Religious Education classes begin at 10:00 a.m. and end at 10:30 a.m. for our Primary Group,with a snack and play break before services, and at 10:45 a.m. for our Senior Group. Children are welcomed and vital to our service, which starts at 10:45 a.m. All youth are encouraged to participate as ushers, in our Joys and Concerns sharing period, and our Children’s Time, after which our younger members are brought back into “Third Hour,” a short activity period that can include “check-in” (catching up on weekly happenings), arts and crafts projects, movies, snacks, or a continuation of a class project. All youth rejoin families and the rest of congregation for our coffee hour after services.

The goal of all of our programs is to give congregation members of all ages a sense of religious perspective and Unitarian Universalist identity. It is our hope that this perspective will help guide members in their own understandings of their beliefs and convictions.

Spirit of Life participates in the FDLE VECHS background check program as part of our commitment to creating a safe and nurturing environment for our youth.

All of our age categories are general guidelines, and not rigid requirements. If a child is more comfortable, or works well in a certain group, the parent or guardian is welcome and invited to discuss preferences or individual needs with teachers. Our goal is always to provide the most enriching and meaningful experience possible for our youth and we’ll always work with families to find the best ways to do that for your child.

Nursery
0 - 4 year olds are cared for and taught in our nursery, and may remain in the nursery until service ends. A short, fifteen minute mini-class will be provided to older nursery aged children at the start of each nursery session.

Primary class
5 to 8 year olds -- This class meets in one of our Cottage Classrooms where they will study the Native American curriculum, "Wings and Drums".

Junior class
9 to 12, will meet in another Cottage classroom, studying from the UU identity curriculum "Traditions with a Wink".

Senior class
for 12 to 17 -- This group meets in the Teen Room, where they will be exploring "Modern Morality".