Sunday Morning Classes 2011-2012

9:30 AM and 11:15 am Sunday mornings

Flickers (Nursery) Birth-age 2 During both services (9:30 and 11:15), infants and toddlers up to age 2 are cared for by staff caregivers in the church nursery. We strive to create a warm, welcoming and engaging environment in the nursery as the foundation of our religious education program.

Sparks (Preschool) 11:15 - Ages 2-4, "Story Time": This age group will enjoy activities with friends and teachers, and learn about the world around them in this curriculum based on children's literature.

Flames 9:30 - Ages 3-12, 11:15 - Grades K-1, "Spirit Play": Both Flames groups will participate in the Montessori-based Spirit Play method. The key elements in this program are the classroom environment and the teachers. These elements free the children to work at their own pace on their own projects after an initial story. This year we will have new stories based on the theme of sacred space.You can find out more about SpiritPlay at http://www.spiritplay.net

Blazes 11:15 Grades 2-3, "UU Superheroes": This curriculum is based on stories from our Unitarian Universalist heritage of people who have acted with courage and wisdom to make the world a better place. It will be followed by "In Our Hands: Grades 1-3", a curriculum of exploration around the issues of peace and fairness.

Mysteries 11:15 Grades 4-5, "Mirrors and Windows": This is a curriculum designed to help children identify their own perspectives on topical issues while respecting those of others. In the spring the group will begin "In Our Hands: Grades 4-6", a curriculum that helps children develop their understanding of peace and justice, with a focus on conflict resolution and wise stewardship of the earth.

Questioners (Middle Youth) 11:15 grades 6-7, "Neighboring Faiths": Our Middle Youth will be introduced to other faith traditions and practices by visiting different religious groups in our community, as planned in this curriculum. An understanding of how these faiths are both different and similar to Unitarian Universalism will be emphasized.

Passages 11:15 grades 8-9, Transitioning from Middle to Senior Youth is a major life passage, and our "Passages" program is designed to help youth make this transition. This group will explore worship, youth-adult relations, community building, social action, and learning and leadership. Activities will include at least one lock-in, a retreat, a service project, and learning to articulate Unitarian Universalism.

Seekers (Senior Youth) 11:15 grades 10-12, "Popcorn Theology": Our theologians in the making will use this curriculum to examine relevant issues of theological and ethical importance through the medium of film.