Religious Exploration at WHUUF

In the course of our experiences with the WHUUF children, we have found that time spent outside together is joyous and liberating. There is a wealth of knowledge and wisdom to be gained from exploring the natural environment together. We want to use our grounds, buildings, and natural resources to inspire our children to form a relationship with nature.

In honor of the people who have come before us, the native people who were the first stewards of this land, and the people of WHUUF, the founders and the nature lovers who helped form our congregation, we want to utilize all of our resources and educate our children spiritually and scientifically through nature observation, outdoor activities, games, arts and crafts, science experiments, and take-home discussions so that families can continue education at home. Our curriculum is rooted Woven Faith to tie in with Sunday services, and family dinner chalice circles. It incorporates both world religions and UU history to coincide with the adult RE program. We want our children to build a strong UU identity and a deeper appreciation for our place in nature.

Life is a universal process of birth, growing and maturing, learning skills, healing from illness or injury, reproducing, aging and dying. In observing and talking about these processes, children can begin to build helpful understandings and perspectives on the meaning and possibilities of their own lives. All of our shared UU values can be found and expressed through exploring and learning about the natural world and our place in it as a steward of the land. We also want to reassure our children that although environmental problems exist there are also solutions, and we can participate in those solutions. We want to address climate anxiety in our children.

Our religious education program meets every Sunday of the month during the service unless otherwise noted in the calendar.

Nursery: Kindergarten age and younger
Opens at 10:15am
Woven Faith monthly themes exploring UU values

Elementary: 1st to 5th grade

Children start in the Sanctuary.
Programming occurs after the Time for All Ages (in the Sanctuary) and then continues until 11:45am.
Woven Faith monthly themes exploring UU identity and practice

Youth: 6th to 12th grade

Every fourth Sunday, youth participate in Sunday Service.
Youth being directly in their classroom from 10:30-11:45am
Crossing Paths religious exploration curriculum from Soul Matters teaching to compare our UU values and identities to other faith communities in our neighborhoods.

Coming of Age for 8th – 10th Grades

Occasional extra class for coming of age in which youth can explore their personal values and identities through the beloved Soul Matters curriculum, Becoming.

Our Whole Lives Sexuality Education 

K – 1: Offered 2027

4 – 6: Offered 2027

7 – 9: TBD

10 – 12: TBD

 INCLUSIVITY: All children are welcome in our classrooms where we value neurodivergence, disability, and sensory needs. We offer fidgets, quiet space, and have staff and volunteer teachers who are able and willing to accommodate physical differences, neurodivergence, and kids who might identify with marginalized groups. All children are welcome, valuable, and loved at WHUUF!

If you’d like to contact our Director of Religious Education to learn more or be added to our email list, please email dre@whuuf.org.