Our Pathfinders meet in Suite 131 behind the Lobby in the Connecting Lounge.

The “Rite of Passage” two-year curriculum provides baseline knowledge of world religions and universal spiritual practices empowering youth to discover their unique, personal spiritual path enabling them to start directing their own spiritual education.  This class provides leadership and service opportunities as well as a forum to discuss tween topics of interest in a supportive atmosphere.  Once youth complete this class, they will have learned skills and knowledge to actively participate in the self-directed teen gathering, the Dream Weavers, for 8th through 12th graders.

The curriculum focuses on a single world religion, such as Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Judaism, Buddhism, etc., for a quarter of the year.  During that time, students learn about the founding principles and beliefs of that faith, get to know the major human and/or divine figures of that tradition, and hear some of that religion’s most important stories. They also experience that religion’s unique approaches to some common spiritual techniques, including prayer, meditation, journaling, and art.  The goal is for each student to develop understanding, appreciation, and respect for each separate religion, as well as to notice the many ways they overlap or many traditions they have in common.  Finally, the students explore how each faith contributes to the development of their own unique and personalized spiritual mosaic.

Interspersed among the spiritual studies are lessons and hands-on opportunities to clarify their individual and community identities.  Youth practice leadership through a quarterly community service project, as well as other extracurricular activities, including visits to worship sites for each religion.  Games and activities help them to develop teamwork, communication skills, relationship skills, and other age-appropriate competencies.

As a culmination to the program, students create a final project based upon an area of interest and where they can showcase their gifts and talents.  Upon completion of this program, they graduate into the student-led Teen Group, the Dream Weavers, with the knowledge and skills to direct their own Sunday School program.