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Religious Education Curriculum
This is the church of the Open Mind,
the Loving Heart, and the Helping Hands
Babies & Toddlers
Two loving, caring individuals – one adult, one teen - staff the nursery. Free play and stories are provided as appropriate. First Parish has a diapering policy so that we know your wishes with regard to changing diapers. In order to honor our very smallest visitors, the nursery has a “no shoes” policy.
Preschool (Grouped by Age)
"Celebrating Me and My World" (ages 2.9 – 3.11)
Children grow in their sense of trust and caring while they develop a self identity through a world of wonder. They explore the wondrous qualities of themselves and expand those feelings to the people and things around them.
"Chalice Children" (ages 4-5)
Based on the premise that children learn best through experience, this program helps nurture spiritual growth, creativity and a sense of community through imaginative activities and rituals. It introduces children to concepts such as birth and death, dreams and the natural world.
Kindergarten
Term 1: "Stories about God"
This curriculum offers children a variety of experience with that which people call God. It exposes them to insights from all the world religions to foster the notion that God has many names and also gives children the opportunity to express their own thoughts and feelings concerning God.
Term 2: "Experiences with the Web of Life" (Part 1)
The children are introduced to the UU Principle of respect for the "interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part." We seek to develop awareness of the interdependence of living things and each child’s place within the web of life; nurture children’s enjoyment of nature and sense of wonder and awe; and to gain awareness of, and comfort with, change and growth as characteristics of living things. We also hope to develop a desire to protect the environment.
Term 3: "Our Whole Lives"
This sexuality education curriculum provides many resources for parents while helping them to enter into conversation with their children about their wonderful bodies, and the different make up of families. Unitarian Universalists value and acknowledge that sexual education begins in the home, so parents are invited to sit in on this class, if they so choose. A parent orientation is part of the program.
Grade One
Terms 1 and 2: "UU Bible Heroes"
We will introduce our children to the stories of people from the Bible who have acted with courage and wisdom in their attempts to lead their lives fully and make the world a better place for others. Among the people whom the children meet are Moses and Miriam, King David, King Solomon, the Queen of Sheba, Elijah, Joseph, Queen Esther, and Jesus with his parents, Mary and Joseph.
Term 3: Experiences with the Web of Life" (Part 2)
This is a continuation of the "Web of Life" curriculum from Grade K.
Grade Two
Terms 1 and 2: "Faithful Journeys" (a UUA Tapestry of Faith curriculum)
Participants embark on a pilgrimage of faith, exploring how Unitarian Universalism translates into life choices and everyday actions. In each session, they hear historic or contemporary examples of Unitarian Universalist faith in action. Stories about real people model how participants can activate their capacity to act faithfully as Unitarian Universalists in their own lives, and children have regular opportunities to share and affirm their own stories of faithful action.
Term 3: "Experiences with the Web of Life" (Part 3)
This is the last segment of the “Web of Life” curriculum from Grade K and Grade 1
Grades Three and Four
"Toolbox of Faith" (a UUA Tapestry of Faith curriculum)
Participants reflect on the qualities of our Unitarian Universalist faith, such as integrity, courage, and love, as tools they can use in living their lives and building their own faith. Each of the sessions uses a tool as a metaphor for an important quality of our faith such as reflection (symbolized by a mirror), flexibility (duct tape), and justice (a flashlight). Through a lens of UU faith and justice, children look inward at themselves (mirrors) and outward at the communities to which they belong, especially their congregation (windows).
Grades Five and Six
Terms 1 and 2: "Neighboring Faiths"
Students explore different faith traditions from their historical origins to their presence in today’s multi-religious reality. Students and teachers plan their program by choosing religious groups they want to learn about and visit, while relating the experience to their own growing Unitarian Universalist faith.
Term 3: "Our Whole Lives"
Over 8 weeks children learn about and discuss the physical and emotional changes of puberty. Participants will read It's Perfectly Normal by Robie H. Harris, and examine topics such as values and sexuality, communication and decision making. Each session includes a HomeLink - a homework activity for parents and children to complete together. A parent orientation is part of the program.
Grade Seven
Terms 1 and 2: "Compass Points"
Our young adolescents will go on a spiritual journey where they will have opportunities to sort out their feelings about themselves and their world, to discover what they believe about life’s big questions, to think independently, assume responsibility, and make decisions while they explore values and adopt the practice of "radical hospitality."
Term 3: "Our Whole Lives" (Part 1)
Our Whole Lives addresses the spiritual, emotional, physical and cultural aspects of sexuality for adolescents. A parent orientation is part of the program.
Grade Eight (off-site at the YMCA on Great Plain Ave)
Term 1: "Our Whole Lives" (Part 2)
See Grade Seven above.
Term 2 and 3 (January to June): "Coming of Age"
This program is supported by dedicated leaders and volunteer mentors from the adult membership. Spiritual awareness, knowledge of Unitarian Universalism and commitment to service and social action are key components of the program. The church community acknowledges the transition to young adulthood in a Coming of Age Service in the spring.
Youth Group
We provide a “lifeline” and a safe haven of acceptance and encouragement where youth can become strong individuals. High school youth in Grades 9-12 grow and learn together as they establish deep connections with adults, developing multi-generational experiences and enriching our congregation. While exploring their spirituality and the meaning of their lives, our youth work to treat the earth and each other responsibly. They are given the opportunity to live out their Unitarian Universalist faith by bringing their values of justice and peace to an often hurting and troubled world.
The Youth Group meets most Sunday evenings from 7:00-8:30 p.m. under the guidance of our Intern Minister/Youth Group Advisor.
If you have any questions regarding our program, please contact Irene Praeger Director of Religious Education at 781-4440823 or e-mail her at