Sunday school takes place during the worship services, and the two times' curricula differ slightly.
First Service (9:15 am - 10:15 am)
Nursery (Infants to 2 Years Old)
Nicole Scafone, a professional childcare provider and adult volunteers create a loving and caring atmosphere for these young children.
2- & 3-Year-Olds: Celebrating Me and My World
This curriculum begins by celebrating the wondrous qualities of the children themselves and expands outward to the people and things around them. It provides the children positive experiences and opportunities to grow in their sense of trust and caring and to develop their self-identity and their sense of connectedness with all of life.
4 and 5 Year Olds and Kindergarten: We are Many, We are One
This program offers young children the opportunity to learn about their religious community and tradition, as well as the freedom to discover and express their uniqueness. Children are encouraged to use their minds, bodies and emotions to develop their sense of identity and self-esteem.
First Grade: Special Places
Special Places deals with the age-old religious idea of "being at home" — at home with nature, with oneself, with one's family and friends, with one's dreams and expectations. Conversations about important religious issues including birth and death are part of this curriculum. The physical construction of small, large, and giant houses is the method by which this exploration takes place.
Second Grade: Free to Believe
this is an experiential program designed to nurture the emotional, social & spiritual life of children. Through our UU Principles & Sources, they will examine values, beliefs and life's "big questions".
Third Grade: Timeless Themes
Timeless Themes introduces children to religious literature that is central to our culture and to our heritage as Unitarian Universalists. It presents stories which include: the belief that humans are responsible for their actions; the love of freedom for all people; the prophetic imperative to speak out against injustice; respect for the beliefs of others; awareness of being connected to something greater than ourselves; love of one's neighbor; and forgiveness of wrongdoing.
Fourth Grade: UU History & Peacemaking
For the first half of the program year, this curriculum focuses on Unitarian and Universalist history, the merged UU history, our district and denomination, symbols, beliefs, and our commitment to social justice. For The second half, it explores that commitment to social justice through diversity, conflict resolution and peace building. There are several exciting guests, field trips and projects.
Fifth Grade: Living the Promise & Kingdom of Equals
This is an introduction to Judaism and Christianity. About half of the class covers with the concept of the covenant and the major people and events of the Hebrew Scriptures. The themes from these great stories include courage and compassion, revenge versus forgiveness, trusting and being trustworthy. The other half of the class introduces the life and teachings of Jesus. It is an examination of Jesus' radical path to love and justice. His teachings of non-violence, fairness, and equality are vitally important to this day.
Sixth Grade:Neighboring Faiths
This class on religious diversity is an introduction to the many faith traditions in our community. There are field trips to sites of worship. Students will reflect on the unique and universal aspects of religious experience as they explore their own values and how they relate to other faith traditions.
Seventh & Eight Grades: Values
Exploring what is important in our lives — our values, while in a safe and nonjudgmental group, is the heart of this class. Action, listening and support make up each session of this curriculum. Topics are determined by the needs and wishes of the individuals, as the group learns to support one another.
Eighth & Ninth Grades: OWL (Our Whole Lives)
This is a curriculum about sexuality, sex, sensuality, anatomy, friendships, dating, communication, health care and more. Permission from parents is required for this class, and parents or guardians must attend 2 parent/guardian orientations or meet with the instructors. Regular attendance is expected and class structure does not permit drop-in visitors.
Middle School Youth Group
The Middle School Youth Group meets one Sunday a month during regular class time. The program includes social justice projects, social time with peers, and service to the congregation. The group creates a Haunted House for the annual all-RRUUC Halloween Party and a Carnival for children during the Fellowship Dinners. OWL participants will meet with their regular classes rather than participating in this program.
Ninth-Twelfth Grades: YRUU
Second Service (11:15 am - 12:15 pm)
Second Service Sunday School classes are smaller, more intimate, and often intergenerational. If your child would benefit from interacting with students just a bit older or younger and would like classes where there is more time to listen to each voice, the Second Service has something special to offer you.
Nursery (Infants to 2 Years Old)
Nicole Scafone, a professional childcare provider, and adult volunteers create a loving and caring atmosphere for these young children.
2 -& 3-Year-Olds: Celebrating Me and My World
This curriculum begins by celebrating the wondrous qualities of the children themselves and expands outward to the people and things around them. It provides the children positive experiences and opportunities to grow in their sense of trust and caring and to develop their self-identity and their sense of connectedness with all of life.
4 and 5 Year Olds and Kindergarten:We Are Many, We Are One
This program offers young children the opportunity to learn about their religious community and tradition, as well as the freedom to discover and express their uniqueness. Children are encouraged to use their minds, bodies and emotions to develop their sense of identity and self-esteem.
First Grade: Special Places
Special Places deals with the age-old religious idea of "being at home" — at home with nature, with oneself, with one's family and friends, with one's dreams and expectations. Conversations about important religious issues including birth and death are part of this curriculum. The physical construction of small, large, and giant houses is the method by which this exploration takes place.
Second and Third Grades: Free to Believe
This is an experiential program designed to nurture the emotional, social & spiritual life of children. Through our UU Principles & Sources, they will examine values, beliefs and life's "big questions".
Fourth & Fifth Grades: Living the Promise & Kingdom of Equals
This is an introduction to Judaism and Christianity. About half of the class works with the theme of the covenant and the major people and events of the Hebrew Scriptures. The themes from these great stories include courage and compassion, revenge vs. forgiveness, and trust and being trustworthy. The other half of the class introduces the life and teachings of Jesus. It is an examination of Jesus' radical path to love and justice.. His ideas of radical non-violence, fairness, and equality are vitally important even to this day.
Sixth Grade, Seventh & Eighth Grades: Values
Exploring what is important in our lives — our values, while in a safe and nonjudgmental group, is the heart of this class. Action, listening and support make up each session of this curriculum. Topics are determined by the needs and wishes of the individuals, as the group learns to support one another.
Eighth and Ninth Grades: OWL (Our Whole Lives)
This is a curriculum about sexuality, sex, sensuality, anatomy, friendships, dating, communication, health care and more. Permission from parents is required for this class, and parents or guardians must attend 2 parent/guardian orientations or meet with the instructors. Regular attendance is expected and class structure does not permit drop-in visitors.