What is UU Religious Exploration for Children and Youth?
Religious Exploration for Children and Youth (RECY) is a dynamic, enjoyable, open-minded program for ages three to eighteen. Classes are offered every Sunday, and are based on established UU curricula celebrating the various aspects of the Unitarian Universalist experience.
Within the RECY program, young religious Explorers may engage in discussions about the origins of world religions, examine their value and judgment systems, delve into the lives of great UUs and other religious leaders, begin to build life-long principles and forge deeper friendships within Tapestry.
Our UU Principles for Kids
- Every person is important and valuable
- All people should be treated fairly
- Our church is a place where we accept one another and learn together
- Each person is free to search for what is true and right
- All people have the right to speak out and vote on things that matter to them
- We work for a peaceful, fair and free world
- We take care of the earth, the home we share with all living things
Also, see the regular (adult) UU principles.
The Six Sources
These ideas come from many places:
- the sense of wonder we all share
- women and men long ago and today — people whose lives remind us to be kind and fair
- the ethical and spiritual wisdom of the world’s religions
- Christian and Jewish teachings which tell us to love all others as we love ourselves
- the use of reason and the discoveries of science
- the harmony of nature and the sacred circle of life
Thankful for all of these ideas, we want to learn even more. We come to church where we freely share our thoughts and feelings and promise to trust and help one another.
2008 - 2009 Religious Exploration Classes
Nursery Play
Available to children aged 0 - 5 on Sunday mornings from 9:15 - 12:15 p.m. Please sign your child in and out of childcare, EACH time. Children ages 3 and up are strongly encouraged to attend the Preschool RE class, during the second service.
First Service, 9:30-10:45 a.m.
Explorers United (ages 6-18)
Mystery Box
Students open a "Mystery Box" each Sunday. What is inside the box is unknown to the teacher and students, alike, but together, they will search its contents. They will encounter language, culture, history, beliefs, and art hidden within and in their exploration discover what Unitarian Universalism is and who they are.
Second Service, 11:00 - 12:15 p.m.
Preschool and Kindergarten
(ages 3-6)
Story Time
This program is designed to help children separate from their parents in a safe, fun environment and to become familiar and comfortable at Tapestry. The sessions are based on current children's literature that helps young children focus on feelings, relationships, nature, and holidays. Story Time uses picture book stories and related art activities to illustrate themes such as honesty, love, trust, family, and respect for nature.
Grades 1st- 3rd (ages 6-9)
Stories About God
This program offers children a variety of experience with that which people call God. It exposes them to insights from all the world religions to foster the notion that God has many names. Stories About God helps children develop a language to express their thoughts and feelings about the divine in many forms, exploring understandings of God as a oneness, God as love and worth, and God as mystery.
Grades 4th- 6th (ages 10- 12)
Jesus and His
Kingdom of Equals
This program introduces youth to a historical Jesus based on contemporary biblical research from a UU perspective. It highlights the relationship between Jesus and the UU Principles; teachings of Jesus are an ancestral source of modern UUism. It explores Jesus' radical path to justice and love as a social activist. Teaching what we really do and do not know about Jesus provides a baseline for students to decide what interpretations are or are not worthy of consideration and inclusion within their own belief system.
Grades 7th-12th (ages 13-18)
Youth Group
Offers an opportunity to reflect and socialize in a safe open environment; to learn about Unitarian Universalism and begin to formulate personal faiths. It is here that they are able to share their beliefs and ideals in the making. Youth are encouraged to develop leadership skills; to participate in the larger world of Unitarian Universalist youth programs; to reflect on youth concerns and their own identity as a UU youth; to become involved in social action issues and to develop and lead a church worship service.
Email Katelynn Riva at
if you are interested in teaching or assisting in these classrooms.
Teachers, join a teaching team before the trimester and teach on a rotating schedule with their team.
Children’s and Youth Worship
As well as classes for particular age groups we also hold a special children’s worship service for children and youth on the first Sunday of each month. Worship sessions include music, plays, discussions and other interactive activities – all emphasizing one or more of the UU values and beliefs.
Stepping Into Action
The worship theme is continued with social action activities. They gives children an opportunity to put the values and beliefs they’re learning in worship and curriculum sessions, into action in the community. Social action activities include supporting local outreach centers, letter writing for social justice, protecting the environment, or distributing donations and comfort to those in need.
Having Fun
The CRE program offers additional social events throughout the year. These include sleepovers, camping, bowling, a carwash, a bake sale and parties. See below for further details and check our Calendar for upcoming events.
Nursery Care
Children below the age of five are welcome in the nursery during both the 9:30 and 11:00 services. The nursery is downstairs on the far left as you enter the building. Please feel free to sign in and visit the nursery.
Protection Policy
Read our child protection policy.
Ports of Call—Additional Explorer Activities and Programs
Camp De Benneville Pines
Located in the majestic San Bernadino Mountains, Camp de Benneville Pines offers weekend and weeklong camps kids of all ages throughout the year.
Child Dedication Ceremonies
If you are interested in dedicating your young children into Tapestry during a Sunday Worship Service, please contact Reverend John Millspaugh at for more information.
RECY Committee Meetings
Meeting once a month, the Director of Religious Exploration and committee members meet to plan and implement RECY events, support training sessions, and serve as a sounding board for staff decision-making. If you have concerns or comments about programming for Explorers, please contact the DRE at or a committee member. Visitors are always welcome at meetings; contact the DRE to confirm date and time.
RECY Table and Box
Be sure to visit the RECY table upstairs, above the Social Hall, for the latest news and information related to Tapestry's Explorers; flyers, forms, lesson plans, the RECY box and the Teaching Calendar are available at the table.
Family Fun Get-Together
Family Get-Togethers held at Tapestry, someone's house, the park, the beach or another fabulous location chosen by the host create opportunities, not only for Explorers, but for parents and friends, to build friendships beyond the RECY classroom.
Nursery: Hours 9:15-12:15
Located to the left as you enter the building, it is staffed and available for children ages 0- 5. In keeping with the 4:1 ratio policy, parents may be asked to help assist in the nursery from time to time. To ensure your child's safety please sign him or her in and out of the nursery.
Our Whole Lives (OWL)
OWL, human sexuality classes, are offered each year by Tapestry and/or neighboring congregations. Contact the DRE for more information.
Social Action and Outreach
Typically offered the last Sunday of the month, on a rotating schedule with Youth Worship, social action field trips provide Explorers with an opportunity to experience their values and beliefs in action in the community.
Special Events
Explorers celebrate with parties and worship. There will be various parties, including a Welcome Back, Halloween, New Year, and End of the Year Party as well as Intergenerational Services, a time when Explorers share worship with the congregation in the Sanctuary.
Teacher Training
Learn more about Explorer curriculum and how to meet the needs of your classroom in a supportive group environment. Check the calendar for training dates or contact the DRE at for more information.
Youth Group
A chance for Middle school and High school Explorers to spend time with their classmates outside of class; each group develops their own program, to fit their own group's personality and dynamic, with the help of an adult facilitator.
Youth Worship
Celebrated on the last Sunday of the month, alternating with Social Action, youth worship is an opportunity for Explorers to discover the different aspects of UU worship service; to navigate religious themes Explorers will use song, story, and experiential or creative activities.
YUURT (Young UU Rational Thinkers)
A group for those in grades 7-12. YUURT is a National UU Organization. YUURT Explorers get together twice a month with Orange Coast UU Church in Costa Mesa and the UU Fellowship of Laguna Beach for debate and fun outings.
Find out more
Visiting children are especially welcome to join in a class on any Sunday. Visiting parents are encouraged to become familiar with the classrooms, meet the teachers and attend classes with their children. If you'd like to find out more about our program please email Katelynn Riva, our Director of Religious Exploration at
