RE YOUTH PROGRAMS
Youth Groups
Our Youth Groups are designed to facilitate the transition between the structured children’s program and the self-directed church participation of the adult. They are meant to help encourage our youths’ developing understanding of their identities as Unitarian Universalists and to enhance their personal sense of value within the church and wider community. Specific group activities are determined by the young people with the consent and guidance of their advisors. There will be opportunities for fellowship, learning, worship, and service. Here at First Parish of Stow and Acton, we offer both a Junior Youth Group (7th & 8th grade) and a Senior Youth Group (9th –12th grade). Our youth groups offer the following:
- Social Activities
- Participation in the greater church community, both at FPC and with other UU churches
- Opportunities to develop leadership skills
- Social Action projects
Some of the activities in which our youth have participated include:
- Youth Pride Rally in Boston
- Crop Hunger Walk
- Habitat for Humanity Youth Day
- Planning and running children’s activities at our annual church fair
- Assisting at Drumlin Farm for their annual Haunted Hayride
- Apple picking with youth from our sister church in Roxbury
- Fundraising to support Gulf Coast relief efforts
- Visiting the New England Vihara Buddhist and Meditation Center
- Book discussions
- Bird watching
The Junior Youth group meets once a month on Sundays during regularly scheduled Religious Education times at the 11am service. On other Sundays, 7th & 8th graders have Religious Education classes. Please contact our Director of Religious Education for further information.
The Senior Youth group meets on selected Sundays, following the 11:00 a.m. church service. We are open to any interested youth, your families need not be members of the church to attend. The following link to the website of Young Religious Unitarian Universalists (YRUU) sponsored by the Unitarian Univeralist Association (UUA) can provide additional information http://www25.uua.org/YRUU/.
Please contact our Youth Coordinator, Whitney Retallic at youth@fpc-stow-acton.org if you are interested in learning more about Senior or Junior Youth Activities.
Coming of Age
As teenagers, our youth are offered a special “Coming of Age” program. This year-long program, which includes an adult mentor from our church community, is designed to help them learn more about Unitarian Universalism and articulate their own beliefs. Our Coming of Age ceremony culminates with our youth reading their statements of personal belief (credo statements) to the congregation.
OWL (Our Whole Lives, Sexuality and Our Faith)
Our 8th grade youth are offered Our Whole Lives in conjunction with other UU churches in the area. Our Whole Lives helps participants make informed and responsible decisions about their sexual health and behavior. It equips participants with accurate, age-appropriate information in six subject areas: human development, relationships, personal skills, sexual behavior, sexual health, and society and culture. Grounded in a holistic view of sexuality, Our Whole Lives provides not only facts about anatomy and human development, but helps participants to clarify their values, build interpersonal skills, and understand the spiritual, emotional, and social aspects of sexuality.
Senior Youth Discussion Group
Several times a month our Senior Youth (grades 9-12) are offered a Discussion Group during Religious Education time at our 11 AM service. After a short period in the Sanctuary with their families, the youth may leave with the other Religious Education classes and attend a discussion group in the Parsonage. Past discussion topics have included: World Religions, Abortion, Homophobia, Health Care Reform and Family Issues.
For further information on any of these offerings, please contact our Director of Religious Education.
Youth Program Schedule (2009-2010)
Senior Youth
Nov 1: Attend Service
Senior Youth: Make goodie bags & cookie baking for recent graduates
Nov 8: Laramie Project Field Trip
Nov 15: Discussion Group Topic: Homophobia
No Senior Youth Group
12:30 Coming of Age informational meeting-Parsonage
Nov 20: Thanskgiving service - multigenerational
No Senior Youth Group
Nov 29: Combined 11AM service
Senior Youth: Make blankets for Renewal House
Dec 6: Discussion Group Topic: World Religions Jeopardy
No Senior Youth Group
12:15-2:30 Coming of Age kick-off brunch
Dec 13: Cambridge UU Church field trip, lunch at Clear Conscience Cafe and socially responsible holiday shopping at 10,000 Villages
Dec 20: Mummer's Play
Senior Youth Group: Recycled gift swap and cookie baking
Jan 10: Discussion Group
Jan 24: Discussion Group
Feb 7: Discussion Group
Feb 8 (Monday):
6:30-8:30PM Chillax Movie Night - Parsonage
Feb 14:
Senior Youth Group
Feb 21:
12:30-3PM Senior Youth Group: Bowling @Acton Bowladrome (Leaving from and returning to FPC)
Feb 28: Discussion Group
Mar 7: Discussion Group
Mar 11 (Thursday):
6:30-8:30PM Chillax Movie Night - Parsonage
Mar 14: Discussion Group
12:30-2PM Senior Youth Group Meeting
Mar 27 (Saturday):
1-4PM Senior Youth Group Volunteer day at HGRM
Mar 28: Discussion Group
12:30-2PM Senior Youth Group Meeting
Apr 4: Discussion Group (?)
Apr 11: Discussion Group Topic: Intervention for Chemical Dependancy
May 9: Discussion Group Topic: Legalization of Prostitution
May 16: Discussion Group Topic: What would you do if a friend of yours...?
Junior Youth
Nov 19: Bread Baking for Thanksgiving service
Dec 11: Pizza & Games at the Layer's (6:00-9:30)
Jan 31: Junior Youth Group
Feb 7: Taoism
Feb 11 (Thursday):
4:45-6:30PM Help @Stow Food Pantry & dinner @FPC (tentative)
Feb 14: NO CLASS (Intergenerational)
Feb 19 (Friday)
6:30-8:30PM Video Game Night POSTPONED
Feb 21: Powamu
Feb 28: Junior Youth Group (during 2nd service) - Making Masks
Mar 7: Buddhism
Mar 14: Passover
Mar 26 (Friday):
6:30-9PM Make your own pizza and video game night!
Mar 28: Junior Youth Group (during 2nd service) - Decorate Masks
Coming of Age
Feb 25 (Thursday):
6:30-8PM (Fellowship Hall, Upstairs): Mike Balin-Dream Process Workshop
Feb 27 (Saturday):
1-4PM HGRM volunteering THREE SPOTS LEFT TO FILL!!
Feb 28 (Sunday):
12:30-2PM Mike Balin-Dream Process Workshop (Repeat)
Mar 12 (Friday):
8PM - FPC Coffeehouse VOLUNTEERING OPPORTUNITIES!
Mar 13 (Saturday):
9AM-12 HGRM volunteering, SIX SPOTS AVAILABLE
Mar 18 (Thursday):
6:30-8PM March discussion on "balance" insired by yoga principles
Mar 21 (Sunday):
12:30-2PM March discussion, repeat of Mar 18 (attend one or the other)
Mar 27 (Saturday):
Concert to benefit Haiti - VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES AT EVENT AND BEFORE!
May 23: COA Ceremony
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