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)
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- & 5-Year-Olds and Kindergarten: Treasure Hunting
Through games, crafts, songs and stories, students explore a principle or value that Unitarian Universalists treasure. Lessons cover topics such as the importance of each person, the power of feelings, the joy of friendship, the excitement of the search for truth, our Unitarian Universalist heritage, the interdependence of people, the strength in helping others and the fragile harmony of nature.
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: Spirituality for Children
This curriculum experientially introduces children to questions about the mystery of the universe and life. It is designed to expose children to insights from world religions, feminism, science, and ordinary and extraordinary experiences of life. It gives children the opportunity to express their own thoughts and feelings in an active and developmentally sensitive way.
Third Grade: Timeless Themes — Stories from the Hebrew and Christian Scriptures
Timeless Themes introduces children to religious literature that is central to our culture and to our heritage as Unitarian Universalists. Stories 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
The first half of the congregational year focuses on Unitarian and Universalist history, the merged UU history, our district and denomination, symbols, beliefs, and our commitment to social justice. The second half of the year 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, Seventh & Eighth Grades: 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.
Eighth Grade: 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 an orientation 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 meet with their regular classes rather than participating in this program.
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)
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- & 5-Year-Olds and Kindergarten: Treasure Hunting
Through games, crafts, songs and stories, students explore a principle or value that Unitarian Universalists treasure. Lessons cover topics such as the importance of each person, the power of feelings, the joy of friendship, the excitement of the search for truth, our Unitarian Universalist heritage, the interdependence of people, the strength in helping others and the fragile harmony of nature.
First & Second Grade: Spirituality for Children
This curriculum experientially introduces children to questions about the mystery of the universe and life. It is designed to expose children to insights from world religions, feminism, science, and ordinary and extraordinary experiences of life. It gives children the opportunity to express their own thoughts and feelings in an active and developmentally sensitive way.
Third, Fourth & Fifth Grade: UU History & Peacemaking
The first half of the congregational year focuses on Unitarian and Universalist history, the merged UU history, our district and denomination, symbols, beliefs, and our commitment to social justice. The second half of the year explores that commitment to social justice through diversity, conflict resolution and peace building. There are several exciting guests, field trips and projects.
Sixth Grade, Seventh & Eighth Grades: 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.
Eighth Grade: 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 an orientation 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 creates a Carnival for children during the Fellowship Dinners. OWL participants meet with their regular classes rather than participating in this program.