Our Statement of Purpose and Belonging
In Spiritual Growth and Development (SGD), we create fun, radically welcoming gathering spaces for children and youth that nurture our innate spirituality and encourage an openhearted search for truth and meaning. We gather as adults, children, and youth to learn from one another, build community, and explore life’s big questions using UU values, principles, and sources as a framework.
SGD Program Aspirations
- Kids and Youth will engage in skills building, including gardening, cooking, first aid, and other hands-on projects
- Kids and Youth will learn the values, principles, and sources of Unitarian Universalism
- Kids and Youth will have the opportunity to move, play, create, and learn every Sunday
- Kids and Youth will learn about the Vision Priority Areas (Climate Action | Climate Justice; Anti-Racism | Anti-Oppression; Radical Welcome)
- Kids and Youth will have leadership opportunities on Sunday mornings, in the Sanctuary and in our gathering spaces
- Kids and Youth will have the opportunity to engage in service and social justice projects at the UUAA and in the broader community
- Kids and Youth will have fun and build relationships with peers, youth, and adults in the congregation
Questions? Contact sgd@uuaa.org.
Overview of Program Year
Download the SGD Program Guide 2025/2026
Download the SGD Calendar for 2025-26
The regular SGD program runs from September through May; most gathering times end when the service ends; OWL and YRUU end at 1:00pm.
9:30am-10:30am:
Nursery and Preschool Care ONLY
11:30am-12:30pm:
- Nursery and Preschool Care
- K-5th grade: Spirit Spaces and/or Our Whole Lives Sexuality Education
- K/1st grade: Optional OWL (Winter)
- Once monthly, K-5th graders will attend All Ages Music & Music Chapels
- 6th/7th grade: D’oh, God! A Curriculum Based on a The Simpsons
- 8th grade: Our Whole Lives Sexuality Education (OWL)
- 9th-12th grade: Young Religious UUs (YRUU)
Grade Level Programs in More Detail
Nursery/Preschool
We strive to make the youngest attendees of the UUAA feel happy, loved and secure. Our paid nursery and preschool teachers are experienced, capable, and nurturing. A child’s spiritual development is related to the child’s own direct experiences. Children learn the worth of other people when they have contact with other children, experience conflicts in play, and discover that others have feelings too.
Kindergarten-5th Grade
Spirit Spaces! UU Values Toolbox: For K-5th graders, we will offer multi-age, kid-led, themed activities based on UU values and our UUAA Vision Priority Areas. Kids will have the opportunity to engage in cooperative, community-building games, activities, crafts, and service projects with vetted adult leaders. Kids will choose between three gathering spaces: Creative Spirits (maker space for arts and crafts, baking and cooking, writing and storytelling, etc.), Dancing Spirits (active space for movement games, yoga, dance, improv, etc.), or Gentle Spirits (quiet space for reading, journaling, music, guided discussions, meditation, etc.).
Winter 2026: K/1 Our Whole Lives (Optional Program) (8 sessions)
Our Whole Lives (O.W.L.) is a comprehensive lifespan sexuality curriculum that includes topics such as self-awareness, body awareness, values, language, anatomy, physiology, gender roles, gender equality, and relationship skills. In order to support learning and group trust levels, regular attendance is required. A parent/guardian orientation is also required.
6th/7th Grade
D’oh!, God!: A Curriculum Based on the Television Series The Simpsons: This program seeks to help middle schoolers to: consider social issues and the ways in which our faith can help us understand our values; understand ways in which the right of conscience calls us to do what’s right, even if there are possible negative consequences; examine how our choices affect others around us, as well as ourselves; explore how taking a stand is related to perspective and point of view.
8th Grade
Our Whole Lives (full year): Our Whole Lives (O.W.L.) is a comprehensive lifespan sexuality curriculum that includes topics such as self-awareness, body awareness, values, language, anatomy, physiology, gender roles, gender equality, and relationship skills. In order to support learning and group trust levels, regular attendance is required. A parent/guardian orientation is also required.
9th-12th Grade*
YRUU (Young Religious Unitarian Universalists): Participating in youth programming fosters spiritual depth, creates peaceful community, and encourages exploration of both individual and universal religious values. The purpose of YRUU is to offer a greater understanding of Unitarian Universalism and to encourage intergenerational communication. Youth and advisors work together to plan and carry out a wide variety of activities, overnights, discussions, community service, and social justice projects throughout the year.
*Coming of Age will NOT be offered as a separate program this year. All youth will have the option to pair with an adult mentor and create a credo.
Health and Safety Guidelines
Safety is an extremely important topic and is our first priority in the UUAA SGD Program.
Overview: The following UUAA building elements and SGD practices promote the safety of children and other congregants:
- All staff and volunteers working regularly with children and youth undergo a criminal and sex offender background check each year that they volunteer.
- At least two adults are required to be present during all children and youth programs and activities.
- All gatherings spaces are provided with hallway windows so that activities are viewable at all times.
- Our fire alarm system is directly connected to the Saline Fire Department.
- First aid kits are available in each gathering space and throughout the building.
- In the SGD wing, a telephone is available in the Nursery (Potter Room) on the Upper Level.
- The SGD wing is a nut-free zone.
Questions? Email sgd@uuaa.org
Get Involved
Each year, the Spiritual Growth & Development program is enriched by almost 100 volunteers!
This year, we are asking parents and guardians to commit to volunteering in the program. Our primary need is for adult leaders to serve in the elementary level gathering spaces. You can sign up NOW for any Sunday of the program year! There are two sign up genius forms available. Please sign up for a volunteer role on AT LEAST TWO Sundays in the 2025/2026 congregational year.
SGD K-7th Program Volunteer 2025/2026: Sign up here to volunteer with the K-7th grade cohorts on Sunday mornings. You can help with crafts, storytelling, movement, activities, games, outdoor play, and more!
SGD Sunday Potter Room Volunteer 2025/2026: Sign up here to serve as a volunteer in the Potter Room with the nursery and preschool children, during one or both services.
There are many other ways to offer your time, including greeting, helping families check in for programs, assisting with special events, and more!