LEARNING TREK TO ALASKA!
UNDERSTANDING CLIMATE CHANGE AND CHANGING LIVES
Our Mission: The mission of this year’s youth group environmental initiative is to become better stewards of the Earth to fulfill our Unitarian Universalist seventh principle, which calls on us to promise to respect “the interdependent web of all existence, of which we are a part.” It is our moral imperative to live in covenant with the Earth, and through our actions, to express our gratitude and humility for the many ways our home planet nurtures and sustains us.
Alaska Learning Trek: Our environmental initiative will culminate in a learning journey to ALASKA in April, 2022 during the during the Westport School District’s spring break (April 16-23), fulfilling the goal of irrevocable awareness that we are living on a planet. This will be a once-in-a-lifetime journey that will open eyes and build new relationships and ties with each other, and with our Earth.
Climate change informed by spirituality: Between now and April, the youth will be studying climate change and connecting their understanding of scientific fact and reason with faith and hope: a hallmark of Unitarian Universalism. We will also explore how the Earth can and does sustain us emotionally and spiritually in times of grief and despair. We meet every Sunday 11:00 AM-12:00 noon in the Meeting House, and often have other meetings and discussions: bonfires, mini-camping trips, volleyball, and will help lead worship services. We will be working with Kim Warman, our Intern Minister, and others in the congregation who are embracing the strategic goal the Trustees set out: to Minimize our impact on the Earth and work to heal our planet. We will also be doing work projects and other assignments to raise money to enable us all to go on this spectacular adventure.
All welcome; Safer Congregation guidelines in force. All youth ages 9-12th grades are welcome to participate in this program; we welcome new friends who have a strong desire to DO something about our planet, from all local public and private high schools in the area. All our programs are supervised with two certified adults, and the Alaskan trip will include a 2 to 3 ratio of adult chaperones (parents, adult friends) to youth, and under the advice and counsel of our Safer Congregations team.
Contact: Lead for Youth Faith Formation, Nate Pawelek
Here at TUCW, Youth Ministry is for every high schooler.
There are many ways for you to get involved as members of our congregation.
Join Youth Choir
Join Youth Group
Attend UUA Youth Conferences
Participate in Worship
Lead programs for the younger children
Expand our Social Media presence (Please help us!)
Participate in social justice
Attend General Assembly next June
Share your gifts
Explore your faith
Make friends of all ages
Receive support and acceptance.
Develop confidence and leadership skills
HAVE FUN!!!
HAVE FUN!!!
HAVE FUN!!!
Please contact Nate Pawelek for more information or to get involved.
Youth Group
(most Sundays at 11:00 am in the Meeting House)
Youth Group is a special place where teens develop close bonds and friendships that are grounded in acceptance and the practices of respectful, accountable and mutually agreed upon guidelines of the covenant they create together to shape and guide their community. Adult advisors provide caring trustworthy leadership that gives the group structure and support while the youth take on responsibility for much of their own self-governance, youth-led programming and social justice projects. Youth participate in worship within the group and as a part of the whole congregation.
Youth are invited (encouraged) to participate in the wider UU community that hosts youth conferences, or “cons” throughout the year. These overnight weekend events are typically led by the youth and supervised by adults. Cons are valuable for youth bonding, developing leadership skills, and having a great time. Adults ensure safety and keep the kids well-fed.
Adults: You’re Invited to Join the TUCW Youth Ministry
Level 1: SUNDAY VOLUNTEERS
A team of people who love to hang out with youth and are happy to spend time with them on Sunday mornings to help their meetings run smoothly. This involves signing up for particular Sundays; the number and frequency is up to you.
Level 2: YOUTH ADVISORS
This ministry team works with Nate Pawelek to plan, organize, and coordinate the program and support our youth leadership development. Training is provided.
Please feel free to reach out to Nate Pawelek to share your past experiences and discuss your future participation in these special opportunities to serve our congregation. Thank you!