Celebrate Our Youth on May 13

Dear First Universalist Church,

Every Sunday morning at 9 a.m., you can find over 20 youth and their Advisors in the Cummins Room. This is our Coming of Age cohort: our 9th grade youth who have committed this year of Religious Education to exploring Unitarian Universalism and reflecting deeply on their own spiritualities. 

In their Sunday morning sessions our youth have explored many facets of our Unitarian Universalist faith, including our sources of faith, our religion’s history, and our Shared Values. They have also explored and reflected on their own spiritualities through experiences like the Nature Vigil, talking with our affiliated UU ministers at our Ministers’ Fair, and choosing their own Sacred Text. To be honest, at this point these youth know more about Unitarian Universalism AND are more aware of their own spiritualities than most of us adults in our congregation. 

The two of us – Allison Connelly-Vetter and Sarah Heuser – have had the absolute privilege of getting to know these youth over the course of this year, and folks, they are incredible. They contain multitudes, as we all do: They draw funny doodles and ask silly questions. They all stop in the Social Hall to get coffee before they go to class. They have tried VERY hard to get their Advisors to perform the full Jingle Bell Rock choreography from the Mean Girls movie. 

And, at the same time, they are incredibly thoughtful. They genuinely care about each other. They are reflective and curious. They understand how their spirituality is connected to each other and our wider world. They have authentically engaged in discussion and sharing and journaling this entire year. 

It’s important to remember that these young people have been formed by all of us: by all our volunteers in the Religious Education program and youth groups; by those of you who connect with them in the Social Hall or in worship; by simply absorbing the values of this congregation. Their presence and growth in our congregation is a reflection of us, in all of our complexity, and is entirely unique to each of them.

Their presence and growth in our congregation is a reflection of us, in all of our complexity, and is entirely unique to each of them.

As a culmination of their Coming of Age program our youth have created a ‘zine: a multimedia compilation reflecting their spiritual truths at this particular moment in their lives. The ‘zine includes some gorgeous artwork, collage, poetry, essays, and even a recipe. Some entries make me laugh out loud; some make me tear up with emotion. The range of perspective and creativity is truly stunning. 

Luckily for all of us, this ‘zine will be widely available to our congregation. You – yes, you! – have the chance to witness our young people offering their ‘zine contributions live at the Coming of Age Ceremony, which will take place on Wednesday, May 13, at 7 p.m. after Community Dinner. Childcare is provided for children in 5th grade and younger. We hope you join us for this truly special event to support our youth, bask in their brilliance, learn from their wisdom, and honor their faith development. 

We’ll see you there. 

With care,

Sarah Heuser, Volunteer Coming of Age Coordinator

Allison Connelly-Vetter, Director of Children, Youth, and Family Ministries