Religious Education

Religious Education (R.E.) for Children and Youth

Our children and youth begin with everyone in the Sunday service. After our “Time for All Ages” in the service, they get sung out to their classrooms.

Our Seekers and Tweens classrooms follow the Soul Matters curriculum with monthly themes which explore how we live our shared values. This curriculum is supplemented by lessons and experiences developed by our Director of Religious Education to meet the specific needs and interests of our youth.

  • The Nursery provides a safe space for children ages 0-4 years to play and learn about sharing and fairness.
  • Seekers are ages 5-10 years (K-5th Grades)
  • Tweens are 11-14 years (6-8th Grades)
  • Teens are welcome to join us in the service.

During the summer, children ages 0-4 play in the Nursery while youth ages 5-14 enjoy a “summer camp” style program in the Seekers room.

Sign your child up here!

Our Teachers

Our teachers are trained and background-checked volunteers who apply our UU principles of love, acceptance, and respect as part of our covenant with each other. Children quickly recognize UUCW as a safe space in which to express themselves genuinely as they explore their deepest thoughts about the world around them.

Caregivers

Families and caregivers choose Unitarian Universalist religious education for many reasons. We offer dynamic curriculum that helps our children and youth explore how to live our shared values of justice, equity, transformation, pluralism, interdependence, generosity, and love. This community dynamic encourages our children to become kind, respectful, fair-minded and caring. We nurture their spirituality and progressive moral values as they grow. LGBTQ+ families and children are joyously affirmed here. Our congregation is diverse – you’ll meet people with various beliefs, backgrounds, neurotypes, and interests. Our kind hearts and open minds are what bring us together!

Participation in UUCW worship services, social justice work, educational programs, social activities, and multi-generational gatherings provides opportunities for adults in our congregation to learn, grow, and serve as role models to our youth.

R.E. Communication and Resources

At UUCW:

  • Monthly Bulletin Board: our monthly bulletin board includes timely information, our “UU of the Month,” and an exploration of our monthly theme.
  • Weekly RE Wrap-Up: sent home weekly with families.
  • Monthly caregiver e-newsletter and regular updates.
  • Busy Hands, Calm Minds: fidgets and coloring materials are available during the service and in our classrooms.
  • RE Lending Library: Coming Fall 2026! Anyone in the congregation will be able to borrow books related to religious education, UU theology, parenting, and other themes.
  • Meet with the DRE: Our Director of Religious Education is available to meet with you by appointment. Email dre@uucwnc.org to set up a meeting.
  • Get Help: We’re here for you! For support with religious education (resources, books, questions) contact dre@uucwnc.org. For support with locating community resources, pastoral care, or confidential concerns contact minister@uucwnc.org.

Online:

To Learn More about youth religious education programming please contact:

UUCW’s Director of Religious Education at religiouseducation@uucwnc.org.