Youth
Find acceptance, community, and the courage to make a difference.
UUCD Youth Group
Our Youth Group is a small group ministry for youth in grades 7 - 12 focusing on exploration of Unitarian Universalist faith, developing leadership, community-building, and acts of service to the UUCD congregation and community at large. The group creates and upholds its own covenant and meets weekly as they learn and grow together, holding space for each other’s joys and challenges.
Coming of Age
We are hoping to offer a Coming of Age program for youth later this fall or early this winter. This program is typically taken the year after completion of OWL
Grades 8, 9, or 10
The Coming of Age (COA) program is the culmination of UUCD’s Religious Education sequence. The COA program meets September-May and is a rich program of spiritual exploration that culminates in the creation of a personal credo. Through engaging conversation, supportive guidance, and individual reflection and writing, youth will arrive at a point where they will feel confident sharing their statement of their 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.
Our Whole Lives (OWL)
Sunday Nights at UUCD, October 2023- May 2024
We are currently accepting registrations for OWL (Our Whole Lives), a comprehensive human sexuality curriculum for youth in grades 7, 8, or 9. The class will be held at UUCD on Sunday evenings from October to May. If you're interested in learning more or registering, please email OWL coordinator Ellen Hamel at ellenhamel14@gmail.com.
Grades 7, 8, or 9
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
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.
Special 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:
Midwest Leadership School
Retreats
UU Youth Conferences (“Cons”)
Summer Camps
Social Outings
Youth Resources
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.
Ready to learn more?
Reach out to our Director of Religious Education, Deb Johnson, for more info:
Email: dre@uuduluth.org