Religious Education Program
UUCW’s Religious Education (RE) program guides children and youth in a liberal search for truth and meaning, while building community for their present and their future. Some goals:
- To affirm families of all types and provide support for helping their children develop healthy minds and spirits, rooted in Unitarian Universalist values.
- To build a sense of belonging via group worship and classroom community.
- To inspire wonder at the mystery of the universe while heeding the wisdom found in the world’s religious traditions and beyond.
- To help young people identify their place in the world and ways to shape it through social justice.
Youth Groups
- Our core youth program for high school students provides experiences in community building and fellowship, worship and congregational engagement, social action, living UU values, and leadership.
- Middle school youth work, reflect, and laugh together. They learn what it means to be “UU”, explore the beliefs and practices of many faiths, and learn the value of putting their faith into action by engaging in social justice.
2026 – 27 Course Descriptions
Unitarian Universalist Church West offers the following Religious Education (RE) programs for children and youth in the current academic/church year:
- Nursery [thru age 4/5]: Children not yet ready for larger group activities receive care and supervision from a lead Caregiver and trained youth Nursery/RE Assistant (and/or volunteer parent) starting at 9:45 am. For preschoolers, this can include a story and/or guided craft activity.
- Primary Soul Matters [5K – Gr. 2]: Students learn that they are part of a beloved community that they help create each time they are present, playing and learning with others. This group will primarily explore monthly Soul Matters themes in kid-friendly ways – responding to object lessons and stories with song, movement, games, etc.
- Elementary Soul Matters [Gr. 3 – 5/6]: This class explores meaningful themes using “wisdom tales” rather than the object lessons or picture books used in the younger group. It is designed to match the developmental stage of older kids by inviting them to ask questions, wonder openly, and think deeply about big ideas.
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Middle School Youth [Grades 6–9]: We offer flexible options to match your middle schooler’s interests and leadership goals.
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Sunday Mornings: Youth can choose their own path—whether serving as a classroom leader or mentor for younger kids, participating in the main worship service, or joining the Coming of Age program (Grades 8–9), which explores youth transition and UU identity.
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Sunday Evenings (“In the Middle”): A dedicated youth group focused on building community, having fun, and connecting faith to real-world issues.
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- “Young Religious UUs” (YRUU) [Gr. 9-12]: Youth connect with adult advisors & each other to share life’s joys & sorrows, to teach & learn together about life & UU-ism, and to plan future sessions & events. Those include regional yUUth gatherings and service/social action opportunities — as well as a “UU Pilgrimage” to Boston being planned for Summer ’27.
Also possible, for those eligible, may be: Our Whole Lives (OWL, for Gr. 7-9 or Gr. 10-12) and “Senior Bridging” (for Gr.12 youth preparing for, and celebrating with UUCW, their transition to “UU adulthood” following graduation.)
To be sure of receiving the most current RE information, please register your family by submitting the information requested at the link below. Please contact Dave Cicero, DLRE if you run into any problems or have questions.
UUCW’s RE program is a cooperative one, meaning it relies on volunteers — especially as co-leaders of classes (but other opportunities also exist.) Orientation and ongoing support are provided. Families are not charged fees for RE but pledges to the congregation are requested, to support all ministries — including the liberal religious education of children, youth, and adults.