Program Update (as of August 1, 2022): We hope to resume offering Our Whole Lives for children and youth during the 2022-23 program year (September 2022-May 2023). For up-to-date information about the Our Whole Lives program at Eliot Chapel, including the anticipated program offerings for different ages, please contact Scott Stewart at scott@eliotchapel.org.
About the Our Whole Lives program
Our Whole Lives (OWL) is a lifespan, comprehensive sexuality education program, created jointly by the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) and the United Church of Christ. Our Whole Lives helps individuals make informed and responsible decisions about their sexual health and behavior and equips participants with accurate, age-appropriate information in six subject areas:
- Human development
- Relationships
- Personal skills
- Sexual behavior
- Sexual health
- Society and culture
Grounded in a holistic view of sexuality, Our Whole Lives not only provides facts about anatomy and human development, but also helps participants clarify their values, build interpersonal skills, and understand the spiritual, emotional, and social aspects of sexuality.
The Our Whole Lives values are:
- Self Worth
- Sexual Health
- Responsibility
- Justice and Inclusivity
Eliot Unitarian Chapel has traditionally offered the Our Whole Lives program to children & youth in different grade levels on a rotating basis, including these age groups:
- Kindergarten & 1st grade
- 4th, 5th, & 6th grade (some combination of these age groups)
- Junior High (some combination of 7th, 8th, and 9th grades)
As of August 1, 2022: It's our hope to resume offering Our Whole Lives for children in 5th & 6th grade during the Fall of 2022. For the most up-to-date information about the Our Whole Lives program, please contact Scott Stewart at scott@eliotchapel.org.
Participation Note: Due to the nature and content of the Our Whole Lives program, participation is limited to children and youth actively participating in the Religious Education program at Eliot Chapel. Parents/caregivers of participating children and youth are expected to be members or friends of the chapel and actively participating in the congregation.
Resources for when Our Whole Lives is on hold
The Unitarian Universalist Association and United Church of Christ have assembled a collection of print and online resources for Our Whole Lives (OWL) participants of all ages (children, youth, and adults) which reflect the values of the OWL program, including resources designed to support parents in their roles as primary sexuality educators for their children and youth.
The current list of Our Whole Lives resources for children, youth, and adults can be found online, as well as more specific at-home resource lists for Kindergarten-6th grade AND 7th grade-adult.
Check out When You Can’t Do OWL-Do This (updated in November 2021), which includes possible Our Whole Lives conversations and activities to have by age group. Many of these resources and activities can be explored at home.
NEW RESOURCE for Parents of Young Children: Under Your Wing Video Series
The Unitarian Universalist Association and United Church of Christ recently released the new Under Your Wing video series for parents of young children (primarily ages 5-7). This video series includes eight (8) short videos by the curricula authors, who are also parents and professional sexuality educators. These videos are designed to support parents as their children's primary sexuality educators.
Topics include bodies, gender, families, babies, consent, and more. Videos include possible dialogue starters, teachable moments, and highlight up-to-date book recommendations on these topics. All videos in Under Your Wing can be accessed free-of-charge. Parents and caregivers are also encouraged to explore the new K-1 Our Whole LIves Resource List, which includes both print and media resources.
