Our Whole Lives Comprehensive Relationship & Sexuality Education

We offer the Our Whole Lives (OWL) comprehensive relationship & sexuality education program to a wide range people within our congregation. Our Whole Lives helps participants 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 and society, and culture.

Our Whole Lives Offers…

  • Accurate information presented in developmentally appropriate ways;
  • Affective and emotional learning;
  • Guiding values and principles;
  • Activities that help participants clarify values and improve decision-making skills;
  • A safe and supportive peer group;
  • Acceptance of diversity;
  • A social justice approach to inclusive sexuality education;
  • Step-by-step instructions for program promotion, implementation, and facilitation;
  • Parent orientation that affirms parents as their children’s primary sexuality educators;
  • Facilitator training and continuing education to increase knowledge, skills, confidence;
  • Expert user support from OWL Program Associate (UUA) and OWL Program Coordinator (UCC);
  • Sexuality and Our Faith, an optional religious supplement for use in Unitarian Universalist and United Church of Christ settings.

Our Whole Lives Values…

While Our Whole Lives is secular, it is not value-free. The program gives clear messages about the following key sexuality issues:

  • Self-worth
  • Sexual health
  • Responsibility
  • Justice and inclusivity

Our Whole Lives recognizes and respects the diversity of participants with respect to biological sex, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, and disability status. The activities and language used throughout the program have been carefully chosen to be as inclusive as possible of this human diversity.

Kindergarten-1st Grade Our Whole Lives

In eight, one‐hour workshops, OWL models and teaches caring, compassion, respect, and justice. It helps young children identify their attitudes, values, and feelings about themselves, their sexuality, and others’ sexuality. Participants in Grades K‐1 are guided by trained facilitators through an engaging curriculum that addresses age appropriate topics. In addition to a parent meeting and a parent‐child orientation, parents are welcome to attend any or all of the workshops with their children. Homelinks keep parent‐child communication open.

5th-6th Grade Our Whole Lives

In eight one‐hour workshops, OWL models and teaches caring, compassion, respect, and justice. It helps children in Grades 5‐6 understand the physical and emotional changes of puberty. Participants explore values, communication and decision making, as well as physical health and development. The HomeLinks feature opens lines of communication between parents and children. This program is designed for groups comprised of Grades 5‐6, or with any one of these grades separately.

7th-9th Grade Our Whole Lives

OWL models and teaches caring, compassion, respect, and justice. It helps adolescents address their attitudes, values, and feelings about themselves, their sexuality, and others’ sexuality. Participants are guided by trained facilitators through an engaging curriculum that addresses topics most important to young adolescents, including those typically excluded from sexuality education and health classes. Each workshop is 90 minutes.

Workshop Titles Include:
What is Sexuality? – Examining Values – The Language of Sexuality – You, as a Sexual Being – Anatomy and Physiology – Personal Concerns About Puberty – Body Image – Gender Identity – Gender Expression, Roles & Stereotypes – Sexual Orientation – Guest Panel – Sexuality and Disability – Healthy Relationships – Relationship Skills – Sexuality, Social Media and the Internet – Bullying & Bystander Responsibilities – Responsible Sexual Behavior – Redefining Abstinence – Lovemaking – Consent Education – Sexually Transmitted Infections – Pregnancy, Parenting, & Teen Parenting – Unintended Pregnancy Options – Contraception and Safer Sex – Sexual Decision Making – Communicating with a Sexual Partner – Self Care, Celebration, & Closure

10th-12th Grade Our Whole Lives

OWL models and teaches caring, compassion, respect, and justice. It helps high school‐age youth address their attitudes and values, their feelings about themselves and their sexuality, and their attitudes toward others’ sexuality. Participants in grades 10‐12 are guided by trained facilitators through an engaging curriculum that addresses topics typically excluded from sexuality education and health classes. This highly adaptable program includes fourteen sessions that include 41 workshops ranging from 25‐60 minutes for flexible scheduling.

Workshop Titles Include:
Language – Examining Values – Body Image and Feelings – Anatomy & Physiology – Sexual Response Cycle and Sexual Functioning – Reproductive and Sexual Health Care – AIDS and Other STDs – Contraception Condoms and Negotiating for Safer Sex – Sexy Safe Fantasy – Gender Roles – Identity, Roles, and Orientation – Sexual Orientation – Conception, Pregnancy and Birth – Parenting License – Parenting Alternatives – Sexuality Timeline – Sexuality and People with Disabilities – Sexual Expressions and Relationships – Verbal and Non‐verbal Communication – What Makes a Good Relationship? – Questions of the Other Gender – Defining Intimacy – Masturbation Myths and Facts – Sexual Behavior – Images of Love and Sex in Music and Video – Power and Responsibility – Power in Relationships – Breaking UP and Moving On – Abortion – New Reproductive Choices – Sexual Exploitation, Sexual Harassment and Erotica – Date Rape – Between Consenting Adults – Gay Pride Parade – Gender Equity – Sexuality and Social Issues

Young Adult Our Whole Lives

OWL models and teaches caring, compassion, respect, and justice. It helps young adults address their attitudes, values, and feelings about themselves, their sexuality, and others’ sexuality. OWL addresses topics typically excluded from sexuality education and health classes, including sexual expression, identity, orientation, and life issues for young adults. Each of the fourteen workshops is two hours long, and designed to be modular – that is, each can stand on its own for maximum program flexibility.

Workshop Titles Include:
Young Adults & Sexuality – Mind and Body – Sexual Pleasure – Keeping Your Body Healthy – Exploring Gender – Sexual Orientation – Communication – Relationships, Love & Commitment – Boundaries & Boundary Violations – Family Matters – Sexual Fantasy & Variation – Advocacy & Education

Our Whole Lives for Adults

OWL models and teaches caring, compassion, respect, and justice. It helps adults address their attitudes, values, and feelings about themselves, their sexuality, and others’ sexuality. Participants are guided by trained facilitators through an engaging program that addresses topics many adults have not had the opportunity to discuss in depth. The fourteen two‐hour workshops are modular and may be used in any combination or singly.

Workshop Titles:
Introduction to OWL – Sexuality and Values – Sexuality and Communication – Sexuality and Spirituality – Discovering the Sexual Self – Experiencing the Sexual Other – Sexuality and Early Relationships – Sexuality and developing Relationships – Sexuality and Committed Relationships – Sexual Diversity – Sexuality and Family – Sexuality and Aging – Sexual Health – Closing Session

If you have questions about Our Whole Lives or would like to receive information about orientation sessions and enrollment, contact Director of Faith Development.