He, She, We and God

Faith and Sexuality Retreat for Fifth Graders and Their Parents - January 30 - 31, 2009

He, She, We and God is a sexuality program designed especially for tweens:  not young children anymore, and not yet teenagers - they are in be"tween."  Although most fifth graders are taught the "body parts" in school, we have a unique opportunity to relate the gift of sexuality to our Christian faith.  The weekend program is facilitated by Jenny Beaumont, a Christian Educator and teacher from Christ Church, Charlotte.  Lay leaders for this event are St. Paul's parishioners who are committed to making a connection with tweens and helping them see that our community is interested in them during these important years of growth and change.  This event is sponsored by the Christian Education Committee for Children and Youth and the Christian Education Department.

Faith and Human Sexuality
Some basic assumptions underlying our work together…

1. All creation is of God and therefore is good. Sexuality as part of creation is good.
2. Sexuality, as a factor of the whole person is expressed through:
   • the physical needs of growth, reproduction and fulfillment;
   • deep feelings of self-worth, intimacy, acceptance, commitment and caring love for another;
   • communications of who we are and what we hold as valuable in life
3. Sexual behavior is determined more by attitudes and feelings than by factual information. Emotional factors such as a need for intimacy, sense of self-worth, sex roles reassurance and even esthetic factors, as well as skills in inter-personal relationships and basic value commitments tend to be decisive in shaping sexual behavior.
4. In the light of Biblical affirmation of love and the value of all people, we affirm sexuality education as a continuing ministry of the church.
5. Sexuality education can assist people in assuming responsibility for their decisions.
6. Sexuality education continues from birth through the whole of life.
7. The gospel is a positive, life fulfilling, liberating force which stands over and against pervasive cultural patterns of exploitation and abuse.
8. Effective sexuality education takes place in a coeducational group of youth and adults.
9. As youth mature they may become less communicative with their parents about sexuality. Shared experiences in education can improve communication between youth and parents.
10. Parents and adults need sexuality education themselves.
    • Adults need the confidence to affirm and express the wholeness of their own sexuality;
    • Adults need to be aware of their living witness about sexuality;
    • Youth are more likely to become positive and accepting about sexuality in association with parents and other adults who themselves are positive and accepting about sexuality.