Children’s & Youth Milestones Program
Beyond Sunday school, we offer Child Dedications, as well as a Kindergarten Rite of Passage, Age of Reason rite of passage for 3rd and 4th graders, Coming of Age for 8th to 10th graders, Bridging for graduating seniors, and Our Whole Lives comprehensive sexuality education which provides age-appropriate curriculum taught every few years. Each program below culminates in a congregational milestone ceremony.
When these programs are offered is based on the number of children and youth who fall into these age cohorts.
Kindergarten Rite of Passage
We have a brief ceremony at the beginning of the church year to acknowledge that kindergartners are beginning a new phase in their formal education.
Age of Reason
In this foundational class, 3rd and 4th graders learn and memorize the 7 Principles, meet the minister and other staff, talk with congregants, and prepare their own credo to read during the Age of Reason ceremony.
Coming of Age
This program for 8th, 9th, and 10th graders includes three District-wide weekend-long retreats intended to help our youth integrate their childhood into their emerging adulthood, with a clear sense of themselves and their place in the Unitarian Universalist church and the world. The program also includes UUFRC programming to supplement the retreats and allow the youth to learn what membership in our community means.
Many of our participants have found this program to be transformational. The program is finished with a special Coming of Age Ceremony with the UUFRC community.
Coming of Age has generally been offered in alternating years. The COVID-19 pandemic has interrupted this schedule. We anticipate that the next Coming of Age program will be offered during the 2023–2024 academic year. It may be possible for youth to participate in Coming of Age before then in partnership with a neighboring congregation.
Bridging
In the spring, we have a special Bridging Ceremony held during service to recognize our graduating seniors (and other 17-18 years old moving on to adulthood).
If you have questions, please contact:
Maeve Knoth
Sunday Implementation Committee, Chair