For Our 7th - 12th graders
Senior High Leads Worship Service
The Senior High class would like to invite the congregation to Youth Sunday on May 5, at 9:30 and 11:15, for the annual worship service led by Senior High teens. This year’s service will explore, through story and song, “Why do we come together in religious communities?” We’ll also have a special ritual to celebrate our graduating seniors. It's not to be missed!
Coming of Age Statements
The entire First U congregation, friends and family of the 9th Grade Class are invited to attend the Coming of Age Service and Potluck on Saturday, May 19, from 3-6 pm. The youth will present their Spiritual Statements, current snapshots of what they believe, and participate in the ritual where they become spiritually adult members of our community. Afterward, all are invited to attend a potluck dinner to socialize and celebrate this important day.
This is an important annual event in the life of our church. Normally, there is a Sunday morning service in June where a selection of the COA youth present their statements to the entire congregation. Please note that, because of the busy worship calendar this year, there will be no Sunday morning COA service! Please make every effort to attend the Saturday afternoon event and support our youth in this significant transition.
A Summer Invitation to Our Youth
This summer, join junior and senior high friends for two fun social activities for youth at First Universalist. First, bring a dish to share and the outdoor activity of your choice to Lake Calhoun for a Junior High picnic (grades 6-8) and a Senior High Picnic (grades 9-12) in July (exact dates to be determined).
Next, get away from church and into the wide world with a social outing in August (dates TBD). Past activities included tubing on the Cannon River and a trip to Minnesota Renaissance Festival! Ideas for a fun outing? Contact Katie Heaton, Youth/Young Adult Ministries Coordinator at katie@firstuniv.org. Stay tuned here for ongoing details.
Religious Education for Youth Grades 7-12 (2011-12)\
CURRICULUM
Grade 7: Neighboring Faiths 
(9:30 and 11:15)
Our seventh graders learn about the Unitarian Universalist 7 Sources and other faith traditions through class activities, guest speakers and visits to faith communities in the Twin Cities. Building on the foundations laid by the World Religions curriculum, and through classroom conversations and multiple field trips, youth explore what we can learn from other faiths. The class visits the Minnesota Zen Center, Westminster Presbyterian, Twin Cities' Friends Meeting and Masjid An-Nur, among others.
Detailed parent information about Neighboring Faiths here.
Grade 8: Our Whole Lives
(OWL, 9:30 and 11:15, registration closes after September)
This class is a nationally recognized, comprehensive sexuality education program developed by the Unitarian Universalist Association and the United Church of Christ. Lessons cover topics like contraception, anatomy, decision-making, STIs and more. Our eighth graders gain knowledge, values, and skills that lead to sexually healthy, responsible lives. The program values recognize the power of complete and accurate information about sexuality and the important role that parents play as primary sex educators.
Detailed parent information about Our Whole Lives here.
Grade 9: Coming of Age
(COA, 9:30 and 11:15 a.m., registration closes after September)
Coming of Age is our Unitarian Universalist equivalent to Christian Confirmation or Jewish Bar/Bat-mitzvah. During COA, youth learn more about Unitarian Universalism and explore their personal theology. Our ninth graders discuss topics like the importance of spiritual community, God, beliefs and actions,death, and social justice. The program includes three excellent retreats, a mentor program, and a COA celebration and ritual where youth share their reflections as they make the transition to religious adulthood.
Detailed parent information about Coming of Age here.
Grades 10-12: A Year of Questions
11:15 a.m. only
Each week the high school youth delve into one of the five essential questions of religion: What does it mean to be human? What is the nature of God or The Universe? How is the sacred present in us? Why do we assemble in religious communities? What happens after death? This year the 10th-12th graders will explore these questions through in-depth discussion, mask-making with Heart of the Beast, preparing a social justice activity, leading Youth Sunday, going on retreats, spoken word workshops and more!
Detailed parent information about Senior High class here.
Questions? Contact Katie Heaton, Youth and Young Adult Ministries Coordinator at X109 or katie@firstuniv.org