OUR PHILOSOPHY
Our youth programs are designed to prioritize the immediate needs of the youth above the regularly scheduled programming, recognizing that these can be turbulent and fruitful years with a high degree of need for compassionate mentoring and social support.
Our formal programming aims to help participants notice their experiences with the sacred, clarify their own personal values while learning what it means to be Unitarian Universalist, and gain practice expressing their own religious convictions through action toward a better world.
It is our goal that these aims be accomplished through adult/youth partnerships rather than direct teaching, so as capacities develop in our youth for leadership, space is made for a greater portion of our time together to be directed by youth, while adults lean into a mentoring and advisory role.
Check our what to expect in YRUU (Young Religious Unitarian Universalists) below!
HOW TO REGISTER
Before the service, we ask that parents register their children for OMG!. You can do this by scanning the QR code outside of room 10 (upstairs) or at the Welcome Desk OR by using this link. Registering helps us create the safest possible learning experience for your child!
While youth are permitted to check themselves in and out of OMG!, we ask that you and your children be aware that we do not permit children or youth to linger unsupervised in the classroom wing. This provides a layer of safety for both our children and adults, and helps us ensure that our youth are an integrated part of our larger congregational community. Thank you for your support in this area.
WHERE TO GO AND WHEN
Youth should obtain a nametag, just like their parents, either at the welcome desk or from the nametag racks, depending on how long you’ve been attending.
Youth begin with their families in the sanctuary for shared worship. It is important to us that our youth know that they are part of a larger community than just what takes place in the classroom wing. We want them to know and be known by all the members of the Fellowship, and understand their importance in our community.
After the time for all ages, our Junior Worship Associate will light the classroom lantern from the chalice, and the congregation will sing Go Now Children. At this time, all children and youth will follow the lantern to their classrooms.
THE EXPERIENCE
When youth arrive in room 10, we will always start with a chalice lighting and brief check-in about how things are going in life, to help get centered in a spirit of community and worship. If appropriate, we move into the lesson for the day. After the session, we’ll have some closing words, extinguish the chalice, and youth are invited to join the wider congregation in the social hall. Light snacks are provided during the session, and donations for the cause of the month are accepted in the social hall after services.
This year, the youth are using the Mosaic antiracism program provided by the UUA. Each week they will review their group covenant, play games, engage in exploration around topics relating to our shared values and the curriculum, and have a chance to engage in shared leadership with their advisors.
Annual Middle School Programming
Every year, we offer special programming specifically for middle schoolers. We alternate between our Coming of Age program and our OWL (Our Whole Lives, comprehensive sexuality education ) program. Both programs are central to our UU tradition and community building, and we encourage everyone to take them during the middle school years. These programs are also generally well attended by non-fellowship youth. Space is limited, with priority registration given to member families.
Please send any questions about our children’s and youth programs to the Director of Religious Exploration, Skyla King-Christison at dre@uucorvallis.org
