Programs for Teens
At Murray Church, teenagers will find opportunities to connect with a group of youth with similar values. During Sunday morning Youth Group, teens are encouraged to help lead discussions, activities, games, and projects about faith formation, service, and social justice topics. Teens have opportunities to engage in service work at Murray Church by volunteering in our Food Pantry or Thrift Shop, and also in the community.
Teens also take time for fun. Monthly Teen Night offers themed activities and a chance for kids to get together socially for movies, roller skating, listening to music, games, and field trips.
As children grow into mature teenagers and young adults, they are encouraged to take part in committee work and participate as active members of the congregation.
Our Whole Lives
Our Whole Lives (OWL) for 7-8 grade and 10-12 grade is offered on a rotating basis based on the needs of our families. Our Whole Lives (OWL), is a comprehensive, lifespan sexuality education curricula that changes lives. Highly trained facilitators provide honest, accurate information designed to educate, dismantle stereotypes and assumptions, build self-acceptance and self-esteem, foster healthy relationships, and improve decision making abilities. This is an interactive workshop that actively engages participants and encourages questions.
What do OWL participants have to say?
“It was more fun than I thought it would be and I’d take it again.”
“The best part about OWL was that our facilitators shared good information. We also laughed a lot.”
“I learned to think through decisions and to make them for myself based on my values.”
“OWL gave us a space where we could talk and ask questions about hard topics with no judgement. This was huge. Thank you for creating a safe space.”
Coming-of-Age Program
Coming of Age is part of a lifespan curriculum created by the Unitarian Universalist Association. It is a beloved rite-of-passage program that invites teens to go deep in exploring their own beliefs as they wonder “who am I”, “who do I want to be”, and “what do I believe”? Coming of Age can be likened to preparation for the Bar/Bat Mitzvah in the Jewish religion or confirmation classes in the Protestant or Catholic faiths. The goal is for youth to better appreciate Unitarian Universalism, their own beliefs and values, how these intersect, and how to put our values into practice (i.e. community service and social action). While this may sound like a lot of work, it is also designed to be FUN and build relationships with peers and other members of the congregation. For more information about when Coming of Age will next be offered, contact the Director of Religious Exploration.