Youth Programs

OWL is a comprehensive sexuality education program informed by our UU values and taught by trained leaders. Engaging and interactive workshops create a holistic and compassionate learning experience where youth can safely and openly explore topics such as the following examples:

• what it means to be a sexual being
• anatomy, physiology, and body image
• gender identity and sexual orientation
• healthy relationships
• social media and the internet
• responsible sexual behavior

Click here for more information about the OWL programs

Coming of Age is a milestone and mentoring program that supports youth on their journey of faith and young adulthood.

Led by volunteer facilitators, the youth learn more about Unitarian Universalism, explore theology, spirituality, and history as they practice our 4th Principle, The Free and Responsible Search for Truth and Meaning. Classes balance serious activities and discussions with fun, hands-on activities. The youth participate in a community building “retreat” at the beginning of the year, and community service and social action projects. There is also a UU Heritage field trip, including a trip to Walden Pond and visits to significant UU sites in Boston and Cambridge including a “Bells and Bones” tour at Kings Chapel.

Adult mentors work with the COA class during the year and are paired with them to provide guidance in the Credo development process. Mentors are members of the congregation, strong adult role models who draw on their own religious history, personal experiences, knowledge, and wisdom from their own journey. The goal of the mentor is to be a sounding board, guide, and source of support to the youth and help them articulate a deeper sense of self-knowledge and identity.

The program concludes on Mother’s Day with a youth-led and designed service at which time the youth share their belief statements and are celebrated by their families and the congregation. The night before, a special dinner is held for the youth, their families, facilitators and mentors. A slideshow of the youth’s time at North Parish is shared for all to reflect back on and enjoy.

Bridging is a milestone ceremony that celebrates the transition from youth to young adulthood and honors the shifts in relationships with parents and the congregation who have walked with our high school seniors along their journey. These young adults and their families are celebrated in the spring during a Sunday worship service.

The seniors have the opportunity to share a reading, poem, reflection, and even a piece of music during the service. As part of the Order of Service, seniors share with the congregation, where they are heading and what they are looking forward to after high school.

Following a blessing by our minister and congregation, each senior is offered a rose with thorns, a symbol of the beauty and the pain that comes with being a part of this wild, wonderful world.

Throughout the year, North Parish engages our youth in community service projects to help those around us in need. Some of the projects that the youth can participate in are:

• Haunted House Event for Neighbors in Need

• Lawlor School Book Bundles

• Community Giving Tree Pajama Drive

• Lazarus House Hike for Hope

• Lazarus House Holiday Giving Tree and Project Bethlehem

• MSPCA Fundraising Event

Are your children interested in musical expression? Email our Assistant Music Director or our Music Director about sharing your youth’s instrumental interests.