Public/REflections/2009_02_15_00_00_00
sign in | print | search

About Us | Our Mission and Covenant Our History Organization     Staff     Officers and Trustees     Committees and Groups Contacting us Finding Us

For Visitors | Welcome! What to expect Selected Sermons Sunday Schedule Map and Directions Parking Map

Our Faith | Unitarian Universalism The Seven Principles and the Sources UU Links

Getting Involved | Green Sanctuary Faith in Action Music Program Chalice Circles Women's Alliance Volunteer Opportunities Contribute

News/Events | What's Happening Newsletters     Rev. Katie Lee's Column     Roberta's Column     Fran's Column Calendar Repeating Events Upcoming Sundays 2010 Lay-led Sunday Summer Services     2009 Summer Services Coffee House on the Rocky Plain

Religious Exploration | What's Happening  this week in RE Children's Programs Youth Programs Adult Programs Multigenerational Programs Kids' Faith in Action Volunteer Schedule

Members & Friends | Sign in Password Reminder Sunday Helpers RE Guide Sign-ups Pastoral Associates group area Committees Reference Documents Congregational Meetings     Audio Recordings Worship Services     Sermon Archive (text and audio)     Worship Associates Information

Home

---

Youth Sunday
     Sun 15 Feb 2009 12:00am
Youth Sunday is coming next month on March 15th and will seem different to the FPS community. In addition to our older youth leading us in worship, we will be recognizing our younger youth in two inspiring "rite-of-passage" ceremonies.

As Unitarian Universalists, we have wonderful recognition ceremonies for welcoming babies and for Coming-of-Age. But I have discovered that families want more! So six years ago, I set out with the support of the RE committee in Watertown to develop two rituals and have been working with the RE committee here to adapt them for our community. The first one is for our 8-year-olds as they enter a developmental stage moving from young childhood into more critical thinking. Many religions recognize their children at this age with a first communion or first bible. What can we do that honors our children with something central to our unique faith?  We came up with First Chalice. The children received a personal sized chalice after doing some individual and group work exploring some of the words you commonly hear around First Parish. What is love? courage?  kindness? peace? The great thing about this exploration is that their definitions will vary slightly and that is ultimately what makes our coming together so fascinating. The freedom to hold different beliefs and the encouragement to share them with one another! We are excited to bring this program to Sudbury.

Another rite-of-passage ceremony we're thrilled to share is for our 11-year-olds. Also going through a significant developmental stage are our 11-year-olds entering that pre-teen stage when their world is becoming very oriented to their friends. To recognize their growing ability to make their own connections at First Parish and to work with parents to pledge our support to the growing youth, we are offering First Mentor. In this program, the kids get matched with a First Parish mentor who will meet with them once to do a small service project for our community. By doing so, they will get to know each other a little and that mentor will represent the community affirming our love during a small ceremony during Youth Sunday.

Please join us on Youth Sunday to share these two beautiful ceremonies that recognize our growing youth while honoring values that matter to us as Unitarian Universalists.

Loving blessings, Roberta
 

---