From the Director of Lifelong
Learning …
Welcome to the Unitarian Fellowship of Lawrence!
We believe it is a joy and honor to play a role in
nurturing the spirits, minds and emotions of all the
children and youth who join us for study, play and
worship.
As Unitarian Universalists, we believe in offering
our children the tools they need to grow spiritually,
mentally and physically and to encourage a lifelong
journey of learning and wondrous discovery. Our
religious exploration program is therefor designed
to spark inquiry, build community and help our
children and youth understand themselves in
relationship with the amazing world in which we all
live.
Through
the nurturing the children and youth
among us, our community is enriched and we are
very grateful for their presence among us.
Religious Exploration Staff
Nursery
Team Leader: Rachael Gehringer
rachael@sunflower.com
785-856-6666
Children’s RE
Team Leader: Barb Thompson
bthompson@ku.edu
785-550-8141
Religious Exploration
for Children and
Youth
Spring 2015
Unitarian Fellowship of
Lawrence
Youth
Co-Leader’s: Brita & Paul Calnon
Brita.calnon@gmail.com
Paul.calnon@gmail.com
Brita: 785-813-1682
Paul: 785-843-2394
OWL
Coordinator: available position
For Fall 2015
Director of Lifelong Learning
Bonnie Blosser
ufl.dll@gmail.com
785-842-3339
Learn Grow Teach Bloom
2nd Grade through 5th Grade
Our Children’s Exploration classes
(pre-k through 5 t h grade) this year
will be using a curriculum that was
developed by a team of RE teachers
from Unitarian Universalist
Congregation at Shelter Rock with
writers Tirrell and Rick Kimball.
Weaving the 4 themes of church,
world, self and mystery throughout
the year, these multiage lessons are
rich in spirituality and engaging
activities. Used by many UU RE
programs in the US and Canada, we
are looking forward to bringing
these lessons to our children at the
Unitarian Fellowship of Lawrence.
Children’s RE Sunday morning 9:30-10:30
Sexuality Education.
Free to Believe: explores UU principles and sources
while nurturing the emotional, social, and spiritual
life of children. Its first sessions explore UU
principles, values, and beliefs, through hands-on
activities, stories, games, songs and discussions.
Later sessions focus through a UU lens on life’s
biggest questions. Throughout, children address
conflicts they face and join in creating an accepting
group community.
Middle Youth – 6th Grade through 8th
st
Pre-K through 1 Grade
Children’s RE Sunday morning 9:30-10:30
A Discovering Year: nurtures children’s spiritual
and religious growth through connections to their
ever-widening environment. They explore selves,
friendships, families, church, nature, and religious
and cultural days. Through ritual, sharing times,
crafts, quiet times, activities, singing and music,
games and movement, stories and talks, they learn
to appreciate the worth of each person, to work
and play cooperatively, to express feelings, to
celebrate human diversity, and to feel a part of
their UU community.
OWL - Our Whole Lives:
Generally meet the 1st and 3rd Sundays from
9:30-10:30 for curriculum.
This year we will be using the curriculum “D’Oh
God” and using episodes of the animated show The
Simpson’s as the basis for a discussion on a wide
range of religious topics. Specifically based on
Unitarian Universalist values, this is a fun way to
learn about different religious beliefs. On the 2nd
and 4th Sundays, youth will choose between
assisting in the nursery or the Pre-K-1st grade class,
being a UFL ambassador (greeting and assisting
with food prep) or helping the DLL with a special
project.
Our Whole Lives Offers...

Accurate information presented in
developmentally appropriate ways

Affective and emotional learning

Guiding values and principles

Activities that help participants clarify values
and improve decision-making skills

A safe and supportive peer group

Acceptance of diversity

A social justice approach to inclusive
sexuality education
OWL for grades 7/8 is completed for this year. We
will offer K/1 and grades 4/5 OWL next year!
Youth – 9th through 12th
Youth meet Wednesday nights at 6:30 pm.
"Unitarian Universalists are not missionaries but we
certainly have a mission-to tease out of this old world
its full promise of justice and hospitality. That doesn't
happen by chance; it requires thought, planning,
energy and lots of lists.” -William F. Schulz, acting
president, Unitarian Universalist Service Committee;
former executive director, Amnesty International USA
Leaders Brita and Paul Calnon are ready with
engaging discussion topics. No youth gathering is
complete without snackage or pizza!