The Unitarian Universalist Community Church of Santa Monica

Junior High Youth

Neighboring Faiths

For 6th & 7th grades
Class offered at 9:00 & 11:00
Meets in the Northeast room of the Cottage

This two-year-long comparative religions course for 6th-7th grades takes the next step from our elementary RE program, and lays a foundation for our 8th Grade Coming of Age program, taking participants outside of our own walls to experience the wide variety of religious practice in our larger community. “Neighboring Faiths” introduces youth in grades 6-7 to the faith traditions and practices of other religious groups, engaging participants in a religious journey that builds community among the youth, connects them with our congregation and larger community, and strengthens their Unitarian Universalist identity. They will participate personally in the faith traditions of others, visiting not as observers, but as “people being religious together” – to experience being silent for an hour in a room full of people, or to listen to the stories and metaphors of a Zen Buddhist teacher and meditate, or talk openly with youth from a Muslim community about what is most important in our respective faiths. On weeks when the class is on site at UUCCSM, participants will use their experiences from their visits to reflect on the unique and universal of religious experience, to explore their own values as they relate to many other faith traditions, to become more aware of the many connections between Unitarian Universalism and other faith traditions, to increase their appreciation of religious diversity, and to build relationships with peers, adult leaders, and our congregation and community. This year, the NF class wil study Eastern and Native religions; in 2010-2011 the focus will be on Western religious traditions.

Coming of Age For 8th grade

Class offered at 9:00 service only.
Meets in the Churchview room of the Cottage

Coming of age ceremonies, marking the transition from childhood to young adult, are as old as history. Like youth in Jewish, Christian, and many other traditions around the world, UU youth need a ritual process to mark their own transitions. Our year-long program provides opportunities for youth to learn who they are and where they are on their spiritual journey, bond with other teens, celebrate their gifts, learn about the church and how it works, and articulate their own personal beliefs within the context of our UU faith. The year culminates on Coming of Age Sunday in May, when the youth will present religious credo statements before the congregation in a worship service of their own design. This ambitious program depends for its success on full participation from youth, parents, mentors, and COA teachers.