Religious Education
Together, we seek to expand our hearts and minds, make a difference in the world, mark important milestones, and explore big questions. We are a supportive, anti-racist, anti-oppressive, multigenerational, radically welcoming religious community.
Many Ways into Community for Families, Youth, and Children
First Universalist Church has one of the largest and most robust Children, Youth, and Families Ministries among Unitarian Universalist congregations in the United States. We are proud of our welcoming, inclusive, vibrant programming that serves families and nurtures children and youth with joy and care.
One key element of our ministries with kids and families is Religious Education. During the church program year (mid-September through May), Religious Education (RE) for children in Kindergarten through 9th grade, youth group for middle and high school youth, and childcare for the littlest ones is offered most Sundays. Children in grades K-7 start their morning at church in worship with the congregation and then are dismissed to their age-specific programming within the first 20 minutes of the service . Youth in 8th/9th Grade OWL begin in their room at the start of the service.
Our RE classes are broken out by age (see dropdown menus below for more details). This provides children and youth an opportunity to build deep and meaningful relationships with their peers, while also enjoying opportunities on Sundays and throughout the year to be in multigenerational community with folks of all ages.
On Sundays during certain holiday weekends (for example, Thanksgiving weekend or President’s Day weekend), we offer Common Ground Sundays in lieu of our regular Religious Education programming Common Ground Sundays include time for connection and sharing along with a service, justice, or art project: On those days, all children and youth in Kindergarten through high school will begin in the Sanctuary for worship as usual and then dismiss as a group to the Cummins Room.
We welcome and have created space for your family, and we are always looking at new ways to make First Universalist accessible and welcoming to people of all ages. If you have questions or hopes for your child’s ability to participate in our programming, please reach out directly to Allison Connelly-Vetter, our Director of Children, Youth, & Families Ministries at allison [at] firstuniv.org. If you have questions or hopes for your child’s ability to participate in our programming, please reach out directly to Allison Connelly-Vetter, our Director of Children, Youth, & Families Ministries at allison [at] firstuniv.org.
Religious Education Classes
Childcare
Childcare is provided by attentive adult and youth volunteers during Sunday morning worship for children ages 6 months to PreK. We enfold our youngest members in the warmth of our community, encourage their explorations, and share in their joy and wonder. To ensure adequate space and staff to provide a safe and positive experience for all, registration is required.
On Sundays with Religious Education classes, children in Kindergarten through 5th grade transition from the Sanctuary to “Children’s Chapel.” In Children’s Chapel, the theme for the day is introduced with a story, song, or discussion.
After Children’s Chapel, the group divides into three age-based classrooms: one for Kindergarteners & 1st graders, another for 2nd & 3rd graders, and one for 4th & 5th graders. In these classrooms the children explore the day’s theme more in-depth in age-appropriate lessons which include activities, games, arts and crafts, movement, and conversation. Lessons include a story, movement, and creative elements designed to facilitate learning and friendships between the children.
The themes and lessons for our Kindergarten-5th grade Religious Education are based on the Unitarian Universalist Association’s Article II Values, approved at the UUA General Assembly in Summer 2024.
Our Kindergarten-5th Grade Religious Education program—including Children’s Chapel—is facilitated by teams of trained adult and youth volunteers.
Our Whole Lives (OWL) – optional for 1st/2nd graders
Our Whole Lives (OWL) is a special unit of seven lessons, grounded in UU values, that provide age-appropriate information about birth, babies, bodies and families. Parents and caregivers learn more about the curriculum and enroll their 1st or 2nd graders in OWL at a mandatory orientation to the program.
1st/2nd Grade OWL is an opt-in program that takes place at First Universalist during Religious Education in the Spring semester.More information will be provided to all registered 1st and 2nd grade families in late Fall.
More information about 1st/2nd Grade OWL can be found on the First Universalist OWL web page.
Our Whole Lives (OWL)
September-December: More about 6th Grade OWL.
Religious Education
January-May: Big Questions
In the second semester of 6th grade, our youth explore topics which can bring up big questions: death, money, and mental health. Adult facilitators lead youth through age-appropriate learning and conversation about these questions and wonder, “What does being UU have to do with it all?”
March-May: 6th and 7th graders join together for a mental health curriculum.
6th graders are also encouraged to attend our Middle School Youth Group. See more information about youth groups below.
Seventh Grade Religious Education from September through February is oriented around three main questions:
- What does it mean to be Unitarian Universalist?
- What does it mean to be part of First Universalist Church of Minneapolis specifically?
- What does it mean to be Unitarian Universalist and part of FIrst Universalist Church of Minneapolis if my friends are not UU or attend different congregations? How do I fit into a diverse faith landscape?
Youth explore these questions through a combination of classroom learning and site visits to local UU congregations.
March-May: 6th and 7th graders join together for a mental health curriculum.
7th graders are also encouraged to attend our Middle School Youth Group. See more information about youth groups below.
Our Whole Lives (OWL)
September-May: More about 8th Grade OWL.
Youth Group
Eighth graders are also encouraged to attend our Middle School Youth Group. See more information about youth groups below.
Coming of Age
Ninth graders participate in Coming of Age, a Religious Education program common in Unitarian Universalist congregations. Together, youth build a religious community to hold their deep dive into core theological questions, exploring their beliefs about what gives life meaning, what they value and trust, and who they are called to be in the world. A variety of experiences—including a retreat, group discussions, and conversations with mentors and ministers—are designed to help our young people name and claim their values and religious identities. The year culminates with a celebratory worship service in which our Coming of Age youth share a few of their experiences and learnings from the year with the congregation.
Grades 6-12
First Universalist Church offers two youth groups: our Middle School Youth Group for kids in Youth in 6th-8th grades and our High School Youth Group for youth in 9th-12th grades.
Both youth groups are invited to join our Middle School Youth Group. Middle School Youth Group meets from 11:30 a.m.-12:45 p.m. on Religious Education Sundays, as well as which meets twice a month from 7-8:15 p.m. on most second and fourth Wednesdays. Youth group on the second Wednesday of each month directly follows Community Dinner and youth group on the fourth Wednesday of each month directly follows Family Night Potluck. Both Community Dinners and Family Night Potlucks begin at 6 p.m. (the second Wednesday is immediately following Community Dinners).
These Youth group gatherings are led by trained adults and include time for checking in, playing games, learning new skills, service projects, fun activities, and exploring the big questions of life, all while deepening relationships with peers. There is no church membership requirement or Sunday morning attendance requirement. Bring a friend or a neighbor—all are welcome!
High School OWL is for 11th and 12th graders.