Youth

The youth program, in general, including Middle School and High School.

Parent Resources

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Baptism at United Church of Chapel Hill

The United Church of Christ baptizes babies, children and adults. While we do not believe that people must be baptized in order to be saved, we do believe that baptism, as one of the two sacraments we practice, is a significant passage in one's journey of faith. The pastors welcome inquiries about the meaning of baptism and about discerning an appropriate Sunday to make baptismal promises to an infant or child.

A description of the UCC theology of baptism can be found at:

 http://www.ucc.org/worship/baptism

 

Faith and Family Sunday Morning Discussion Group

The original Faith & Family Class meets most Sundays from 10-10:50 in room 229.  In the fall of 2011 the group will use the book, 99 Ways to Raise Spiritually Healthy Children,  by Kathleen Long Bostrom, to guide its discussions.

 

Youth Parenting Class, Sunday Mornings at 10:00am (Assembly Hall)

 

Parenting Class: for parents of Middle & Sr. High Youth

Begins September 25 (10-11am, Assembly Hall)
Join LCSW & M.Div Laura Brightwood for a n 8-week class on “Parenting a Teen
In the 21st Century: Am I doing this right?” 
The class begins Sept. 25 and extends through Nov. 20. There will be no class on Oct. 16 due to the churchwide Fall Retreat. Please email Jenny Shultz at jshultz@unitedchurch.org for more information and to register for the class. You can also register on Sunday, Sept. 11th at the Celebration of Ministries (10am) or that evening at the UCCH Youth Ministries Kick-Off (5:30-7:30pm). Thank you; we hope to see you in class!

 

Seasons of the Church Year

At United Church we follow the Revised Common Lectionary and observe the corresponding seasons of the church year. You may download a liturgical calendar here.

 


 

Practicing the Promise: Guiding Children Through the Christian Year

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Tweens at United Church

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TWEEN TIME: A Bridge Program for 5th & 6th Grade Students

We are happy to announce the formation of a new initiative for the 5th and 6th grade students of our church, the working title of which is "Tween Time."

Our hope is that Tween Time will help students transition more smoothly from elementary school to middle school, and from being active in Children's Ministries to participating in the Youth Ministry at UCCH.

We also hope that by sharing in a few experiences throughout the year, the kids will develop closer connections with one another. As these children progress through our program at church, they will increasingly do things together, from worship to retreats and mission trips. Stronger relationships among the members of the group can only make those experiences more meaningful.

Other plans for the year include hosting a meal packaging event for Stop Hunger Now, a group trip to buy gifts for the recipients of our annual Giving Tree Christmas outreach effort, a shoe collection for people in need (through a program called Soles for Souls), a trip to the Ronald McDonald House to volunteer and going out for lunch after church at a local restaurant.

 

Our first Tween Time event will take place on Sunday, October 10th from 5:00-7:30pm.  We will package 10,000 meals for the Stop Hunger Now program and seek to raise $2500.  Students can start fundraising now!  Parents are invited and encouraged to join us at this exciting event!

 

Advent Adventure: Dec. 5th- Gift buying for Giving Tree Families

     Students & parents will gather in the youth lounge, at 4:30pm, and divide into teams.  Then the group will proceed to Target where they will purchase gifts for the families & children represented by our Giving Tree at UCCH.  This is a family affair so parents are encouraged to accompany their 5th/6th grader(s).  For more information, please see Jenny Shultz, Susan Steinberg or Denise Sills.     

 

TWEEN TIME CALENDAR

  • Oct. 10th: Service: Stop Hunger Now Meal Packaging Event, 5:00-7:30pm ($5-pizza)
  • Dec. 5th: Service: Santa Sprint to Target, 4:30pm-6:00pm (Dinner-6:00-6:30)
  • Jan 23: Service: Ronald McDonald House, 4:40pm-6:00pm (Dinner-6:00-6:30)
  • Feb 19: Lunch @ the Loop (TBD)
  • March-April: Lenten Service Project: Soles for Souls shoe collection
  • *Scholarship assistance is available for all programs.

Special Programs for Youth

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2012 Annual Youth Ski Trip: Monday, January 16, 2012

Wintergreen Ski Resort
This year all middle and sr. high youth are invited to join us for an all-day ski trip to
Wintergreen Ski Resort.  We are partnering with C&R Outfitters in Hillsborough for the trip.  Registration is on a first come, first serve basis so youth will want to register ASAP to get a seat.  Registration is not final until I have ALL forms and deposit in hand.   The deadline to register is Sunday, Nov. 27. To register, you need to turn in your UCCH medical release form (If I don't already have one on file for 2011-2012 year), a $50 deposit, a Wintergreen liability waiver form, and your ski trip registration and behavior contract form.  Friends are invited to attend, but they must provide all the necesary paperwork as well.  
 
FORMS I NEED FROM EACH YOUTH:
Please CLICK HERE to download the Registration and Behavior Contract form.  
(Please download the forms and return them by Sunday, Nov. 27.  I know several of you already filled out the "old" form, but please do fill-out the new form as well and turn it in as details and costs have changed.  Thank you.)
 
For questions about the trip, please email Jenny Shultz or call the office at 919-942-3540.  

Sunday Evening Programs for Youth

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      UCCH Youth Ministry...

                     

       where everyone is welcome.

 
 
At United Church we understand that students are our future; therefore, we embrace the opportunity to provide sacred space for imaginative ideas to take root, forums for open discussions and conversations to take place and the opportunity to get involved in making a difference …in the local community and in our world at large. At United Church we want students both to identify and take hold of their voice as it possesses the strength and the uniqueness that through God’s love can and will be the “difference” for somebody else.

Sunday evening youth meetings allow students time to form community as a group through social interaction, cultural engagement, reflective-intensive time, and various other activities. Both the youth and adult volunteers are responsibly engaged in covenantal relationship as it relates to the group working to provide mutual respect and openness to all involved, as well as intentional inclusiveness for visitors, guest speakers or those we encounter in other communities.

Friends and visitors are always welcome!

Click HERE for our Youth Calendar!

Sunday Evening Schedule: 

5:00pm-6:00pm: MS Youth Group                                                                                
6:00pm-6:30pm: Dinner for All Youth
6:30pm-7:30pm: Sr. High Youth Group
 

The Middle and High School students meet separately on Sunday evenings to allow each group to form its own identity, share and engage in topical conversations that are age and content appropriate to their intellectual as well as social development. The senior high students will experience struggles and controversies in their lives that middle schoolers are not yet facing, and middle schoolers alike will have needs that high schoolers are unaware of. However, we do provide time for our entire group to gather and share experiences, laughter, prayers and fellowship during our shared meal time at 6 pm.

 

 

Sunday Morning Programs for Youth

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Church School, 10:00 – 10:50

Grades 6 & 7, Downstairs (Youth Lounge, Room 156)

Confirmation – 8th Grade & older, Downstairs (Room 161); more information

Grades 9 – 12, Downstairs (Room 163)

Curriculum

The Middle School class is using Seasons of the Spirit. Seasons vision is for an authentic Christianity lived in our culturally diverse and religiously pluralistic world; to be signs of God’s liberating, compassionate, and inclusive love, and to grow in our relationship with God.

The Senior High class will base its lessons on the lectionary, discussing the sermon each week as well as current world events and culturally relevant topics.  This leaders will provide space for open as well as challenging discussions appropriate to students’ needs and interests.

Every 1st Sunday of the month will be a Sr. High Youth Brunch!

Sr. High Life & Spirituality : Sundays at 10am
 

Confirmation Program for Youth

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8th Grade & older
(Room 161, downstairs)
Teachers – Jill Edens & Jane Day

Confirmation is the second step in the covenanting process, following baptism, for young people at United Church. Eighth graders and older are invited to discover what it means to commit to Christian faith. We use the Affirming Faith curriculum of the United Church of Christ.

Call or email Jill Edens for more information
jedens@unitedchurch.org, 942-3540, ext . 59

  

Here is the class schedule:

 

November 14 – Session 6 "The History of the United Church of Christ"

November 21 – NO CLASS ALTERNATIVE MARKET

November 28 – NO CLASS ADVENT FAMILY WORKSHOP

December 5 – Session 7 "The Statement of Faith" – turn in books

"I Believe God . . ."

December 12 – Session 8 "God Creates"

December 19 – Session 9 "God Seeks and Saves" – turn in books

December 20 – Session 10 "God Loves and Judges" & work on statements "I Believe God . . ."

December 26 – No Confirmation Class

January 2 – NO CLASS – Epiphany Workshop

January 9 – Session 10 "God Loves and Judges" & finish statements "I Believe God . . ."

"I Believe Jesus Christ . . ."

January 16 – Session 11 "Jesus Christ, Human and Divine"

January 23 – Session 12 "Jesus Christ, Crucified and Resurrected"

January 30 – Session 13 "Jesus Christ, Risen Savior" & work on statements "I Believe Jesus . . . " – turn in your books

"I Believe the Holy Spirit . . ."

February 6 – Session 14 "Guided by the Spirit"

February 13 – Session 15 "Bound by the Spirit" & work on statements "I Believe the Holy Spirit. . ." – turn in your books

"I Believe the Church . . ."

February 27 – Session 16 "The Body of Christ"

March 6 – Session 17 "Followers of Christ"

March 13 – Session 18 "Witness and Service"

March 20 – Session 19 "The Sacraments"

March 27 – Session 20 "Forgiveness and Grace" & work on statements "I believe the church . . ." – turn in books and statements

April 3 – Session 2 "Worship"

April 10 – Class will attend presentation "The Environment and Sacraments" by Eric Mount

April 17 – Class will attend concluding presentation by Eric Mount

April 24 – No Class – EASTER SUNDAY

May 1 – Finish work on Statement of Faith and Confirmation bulletin

May 7 – 5:00pm full rehearsal for confirmation day – dinner provided by parents

May 8 – CONFIRMATION DAY

 

Youth at United Church

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Welcome to UCCH Youth Ministries!!

The Youth Ministries Program at United Church of Chapel Hill is a collaborative effort by many dedicated people to provide diverse and well balanced programs in worship, education, arts, music, service, and fellowship.  At United Church all youth are welcome to participate in our many programs whether a member or visitor, male or female, GLBTQ or straight,  happy or sad   , pink-purple-white-black-or-brown.  YOU are Welcome Here!

 Fall Retreat Girls

The primary intentions of the youth ministry program are:

  • To call young people to be disciples of Christ, nurturing them in their faith journey's.
  • To respond to the needs and the interests of teens, pre-teens and young adults.
  • To work in partnership together, as youth, children, adults and community leaders.
  • To develop servant leaders who will continue to share God's love with the world.
  • To nurture a spirit of inclusivity among all youth, families and friends of UCCH.

 

Contact Rev. Jenny Shultz for more information about Youth Ministries at United Church.