At Second Unitarian, we foster the spiritual growth of our children and youth by engaging them in meaningful religious education lessons, and by inviting them to join the congregation in worship. We encourage children and youth to approach their spiritual learning with awe and wonder; to consider their beliefs and values with curiosity and reflection; and to connect with the people, creatures, and environment around them with empathy and care.
We invite you to join our Faith Development community! If you are interested in registering your child(ren) for Religious Education (RE) classes, teaching RE, providing childcare during services, or coordinating events, please contact Brittany Morse, Director of Faith Development, at dfd@secondunitarian.org.
Religious Education Curricula
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The Spirit Play classroom uses values-based stories, open-ended "wondering" prompts, and Montessori-style exploration to create an environment in which children grapple with big and little questions while having fun. In a typical Spirit Play lesson, participants listen to a story told with physical props; discuss their thoughts and questions; engage in art, play, or physical activity; and close with snacks and formal farewells.
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The Soul Matters curriculum uses stories, games, discussion, movement, and artistic exploration to guide participants to think deeply about a particular concept each month. Each concept connects to our Unitarian Universalist JETPIG + L values: justice, equity, transformation, pluralism, interdependence, and generosity, with love at the center.
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Our Whole Lives (OWL) is a comprehensive lifespan sexuality education curriculum for use in both secular settings and faith communities. OWL helps participants make informed and responsible decisions about their relationships, sexual health, and behavior. Our Whole Lives provides accurate, developmentally appropriate information about a range of topics including relationships, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, sexual health, and cultural influences on sexuality.
Director of Religious Education
Brittany Morse
Brittany Morse grew up in Newton, Massachusetts, where a large Unitarian Universalist congregation helped raise her. Brittany is an experienced elementary educator, school leader, and graduate school professor. She holds a B.A. in Psychology from Wesleyan University and an M. Ed. in Elementary Education from Boston College.
Brittany lives in Evanston with her husband, Nick (who grew up in Evanston), and two children, Nolan and Sienna. Brittany loves watching children learn, play, and explore – spiritually, socially, and academically. In her down time, Brittany enjoys running, swimming, cats, and spending time outdoors with family and friends.