Unitarian Universalist Congregation of York
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LGBTQ Friendly Church - Unitarian Universalist Church of York

OWL: ​Our Whole Lives, Lifespan Sexuality Education​

OWL sexuality education programs change lives.


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Honest, accurate information about sexuality changes lives. It dismantles stereotypes and assumptions, builds self-acceptance and self-esteem, fosters healthy relationships, improves decision making, and has the potential to save lives. For these reasons and more, we are proud to offer Our Whole Lives (OWL), a comprehensive, lifespan sexuality education curricula for use in both secular settings and faith communities.

OWL helps participants make informed and responsible decisions about their relationships, sexual health and behavior.  OWL provides accurate, developmentally appropriate information about topics including relationships, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, and sexual health.

If you have any questions about OWL, please reach out to us at [email protected].
OWL firmly believes that the primary sexuality educator for each child is their parent.
How to be an "askable" parent.
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8/9th Grade OWL Meetings will be held in the small Youth Group room, upstairs in the Carriage House.

Our Whole Lives Values:

While Our Whole Lives is secular, it is not value-free. The program gives clear messages about the following key sexuality issues: self worth, sexual health, responsibility, justice and inclusivity

​Our Whole Lives recognizes and respects the diversity of participants with respect to biological sex, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, and disability status in addition to cultural and racial background. The activities and language used throughout the program have been carefully chosen to be as inclusive as possible of this human diversity.
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Our Whole Lives covers topics and skills that both parents and children want covered but which schools often exclude or address only briefly. National surveys show that most parents, along with educators and children and youth, want to expand sexuality education. Our Whole Lives is an excellent way to accomplish that goal.
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​Our Whole Lives is used in faith communities across the country, as well as by public, charter, and private schools; after-school programs; youth groups; home schoolers; colleges; correctional facilities; and groups in other settings. UUCY offers OWL as a secular program.

The UUA does an amazing job explaining OWL.  To learn more about the program, click here.
Our Whole Lives is informed by the Guidelines for Comprehensive Sexuality Education produced by the National Guidelines Task Force, a group of leading health, education, and sexuality professionals assembled by the US Sexuality Information and Education Council.  In every category of assessment, the curriculum meets or exceeds the National Standards for Sexuality Education Core Curriculum.  Contact [email protected]
​for more information.
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Here are some resources for you and your child:

Pre-K:
The Family Book by Todd Parr

Kindergarten and First Grade:
The Science of Babies by Deborah Roffman MS
Neither by Airlie Anderson
The Bare Naked Book by Kathy Stinson
A Family Is a Family Is a Family by Sara O'Leary
Nine Months: Before a Baby is Born ​by Miranda Paul
More Than Fluff  by Madeline Valentine
It's Not the Stork by Robie H. Harris and Michael Emberly
What Makes a Baby by Cory Silverberg and Fiona Smyth
Red: A Crayon's Story by Michael Hall
Born from the Heart by Bertha Serrano and Alfonso Serrano

Fertile Love: The Magical Story of How YOU were Made by Debra Doubrava
Fourth through Sixth Grade:
It's Perfectly Normal (2021 Edition) by Robie H. Harris and Michael Emberly (provided to OWL students) 
The Boy's Body Book 
by Kelli Dunham, RN BSN
The Girl's Body Book by Kelli Dunham, RN BSN

Seventh Grade through Adulthood:
At Home Sex Ed Resources


Eighth to Nineth Grade:
S.E.X by Heather Corinna

K/1st Grade Owl
​
Enrollment

This OWL is for kindergarten and first graders or children ages 5-7.  Our next session will be offered Fall of 2025 and typically runs early October thru mid December!

Feel free to ask any questions and let us know your interest for K-1 by e
mailing [email protected].

The fees for this class  are $25 for members and $50 for non-members.


Scholarships are available to make OWL accessible to everyone.  For information on scholarships, email [email protected].

​Schedule

Kindergarten and first grade OWL meetings take place on Sunday mornings (after service) from 11:15-12:15 in the Parker Room.
9/28/25 - Our Wonderful Bodies
10/5/25 - Bodies and Gender
10/19/25 - Body Boundaries
11/2/25 - Families
11/9/25 - How Babies Begin
11/16/25 - Pregnancy and Birth
11/23/25 - Babies
12/7/25 - Celebrations!

4th/5th Grade Owl

This is a 10-week program that will be available February of 2026.  Email [email protected] to pre-register.
​
Join us for our mandatory Caregiver/Child Orientation on Sunday, December 14 from 11:15 AM to 12:15 PM to learn more about what OWL at UUCY has to offer! Please note: This is a parent-only, no kids orientation.
​

The fees for this class  are $25 for members and $50 for non-members.

Scholarships are available to make OWL accessible to everyone.  For information on scholarships, email [email protected].

Schedule

​Fourth and fifth grade OWL meetings take place on Sunday mornings (after service) from 11:15 AM - 12:30 PM.
2/1/26 - Sexuality and Values
2/8/26 - Images in Popular Culture
2/15/26 - Body Image
2/22/26
 - Changes of Puberty
3/8/26 - Gender
3/15/26 - Feelings and Attractions
3/22/26 - Reproduction and Health
3/29/26 - Decisions and Actions
 4/12/26 - Consent & Peer Pressure
4/19/26 - Healthy Relationships

8th/9th Grade Owl

This is a 25-week program that will run Fall of 2025 through Spring of 2026.  Email [email protected] for information on the next session.

The fees for this class are $50 for members and $100 for non-members. Scholarships are available to make OWL accessible to everyone.  For information on scholarships, email [email protected].


​​Schedule

Eighth and ninth grade OWL meetings take place on Sunday mornings (during service) from 10:00 - 11:30 AM. 
9/28/25 - What Is Sexuality?
10/5/25 - Examining Values
10/19/25 - The Language of Sexuality
10/26/25 - Anatomy and Physiology
11/2/25 - Concerns about Puberty
11/9/25 - Body Image
11/16/25 - Gender Identity
12/7/25 - Gender Expression/Roles
12/14/25 - Sexual Orientation
1/4/26 - Guest Panel
1/11/26 (10:30 AM - 12 PM) - Sexuality and Disability
1/25/26 - Healthy Relationships
2/1/26 - Relationship Skills
2/8/26 - Social Media & Internet
2/15/26 - Bullying and Bystanders
2/22/26 (10:30 AM - 12 PM) - Redefining Abstinence
3/8/26 - Lovemaking

3/15/26 - Consent Education
3/22/26 (10:30 AM - 12 PM) ​- STI's
3/29/26 - Pregnancy & Parenting
4/12/26 - Unintended Pregnancy
4/19/26 - Contraception/Safer Sex
4/26/26 - Sexual Decision Making
5/3/26 - Sexual Communication
5/17/26 - Celebration, and Closure


​11th/12th Grade Owl

We have not been able to offer this program yet, as this curriculum is currently in redevelopment.  We will have a new curriculum once UUA approves it.  

Email [email protected] for information on the next session.

Adult Owl

Adult Our Whole Lives (OWL) models and fosters caring, compassion, respect, and justice. It balances knowledge-building with exploration of attitudes, values and feelings about one's own and others' sexuality.

This is an age 18+ program meeting once a month on a Saturday. Each workshop has a set topic. The facilitators are all trained in the three levels of adult OWL - young adult, adult and older adult - and draw from the curricula to create a space appropriate for all adults.

Workshops are from 10 AM - 12 PM in the Carriage House Parlor.

Stay Tuned for Future Offerings!

Come to one or all the sessions! RSVP via sign up genius appreciated but not required.

​A $10 donation for the workshop is suggested - can be made at the workshop.

For any questions about Adult OWL, please email [email protected].
Facilitators:
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Gal Witmer, K-6 Grade OWL
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Bob Kruger, K-12 Grade OWL
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​Dianne Creagh, K-12 Grade OWL
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Helen Paglio, Adult OWL
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Kimberley Parsley, Adult OWL
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Don Emig, K-6 OWL
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​Mickey Horne, 7-12 Grade OWL
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Liz Gurnee, Adult OWL
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Eric Zeltmann, K-6 and Adult OWL
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Jake Miller, 7-12 OWL
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​Janelle Mancuso, 7-12 and Adult OWL
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Joanne Walcerz, 7-12 and Adult OWL
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Karen McCraw, 7-12 Grade OWL
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Claire Gilbert, K-6 Grade OWL
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Zak Davies, 7-12 Grade OWL


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Meda Higa, K-6 Grade OWL
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Liz Wolfe, K-6 Grade OWL
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Greg Dwyer. Adult OWL

Connect with us on Social Media

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Unitarian Univeralist Church of York Facebook
Unitarian Universalist Church of York PA Instagram
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Unitarian Universalist Congregation of York

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925 South George Street
York, PA 17403
​​​
​717-845-8212
[email protected]
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  • Join Us
    • First Time Visitors
    • Plan Your Visit
    • What Makes Us Different
    • Become a Member
  • About Us
    • Our Beliefs >
      • The Seven UU Principles
    • Covenant, Mission & Vision
    • Our Minister >
      • Our Staff
    • The Lighthouse >
      • Beacon Newsletter
    • More About Us >
      • Governance
      • Committees
      • Affinity Groups
      • Our Labyrinth
      • History of UUCY
      • Photo Gallery
  • Worship & Events
    • Upcoming Services >
      • Matters of the Heart
    • Past Services
    • Events >
      • Community Events
      • Rent This Space
    • Music
    • Volunteerism at UUCY
  • Religious Education
    • Faith Development
    • Our Whole Lives
  • Social Justice
    • Overview
    • LGBTQIA+ Welcoming Congregation
    • Share The Plate
    • Community Collection Projects
  • Giving
    • General Donation
    • Make a Pledge >
      • UUA Fair Share Contribution Guide
    • Giant and Weis Gift Cards
    • Auction
    • Endowment