2026-27 Youth Faith Exploration Offerings
We Come to Church to Grow our Hearts
Classes begin on Sunday, September 13, 2026
Infants, Toddlers, and PreK
9 & 11 am
Nursery care is provided for our infants and toddlers. Parents may drop off their infants and toddlers in the nursery before the service begins. Please sign your child in at the classroom door.
Parents/guardians may drop off their children in room R1/2 prior to the service. During our PreK class, children will explore the themes of the month through stories, play, and crafts. Please sign your child in at the classroom door.
Our faith exploration programs are designed to enrich and nurture the spiritual lives of children, youth, and families.
We strive to help one another grow in spiritual practice, deepen our understanding and respect of our religiously diverse world, and live our UU principles out in our daily life.
Kindergarten-5th grade
9 & 11 am
K-5th graders start in the service with their parents. After the Time for All Ages they will follow the teachers to their classrooms, in R3/4.
These classes explore UU identity and values, and create connections through song, story, crafts, and play.
We explore our UU identity by learning about where our faith comes from through celebrations of Christian, Jewish, and Earth-based traditions. We live into our values by working together to care for our community within our walls and beyond. Social Justice activities call us to lead with love and live our faith in action.
Important elements of each class:
- Chalice Lighting and Reading of our Covenant
- Sharing of Joys and Sorrows
- Activities that allow our children to socialize and connect.
- Opportunities for social action
- Closing words
Classes are split between grades K-2nd and 3rd-5th with “age appropriate” activities planned for each class.
Elementary Our Whole Lives (OWL)
9 am
- 1st & 2nd grade OWL | Sunday, January 10 – March 21 | 9 to 10:30 am
Parents must attend first class on Sunday, January 11, 9 to 11 am. - 4th & 5th Grade OWL | Sunday, September 13 – November 15 | 9 to 10:30 am
Parents and students must attend orientation on Sunday, August 30, from 10 to 11:30 am.
Please have your K-5 child find their nametag on the nametag board. Let your teacher know if your child needs a new nametag. Middle and High School nametags will be kept in their classrooms
6th Grade Neighboring Faiths
11 am
The 6th Grade Neighboring Faiths program at Common Flame offers students valuable opportunities to engage with local faith communities through enriching field trips and Q&A sessions with community leaders. This experience broadens their worldview, fostering empathy and understanding as they explore diverse beliefs and discover shared values. It’s a transformative educational journey essential for nurturing a more inclusive community!
7th Grade Our Whole Lives (OWL)
10:45 am
Our Whole Lives is an age-appropriate, comprehensive, and progressive sex education curriculum that supports participants in making informed and responsible decisions about their sexual health and behavior.
Mandatory parent orientation meeting: either Thursday, August 20, from 6:30 – 8 pm, or Sunday, August 30, from 10:30 am to 12 pm.
8th Grade Coming of Age (COA)
11 am
Common Flame’s year-long Coming of Age program is the capstone of our middle-years program. In COA, 8th graders work with mentors, ministers, and facilitators to explore and define their spiritual beliefs and values. This experience will be something they can reflect on throughout their lives as they continue to transform and grow.
9th-12th Grade High School Youth Group (HSYG)
11 am
Our High School Youth Group (HSYG) allows teens to build community, have fun with friends, and further explore their UU identity through outings, social justice work, and activities on Sunday mornings and beyond.