Journey to Adulthood (J2A) pilgrimage.  Our second J2A pilgrimage takes place this coming summer from August 8th to August 18th.  A group of seven awesome youth and three amazing leaders from First United Church will be journeying to San Francisco and Yosetime.  This is the culminations of  of two years of planning and preparation by the youth, with the strong support of their parents, families, and the First United community. 

Follow our J2A Pilgramage 2010 Blog. Click here.

Two years ago, eleven youth and three leaders headed to Sedona and other parts of Arizona for an 11-day pilgrimage. It was an amazing trip and to learn more about that trip visit the blog which you can view by clicking here.

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Youth: “Journey to Adulthood” is our youth program of spiritual formation and fun.

Based on the concept that “manhood” and “womanhood” are free gifts from God and that adulthood must be earned, our youth gather for in-depth exploration of self, spirituality, sexuality, and society that

1. Provides a liturgical framework for the teenage life in modern culture.
2. Celebrates youth individuality and creative potential.
3. Offers training in some basic life skills needed for adult living and interaction.

The program is based on three two-year stages, for a total of six years.  New youth are welcome at any step along the way.  Presently we have about 20 youth involved in the program.

Rite-13 (approx grades 6 to 8) is the first level of the program and a key element of this level is a rite of passage to celebrate these youth as they become 13.  This ritual is a way for the entire congregation to celebrate the unique gifts and abilities of our youth.  Through regular Sunday programming and some mid-week activities, these youth develop into a strong cohesive group.

J2A or Journey to Adulthood (approximately grades 8 to 10) is the second level of the program. This level focuses on developing six basic skills for adulthood (which are active listening, negotiation, assertion, research & information management, partnership, leadership). These skills are learned using different methods of Scripture reading, prayer, and community building. A pilgrimage will be the culmination of the two years for this group.

YAC or Youth at Community (approximately grades 10 and up) is the third level of the program.  The youth continue to form community with one another through discussions and social activities, but also begin to become engaged with how they offer their gifts to the church community and wider community.  They begin to focus on how they have an impact on others through social outreach and participation in church life.

Children and Infants: The vision of First’s programming for children can be summarized by the following statements.

1. Each child feels loved the way they are (hears from God and others “my beloved in whom I am well pleased”), an unconditional love where the child feels radically accepted and included.
2. Each child feels they are someone of value and importance and giftedness.
3. There is support and development for the “spirit” self of each child, and hence their spiritual growth.
4. A place where child enthusiasm is allowed to flourish, and where the “child view” radiates and teaches.
5. A place of being found (noticed, known, cherished) through the building of a safe community where there is a sense of belonging.
6. A place where loving relationships are modeled and where one can experience friendships that are more reliably kind.
7. Development of children’s voice and leadership.

Each Sunday, programming is offering for children and programming through the provision of a nursery and gatherings for children.

Presently, we have about 35 children as a regular part of our congregation with another dozen or so participating in our nursery as well as “play space” at the back of the sanctuary. New children are always welcomed.

We invite you to stop in, meet our teachers and to hear more about our children and youth programmes.