OWL (Our Whole Lives) Program

By Elizabeth Foster, January 25, 2024

I am very excited to report that our OWL program has officially taken flight! Our Whole Lives, as you’ve probably heard me say many times throughout my internship, is, as the UUA puts it, “sexuality education that fosters informed, responsible, and values-based decisions about sexual health and behavior.” Unitarian Universalists have been at the forefront of sex education for a very long time, and in our current cultural climate, offering this curriculum is more important than ever. On a personal note, although I have set up OWL programs at two other UU congregations, this is the first time I get to teach, and I’m thrilled to be having that experience. This past Friday, we held the parent orientation for Canton and Stoughton’s joint OWL class, and on Sunday, our eight youth arrived for our first mini-retreat. During our time together, we got to know one another, participated in a high-energy “values auction” to clarify things that are important to us, and analyzed lyrics in popular music from 1929 to the present.

Our current OWL class will be running at First Parish on Sunday afternoons throughout the spring. Our hope is that at least one congregation in the Five Points Cluster will be able to offer 7th-9th Grade OWL every year; Sharon has already agreed to host next year’s program, and we hope that Canton and Stoughton can partner to do so again the following year. Because some of our families are coming from farther away, we will also be setting up a parent/guardian lounge space in one of our RE classrooms while the program is in session. If you have any brilliant ideas for items to make this space cozier and more welcoming, your donations are very welcome; just let us know! I’m so glad our community is taking on this important (and fun!) work.