Religious Education 

Youth Group Program

The youth group is for those in 8th through 12th grades* who would like another way to be in community with each other. There are many opportunities for fellowship, service, and fun!

* We are transitioning from a youth group made up of 7th through 12th graders to one of 9th through 12th graders, which will be in effect as of the 2008-2009 academic year. There will be opportunities through the course of the year for 7th and 8th graders to join the youth group and get a taste of what they have to look forward to.

Youth Group

The Youth Group meets Sunday nights from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Youth Room, located in the basement of the main church building. Youth also gather regularly on Wednesday evenings at 5:30 p.m. to help set up for Wednesday Night Dinners and to eat with each other, and with adult members and friends. Please check the current newsletter or order of service for information about each week’s program and upcoming special events. Youth wishing to be added to the e-mail list for updates and discussions should send e-mail to sweaver@firstuunashville.org.

Registration

Registration is required for youth activities. If your child is participating in Sunday morning classes, you can register her or him for youth group using the same form. If your child is participating only in youth group, s/he must still be registered. This is a safety issue: if your children are to be in our care, we need to know who you are and how to be in touch with you.

Please see the Registration information in the Policies and Procedures section.

Youth Adult Committee (YAC)

The YAC, which meets monthly, is made up of youth and adults who help plan weekly youth group meetings and special events. Being involved with the YAC is a great way to have a voice in youth group, develop leadership skills, and get to know other members.

Youth Sunday

Youth Sunday is the opportunity for our youth to plan and present an entire Sunday morning worship service. It’s often humorous and always profound; consider this excerpt from Andrew Thompson’s part of the sermon in 2003:

“I am a UU because I have looked, and I have considered, and I have chosen. I am a UU not because of what I am not, but because of what I am. Not because my faith fails to fall into a category, but because it falls into exactly the one we all share here. I am a UU because, when I am here, I feel like I have arrived. I feel as though there is a common bond, not a chain or a rope but some sort of gentle spirit in the air we all breathe that is binding us together tighter than physical bonds ever could. Because when I look around the room, I can see people who are here for the same reason I am. Because, deep down inside, I want someone to hold my hand as I search for my faith. I want someone to share my ideas with. I want guidance- and I want to guide. I want a community to listen to, and to hear me. Why am I a UU? Because you are, and you are, and Jamie is, and so on!”

District Conferences

Youth from our church attend conferences in the Mid-South District several times a year. Conferences give the youth a chance to connect with the greater UU world and make friends throughout the Southeast.

Special Events

In years past, the youth have put on a Valentine’s Day dinner and a Hogwart’s Ball. You never know what they might think of next.

Yahoo Groups

As is the case with many groups and committees at FUUN, the youth use Yahoo groups as a means to communicate and work. There is a group for the Youth Group and for the YAC. There is also a group for parents so that they can be in touch with one another, and so programming information can be readily communicated.