Youth
Where young people find acceptance, community, and the courage to make a difference.
UUCD Youth Group (Grades 7-12)
Our Youth Group is a small group ministry for youth exploring the principles and sources of the Unitarian Universalist faith, while developing leadership skills through and acts of service to the UUCD congregation and the greater community at large. Each year, the group creates and upholds its own covenant and meets regularly as they learn and grow together, holding space for each other’s joys and challenges.
Coming of Age (Grades 8-10)
The Coming of Age (COA) program is typically taken the year after youth complete the Our Whole Lives (OWL) program.
The Coming of Age program is the culmination of UUCD’s Religious Education sequence. Through engaging conversation, supportive guidance, and individual reflection and writing, each youth will grow to feel confident sharing their statement of personal theology in a joyful ceremony where youth are recognized as full participants in our faith community.
The Coming of Age program requires a full year commitment and consistent attendance during the school year.
Our Whole Lives (OWL)
(Grades 7-9)
Sunday Nights at UUCD, October 2023- May
See DETAIL LETTER here.
Our Whole Lives is a nationally known, positive, and comprehensive human sexuality education program that helps participants gain knowledge, values, and skills in order to lead healthy, responsible lives. The OWL curriculum is abstinence-based yet comprehensive in its informative approach to low-risk and high-risk behaviors, sexually transmitted infections, reproductive options, and emotional and psychological aspects of becoming sexually active. OWL is taught by a team of trained lay-leaders who care deeply about the well-being of our youth.
The OWL program requires a full year commitment and consistent attendance.
Social Justice Action (Grades k-12)
Social justice activism is woven into youth experiences at UUCD. Recent actions include:
“Kids Take a Stand” lemonade stand to raise money for children separated from their parents at our southern border.
Letter writing campaign on behalf of plastic bag ban in Duluth.
Participation in Youth Climate Strike
Participation in March for our Lives
Black Lives Matter marches, rallies, and protests.
Reproductive justice advocacy
Additional Youth Events
UUCD youth stay busy, engaged, and active! In addition to OWL, Coming of Age, and Youth Group, they are given many opportunities to engage with the broader UU community. Past experiences have included:
Midwest Leadership School
Retreats
UU Youth Conferences (“Cons”)
Summer Camps
Social Outing
Resources For Youth
High School-Age Youth: Hub of resources from the Unitarian Universalist Association.
Blue Boat Blog: UUA blog with lots of resources & reflections for youth and young adults.
Queer Resources for Youth: Resources about sexual/affectional orientation and gender identity for youth, their families and allies; youth with parent(s) who identify as such; and those who work with them.
Race and Identity video resources : A UU crowd-sourced compendium of short videos for youth to explore race and identity.
Resources For Families
While UUCD family ministry comes in many shapes and sizes, at its core, family faith development is a journey of relationships. Family members connect with one another, the faith community, and the universe to discover and rediscover a dynamic, sustaining faith.
Ready to learn more?
Reach out to our Director of Religious Education, Deb Johnson, for more info:
Email: dre@uuduluth.org