A Place to Belong: How UU Communities Support Children & Youth | Tiny Pulpit Talks: 037
How do we nurture young people in the Unitarian Universalist faith while balancing the many demands of life? In this episode of Tiny Pulpit Talks, Reverend T.J. Fitzgerald (Minister of Community Care Engagement) sits down with Reverend Beth Dana (Minister of Faith Development) to explore what it means to raise children in Unitarian Universalism.
Rev. Beth shares her personal experience as both someone raised in the faith and a parent raising her own children within Unitarian Universalism. Together, they discuss the many ways our church community supports young people—from early childhood experiences in the nursery to engaging curricula for all ages, including beloved programs like OWL (Our Whole Lives), Odyssey, and YRUU (Young Religious Unitarian Universalists).
More than just education, they talk about how Unitarian Universalist communities uplift young voices, encourage leadership, and walk alongside children and youth on their spiritual journeys. Whether you’re a parent, teacher, or simply curious about what our church offers families with children, this episode if for you!
00:00 – Welcome to Tiny Pulpit Talks
01:32 – Why raise children in Unitarian Universalism?
02:32 – How UU communities support young people
03:27 – Preschool and early childhood learning
04:19 – Faith development starts in the nursery
04:59 – Growing with stories, questions, and values
05:29 – The role of teachers and mentors in UU education
07:11 – OWL (Our Whole Lives) – Comprehensive sexuality education
08:52 – Odyssey – The 9th-grade coming-of-age program
09:26 – YRUU – Youth leadership and community engagement
10:24 – Supporting youth participation without overwhelming them
12:32 – Final thoughts and how to get involved
12:53 – Subscribe and see you on Sunday!
Tiny Pulpit Talks is a podcast series from First Unitarian Church of Dallas that takes a behind-the-scenes look at ministry from a Unitarian Universalist perspective. This is a rare opportunity to see what goes into crafting meaningful and inspirational sermons, learn how worship comes together each Sunday, and explore the many facets of spiritual leadership. Subscribe to get updates about new episodes here on YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts.
