Sr. Youth -
Who are our Sr. Youth?
Our Sr. Youth group has big plans for this year! For one thing, they hope you'll support them in their Summer 2012 Mission Trip to Gyepes Romania. But who are these mysterious teenagers who serve you lunches at the Holiday Fair each year and do good works the world over? Keep reading to find out more...
I don’t consider myself an optimist; however, I find it doesn’t require much effort to uncover the richness life displays in all its many facets. I enjoy interacting with people whose lives fundamentally contrast my own or simply differ on a day to day basis. This is something I was able to experience when I visited the Back to Basics camp in Houlton, Maine last summer. Here, the youth from the four Native American tribes in Maine gathered to learn skills verging on extinction within their community. It was fascinating to learn about the Wabanaki culture and hear about the challenges they face as a people. It is also important to note the basic human similarities that our distinct groups were able to recognize and relate through. I am eager to meet the individuals of Gyepes, Romania, whose community I have heard so much about. During this year’s mission trip, I am honored to have the opportunity to positively impact their lives through the volunteer work Sr. Youth provides. – A., age 18
I like to help out younger kids and teach them, especially when it comes to sports. A friend and I are orchestrating a baseball camp for next summer for younger kids. I am really looking forward to taking on a coaching role. Through all the traveling I have done with my family, I have learned a lot about different people and cultures. It has made me a more well-rounded person, and I have become more accepting of others. – C., age 16
One thing I love to do is travel. It doesn’t matter if it’s across the country or somewhere in Maine. I went to a few interesting places last summer. The first place, Ellsworth, was on mission to help out with a Native American cam p. That was really rewarding because the kids really appreciated having us there. After that, I got to go to the Bahamas for three weeks to do babysitting for a family there.. That was amazing just because it was the Bahamas and I got to be with a family that I don’t see often. Along with that, it was my first time traveling alone and I really enjoyed it. – B., age 15
I love sports. I play baseball and soccer, and I love to watch football. Go Eagles! I love watching The Office. I wish I could meet Dwight. If I could be any person, I would be Batman. What a guy, huh? I can’t wait for Mission 2012! - A., age 15
I have been coming to this church for a little under one year.. I am really excited for Mission because I think it is a good opportunity and will be really fun. I went to Costa Rica two years ago and volunteered there. I thought it was really cool. We went to a school and painted their classrooms and cleaned and fixed up the yard and bathrooms. We got to hang out with the little kids who were at the school. They didn’t speak English and we didn’t speak Spanish, so we had to find a way to communicate with them. I can’t wait for Mission 2012! – C., age 15
I love to do many things in my free time consisting of sports and hanging out with my friends. One thing that I think is very important is my reputation as an individual. I care about what everyone else thinks about me. I don’t want people to think of me as a bad person. In order for me to have a good reputation, I need to make smart decisions and help out my community. – W., age 17
During elementary school I attended an international school called Southbank. There were about 8 kids in my class from places like the United Arab Emirates or Syria. The relationships formed with such a diverse group of people have made me very culturally aware. During these years I spent many weekends and holidays exploring Europe and the rest of the world. This traveling, as well as Southbank International School, have given me a different perspective from most American teenagers and will help me when I go on mission to Romania. Last year I was a member of the group that visited the Houlton Native American gathering, which really opened my eyes to the issues and poverty in Native American’s lives in Maine. – C., age 17
Neighboring Faiths (Grade 7) - Sunday mornings at 10:30 a.m.
As a non-creedal faith, Unitarian Universalists engage in a lifelong search for truth and meaning as opposed to being told what to believe. That sense of truth and meaning is informed by many sources, including wisdom from the world’s religions. In this group, youth will visit other churches to reflect on what is unique and universal in religion as well as explore their own values and their understanding of Unitarian Universalism.
Our Whole Lives (Grade 8) - Sunday afternoons/evenings beginning in October
This year we will be offering 8th Grade youth a comprehensive human sexuality course called Our Whole Lives (OWL). Developed by the Unitarian Universalist Association, this curriculum helps participants make informed and responsible decisions about their sexual health and behavior. This program will be led by trained facilitators, including our Minister. Parents will be asked to participate in an orientation meeting where they will be provided with opportunities to preview materials as well as ask questions of facilitators.
Coming of Age (Grade 9) - Sunday afternoons/evenings beginning in October
Ninth grade youth are invited to participate in one of the cornerstones of any Unitarian Universalist RE experience -- the Coming of Age program. This program provides youth with a unique opportunity to focus on their individual spiritual journey. Throughout the year, youth work to define their beliefs and values through self-reflection, dialogue with peers and adults, investigating other religions and exploring a variety of spiritual practices.
Senior Youth (Grades 10-12) - Sunday afternoons/evenings beginning in October
This group provides opportunities for teens in grades 10-12 to participate in the tenets of youth programming – food, fun, fellowship and faith – within a small group ministry format. Meetings are held on Sunday afternoons from 4:30 – 6 p.m., and activities rotate through 4 themes: worship, body and spirit (using material from the Sr. High OWL curriculum), faith development and mission. We also make time for outdoor adventures, holidays and celebrations. Each year culminates in the chance to participate in a mission trip either locally or abroad. These opportunities provide youth with a chance to get to know themselves, one another, and that which each of us holds sacred; deepening our own lives, giving us tools for nurturing our own spirits for a lifetime, and learning how to effectively change the world.
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