An overview of lifespan religious exploration in a Unitarian Universalist context

1. Thomas Jefferson Unitarian
Universalist Church
Lifespan Religious
Exploration Program

2. We light our chalice in
celebration of our community
And its commitment to religious
exploration.
May our ritual of
enlightenment be a reminder
that just as our chalice must

3. Thomas Jefferson Unitarian Church
offers lifespan religious
education programming that holds
participants in love, ignites their
passion for justice, and helps them
to know more deeply the diversity
and wholeness of our Unitarian
Universalist faith.
We intentionally have come to call

4. Our Values Guide Us- We
Affirm and Promote:
The inherent worth and dignity
of every person
 Respect all people; they have
dignity & worth too
 Justice, equity and compassion in
human relations
 Offer fair and kind treatment to
everyone
Acceptance of one another and
encouragement to spiritual

5. Our Values Guide Us- We
Affirm and Promote:
 The right of conscience and
the use of the democratic
process within our
congregations and in society at
large
 Believe in your ideals and
voice your vote
The goal of world community
with peace, liberty

6. Our Tradition Draws From
Many Sources
 The sense of wonder we all
share
 Women and men, long ago and
today — people
whose lives remind us to be
kind and fair
 Wisdom from the world's
religions
 Christian and Jewish
teachings which tell us to

7. Our Vision
Building a loving,
respectful community and
supporting the search
for truth and meaning
across the lifespan.

8. UUA Lifespan RE Vision
Statement
We envision children, youth and
adults who:
• Know that they are lovable beings
of infinite worth, imbued with
powers of the soul, and obligated
to use their gifts, talents, and
potentials in the service of life;
• Affirm that they are part of a
Unitarian Universalist religious
heritage and community of faith
that has value and provides
resources for living;
• Accept that they are responsible

9. UUA Lifespan RE Vision
Statement
• Realize that they are moral
agents, capable of making a
difference in the lives of other
people, challenging structures of
social and political oppression,
promoting the health and well-
being of the planet, acting in the
service of diversity, justice, and
compassion;
• Recognize the need for community,
affirming the importance of
families, relationships and
connections between and among the

10. Why are we
here?
To support and nurture each
other throughout

11. Wherever
we are on
our

12. What is my faith and how do
I live it?
 What is Unitarian
Universalism?
how do i deal with ―the big
questions‖?
How do I deal with religious
experiences?
How do I develop

13. How am I different –How are
we the same?
What responsibilities do I
have to the
interdependent web?
How do I develop my social
conscience?
 What role does sexuality
play in my life?

14. What does the Lifespan RE
Curricula include?
 Views the whole church as the
curriculum
 Focuses on our principles and
sources
 Recognizes the power of
learning through stories and
the importance of supporting
learning with activity
 Lifts up faith in action through

15. Exploration Strives
toward…
 Nurturing the four foundations of a
meaningful,
relevant and vibrant faith:
 Unitarian Universalist Identity
Learning about our UU heritage of truth, love,
and justice; Understanding our principles and
sources; Being able to explain our beliefs and
faith to others
 Ethical Development
Making the world a better place by living our
values. Being in right relationship with each
other, the larger community, and the earth
 Spiritual Growth
Sensing a connection to something larger than
ourselves through worship, prayer and
meditation; Exploring the wisdom of the

16. Lifespan Religious
Exploration Lifts Up:
 Stewardship
Social Justice and Human
rights
Responsibility and Caring
Spirituality and Faith
Integrity, Ethics, and Values
Moral Courage

17. What does our Lifespan RE
Curricula include?
 Enrichment
 Special Events and Service
Opportunities
 OWL Sexuality Education
Program
 Interest Groups
 Choirs
 Chalice Circles

18. Children and Youth?
 Develops community
responsibility through
covenanting with other group
members
 Mirrors the experience of the
Sunday Service
Chalice Lighting
Sharing Circle (Joys and
Concerns)
Offering

19. RE for Children and Youth
is a Partnership
 RE supports families in
developing the ethical
and spiritual growth of our
children.
 RE provides a safe,
supportive environment
 Families make connections
between home and RE
 Families are present and

20. Opportunities for
Adults
 Participation on CYRE
Leadership Teams
 CYRE Room Helpers
 Youth Group Advisors
 Coming of Age Mentors for
Youth
 Mystery Friends
 Open Campus Class Leaders
 Serve on RE Committee

21. Looking Toward the
Future, We Envision
 A community of lifelong
learners that affirms the
importance of individuals,
families, relationships and
connections between and
among generations;
 Programing that is both
multigenerational and
generationally specific;
 Evening RE programming that