by Karen Richter
One of the great joys of getting back on the Shadow Rock campus this past spring was the prospect of returning to the Our Whole Lives classroom. Just in case you’re new to this program, OWL is a set of comprehensive sexuality education curricula for multiple age ranges, focused on a set of core values: self-worth, sexual health, responsibility, and justice & inclusivity. In my (admittedly highly biased) opinion, it’s one of the best gifts we have to offer our congregations and communities.
All through 2020, I stayed in touch with OWL through the fantastic webinars offered by the national setting of the UCC in partnership with the Unitarian Universalist Association. I read and I hoped… as trainings and programming shuttered across the country. Of course, there are lots of things right about our churches’ pivot to online community. I was grateful for the new formats offered by Zoom and YouTube and Facebook Live. Yet these technologies just aren’t made for youth sexuality education. In my own setting, I found that I didn’t have enough trained facilitators to make online OWL as safe as it needs to be. So, we waited.
Now it’s really exciting to share with my SWC family some Our Whole Lives opportunities. First, for junior high and senior high students in the Phoenix area, we have OWL beginning in August with parent meetings on the 15th and the 22nd. Some of you may have already heard from me with the schedule and program info. If you have interested families, please reach out via karen@shadowrockucc.org.
Second, we are planning a training event for new Our Whole Lives junior high and senior high facilitators in February 2022. This intense weekend training is a great formational experience that prepares new folks to organize, plan, and lead Our Whole Lives in church and community settings. My co-trainer is Molly McNamara, a fantastic local UU trainer. Even though it’s 100+ degrees today and February feels ages away, now is the time to be strategic and discerning in talking with leaders in your church about beginning to offer Our Whole Lives programming.
Sexuality is a gift from a loving Creator! Every human life reflects the image of God! These faith statements undergird every part of my work with Our Whole Lives. And I’m so thankful.
View the schedule here. (Parent orientation meetings and youth class sessions)
February facilitator training will be held at Shadow Rock Friday February 4 beginning (probably) right after lunch through Sunday February 6 ending around 3 pm.