Parent Circle First Meeting, postponed until Feb. 4

Our first Parents' Circle meeting, originally scheduled for Jan. 28, will be postponed due to inclement weather.

Please join us on Wednesday, Feb. 4 instead.  We will meet in the Peace Chapel from 6:00 to 7:30.  All parents and guardians of Coming of Age youth are welcome!  I hope to see you there!

Wilderness Retreat

In May, the Coming of Age youth will be traveling to Edinburg, Virginia for their final retreat together. This Wilderness Journey Retreat will offer the youth the opportunity to deepen their experience of coming of age while having fun with peers and exploring their own faith. Mark your calendars now to save the weekend of May 15-17 for this event. Cars will load up Friday evening and return Sunday evening. Special thanks to Laura's family for loaning their house for our program!

Expectations for our Coming of Age program

We expect the Coming of Age program to be enriching for all, including youth, parents, mentors, and leaders.

We expect YOUTH to gain
• A sense of themselves as individuals on their own and as part of the church community
• The ability to take on increased responsibility for themselves and as part of their families, the church, and society
• An appreciation for the theological diversity among Unitarian Universalists, including their own place in that spectrum
• Skills for articulating their beliefs and morals
• Assurance of their unconditional acceptance at First Unitarian Church of Baltimore
• Increased confidence and maturity in group process and group decision making
• Knowledge about UU history and values
• Experience with fun and challenging activities

We expect PARENTS (especially those who participate in the parent circle) to gain
• Perspective on their relationship with their youth and
• A new understanding of their youth as a person
• Opportunity for reflection about themselves as parents
• Appreciation for the positive contributions they have made so far as parents
• A sense of connection with others who are parenting youth emerging from childhood

We expect MENTORS to gain
• Intergenerational connections
• New energy for their own faith journey
• An opportunity to reflect on their own values
• Affirmation for their important role in the church community
• Wisdom about their deepening UU identity
• Experience with fun and challenging activities

We expect ADULT LEADERS to gain
• Intergenerational connections
• Growth in our own faith
• Joy as we witness youth forming friendships and developing as people
• Experience with fun and challenging activities