Our Ninth Grade program, a crowning jewel in Unity’s Religious Education sequence, begins with the Our Whole Lives program (OWL) in September 2007 and continues with Coming of Age (COA) in January of 2008.

Our Whole Lives is a nationally known, highly esteemed whole-person UUA/UCC curriculum about human sexuality and spirituality. OWL is a positive and comprehensive program that helps participants gain knowledge, values and skills in order to lead sexually healthy, responsible lives. The OWL curriculum is abstinence-based yet comprehensive in its informative approach to low-risk and high-risk behaviors, sexually transmitted infections, reproductive options, and emotional and psychological aspects of becoming sexually active. Several lessons employ hand-drawn slides, all of which are previewed in our parent orientation sessions. OWL is taught by a team of trained lay-leaders who care deeply about the well-being of our youth.

Coming of Age, which begins in January, is a rich program of spiritual exploration that culminates in the creation of a personal credo. Through engaging classes, supportive mentorships and individual reflection and writing, youth will arrive at a point where they will feel confident sharing their statement of their personal theology in a joyful ceremony.

Like OWL, our COA classes meet on Sunday afternoons; however, our activities alternate on opposite Sundays. On one Sunday, youth will attend a session with their classmates and advisors; on the next, youth will attend worship with their mentors.

In late April, our COA program culminates in a weekend of sharing and celebration. Youth and mentors enjoy a final banquet together. Family and friends are invited to attend the evening Ceremonies, where youth share their statements with the congregation and guests. On Coming of Age Sunday, the youth are recognized as full participants in our faith community.

For information about the Our Whole Lives and Coming of Age programs at Unity Church, please contact Joseph at the church office, ext. 112.

For more online information about the Our Whole Lives curriculum from the Unitarian Universalist Association, please visit UUA.org.