Spiritual Explorations for the Young

OUR GOAL with the Spiritual Explorations (religious education) program is to help children and youth develop concepts in light of their own experiences and thoughts. We draw upon the insights of generations long past, but use reason to seek truth and meaning in today’s world. Our programs are designed for children – not to make them see with our eyes but to look inquiringly and steadily with their own.

OUR AIMS are to foster an appreciation and understanding of self as the foundation of a confident and creative individual and help develop a sense of individual worth and dignity by exploring the ideas, experiences and feelings of each child. We encourage curious and questioning minds that find challenge in searching for truth and a knowledge of and reverence for, the beauty and order of the universe, based on a child’s natural awareness.

This Spiritual Explorations program draws from:

• All that quickens empathetic imagining, that awakens sensitivity to other’s feelings.
• All that enriches and enlarges one’s understanding of the world.
• All that strengthens courage and adds to the love of living.
• All that leads to developing skills for democratic participation.
• All these are the sources for curriculum through which the children learn.

Source: Today’s Children and Yesterday’s Heritage: A Philosophy of Creative Religious Development, 1952

Spiritual Explorations Curriculum

Pre-school – 3, 4 and 5 year olds — we offer an experience in awareness of themselves as individuals and in relation to other people and of the world as a place full of things to explore. On hiatus during the Covid pandemic.

Before the service, we offer a non-religious musical and social activity for preschool kids, see more at 

Despite the Covid restrictions in 2020-2021, our SE Coordinator Catherine Forbes provides activities to engage the mind and spirit of both children and youth. See on-line the Dickens adaptation they did for Christmas 2020: What the Dickens! A Christmas Carol. 

Elementary School — children 6 to 10 — an introduction to major issues based on ideas which help children find answers to important life questions. Children in this age group go forth into a complex world where they are often faced with difficult decisions and situations, and we offer a foundation for spiritual and ethical development. The curriculum for this age group consists of sharing stories and activities which lead to children learning about how to make moral choices. This program provides spiritual and ethical tools they will need to make choices and take action based on their own beliefs and values.

Youth — High School through University — we want our youth to live out their values. By offering them effective skills in decision-making, leadership, and spiritual grounding in a liberal community,we hope to empower them as confident young adults.