Rock Spring Congregational United Church of Christ (UCC)

What is Our Whole Lives (OWL)?

OWL is a series of comprehensive sexuality education curriculum for Grades K-1, 4-6, 7-9 and 10-12. The curriculum is designed to provide age-appropriate information to participants and includes topics such as: human development, sexual health, sexual behavior, relationships, personal skills, and society and sexuality. The OWL program helps participants to clarify their values in regards to sexuality, create interpersonal relationships, and understand the various social and emotional aspects of sexuality.

For information on our current offerings, click here.

To contact the OWL Team and Leaders, please email them at owl@rockspringucc.org.

What is Sexuality and Our Faith?

Sexuality and Our Faith is the faith-based component of the OWL program. The OWL program is designed so that, if used alone, it would be appropriate in a secular, community setting. When used in conjunction with the Sexuality and Our Faith books, the curriculum is infused with spirituality. The Sexuality and Our Faith books help participants understand the connection between sexuality and religion or spirituality. They also help participants to use their religious values to determine their values in regards to sexuality and to understand the spiritual aspects of sexuality.

For more information about OWL,
click here (UCC information) or here (UUA information).

How is OWL / Sexuality and Our Faith different?

• Our Whole Lives / Sexuality and Our Faith provides programs for four age levels from K-1 to high school, rather than for one age level only.
• Our Whole Lives / Sexuality and Our Faith explicitly integrates teachings, values and principles of the United Church of Christ
• The program is designed for parent involvement and requires parental consent for children’s participation. All materials are available for review by parents and some are designed for a parent as teacher.
• The program meets the guidelines for comprehensive sexuality education of the Sexuality Information and Education Council of the United States [SIECUS].
• Through the Sexuality and Our Faith volumes and The Advocacy Manual for Sexuality Education, Health, and Justice, the program provides resources for comprehensive sexuality education advocacy in your congregation and community.

For information on comprehensive sexuality education, follow these links:

• Advocates for Youth
• Sexuality Information and Education Council of the United States [SIECUS]

How is OWL / Sexuality and Our Faith religious?

Our Whole Live / Sexuality and Our Faith is based on values and affirmations that are central to our faith concerning human sexuality and sexuality education. The program seeks to nurture religious community, spiritual depth, prophetic vision and action for justice. It helps participants clarify their own religious values and gain the skills and knowledge they need to live out those values. It promotes the worth and dignity of every participant and is both grounded in and intentionally expressive of our faith and faith tradition. Worship, prayer, scripture reading and Bible study are integral parts of the Sexuality and Our Faith materials.

Note: This information is taken from page 9 of the information packet “Introducing Our Whole Lives: Sexuality and Our Faith Human Sexuality Education Programs for Children and Youth,” from The United Church Board for Homeland Ministries and the Unitarian Universalist Association.

Contacting OWL at Rock Spring

If you have questions about the OWL program, would like more information, or are interested in volunteering to help out with the OWL program, please email owl@rockspringucc.org.

For more information about OWL Grades 5-7, please email owlgrades567@rockspringucc.org.

For additional information about OWL Grades 10-12, please email highschoolowl@rockspringucc.org.

*Updated on March 9th, 2010.