UPCOMING RE CLASSES:

K/1^st/2^nd Grade OWL (Our Whole Lives sexuality education): Mandatory Parent-Child Orientation scheduled for Sunday, 4/10, beginning at 10:30 am, in the Waters House library. This in-person curriculum supports parents in educating children about birth, babies, bodies, and families. The sessions will engage children with stories, songs, and activities, and include a weekly HomeLink—a homework project for parents and children to do together, promoting dialogue between parent and child. This class will be taught by trained fabulous facilitator Joel Best and long-time RE teacher Juliana Post-Good. Detailed information will be sent via parent email this week. Masks are required and there is an air filtration unit in the classroom.

K-6 Experiences with the Web of Life: Everyone is invited to attend services on 4/10 and Easter Sunday, 4/17, when there will also be an egg hunt (weather permitting). These nature lovers will meet again Sunday morning, 4/24, IN PERSON! Masking and social distancing are required, and there is an air filtration unit in the classroom.

5^th/6^th/7^th Grade OWL (Our Whole Lives sexuality education): This is an in-person curriculum and will be taught by trained facilitators Bryan Cherry and Erin Piotrowski. The mandatory Parent Orientation is scheduled for Sunday, 4/10, from 4:30-6 pm in the Waters House youth room.  This 10-session curriculum is designed to help children gain the knowledge, life principles, and skills they need to understand and express their sexuality in holistic, life-enhancing ways.

Like the other OWL programs for different age groups, this comprehensive, developmentally appropriate program introduces key topics like values, body image, gender and sexual identity, peer pressure, and healthy relationships with sensitivity and inclusiveness. Detailed information will be sent via parent email this week.

7^th/8^th Grade THE FIFTH DIMENSION:  Everyone is invited to attend services on 4/10 and Easter Sunday, 4/17, when there will also be an egg hunt (weather permitting). Their next meeting is Sunday morning, 4/24, IN PERSON! Masking and social distancing are required, and there is an air filtration unit in the classroom.

8^th/9^th Grade OWL: This group’s final in-person meeting is this Sunday, 4/10! More detailed information will be provided by their fabulous facilitators.  A huge THANK YOU to facilitators Randy Jennings, Sarah Tyo, and Donald Whisenhunt, the kids who’ve participated, and all the parents involved. This was our first group to meet in person during the pandemic, and everyone has been incredibly flexible, patient, and committed to making this important class possible! Kudos to everyone involved!

SENIOR YOUTH (9^th-12^th):

They will meet again IN PERSON on Sunday, 4/10, beginning at noon, in the youth classroom in Waters House! Masking is required and there is a filtration unit in the classroom. Everyone is invited to attend service on Easter Sunday, 4/17.

11^th/12^th Grade OWL (Our Whole Lives sexuality education): This is an in-person curriculum and will be taught by trained facilitators Barbara Cornell and Sara Tyo. Using a comprehensive approach, this program helps senior-high youth gain the knowledge, life principles, and skills they need to express their sexuality in life-enhancing ways. Includes a parent orientation and 12 sessions. Detailed information will be sent via parent email this week.

Would your Youth like to attend General Assembly, either virtually or in person in Portland, Oregon, this June?!  Here’s the link: https://www.uua.org/ga

Would your Youth like to attend Ferry Beach Youth Camp in Saco, ME, this summer?! Here’s the link: https://www.ferrybeach.org/youth-camps.html

Or, might your Youth like to attend Star Island, just off the NH coast this summer?! Here’s the link: https://starisland.org/

FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE with any of these youth experiences, check out Youth scholarship opportunities with the Aninger Fund!

The Aninger Fund is a trust fund created for the sole purpose of supporting leadership opportunities for the junior and senior youth of our congregation.

In the past, religious education youth have requested money to attend leadership and spiritual programs. Some excellent opportunities are available through the UUA (UU Association) and CER (Central Eastern Regional Group) and include, but are not limited to: River Rising, General Assembly, Summer Seminary for youth, Multicultural Leadership School (youth), and youth conferences. In return for the scholarship, the recipients share their experiences with the congregation through written work in our weekly email newsletter, Circuits, participation in a service or a presentation at Coffee, Crullers and Conversations.

How and when do I apply?

The application deadline for leadership opportunities occurring this spring is May 1st. Applications will be reviewed at the May RE Team meeting and any applications received after the May 1st deadline will not be considered until the November 1, 2022, review (if they are still relevant). Junior and Senior youth can download an individual or group application through the UUSS website, and submit the completed application to Director of Lifespan Religious Education Robin Ahearn.

TO CHECK OUT UU CAMP OPPORTUNITIES, VISIT: