Religious Education for children and youth is a cooperative venture involving both children and adults in the church community. In a liberal religious tradition such as Unitarian Universalism, religious learning, spiritual growth, and faith development are viewed as a lifelong journey each person takes.

We may hold different beliefs, but we covenant to journey together as a community, using as our guide our common principles and values. Together, we strive to create an atmosphere of respect, compassion, and spiritual growth for ourselves and others.

2025-2026 Religious Education for Children and Youth (RE4CY):

Registration for RE4CY is required each and every year for each and every child or Youth. If you have questions about the RE4CY program or about registration, contact Contact the Director of Lifespan Religious Education at info at uuschenectady dot org.

Nursery

Rainbow Children (through PreK, ages 5 and younger)

Trained nursery staff creates a welcoming, inviting place for children from birth through PreK. In the nursery, children are introduced to values of love and kindness through modeled behavior, sharing, and fun activities.

Click here to register for the nursery.

Multi-age World of Wonder (WOW): Religious Education for Children and Youth

In a multiage classroom, kids will explore our UU values of justice, equity, transformation, pluralism, interdependence, generosity, and love.

Click here to register your child of any age for this class.

*WOW Note: Children enrolled in partial-year OWL classes are encouraged to register for this class as well.

Grades K/1/2 OWL

Supports parents in educating children about birth, babies, bodies and families. Following a Parent Meeting and Parent/Child Orientation, the 8 sessions engage children with stories, songs, and activities and include a weekly HomeLink – a homework project for parents and children to do together. Promotes dialogue between parent and child.

Grades 4/5/6 OWL

Our Whole Lives (OWL) for 4th-6th graders is designed to help children ages nine through twelve to gain the knowledge, life principles, and skills they need to understand and express their sexuality in holistic, life-enhancing ways.

Grades 7 & 8 OWL

Our Whole Lives (OWL) for 7th-8th graders is a sexuality education program for youth that models and teaches caring, compassion, respect, and justice. A holistic program that moves beyond the intellect to address the attitudes, values, and feelings that youth have about themselves and the world.

* OWL Note: Registration for the OWL classes has closed for the 2025-26 Religious Education year, as the curriculum is cumulative and is now in process. Children in grades K-2, 4-6 or 7 & 8 are welcome to participate in the Multi-Age World of Wonder (WOW) curriculum on a drop-in basis.

Grades 9-12 Senior Youth Group

Youth will gather two Sundays per month after the morning worship service. They will have lunch together and engage in leadership challenges that will deepen their UU faith, create lasting relationships, and explore the importance of congregational & community involvement.

This group will meet in the UUSS dining room on September 21st, and will plan additional dates for after that.

Click here to register your 9th-12th grader.

Helping Out

As the Religious Education program is a cooperative endeavor, volunteers are needed. Volunteer options include teaching classes as part of a teaching team, filling in as a substitute teacher (no curriculum preparation is necessary for being a substitute), assisting in a RE classroom, running or assisting with a one-time “Children’s Chapel” program, and offering an extra pair of hands to help with particularly involved crafts or other similar activities. Contact the Director of Lifespan Religious Education (DLRE) at info at uuschenectady dot org for more information about volunteering.

General Information

Check here for information about times and dates for the Religious Education (RE) program, and for safety information.
Read more: General Information

Coming of Age: A Modern UU Rite of Passage

Offered every other year, the Coming of Age program at Unitarian Universalist Society Schenectady typically offers seventh and eighth graders an engaging and structured atmosphere in which to explore significant issues at this transitional stage of life.
Read more: Coming of Age: A Modern UU Rite of Passage

Our Whole Lives (OWL)

Offered every other year, OWL is a comprehensive sexuality education curriculum that spans all ages. We are excited to offer OWL for K-2nd graders and 4-6th graders during the fall of 2025, and for 7th and 8th graders from September 2025 – June, 2026!
Read more: Our Whole Lives (OWL)

Unitarian Universalist Society of Schenectady