The great end in religious instruction is not to stamp our minds irresistibly on others, but to stir up their own;
Not to make them see with our eyes but to look inquiringly and steadily with their own;
Not to form an outward regularity but to touch inward springs;
Not to impose religion upon them in the form of arbitrary rules, but to awaken the conscience, the moral discernment, so that they may discern and approve for themselves what is everlasting, right and good.
William Ellery Channing
The Lifespan Education Committee provides religious education for all ages designed to foster spiritual growth through increased knowledge of self, others and the wider community. We strive to create engaging educational experiences that nurture a sense of belonging and inspire a passion for putting our principles and beliefs into practice.
OUR WHOLE LIVESSEXUALITY EDUCATION
“To offer sexuality education in a congregation is to acknowledge that sexuality is simply too important, too beautiful and too potentially dangerous to be ignored in a religious community.”
--Rev. Cynthia Breen
Pilgrim Congregational Church and the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Bozeman together offer Our Whole Lives to children and adults in our congregations. Our two denominations collaborated to create this many level comprehensive sexuality education program. Our Whole Lives trained facilitators provide accurate information for families and congregations to support learning about sexuality and healthy decision-making in affirming and positive settings.
Four levels of Our Whole Lives are designed for children in grades K-1, 4-6, 7-9 and 10-12; programs are also created for Young Adults and Adults.
ADULT CLASSES
Classes for adults are offered at least three times in a Fellowship year. Offerings include member facilitated UU curriculum, outside speakers focused on a topic related to spirituality, classes taught by the minister or by guest ministers. In addition, there are small focus groups created in topic areas of personal interest to a member or friend who then invites others to join to create a discussion group. Quarterly new member classes facilitated by the Membership Committee and the Minister are offered for those interested in becoming a member or simply learning more about Unitarian Universalism.
Children generally attend the opening of Sunday morning service to participate in the Chalice Lighting, hymn, and Story for All Ages, then go to childcare or classes. Childcare is provided by paid Lead and Assistant Childcare workers as well as a rotating volunteer from the congregation. The Coordinator of Lifespan Education is on site for any additional childcare support and supervision.
CHILDREN’S SUNDAY SCHEDULE9:45 – 10:00 Welcome, parents fill out registration forms
10:00 Service begins
10:15 – 11:00am
CHILDREN’S CLASSESSelections from “We Are Many, We Are One” will be gently introduced in order to expose our little ones to UU principles through story, song and art.
The “Creating Home” curriculum helps children develop a sense of home that is grounded in faith. The program introduces the concept of a "faith home" where children explore a deep sense of sacredness, the beauty of hospitality, and the gift of loving relationships that a home can represent.
The “Faithful Journeys” invites participants to embark on a pilgrimage of faith, exploring how Unitarian Universalism translates into their own life choices and everyday actions.
"World Religions": Being human can be challenging. Who are you? What do you want to become? Our youth explore the world's religions in order to find answers, and to discover how their own faith fits into this big picture.
Many of our curricula are from the UUA Tapestry of Faith On-Line Curricula. Feel free to peruse their offerings for UUs of all ages here.
UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST ASSOCIATION PRINCIPLES
Children’s Version
- We believe that each and every person is important.
- We believe that all people should be treated fairly.
- We believe that our churches are places where all people are accepted and where we keep on learning together.
- We believe that each person must be free to search for what is true and right in life.
- We believe that everyone should have a vote about things that concern him or her.
- We believe in working for a peaceful, fair, and free world.
- We believe in caring for our planet earth.