Make your annual pledge here >>>
LIFELONG LEARNING
We believe that the spiritual journey is a lifelong process. Throughout our years we continue to explore deep questions, to struggle with ethical challenges, and to grow in wisdom, compassion, generosity, and faith. The answers of our youth may no longer serve us in our mature years. The challenges of our contemporary society are ever new and changing. Boundaries of knowledge and of inspiration are ever expanding.
We continue to grow by drawing on the wisdom of the ages, the inner spark of our own spirit, and thoughtful conversation with others.
children's FAITH DEVELOPMENT
At UUCGL, our children and youth programming is dedicated to helping children of all ages explore their big questions in a safe and supportive environment. While some of us can't be together right now, kids of all ages can join in safe online community by watching our Children's Faith Development videos!
Sunday Morning Programs
PreK–12th Grade
Parents or guardians are required to register all children and youth under 18 in order to participate in religious education programming. Paper copies will be available on Sunday morning, or simply register ahead of time online through this link.
PreK through 6th Grade
PreK-6th grade programming will take place outdoors starting at 10am, with participants masked at all times. There will be opportunities to explore, wonder, play, and build in nature together in person!
CLICK HERE to see what this group has been doing lately!
Grades 7–12
Youth in this age group are welcome to join the PreK-6 group as helpers, or join the indoor worship on Sunday mornings. See below for descriptions of opportunities outside of Sunday mornings for this age group. We are offering OWL and Youth Group this year!
Programs for Older Youth
Our Whole Lives (OWL)
Coming of Age
Youth Group
Our Whole Lives (OWL)
Our congregation offers a comprehensive sexuality education curriculum called Our Whole Lives (O.W.L.) every two years. We offered OWL together with the First Church in Salem to our 7-9th grade youth from October 2021 to May 2022. Read more about it here.
Coming of Age
Our Coming of Age for teens is a program that helps our youth in their journey toward young adulthood. Our youth start the process of deeply understanding what they have been learning about Unitarian Universalism in a more structured and committed way. Coming of Age is a faith journey. Every youth is paired with a mentor who helps guide them throughout the year. Lessons are planned around faith, exploring God concepts, good and evil, why bad things happen to good people, and life and death. The youth become involved in a service project, develop an elevator speech about what it means to be a Unitarian Universalist, and write a faith statement. Each youth reads their faith statement during a Celebration of Coming of Age in the spring.
Youth Group (15-18 years old)
Our Senior Youth program is designed for high school students who have typically gone through some earlier part of the Religious Education program. Our youth group meets outside of Sunday programming and sometimes during evenings for social events, service projects or programs. The group takes part in structured discussions and programming, along with social events, service projects, and occasional mission trips.
CLICK HERE to learn more about this group
Summer Sundays 2022
Announcing our Summer Sundays series at UUCGL, July 10th - August 28th, led by Rev. Chris Scheller and Rev. Dr. Victoria Weinstein. I hope you can join us! Worship will feature a liturgy of healing, sharing, prayer, and meditation.
We are looking for one or two people each week to volunteer for our Summer Sundays from July 10 - August 28th. An usher would be so helpful for a few simple tasks, and another, perhaps, to provide refreshments for fellowship time after worship. In the past we’ve offered a simple cold beverage, such as lemonade or ice tea, which everyone seems to enjoy. Please use the form HERE to sign up, and thank you!
I hope you are having a wonderful start to your summer and I hope that we’ll get a chance to connect, as well. I will be working from July 5th - July 17th and July 25th - August 18th. Please don’t hesitate to reach out!
Abundant Blessings,
Minister of Community Life and Learning
Summer Garden Volunteers Needed!
The children in the RE program planted veggies and herbs in the church's raised beds this spring and they need your help keeping the garden tended over the summer! Tasks include watering as needed and harvesting whatever you'd like to enjoy. Sign up to be a garden volunteer HERE. Thank you!