens & Youth Group Curriculum Click on the Curriculum link at the left for complete information on the variety of topics in the program for our youth.

Contact Youth Program Coordinator, Leann Pomaville. youth@obuuc.org

Adult Programming

Participation is open to OBUUC members and friends. Education for adults takes the form of a variety of classes and activities. Offerings are published in a Fall publication called "What's Going On," as well as flyers advertising these classes. Topics include such areas as religion and philosophy, personal development, social issues, arts, and excursions. Classes are often limited in size, so registration for classes in advance is routinely required. The Unifier newsletter and the Sunday morning order of service also include announcements of courses.

The church community is a place for personal growth and education, spiritual learning and expression, parent education, and support groups for people. Many of the exciting opportunities at OBUUC spring up and disappear as needed. The RE program tries to remain flexible and will listen to people's needs, crafting opportunities for families to get together around an issue. If you have an idea for such a group or activity (whether a short-term project or a long-term effort), please contact Leann Pomaville or a member of the RE Committee.

The New UU is a 3-part orientation program for new members and those interested in exploring membership or learning more about the UUA and our own Olympia Brown UU Church. It includes history, the operation of the local church, and the sharing of personal religious journeys. The course is offered three times a year. The next session is Sundays, February 5, 12 and 19 at 10:15 a.m. All three sessions will be held in the multipurpose room at the Annex - 419 Sixth Street. To register, send an email to membership@obuuc.org.