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The Home of Evolutioneers

Spiritual Education for Children, Teens and Young Adults

At Universe Spirit we believe that the process of spiritual education is a lifelong quest to answer the fundamental spiritual questions of existence:

  • Who or what created the universe in which I exist?
  • Is there an intentional plan and goal behind the unfolding of the evolutionary universe and if so what is it?
  • Who and what am I spiritually?
  • Why am I here?
  • Are we all interconnected spiritually in some way and if so, what does it mean in relationship to:
    • How should I conduct my life and what is right or wrong?
    • What happens to me when I die?

In this section for children, teens and young adults many of the materials that are used by the adult members of our community have been adjusted appropriately in language and presentation to the needs and capabilities of our younger members. Keep in mind the answers to all of these questions are not easy or set. The information we provide below should help parents guide their child in the beginning of their search for spiritual truth and value within our Universe Spirit community.

Program Goals

In our programs for children and young adults we also seek to provide a spiritual and moral environment conducive to the development of a child’s personal spiritual beliefs and values, acceptance of self and others, and a sense of belonging to the Universe Spirit community. The following are some of the other goals we seek to support for children in the program:

  • Create a supportive community within the classroom and our center in which each child feels like a respected and valued member of the group.
  • Develop respect for one's self, others and divergent ideas
  • Encourage children to reflect on their beliefs about God, religion, social issues, environmental responsibility and community.
  • Help children to become responsible for one's self and become principled, ethical people who act upon their values.
  • Recognize and celebrate the diversity among us and recognize that they are a force for justice and love in this community and the larger world community.
  • Have fun!
  • Enjoy new multi-aged friendships
  • Introduce the beliefs and practices of other religious traditions and cultures.
  • Introduce the beliefs and practices of Universe Spirit so they can choose to identify themselves as members of the Universe Spirit community

Children’s Worship: Worship is a time to celebrate, to reflect on the mysteries within each of us and beyond, and to acknowledge and honor our being together as a community. Our center worships together as a community on a regular basis. During the first part of the worship service children and youth go to their spiritual training classes.

We invite you to help us develop worship services for our children that are meaningful and enjoyable for children of all ages. Children and youth are also invited to help in the planning, and to use their talents in the worship services. If you have an idea for a service, let us know.

Social Responsibility: We ask that your family discuss the following guidelines for acceptable behavior so that we can maintain an environment where adults and children can share the worship and learning experience successfully:

  1. Remember that others share the world, and this church, with us.
  2. During worship and classes, walk quietly and whisper when you are outside the classrooms.
  3. Please be quiet and respectful during worship services.
  4. After class, children should go to the lounge, find their parents, and then enjoy a snack and conversation with other members of the community. Preschoolers may have a snack in their classroom.
  5. Please enter and leave all worship services quietly.

How the Youth Programs are Designed

Our spiritual education programs for children, teens, and young adults have been initially constructed by our Life and Spirit facilitators and will be co-evolved by the creation of a Spiritual Education Committee for each grouping. These committees will be composed of parents and others interested in children’s spiritual education issues.

Our program is intended to provide a rich spiritual experience for children while still having excellent spiritual education content and to be a place for children to "do" spirituality rather than have religion "happen" while they are listening and sitting. All programs are designed to be exciting and interactive. Programs will include rituals, stories, songs, movement, drama activities and games.

Some of the basic spiritual tasks for particular age groups in our children’s education program are as follows:

For 5, 6 and 7 year olds: Explore our community, including its rituals, and celebrations as well as people and buildings. Begin spiritual education for this age group.

For 8 and 9 year olds: explore the essential religious questions such as, what happens when we die? How did the world begin? Who are our spiritual role models? How did each of us begin? And how can we learn to make good decisions?

For 10, 11 and 12 year olds: The learning of stories from mankind’s spiritual heritage that help them to shape their own faith and inspire and lead them to live and share their faith. Their spiritual education continues at regular spiritual education sessions and social events for the community such as pot lucks, game nights, parties, and open house events.

Click here to see the Inspirational books we recommend for Young Children, Pre-Teens and their Parents, but check the recommended age for each book to get the most appropriate age group material.

Click here to see the Inspirational books we recommend for 'Tweens', Teenagers and their Parents, but check the recommended age for each book to get the most appropriate age group material.

The books displayed in the links above are approved for use in our children’s education classes.

Are you interested in helping as a volunteer to co-create our spiritual education programs for children teens and young adults? Please send us an e-mail at manage@universespirit.org and include "Youth" in the subject line. Let us know you want to be a spiritual education volunteer co-creator or moderator. Include any relevant credentials or experience you have relating to this subject and, estimate how much time you have available on a monthly basis to assist the collaboration.

 

Jordan ULTRA.FLY