Religious Education: Ongoing, for Everyone

We believe that faith is a journey we take together. 

Religious education takes a lifetime. It happens both within and beyond a congregation's walls. We support one another as individuals, families, and communities in an ongoing search for truth and meaning. We strive to guide one another—all ages among us—in religious questioning, personal change, and discovering ways to better live in faith.   

Transforming Ourselves and Our World

We affirm the inherent worth and dignity of all beings, and we believe each of us is responsible and capable to help change the world for the better. Through continually learning and growing together we encourage and support one another, and our children, to know and express our moral agency. From anti-racism and environmental justice to personal spiritual growth, using many formats for learning, Unitarian Universalist (UU) religious education taps the wisdom of diverse Sources. We help one another find grounding and connection with ethics, faith, spirit, and UU identity. We feed the faith development of everyone involved; teachers are learners, learners are teachers.

Tapestry of Faith is the collection of religious education curricula the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) provides online, at no cost, for lifespan faith development in our congregations. Search Tapestry materials by age group, topic, or keyword.

Our Whole Lives is the UUA's award-winning series of sexuality education curricula for six age groups: grades K-1, grades 4-6, grades 7-9, grades 10-12, young adults (ages 18-35), and adults.

The UUA also supports congregations to provide programs like Coming of Age for middle-school youth, Bridging for young people transitioning out of childhood into young adulthood, and From the High Hill for older adults looking back across their lives.

Faith Development for All Stages of Life

Beyond curricula, materials from the UUA include discussion guides to contemporary books and films, session plans for small group ministry, and single-session, topical programs that can be used in a variety of contexts such as worship, retreat weekends, youth gatherings, lay leadership conferences, and family life. Explore by age and stage:

• Children (Pre-K through Grade 6)
• Younger Youth (ages 11-15)
• Youth (High School-Aged)
• Campus Ministry
• Young Adults (18-35)
• Adults
• Older Adults
• All Ages and Cross-generational
• Parenting and Families

What Does UU Religious Education Look Like?

Children’s religious education programs are typically offered on Sunday mornings. You might find preschoolers singing a song about making new friends, second graders engaging with a story about loss and bereavement, fifth graders talking with a Muslim couple about Islam, or older youth speaking to the congregation about their plan to raise money for a local homeless shelter.

Religious education programs include more than classes. Programs may incorporate social justice and community service activities, worship opportunities, or creating art to share with the congregation.

Professional religious educators lead many of our congregations’ lifespan programs. Other members of the congregation often lead, too. The UUA supports professional religious educators, lay leaders who help plan and teach programs, and volunteers (including parents, who have a unique opportunity to guide children's faith development at home). For example: The UUA Faith Development Office sponsors (and archives) monthly webinars on topics suggested by consituents. InSpirit: The UU Book and Gift Shop offers Tapestry of Faith Toolkit Books on (for example) the stages of faith development in children and youth; wisdom stories to share and process in religious education, worship, or family time; transformative justice and service projects for family groups and for youth; and more.

Programs for high school youth and adult programs are usually offered on afternoons or evenings.

Learn More

• Religious Educators & Teachers: Webinars, books, and online resources to prepare, support, and inspire UU religious educators
• Professional Religious Education Leadership: UUA Religious Education Credentialing Program, professional development for religious educators, and religious educator transitions
• See What's New in UU Religious Education and Faith Development.
• Subscribe to the REACH-L email list for discussion and sharing about lifespan UU religious education; open subscription, no charge.