Durham Unitarian Universalist Fellowship
Religious Exploration
Mission Statement

We believe that children have a spiritual dimension to their lives. Our programs are designed to encourage and nurture the unfolding of this spiritual life in a manner consistent with a liberal religious outlook.


Youth Version of our Seven Unitarian Universalist Principles

  • that each and every person is important
  • that all people should be treated fairly
  • that our churches are places where all people are accepted and where we keep on learning together
  • that each person must be free to search for what is true and right in life
  • that all shoul dhave a vote about the things that concern them
  • in working for a peaceful, fair, and free world
  • in caring for our planet earth

~ from Beginning Unitarian Universalism
by Helena Chapin and Mary Anne Moore

General Information

The Durham UU Fellowship places a high priority on offering a quality program of religious exploration. We believe that the vitality of our Fellowship depends on offering a program that nurtures, challenges, and supports its youth along their own spiritual path.

Our youth program, known as the "Upstairs Fellowship," includes groups of all ages. The young people usually begin their Sunday morning at 10 a.m. in the adult service and leave for their own programs following a "Moments for Young People," and continue until 11:15 a.m. We also provide nurturing child care for infants and toddlers.

In addition to our regularly scheduled programs, there are also opportunities for our young people to interact with the broader Unitarian Universalist community. The New Hampshire/Vermont District schedules both Junior Youth and Senior Youth conferences ("Cons") throughout the year. Young people may also work at a soup kitchen or participate in other social action projects. Older youth may participate in a Coming of Age program. There are also continental conventions and the annual General Assembly (nationwide conference of all congregations associated with the UUA) which welcome young people.

Youth Groups

The youth groups and the curricula they are using in 2007-2008 are shown below.

Primary Group
Curriculum: Super Heroes. Bible People
This curriculum introduces children to biblical stories, shows how the lives of people in the bible confirm our Unitarian Universalist principles, and encourages children to use their own positive "super powers" to grow both spiritually and ethically.

Intermediate Group
Curriculum: Compass Points
This curriculum provides opportunities for youth to explore themselves, their beliefs, their UU faith, their relationships with others and the world.

Senior Group
Activities: Members of this group participate in the regular Sunday morning service, gather with each other to share and support, and participate in other activities. One ongoing activity is creating a program about what it means to be a Unitarian Universalist teen, which they will present as a Sunday morning service.

Child Care is Provided for Infants and Toddlers
Letter from the DRE

The Durham Unitarian Universalist Fellowship has a long tradition of providing meaningful and rewarding experiences for children and youth. Situated as we are in a redesigned residential home, the Fellowship provides unique meeting spaces for our young people. We have over 20 participants, ranging from toddlers to Senior high youth, in our program. Some have been associated with the Fellowship all their lives; others are new this year. All are welcome. We strive to provide balanced programming, recognizing the importance of sharing and social interaction as well as activities that help our children and youth understand and grow in our faith. Recognizing the importance of strong ties among all who enter our doors, we provide opportunities for our young people to participate in all-ages activities, at the beginning of each Sunday morning service as well as periodic intergenerational services and other activities. If you have questions or would like to know more about our programs for children and youth, please do not hesitate to contact me.

In faith,
Thomas
Thomas Pistole
Director of Religious Exploration
About the DRE
I have been associated with the Religious Exploration program at the Fellowship for 15 years. I began coordinating the program in 1990 and, following a two-year absence, returned last year. I have completed all nine of the currently available Renaissance modules, which 15-hour programs for in-depth training and experience in religious education, and currently serve as a trainer for three of them. I was on the staff of Star Island Religious Education Week for eight years, including two years as Children's Dean and one year as Conference Dean. I have served on the staff of Ferry Beach Religious Education Week for four years, including one year as Conference Coordinator. I have been a member of the Liberal Religious Educators Association for over ten years, serving on the board of the North Atlantic Chapter and, currently, on the Nominating Committee of continental LREDA. I was a Board member of the Unitarian Sunday School Society for five years. I served on the Board of Directors of the New Hampshire/Vermont District of Unitarian Universalist Societies for six years: four as vice president and two as president. I am a Credentialed Religious Educator, one of about 40 nationwide, in our faith, and serve as mentor to two individuals who are currently in the credentialing program. I have been on the faculty at the University of New Hampshire for 36 years. I have been privileged to be involved with so many wonderful colleagues during this time and continue to be excited about the wonderful work being done in religious education/exploration.