On September 10th we kicked off a year of Passport to Spirituality in the Elementary Class (K-6th), a curriculum that will guide us in exploring the spiritual practices of world religions. At each country we "visit", the children will receive a passport sticker, learn about a different religion, engage in a spiritual practice utilized by that religion, and pick up a souvenir. What's more, the Maker Space was such a huge success this summer that we have decided to continue with it throughout the year! We will be alternating Sundays between Passport to Spirituality and Maker Space all year long.
I'm also thrilled to announce that we are offering the essential Unitarian Universalist program Coming of Age this year. We are using a curriculum developed in the last couple of years that supports youth as they explore, develop, and articulate their personal values and faith identity. I am particularly encouraged by the way racial, class, and environmental justice are woven throughout the entire program. We kicked things off with a mini-retreat on September 24th with six youth in attendance.
Karen Magoon Pearson is Orange Coast Unitarian Universalist Church's Director of Religious Education.