The Coming of Age Program will not be offered this year. It will next be offered in the 2010-2011 school year.
Coming of Age class of 2009 Credo Statements
Hugh
I believe –
Knowledge is important. Order is good. The little things matter as much as the big ones – I care about the little things because it’s the little things that count. Having fun is vital. Making friends is important. Reading can take you places you’ve never been before.
Rose
Topic: My Life
Question 1: Check All That Apply
Love Fun Friendship All of the Above Hmmmmm……
Some might have a problem with that question, others might not. You might not always check “All of the above”, you might not even check any of them. I believe we all have a right to at least one of them. I believe it is the process in which you do stuff. You first have fun with the world; be who you are, express yourself. You’ll attract people who just want to be around you. And that will eventually lead to love, if it’s love for a friend or love for a boyfriend or girlfriend. Now, I’m making it seam easier than it really is, at least for me. For me, it’s been a hard time. I’ve tried and failed many times, which is why I have built masks to hide myself, the self I think no one will like. But now my beliefs have changed. I will be myself, and not be affected by what others think of me.
Charlotte
I believe that whatever I decide to do in life, I should try to be the best person I can be. I believe in the importance of friends and family in my life and I know that they will be there to support me no matter what. I believe in showing kindness and respect for others and in looking at situations from all perspectives. I also believe in caring for and appreciating the natural world. Finally, I believe that an important part of life is having fun and enjoying oneself.
Garrett
Share water. Never thirst. I believe that we can all live happy lives if we help each other by sharing our talents and resources. I believe that everyone has something to contribute to making the world a better place. And I believe that I can make a difference.
Laura
I’ve never been that religious. It wasn’t from apathy or that I didn’t have anything to believe in, but more that I was scared. I remember being younger and wondering “big life” questions, but getting so frustrated with my lack of concrete answers. Being a Unitarian Universalist, I didn’t grow up reading passages from the Bible or learning Hebrew to read the Torah. The overwhelming support from my parents, friends, and church was, well, overwhelming, and I didn’t know quite what to believe.
So, the older I got, the more uncomfortable I became with strong religion. I didn’t know quite how to act or respond to such strong beliefs that people believed in wholeheartedly (even when they couldn’t be proven). I couldn’t even watch the second half of The Exorcist because the mix of religion and horror scared me too much.
But this year, through all the opportunities of Coming of Age, I finally came to terms with my beliefs, and I realized that I don’t need to be scared of these “big” questions because everyone has their own answers.
I believe that every person should be allowed to fulfill his or her potential in life. I think everyone should try almost anything at least once. Every person should be able to go out and reach for their wildest dreams or do something they’ve always wanted to do. Even if it doesn’t work out or you don’t make it a habit, at least you can say you tried. These little fragments of life experience add up to create a full life, and I think every person deserves to have a chance at that.
I believe in taking risks and putting yourself on the line. Something I learned earlier this year is that if you want something, you need to be the one to go get it. Hard work and perseverance pay off, and taking that risk to really get something is what makes things happen.
Finally, I believe in never fully losing your inner child. I think everyone needs a little silliness in their lives and shouldn’t take everything too seriously. Sometimes the simplest things can make you feel great, and the least complicated situations can teach you the most. I think life is meant to be enjoyed. Life is whatever you want it to be- whatever you make it. And it isn’t necessarily what you accomplish, but what you take out of life that matters.
On the Coming of Age Boston trip, walking around Walden Pond, talking to another Coming-of-Ager, I realized that we’re all just trying to find our belief system. I’ve learned that it’s okay to have different feelings than the next person when it comes to religion because there are no cookie-cutter answers. And even if I haven’t completely figured out the meaning of life, at least I’m on my way there, because this is just the beginning of a lifelong journey. Thank you.
Alex
I believe the goal of life is to impact the world.
I believe that everyone is equal and has something interesting to say.
I believe that material things bring entertainment, but friends bring true happiness.
I am committed to live life to the fullest, to take chances and to be open to new things.
Sammy
The first question is “Who am I”. Which is simple enough. Because I’m obviously Sammy Harman if I hadn’t introduced myself. But I know it goes deeper than that, and that’s not what’s expected of the question. I’m like any other human, insecure at times, trying to enjoy life and sometimes getting caught up in the struggles of it. But most importantly I’m an individual with my own unique outlook on life, my own personality, and my own ability to live and pursue my passions. A coach described me as “quirky”, and others describe me as entertaining. There’s a thing called “Honesty Box” on Facebook where people can write what they really think about you anonymously without you ever knowing who they are, and most people tend to write mean stuff. Somehow though, I’ve managed to only get the same word for the past 6 months which is the word “funny”. It’s better than the other words I’ve gotten before. I tend to view myself as somewhat of a leader but also a good listener. Someone who knows how to laugh but can also put on a straight-face when it’s needed. In times of stress or pressure, I do a bit of freaking out at first but then come back down to Earth. I have my flaws, but just as Miley Cyrus so wisely said, “Nobody’s Perfect”.
Why am I here? Well personally, I believe in reincarnation. As fascinating as it is, it’s also pretty convincing. I believe I’m on this planet to fulfill what I didn’t in my past life, or correct my mistakes. Either way, I’ll never really know which makes it all the better. Knowing I’m here because of something I did wrong before is a good fuel to live life as much as possible.
What sense do I make of the reality of good and evil and life and death? I think that good is obviously something the world should embrace more. It’s hard to find anything from the media saying of the happy endings people have had. On the other hand, I think evil should be accepted. Without evil, no one would ever learn or get stronger. Its times like 9/11 or Hurricane Katrina when every single person is affected somehow, and the people around you seem to matter more. Evil is what screams “you never know what you’ve got till you lose it” but for all those who haven’t lost it quite yet, it’s a wake-up call. It’s hard to
explain my outlook of life but I believe it’s just a long, winding road of trial and error, success, failure, and everything that’s required in order to know you’ve lived a full life. Death is difficult to cope with, and one of the worst feelings to have within. Knowing someone is not going to be with you anymore is a pain so
personal that affects everyone at some point in life. As sad as it is, I think death is a way for us to just slip into what we have next to fulfill. People will always come and go, and lives will always begin and end, it’s been happening for millions of years. As challenging as it is to get over death, it’s just the cycle of life. People’s lives should be celebrated more than they cried over.
Lastly, how do I want to live my life? I want to live my life fighting for people’s rights, living to the fullest extent, and trying to live completely in the moment. It’s a difficult task but I think I have enough time.
Sophie
I believe in helping the environment. It’s the little things that make a big difference. When paper is recycled trees are saved. When plastic bottles are reused there are less in sewers and less in garbage dumps and landfills. When old fruits and vegetables are turned into compost it helps trees and grass grow better because it is a natural fertilizer instead chemicals. When someone walks around the corner to a friend’s house instead of driving there is that much less smog and pollution in the air, and gas money is being saved. There is so much people can do to help the environment just by unplugging a cell-phone charger when they’re done using it or by turning off lights if they’re not in that room. When I help the environment I feel better about myself and I enjoy being green. It’s a good feeling recycling or not just throwing my trash any old place when I’m done with it, but putting it in a trash or recycling bin. Being green is like exercising almost, exercise gives you endorphins, endorphins make you happy, and being green gives me endorphins “metaphorically” which makes me happy, and if everyone felt the way I feel when I help then we are all better off.
Katie
I believe in the follies of man, and that good will eventually come of it.
I believe that some will fall and others will rise.
I believe that kindness is a catalyst for a free and peaceful world.
This program is offered in alternate years and will be offered again in the 2010-2011 school year.
The Coming of Age Program at RRUUC is intended for 9th and 10th grade students. It is in addition to the regular youth group program.
Components of the program include
Personal Challenge. Participants will take part in activities that challenge and build their skills, competence and confidence.
Credo Statement. Youth will develop a statement of belief that reflects their current religious or spiritual beliefs.
Mentors. Each youth will work with an adult mentor and a youth mentor throughout the program. Parents will be invited to participate in sessions focusing on communication and teen issues. Mentors and youth will meet at least once a month as a Covenant Group to discuss relevant topics and participate in activities.
Service to RRUUC. Youth and mentors will choose a project that will give back to the congregation while learning about aspects of congregational activities and leadership.
Service to Community. Youth and mentors will participate in at least one community service project in the wider community
Trip to Boston. Youth will go on a 3-night trip to Boston to tour the UUA and UUSC headquarters, visit area UU churches, and explore our UU history in Boston.
Goals of the program include
- Reviewing and summarizing religious and spiritual growth and learning as youth prepare for the transition to adulthood
- Exploring ways to articulate one’s Unitarian Universalist identity
- Experience service to others as a primary component of the UU faith
- Practicing communication and negotiation skills with parents.
- Developing a sense of self as a maturing individual
- Learning what it means to be a member of a faith community
- Create and strengthen friendships and connections within the community
Key Dates:
9/14: 12:30—1:30 Informational Meeting in Fireside Room
10/12: 12:30 p.m. Parent-Youth-Mentor Potluck Lunch
10/18-10/19: 8 a.m.—10 a.m. Teambuilding Day and Overnight
3/7-3/8: 9 a.m.—9 a.m. Urban Immersion and Overnight
4/8-4/11: Boston Trip (During MCPS Spring Break)
05/9/09: Celebration Ceremony!
Monthly Sunday gatherings from 12:30—3:30 p.m.:
November 9
December 14
January 11
February 8
May 3
For more information contact Beth Irikura at birikura(at)rruuc.org