Our Vision of Religious Exploration

We aim to ground our children and youth in things like love, justice and community. We nurture their spiritual growth, sense of self and place in the world. We foster a supportive and respectful environment, promoting and modeling skills for being in community and living ethically in our changing world. You can keep in touch by joining our private Facebook group: The Children’s RE Program at the Unitarian Fellowship of Peterborough.

Our Principles

Here’s a version of our principles, written to the tune of that song from The Sound of Music:

Sunday Mornings

On Sunday mornings, Sept-June, we offer dynamic programming for children and youth ages 6-14, as well as high-quality care for younger children and infants (our Senior Youth Group meets Thursday evenings). We follow an experiential learning model and offer a range of learning opportunities in each session, including arts, cooperative games, nature activities, and group sharing and discussion. The program is led by a our Director of Religious Exploration, Ben Robins, and a team of enthusiastic and caring volunteers. Care for infants and children up to age 5 is provided by paid child care workers. Individualized attention with appropriate toys and activities are provided to help create a safe and comforting environment. We offer multigenerational services approximately six times a year where adults and children gather in the sanctuary to worship together.

PARENTS OF PRESCHOOLERS

This year, we’ve signed up for the Parents of Preschoolers series. It’s simple and goes deep, into how you want to show up as a parent and how you want to welcome your child into the world. Here’s an introduction to the monthly theme of family culture. It celebrates the joys and honours the challenges of parenting. The program consists of a weekly 3-minute video on the theme of the month, with a complementary worksheet. There is also an optional monthly Zoom call with other parents. Interested? Email Ben at rec dot peterborough [at] gmail dot com. And please share the video with your network of families.

Senior Youth Group

Being a teenager can be quite a ride. Amongst enormous change there is a need for both more independence and deeper connection, figuring out who you are and who you want to be in the world. The senior youth (grades 9 and up) meet here on Thursday evenings at 7:30, Sept-June, in the youth room downstairs. Supported by our youth advisors, the youth develop their own program. There are youth weekends throughout the year, including the national UU youth conference in May. If you have any questions about the Senior Youth group, please get in touch with our Director of Religious Exploration Ben Robins, or one of our youth advisors: Kim Thomas, Carol Andrews and Aurrora DeMonte

Our Whole Lives (OWL) sexuality education program

Honest, accurate information about sexuality changes lives. It dismantles stereotypes and assumptions, builds self-acceptance and self-esteem, fosters healthy relationships, improves decision-making, and has the potential to save lives. For these reasons and more, we are proud to offer Our Whole Lives (“OWL”), a comprehensive, lifespan sexuality and relationships education curricula delivered in age groupings from age 5 to adult. Our Whole Lives helps participants make informed and responsible decisions about their sexual health and behavior. With a holistic approach, OWL provides accurate, developmentally appropriate information about a range of topics, including relationships, gender identity, sexual orientation, sexual health, and cultural influences on sexuality. To learn more about the OWL programs offered at UFP, click here. To learn more about the OWL program in general, including the curriculum for each age group, click here.

Volunteer

We help each other to learn and grow. Your participation would enrich and deepen the RE experience, and so whatever your schedule, talents or interests, you are welcome. We welcome volunteers all year long. To discuss your participation in the program, please get in touch with Ben. Email: rec.peterborough@gmail.com Phone UFP office: