This year we are presenting the sexuality program called, “Our Whole Lives”, or O.W.L.  Recognizing there are members of our congregation who do not have children and therefore do not know much about the details, I thought it would be nice to share this information so people can talk proudly with others outside of our church about the wonderful things we are doing.

The result of a 7 year collaborative effort by the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) and The United Church Of Christ (UCC). The O.W.L. program is based on the philosophy of comprehensive sexuality education, which helps to lay the foundation for positive sexual health and understanding.  Grounded in a holistic view of sexuality, O.W.L. provides not only facts, but also helps participants clarify their values, build skills, and understand the spiritual, emotional, social, and political aspects of sexuality.

The program operates under the idea that well informed youth make better, healthier decisions about sexuality than those without complete information.  O.W.L. strives to be unbiased and teach about heterosexual, bisexual, homosexual and transgender sexual health.  In addition to information on sex, O.W.L. is intended to help the youth to be emotionally healthy and responsible in terms of their sexuality.

Led by a male/female leadership team, O.W.L. uses a variety of media and interactions within a confidential group setting to respond to the expressed concerns of the participants, or as the leaders like to put it, “what goes on in O.W.L, stays in O.W.L”.

This year the lucky students are the 5^th and 6^th graders.  We are very fortunate to have had the resources over the years to train so many members of our church to be certified facilitators of this worthwhile program.  Certification is required for every level.  This year we have Scott and Kim Brix with back up provided by Pat Kerin and Shelly Nicholson.  I am very proud to be a member and a Director of a congregation that offers such a worthwhile program, and I am grateful for the people who give so much of their time to ensure the program’s success.