Religious Education at UUCLB

Welcome to our program of religious education for young people at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Long Beach!

Ralph Waldo Emerson wrote:  “All people love something, just as they all have a faith they live by…..The gods we worship write their names on our faces, be sure of that.”  (language adapted to be inclusive)

You and your family are invited to join an exciting journey of questioning, searching, challenging and wondering about the meaning of life with all its mysteries, great and small.  Our Religious Education Program provides the opportunity for the deeper meanings of life to be explored and experienced in a safe, loving and fun community.  We offer a basis for spiritual development, which augments the religious growth and learning in which each family is engaged.  The goal of our program is to give each young person a firm ground of belief, rooted in our Unitarian Universalist principles, from which they can stretch and grow, question and explore.  Together as a religious community we learn love of one another and ourselves, to search for truth with an open mind, and to work to make the world a better place.

We invite you to participate fully in this journey, this adventure of life.

Tamara Casanova
Director of Religious Education

See what's happening this month in religious education.

Religious Education Happenings

We have many activities in the religious education program that go beyond the classroom experience for children and youth. Below are listed some of the activities of the religious education program throughout the up-coming year:

Faith in Action Sundays

First Sundays through-out the year, our children and youth have an opportunity to put their Unitarian Universalist faith in action through service for our church, our Long Beach community and our world through hands-on projects. 

Spiritual Practices Sundays

These workshop rotation style mornings give our children and youth the chance to experience various spiritual practices, to connect in a meaningful way with the spirit within and to deepen their understanding of spiritual practice as a tool.  (9/30 and 3/30) 

All Church “Rockin’ Rainbow” Family Choir

Come join in the fun as people of all ages raise voices together!!  No vocal experience necessary!!  This group will participate in various worship services throughout the year.  Rehearsals are weekly and begin on 9/30 @ 10:45 sharp in the Chalice Building (rehearsals last for 20 minutes).

Middle School Youth Group

An ongoing group for our middle schoolers with a focus on fun and service, facilitated by the middle schoolers and their parents.

Young Religious Unitarian Universalists (YRUU)

An ongoing youth group for our youth and young adults from age 14-20 which includes social activities, worship, learning, leadership and social action. 

Religious Education Program Volunteer Training Workshop

A morning of team building and basic training for religious education leaders. (September)

All Church Family Picnic

A casual time for our church community to gather and “hang-out” for a time after the second service.  Bring your own lunch and picnic blanket—drinks and dessert are provided by the RE Committee (if you forget, you may purchase lunch for a small donation).  (September)

Lessons of Loss

A special October Inter-session for Kindergarten through Middle School, this two week inter-session starts with a description of everyday losses, and gently introduces our young ones to the universality of this experience.  Through readings and structured activities, children and youth will be able to identify their questions, concerns, and anxieties in an age appropriate, safe, and faith based community. 

All-Church Halloween Party

Ghouls and boys will have a hauntingly good time at our all-church party which traditionally includes crafts, games, a costume parade, and a haunted house sponsored by our Middle School group.  (10/28)

Child Dedication for Older Children

Open to Kindergarteners and above, this rite of passage recognizes and affirms each child’s identity as a beloved member of our church community and our greater Unitarian Universalist denomination.  (11/18 and 5/11)

Religious Education Art Workshop

A hands-on chance to participate in spiritual expression through art.  The children and youth artwork is then hung in Wylder Hall as the art exhibit for the month of December.  (11/18)

All Church Intergenerational Holiday Service

Annual intergenerational holiday worship service with participation by all.  (12/16)

All Church Holiday Party

A time for our church community to come together and enjoy crafts, games and music of the season and share some holiday cheer.  (12/16)

Christmas Eve Intergenerational Service

Family friendly service to celebrate Christmas (12/24)

RE Volunteer Winter Break

Intergenerational worship services with childcare provided for our youngest children.  (12/23 and 12/30)

Religious Education Volunteer Mid Year Team Meetings

A lunch hosted by the RE Committee followed by in-service training and team meetings to coordinate the balance of the year.  (1/6)

Our Whole Lives Sexuality Education Program for 7th-9th graders (OWL 7-9)

This nationally acclaimed program helps participants develop and articulate their religious and sexual values to encourage responsible, healthy decision making.  (January-April)

Principled Commitment: A Program for Unitarian Universalist Couples

This eleven session program is meant to strengthen healthy relationships between couples of all kinds and ages.  (January-April)

Youth at General Assembly (YAGA)
YAGA is our congregation’s program to promote youth participation in General Assembly by providing information and assistance, including scholarships. General Assembly 2008 is June 25-29, 2008 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. YAGA information is sent to youth and parents in early January.

Secret Pals Program

Our very popular intergenerational program which brings new friends together through letter exchanges and culminates in “revealing” picnic on 2/10 to meet and talk to your Secret Pal.  (1/20 through 2/10)

DeBenneville Pines All Church Retreat

A time for relaxing and playing together at our beautiful mountain camp.  (2/29-3/3)

Flower Communion and Spring Festivities

A uniquely Unitarian Universalist tradition honoring diversity celebrated on Easter morning, followed by spring crafts, egg hunts, the Easter Bunny, and the “magic egg machine.”  (3/23)

All-Church Seder Dinner

A Unitarian Universalist adaptation of the traditional Seder, this much loved annual event seeks to remind us of our community as we express our solidarity with oppressed peoples both in the past and in our present world.  (4/19) 

Beltane/May Day Celebration

Merrymaking, maypole dancing, rejoicing in the circle of life…(4/27)

Religious Education Sunday

A special worship service and reception to celebrate our year together, mark transitions including bridging our senior high schoolers and honoring our Religious Education Volunteers as we segue into our summer RE program.  (6/8)

Summer RE

Our RE Program runs through the summer adding FUUN in Faith days, continuing religious exploration, and in August, featuring our month-long Faith in Action project to collect backpacks and back-to-school supplies for the Bethune School in Long Beach.

Religious Education Camps for children, youth and families at DeBenneville Pines

Week long summer camps and week-end camps through the year provide opportunities for rest, recreation, exploration and making new UU friends from around our district at our beautiful mountain retreat. (www.uucamp.org)

Jr High Winter Camp – November 30-December 2, 2007

Sr High Winter Camp – December 27, 2007 - January 1, 2008

Elementary Winter Camp – February 16-18, 2008

Elementary Summer Camp – July 6-12, 2008

Counselor in Training – July 6-12, 2008

Junior High Summer Camp – July 13-19, 2008

Senior High Summer Camp – July 20-26, 2008

Family Camp—July 27-August 2, 2008

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Unitarian Universalist Church of Long Beach | 5450 East Atherton Street | Long Beach | California | 90815
562.597.8445