Junior Youth Group at the Allen Ave Unitarian Universalist Church in Portland Maine

Junior Youth Group (JYG) is offered for youth in 6th through 8th grade.  The group meets during the 9:00 AM worship service.  Youth typically attend Youth Group from 9:00 – 10:15 AM and occasionally attend a complete worship service.

Youth are welcome to begin attending the program at any time during the year.  If a youth is attending for the first time, please have an adult accompany them to the program space and fill out a brief registration form with the program volunteer.

The JYG is utilizing the UUA-curriculum “Building Bridges: A World Religions Program” for the 2019 – 2020 church year. This program is designed to deepen youth’s understanding of the dynamic, fascinating, and varied world in which they live. It seeks to broaden their knowledge of humanity and embolden their spiritual search.

The program is organized roughly chronologically, capturing the strong parallel between societal change and religious evolution over human history. The program is composed of a series of workshops designed to examine, analyze and impart a deep understanding of other religions and faith traditions.

The program starts out by emphasizing a full understanding of Unitarian Universalism, to ensure grounding in our tradition. This is followed by exploration of Christianity, Evangelical Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, Taoism, other Eastern Religions, Humanism, indigenous religions, and other faith traditions, as time allows.

The study of other religions provides youth with a unique opportunity to engage the world’s diversity of faiths in a safe, affirming atmosphere that is grounded in Unitarian Universalist faith and helps create an environment where respectful exploration and questioning are encouraged and where differences are encountered with open minds. Field trips to visit other places of worship will augment the workshop presentations.

Please contact the Director of Religious Education for more information.