We've almost made it to the end of our year in Coming of Age together! In the coming weeks, youth will write their spiritual statements, share their statements at the COA ceremony, and be recognized in a Sunday morning worship service. We will also participate in the #UUWhiteSupremacyTeachIn with fellow First Universalist youth and adults on April 30th, and join in one final fundraiser on May 7th for the COA Boston Pilgrimage. Scroll down for information on writing your spiritual statement and a detailed schedule of the final weeks of COA.
Writing your Spiritual Statement
Youth, you need to write or finish your spiritual statement next week. (Take a deep breath--you can do this!) Your statement should be 400 to 700 words. If you are doing a performance piece, it should be around 5 minutes long, with a 100 word explanation. If you’re doing a painting, it should be at least 11 x 17in, with a 100 word explanation. On May 5th, the day of the rehearsal,
Please bring 2 copies of your statement, one copy for Rev. Ruth and one for you to use on the chancel.
Please email a copy of your statement to Rev. Ruth at [email protected].
If you're having trouble starting your spiritual statement, have no fear! Rev. Ruth has created a document to guide you through the process of crafting your statement. Please take a look at the document below, "Writing your Spiritual Statement," for a proposed writing schedule and helpful tips to get you started.
Please don't hesitate to reach out to Rev. Ruth, your mentor, or any of the COA advisors as you delve into the task of crafting your spiritual statement. We're here to support you!
After our Coming of Age Service, we like to share a potluck meal together in the social hall. It's a time for families to celebrate together with youth, to extend our thanks to mentors and youth advisers, and gives time for COA youth to bask in their accomplishments. Please take a look at the sign up for the potluck and decide what you'd like to bring. You can find the potluck sign up here.
Detailed COA Spring Schedule, April 30th-May 21st
Sunday April 30th | Attend #UUWhiteSupremacyTeachIn | 9:30am or 11:15am
All youth are invited to attend the #UUWhiteSupremacyTeachIn at First Universalist during regular worship times. Learn more about the teach-in here and here.
After the worship service, youth are invited to attend a discussion group specifically for youth to continue our learning. Youth of color are invited to participate in the youth-focused discussion group or to attend the people of color discussion group.
Friday May 5th | COA Rehearsal | 6:30-8:30pm
All youth must bring their completed spiritual statements with them to the rehearsal. Youth must also email a copy of their statement to [email protected].
At the rehearsal, youth will be practicing reading their spiritual statements on the chancel for the first time. By this time, you need to have a complete draft of your statement to share. The COA rehearsal is required and it’s really important that youth attend because it gives all of us a chance to iron out the kinks and make sure we're prepared for the COA ceremony.
Youth and mentors attend. We will meet in the sanctuary for the COA rehearsal.
Sunday May 7th | COA Class | 9:30am or 11:15am
In our final class, youth and mentors will participate in an evaluation of the year, discuss the option of youth membership at First Universalist, and talk about youth leadership opportunities.
After each class, the entire class will be asked to help out with a one-time fundraiser for the Boston trip. See below:
Sunday May 7th | Boston-Bound Bake Sale (*NEW EVENT*) | After COA Classes
After each class, the entire class will be asked to help out with selling donuts in the Social Hall in a Boston-Bound Bake Sale.
Youth will be selling pre-purchased donuts to congregants.
All proceeds from the fundraiser will go to scholarships for the COA Boston pilgrimage!
Saturday May 13th | COA Ceremony | 2:00-5:15pm
The big day! Youth and mentors arrive at 2pm to get ready.
The ceremony will take place from 3-4:30pm. At 4:30pm, there will be a potluck reception for all youth, families, mentors and friends.
Sunday May 14th | Attend special COA-focused worship service | 9:30am or 11:15am
COA youth, families and mentors will be recognized during regular worship services. All youth are strongly encouraged to come to the service to be recognized by the congregation.
To make this a truly COA-focused worship service, we will ask some COA youth to participate in the worship to light the chalice, to read spiritual statements, and to perform several songs during the worship service.
Sunday May 21st | Attend Youth Sunday worship service | 9:30am or 11:15am
COA youth attend Youth Sunday, a worship service led by youth in the Senior High class.