Middle School and High School

Our middle school and high school youth gather together for learning, worship, service, fellowship, and leadership.  We encourage teens and young adults to articulate their maturing spiritual awareness while growing into independence.  Youth work with adult advisors to plan programs which include personal sharing, discussion of religious and ethical issues, guest speakers from other religions and from the community, service projects, participation in district youth conferences, and worship.  Our summer classes  bring middle and high school youth together to explore a special theme or topic. This year our focus will be exploring monthly congregational themes.

During this time of quarantine and social distancing, it is all the more important to find ways to connect with one another.  Though we aren’t meeting in person, our church is not closed–we continue to learn, grow, worship, and support one another through creative online connections and sharing of physical resources.

 Youth Group:  Our youth group for middle school youth (grades 6-8) meets online Sunday afternoons from 1-2 p.m.  Youth group for high school youth (grades 9-12) meets online Wednesday evenings from 7-8 p.m.  This year, we are meeting jointly with youth from other area Unitarian Universalist Churches.   We also have in-person gatherings (outside and social distanced) for middle and high school youth from our congregation once or twice each month.  For more information, contact our Director of Family Ministries.

Resources for Families:  Visit our Family Ministry page for links to our Family Ministry lending library, our parent support group, resources for discussing our commitment to racial justice with your youth, and resources for deepening your faith at home.

Looking for resources on a specific topic, or information you can access from home?  Visit our online resources section for youth for information on Unitarian Universalism, life issues, spiritual practices, and more.

 

Coming of Age

Our Coming of Age program pairs a teen with an adult mentor. Together, and with the activities of the program, the participants define and affirm their individual beliefs and values within the framework of the Unitarian Universalist Principles.

 

Sexuality Education

We offer a curriculum of age-appropriate comprehensive sexuality education by trained facilitators to children, teens, and adults called  Our Whole Lives (OWL).  Developed in collaboration between the Unitarian Universalist Association and the United Church of Christ. OWL programs are value driven and focus on helping participants develop a strong sense of self-worth, an understanding of their own bodies, and a respect for responsible, just and inclusive approaches to human biology and sexuality.

Youth Spiritual Growth

Throughout the year there are many additional opportunities for our youth to engage in further exploring their UU identity, including:

  • youth-led worship
  • conferences
  • leadership training (leadership school, chaplain training)
  • fundraisers
  • service and social justice
  • bridging ceremony (to recognize the transition to young adulthood)

Want to learn more?  Explore the big picture of youth ministry

Visiting

We welcome visiting families!  Children and youth are always welcome to visit our religious education classes. They are also welcome to bring a friend with them if they wish.

Registration

Please register your youth once you know you plan to attend regularly. Registration helps us keep your children safe and keep you informed about all the wonderful things going on each week in church.   Packets are available in the foyer of the Lighthouse building.