Youth Programs

We value our middle school and high school youth at First Parish and focus on building community and empowering our youth with our programs. Our Youth Sub-Group of our Faith Development Committee includes Rev. Annie, Mark Bailey and Kelly Umstott, with youth reps Gray Hanegan, Emory Carroll and Julian Muelhoefer.

Junior Youth Program – 6th through 8th Grades

Our middle school youth group is focused on food, games, and supportive community. We meet from 3:30 – 5 pm on Wednesdays at First Parish where we have snacks, check in about our weeks, and then move onto fun activities and youth led games.

Contact Rev. Annie at ministerfaithdev@uubedford.org if you have questions or need more details!

Senior Youth Program – 9th through 12th Grades

Our senior high youth group is currently focused on building community and deepening connection. You can expect games, good conversation, some silliness and some seriously supportive advisors.

Contact Rev. Annie at ministerfaithdev@uubedford.org if you have questions or need more details!

Our Whole Lives – 8th and 9th grades

Our Whole Lives (OWL) is a comprehensive human sexuality curriculum for, you guessed it, our whole lives. This program has curriculum for Kindergarten and 1st grade focused on understanding our families and bodies all the way to a program for older adults, addressing aging and sexuality. Our OWL Sub-Group of our Faith Development Committee includes Bob Doud and Dorothy Anderson-Perales.

Later this year we are offering Our Whole Lives for our 8th and 9th graders. This is the most comprehensive of the OWL curriculum, exploring relationships, sexuality, health, safety and values. We will offer this program on Sunday mornings during worship and faith development programs. For more information contact Rev. Annie at ministerfaithdev@uubedford.org.

Coming of Age – 9th grade

This program supports youth in coming to a deeper understanding of Unitarian Universalism and their own identities and values. As they learn about UU history and beliefs and explore big questions like “what happens after we die?” and “what is the purpose of life?” they will build strong relationships. The finale of this program is a worship service planned and led by the youth and it is a highlight of the church year!

We are not offering this program for 2022-23, but will offer it again starting fall of 2023.  Contact Rev. Annie at ministerfaithdev@uubedford.org if you have questions or need more details!