What is Coming of Age?
Coming of Age is a Mentored Rite of Passage Program. It’s designed to be a journey of self-discovery and deep reflection on personal beliefs and values. It is also a way to learn more about the specific practice of being a member of a Unitarian Universalist congregation, and youth are eligible to become voting members of the congregation upon completion of Coming of Age, should they choose to. Some do make that choice, many others do not, it is up to each youth.
Who is Coming of Age for?
All youth in 8th grade this year or older are welcome in CoA. It is ideal for youth who are wanting to engage with deeper questions, or who are wanting to be seen, acknowledged, and witnessed as crossing a threshold into greater personal autonomy, maturity, and responsibility.
How Does it Work?
Youth work with an adult mentor, either one on one or a couple youth to a mentor, for deep conversations. The whole group meets together once a month, and there will be some personal reflection work encouraged for youth to do on their own. Toward the end of the year, usually in May, there is a retreat weekend involving a silent solo vigil. And then at the end of the year youth create and deliver their credos (a sort of “this I believe/commit to/give my heart to”) to the congregation, and may become members if they choose to.
The Schedule:
The program goes September to June. So far we have only calendared for the Fall:
- September 25th, 12:30-2pm, Orientation and Launch (youth and families)
- October 23rd, 12:30-2pm, Workshop for Youth
- November 13th, 12:30-2pm, Workshop for Youth
- December 11th, 12:30-2pm, Workshop for Youth
How to Join Coming of Age:
Youth who are interested should fill out an Interest/Application Form here:
Questions?
Contact Rev Sara Lewis at dre@ouuc.org or 360-634-2005 x 102