Sexuality Education Program

Our Whole Lives (OWL) is a comprehensive, age-appropriate sexuality education curriculum. It was researched and designed as a collaboration between Unitarian Universalists and the United Church of Christ. UU congregations across North America have a network of trained facilitators who assist congregations in implementing the program. Our church collaborates with Lower Mainland congregations in assisting members and parents in finding a program to meet individual needs. You do not need to be members of the church to participate. Contact Rev. Samaya Oakley  to learn more.

OWL programs are:

• K – Grade 1
• Grades 4-6
• Grades 7-9
• Grades 10-12
• Young Adult
• Adult (30-50)
• Older Adult (50+)

Other OWL approved sexuality education resources include the British Columbia based Options for Sexual Health website and their publication on “Becoming an Askable Adult”.

Our Parents Say

“The Our Whole Lives (OWL) program is exactly what our children need. The youngest is curious about the differences between boys and girls and the oldest is a young teenager with lots of questions about sexuality and relationships. OWL gives so much more than the sex education they get in school and we are very grateful it is offered at this church. Thank you!”

K – Grade 1 

Supports parents in educating children about birth, babies, bodies and families. Following a Parent Meeting and Parent/Child Orientation, the 8 sessions engage children with stories, songs and activities and include a weekly HomeLink – a homework project for parents and children to do together. Promotes dialogue between parent and child.

Grades 4-6

Ten-session program for learning about and discussing the physical and emotional changes of puberty. Participants will read It’s Perfectly Normal by Robie H. Harris, and examine topics such as values and sexuality, communication and decision making. Each session includes a  homework activity for parents and children to complete together.

Grades 7-9

A sexuality education program for youth that models and teaches caring, compassion, respect, and justice. A holistic program that moves beyond the intellect to address the attitudes, values, and feelings that youth have about themselves and the world. Unlike many other sexuality curricula currently available, this program is comprehensive and progressive. In an inclusive and developmentally appropriate manner, it addresses sensitive topics that are typically excluded. (New topics include body image, social media/internet, bullying/bystander responsibilities, and consent education.)

Grades 10-12

Using a comprehensive approach, this program helps senior-high youth gain the knowledge, life principles and skills they need to express their sexuality in life-enhancing ways.  Our program is run on a regional basis as two weekend-long “cons” – overnight events at different congregations in the area. There are different workshops offered at each event and a youth will attend three weekends to complete their program and “graduate”.

Adult OWL 

The course is designed for Adults 30-55 and will be held over three sessions of four hours each. Our Whole Lives focuses on sexuality in connection with many other concepts such as relationships, love, family, and spirituality. Sexuality, with all it involves, is most positive, most affirming, and most wonderful when it is understood and approached as a creative and connective life force, rather than as a series of thoughts and actions isolated from other parts of human activity.

Older Adults

Older Adults recognizes and affirms we are sexual beings our entire lives. Those 55+ often have the wonderful advantage of having more time to be conscious of the many expressions of sexuality and the wisdom of lived experience. This course explores concepts including our lived experience of gender identification, the experiences of ageism, and the challenges of communication in relationships.