What does it mean to be human
  • Did you receive yours from a parent, school, in a faith community, the media or the internet?
  • What are the explicit messages you internalized about intercourse, gender, your body, birth, families, and sexual orientation?
  • What are the implicit messages and the null when we say nothing or never see anything different than what is considered "normal"?
 
Sexuality is an essential part of being human that begins with our first breath and ends with our last—and it is "something to talk about." Many don't, because we have been taught that it is not an acceptable topic of conversation and it can make us feel embarrassed or vulnerable.

We need to make sure that people, especially young people, have access to accurate information, and that we promote responsibility, respect, and inclusive attitudes towards everyone regardless of their sexual orientation or gender. UUCMC offers age-appropriate lifespan Our Whole Lives (OWL) Sexuality Education based on the idea that sexuality is a normal part of human development.

We all received some form of sexuality education growing up. Let's change the narrative for future generations: where and from whom should they receive those messages during the formative years when we develop our self-esteem and values?

JOIN US THIS SUNDAY!
October 13, 2019

                 Exploring Sexuality Values Our Whole Lives                     
Melanie Davis, PhD

This year marks the 20th anniversary of Our Whole Lives (OWL) Sexuality Education, a lifespan curricula co-published by the Unitarian Universalist Association and the United Church of Christ. Now used in secular and faith settings across the US and internationally, OWL is considered the Gold Standard for comprehensive sexuality education. Dr. Melanie Davis, the UUA’s OWL Program Manager, will provide an OWL overview and will introduce us to the values and their connection to our faith.

Music by UU Singers, Dr. Melanie Davis, and Louise Chernosky.

Dr. Melanie Davis is the author of OWL for Older Adults, which will be released next month, and Sexuality and Our Faith, a Companion to OWL for Grades 7-9, 2nd edition. For 15 years, Dr. Davis has been a lay speaker for UU congregations around the US. She is a member of the UU Trauma Response Ministry and the UU Congregation of Somerset Hills. Dr. Davis has a private sexuality counseling and education practice for teens and adults.

The Share the Plate recipient for October is:  Planned Parenthood of Northern, Central and Southern NJ.