Religious Education

Welcome to Religious Education at First Church where we provide programming that educates, equips and empowers guests, friends, and members of all ages and stages for personal and communal spiritual growth. We invite you to join us as we:

Study the needs of the world outside our walls, and move from awareness to engagement and action,
Build safe and meaningful relationships among members of the church community, placing emphasis on multigenerational relationships,
Help one another increase our personal knowledge and appreciation of sources that inform our faith, and find tools in our search for truth and meaning,
Embrace the joy and love of each moment on our collective and individual spiritual paths.

Children

We accompany our children in their spiritual development, encouraging them to question, wonder, and develop their own religious beliefs while confirming the religious values that we share. Religious education for children is offered each Sunday at 10:30. Excellent nursery care for those 3 and under is offered from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Youth

Religious education is offered to both middle school and high school youth. Both groups start at 10:30 a.m. in the sanctuary. Younger Youth dismiss at 11:40 a.m. Older (high school) youth finish at 1215 p.m. each Sunday. We encourage our youth to articulate their maturing spiritual awareness while growing into independence.

Our Coming of Age program for 8th and 9th graders meets at 10:30 each Sunday and includes retreats and overnights. The goal of the program is to help participants to better appreciate Unitarian Universalism, their own beliefs and values, and how these intersect. Through a variety of activities and relationship building--including with an individual mentor--the program seeks to accompany youth on their journey of spiritual self-awareness.

Young Adults

Anyone in their 20's and 30's is invited to join other young adults after the worship service every first Sunday of the month. We will gather in the courtyard as soon as possible after worship and then head to one of the local restaurants (usually Katz's Deli) for a good meal and great conversation. Come join us for food, fun and fellowship.

Adults

Adult classes and activities range from a spiritual day retreat in a beautiful location to courses on Unitarian Universalist history to discussions on climate change or spirituality. Courses, lectures and discussion groups are offered on Sundays and throughout the week.

Family Ministry

The goal of this new program is to welcome families as they enter the community, to support parents in nurturing their children, and to support kid- and family-friendly events.

Sexuality Education

We offer a curriculum of age-appropriate sexuality education by trained facilitators to children, teens, and adults. The curriculum, Our Whole Lives, helps participants make informed and responsible decisions about their sexual health and behavior. It equips participants with accurate, age-appropriate information in six subject areas: human development, relationships, personal skills, sexual behavior, sexual health, and society and culture.