Sexuality Education

First Parish in Concord has a long tradition of helping our youth face the challenges of adolescence, especially around issues of sexuality. Our congregation has offered the Our Whole Lives (OWL) curriculum to 8th graders every year since the program’s creation in 2000; in fact, using previous iterations of the curriculum (then called About Your Sexuality), we have been offering sexuality education in a religious context to our youth since 1971. We also offer Little OWL for 1st and 2nd graders and Middle OWL for 5th and 6th graders periodically.

Winter/ Spring 2025- 8th Grade OWL

All sessions held on Sundays, 10:00- 11:30 a.m. in the Greeley Room*.

Parent Orientation: Sunday, February 9, Noon – 1:30 p.m. in the Emerson Room.

3/2/25	Session 1:	What is Sexuality? Examining Values
3/9/25	Session 2:	Language of Sexuality, Anatomy & Physiology
3/16/25	Session 3:	Personal Concerns about Puberty
3/23/25	Session 4:	Gender Identity and Sexual Orientation
3/30/25	Session 5:	Guest Panel from Speak OUT
4/6/25	Session 6:	Healthy Relationships
4/27/25	Session 7:	Redefining Abstinence
5/4/25	Session 8:	Lovemaking, STIs, Pregnancy
5/11/25	Session 9:	Contraception and Safer Sex
TBD	Session 10:	Communication, Decision Making, and Self-Care

*Topics and dates subject to change.

Tim Peacock and Dawn Van Patten are teaching 8th grade OWL this year. The Orientation gives caregivers an opportunity to learn more about the curriculum. One parent/guardian must attend the orientation and all guardians for each teen must sign the OWL Commitment Form.

Winter/Spring 2025- Middle OWL for 5th & 6th graders

All sessions held on Sundays, 10:00- 11:30 a.m. in the Chapel.

Parent Orientation: Sunday, February 9, Noon- 1:30 p.m.

3/3/25	Session 1:	Sexuality and Values
3/10/25	Session 2:	Images in Popular Culture
3/16/25	Session 3:	Body Image
3/23/25	Session 4:	Changes of Puberty
3/30/25	Session 5:	Gender

4/6/25	Session 6:	Feelings and Attractions
4/27/25	Session 7:	Reproduction and Staying Healthy
5/4/25	Session 8:	Decisions and Actions
5/11/25	Session 9:	Consent and Peer Pressure
5/18/25	Session 10:	Healthy Relationships

Anderson Manuel and Heather Packard are teaching Middle OWL this year. The Orientation gives guardians an opportunity to learn more about the curriculum. One parent/guardian must attend the orientation and all guardians for each teen must sign the OWL Commitment Form.

Fall 2025- Little OWL for 1st & 2nd graders

All sessions held on Sundays, 10:00- 11:30 a.m. in the Chapel.

Parent Orientation: TBD

9/14/25	Session 1:	Our Wonderful Bodies
9/21/25	Session 2:	Healthy Bodies
9/28/25	Session 3:	Safe Bodies
10/5/25	Session 4:	Relationships
10/19/25	Session 5:	Feelings and Communication
10/26/25	Session 6:	Family
11/2/25	Session 7:	Birth of a Baby
11/9/25	Session 8:	Celebration