We need not think alike to love alike. ~ Ferenc Dávid

Sundays 9:45 am – 12:00 pm

Mission Statement

To lead our children on a lifelong journey of learning, faith development and social action in the free church tradition.

At Hope Church, our religious education program helps children and youth grasp the relationship between unity and diversity. How can each one of us follow an individual religious journey, while uniting as one loving community? The success of our Children’s and Youth programs is the result of a committee of dedicated people who provide a safe, nurturing environment where children are free to search for their own truths, protected by a loving church community.

Religious education takes a lifetime. It happens both within and beyond a congregation’s walls. We support one another as individuals, families, and communities in an ongoing search for truth and meaning. We strive to guide one another–all ages among us–in religious questioning, personal change, and discovering ways to better live in faith.

“True communication is communion – the realization of oneness, which is love.”

Eckhart Tolle, The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment

About Our Program

At Hope Unitarian Church, we offer a comprehensive religious education program mindful of the needs of infants, toddlers, tweens, and teens. Guided by a staff of dedicated volunteer teachers, our children and youth experience the wonder of belonging to a beloved community where it is safe to embark on a journey of spiritual exploration.

Our program focuses on Unitarian Universalist history, 7 Principles, 6 Sources, and interfaith education. The children and youth engage in age-appropriate curricula designed to inspire questions, deep thinking, and develop connectedness to the world around them.

If a child is to keep alive his inborn sense of wonder, he needs the companionship of at least one adult who can share it, rediscovering with him the joy, excitement, and mystery of the world we live in.

The great end in religious instruction is not to stamp our minds upon the young, but to stir up their own. ~ William E. Channing

Parents are always welcome to participate in Children’s Religious Education. Please join us when the spirit moves you!

Curricula

Taking advantage of specifically Unitarian Universalist curricula, Hope uses the Tapestry of Faith, the collection of religious education curricula the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) provides as the springboard for time together. Our Whole Lives is the UUA’s award-winning series of sexuality education curricula for six age groups: grades K-1, grades 4-6, grades 7-9, grades 10-12, young adults (ages 18-35), and adults.

Nursery and Toddlers

The infants, toddlers, and preschool children enjoy play, snacks, and group activities led by the Director of Religious Education Tennille Wilson, our childcare staff, and Hope volunteers.

Elementary Grades

The elementary age children have a focused activity, often a craft or group game, nature walks, playing, and having snacks.

Visitor’s Corner

We welcome visitors every Sunday. Faith is a journey we take together and religious education takes a lifetime.

We support one another as individuals, families, and communities in an ongoing search for truth and meaning. Religious education happens both within and beyond a congregation’s walls.

We have multi-age classrooms in our program. The children’s program is located on the lower level of the building. The middle & high school ages meet in the RE library.

Child care for infants and toddlers is provided each week from 9:45 am – noon. Programming for Elementary through High School grades runs from 10 am to noon. During the summer our programming is loosely structured but no less engaging. Play is learning too!

Snacks are served each week. If your child has special dietary needs, please let us know. Weather permitting, children will enjoy fellowship on our playground.

Youth Fellowship is a time for youth in grades 6–12 to gather and share their stories with each other.  Youth are encouraged to bring friends to the group.

Our Youth meet in the Log Cabin on Sunday mornings, and participate in meaningful activities around Tulsa.