UUCF Offers Children and Youth Religious Exploration

OAKTON, VA, August 29, 2016 - For families looking for ways to connect with other families exploring spiritual ideas, working together on social justice projects, and supporting strong values, the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Fairfax (UUCF), located on Hunter Mill Road in Oakton, offers a rich and unique Religious Exploration (RE) program for all children, from age 2 through high school seniors. UUCF engages more than 100 parent volunteers in the Tapestry of Faith Curriculum (available online for preview from the Unitarian Universalist Association, a voluntary association of more than 1,000 autonomous, self-governing Unitarian Universalist local congregations and fellowships). The activities nurture Unitarian Universalist identity, spiritual growth, a transforming faith and vital communities of justice and love. Enrollment for the RE program, which offers engaging classes to more than 325 children on Sundays during worship services, is now open by calling 703-281-4230 or by visiting the “Learn and Grow” area of our website (uucf.org). Classes begin on Sun., Sep. 18, at 9:15 and 11:15 a.m.

Unitarian Universalism, a liberal religion with Judeo-Christian roots, affirms the worth of all human beings, advocates freedom of belief and the search for advancing truth. UUCF provides a warm, open, supportive community for people to transform themselves, their community and the world through acts of love and justice.

According to Senior Minister Rev. David Miller, “From our youngest children to adults, spiritual growth at UUCF emphasizes exploration of all religious traditions, allowing a religious path of one’s own determination. Our RE staff of 100 parent volunteers works very hard to introduce age-appropriate discussions and activities to the children in a fun, interesting and meaningful way.”

Many people come to our program from different faith backgrounds. We learn about world religions through stories (and high school offers field trips to various local houses of faith). Teachers talk with students about the foundations of faiths and how they intersect with Unitarian Universalism. UUCF also provides students with developmentally appropriate sexuality education. Students in grades 1 and 5 attend the Our Whole Lives (OWL) Sexuality Education Program for several months each spring. Grade 8 has a full year of sexuality education and older high schoolers have a winter-through-spring sexuality education class. Each class stands alone and youth from the local community are welcome to take this class, even if they are not participating in UUCF’s yearlong programming.

For more information about UUCF’s religious exploration program, contact Director of Religious Exploration Linnea Nelson at phone 703-281-4230 or email uucf@uucf.org. Additional information about the entire religious education program can be found at uucf.org/learn-grow/.

About UUCF

UUCF, on Hunter Mill Road in Oakton, VA, is a Unitarian Universalist congregation of more than 1,200 adults, youth and children dedicated to “transforming ourselves, our community and the world through acts of love and justice.” All are welcome to attend UUCF worship services and religious education classes on Sundays at 9:15 and 11:15 a.m.

Read more about Unitarian Universalism at uua.org.

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Media contact: Mary Lareau, 703-281-4230, mlareau@uucf.org.

Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Fairfax. 2709 Hunter Mill Road, P.O. Box 130, Oakton, VA 22124. 703-346-3027. uucf.org