First Unitarian Denver

A Message from
Beverly Weinberg,
Director of Religious Education

Welcome to an exciting year at First Unitarian Denver. This year promises to be one of new ideas, enthusiasm and adventure!

Our religious education program is central to the ongoing mission of our congregation. I personally believe that our children and youth are our greatest hope for the future. They are the ones who will strengthen our faith and our dream for a better world.

I encourage all members and friends to become involved in the many activities we have to offer our children and Youth. You can assist by becoming part of our teaching teams. Perhaps you'd like to help in Family Chapel or Children’s Worship. Perhaps you're the type who loves to plan special events or service projects. Let me know your thoughts as we're always looking for new ideas.

In faith, Beverly

Everything You Always Wanted to Know About the Child and Youth Religious Education Program at First Unitarian Denver But Were Afraid to Ask...

If you are visiting with us for the first time, we recommend that you arrive no later than 15 minutes prior to the service so you can stop at our Greeters Desk and be warmly welcomed.

Commonly Asked Questions

• This is our first visit. What's available for children and youth?
  Our handy-dandy Guide to Classes provides a breakdown of the age range and grade levels for each of our Religious Education classes. You can pick one up at the Greeters Desk on Sunday morning.


• When do the children go their their classes?
  Nursery: Infants and toddlers (up to age 4) may be taken up to the nursery immediately upon arrival. parent/sguardians are expected to pick up their children no later than 15 minutes after the service ends.
  Preschool & K through 5th Grades: Children should begin in the Sanctuary with their parients. When we "sing out the children" parent/sguardians should accompany their child to their respective classrooms and/or teachers who will be waiting outside the Sanctuary. parent/sguardians are expected to pick up their children no later than 15 minutes after the service ends.
  6th through 12th Grades: Youth may go directly to their designated classrooms.


• What other programs do you have for children and youth?
  Several times throughout the year we hold Intergenerational Worship Services that are designed to feature our children ahd youth.
  The Front-Range UU 9th Grade Trip has been taking youth to visit Indian Country for over 40 years. The trip is an opportunity to learn about other cultures and how they interact and provides valuable lessons in building community.


• How can I get more information about the Religious Education program at First Unitarian Denver? Feel free to contact Beverly Weinberg, our Director of Religious Education. She'll be happy to answer any questions you may have.

Our Mission is to provide the children and youth of First Unitarian Denver with a safe and challenging environment in which to explore religious ideas as well as their own developing spiritual beliefs and practices. This is best accomplished through freedom of expression, participative learning, and active exploration of age-appropriate materials. It is a central tenet of our program that education is a community endeavor as much as an individual experience. As such, our classroom encounters are built around the ideals of tolerance, inclusion, good communication, and respect for others.

Religious Education Program Revolving Themes

• 2007-2008: Social Justice
  We'll assist our children and youth as they explore peace and justice issues. We'll help them move beyond mere information about these issues and encourage them to inegrate their own knowledge, feelings, and values, and ways to act effectively for peace and justice.


• 2008-2009: Unitarian Universalist Identity
  What does it mean to say, "I am a Unitarian Universalist?" What do I hold to be true for myself and others? How should I live? Our children and youth will have the opportunity to learn and think about the principles and purposes of our faith tradition.


• 2009-2010: World Religions
  We'll introduce our children and youth to Hindu, Islamic, and Buddhist faith traditions, as well as a Native American and other Earth-centered spiritualities, in addition to sections on the Christian and Jewish traditions.