“This is why the world needs OWL.”

News –

Last week I had the joy of serving as a delegate to the United Church of Christ’s 35th General Synod. General Synod is the UCC’s equivalent of the UUA’s General Assembly: a denomination-wide gathering of clergy and lay folks coming together to make decisions for the larger body and celebrate shared ministry. I participated in the General Synod through my role as a co-chair of the UCC’s Disabilities Ministries Board, on which I have served since 2022. 

One of the highlights of General Synod for me was celebrating 25 years of the Our Whole Lives (OWL) Comprehensive Sexuality Education program. As a religious educator, our OWL Program at First Universalist Church is one of my greatest points of pride. Stewarded faithfully by our fabulous OWL Program Coordinator Claire Tralle, First Universalist offers OWL at 6 levels for participants beginning in first grade and continuing through older adulthood. Last year we had 92 kids and youth participate in OWL alone, with education provided by almost 20 trained facilitators. 

On the Monday of General Synod, I was invited to represent First Universalist Church at a reception honoring 25 years of Our Whole Lives. This reception was hosted by Rev. Amy Johnson (UCC) and Dr. Melanie Davis (UUA), who share executive leadership of the OWL program across our denominations. At several points throughout the reception, all of us who were gathered joined in a refrain: “This is why the world needs OWL.” We repeated this refrain in response to stories about OWL’s founding, memories shared by OWL facilitators, and the stark contrast presented between OWL values and the current values shaping United States education and politics. We agreed that at this particular moment in time it is more vital than ever to offer kids and youth (and adults!) affirming, LGBTQ+-inclusive, and age-appropriate sexuality education. 

Earlier at Synod, I was honored to gift Rev. Amy Johnson an addition to her famed sex education earring collection on behalf of First Universalist Church: life-size 3-D printed clitoris earrings made by our own OWL facilitator, Dave Leppik. Rev. Amy wore the earrings to the OWL Reception and they were the talk of the town. Thanks, Dave!

I am deeply grateful to each of you at First Universalist who make our OWL ministry possible, whether through your financial gifts, your encouragement to staff and volunteers, your family’s participation in our programs, or your spiritual support. Those of us close to the OWL program often refer to OWL as “life-changing, life-saving ministry,” and that has never been more true. Please continue to uplift our OWL ministries at church and beyond, and to spread the message of inclusion, affirmation, and worthiness wherever you may go. Thanks for 25 years, OWL – here’s to the next 25, and beyond. 

Allison Connelly-Vetter with Dr. Melanie Davis (left, UUA) and Rev. Amy Johnson (right, UCC), co-directors of the OWL program, at the Taking Flight: 25 Years of Our Whole Lives Reception at UCC General Synod 35.
Rev. Amy Johnson, UCC Minister for Sexuality Education and Justice, and Allison Connelly-Vetter pose with matching clitoris earrings 3-D printed by First Universalist member and OWL facilitator Dave Leppik. Allison gave Amy these earrings as a gift of gratitude from First Universalist in honor of Amy’s ministry and support.