Youth at the front of church

Yesterday my church held its Coming of Age and Youth Services, both youth-centered and at least partially youth led and planned. As one of the folks responsible for logistics, planning, and leading, it was a bit nerve-wracking to have a service with that many moving parts - the more chances for something to go wrong, of course. But, with the exception of my forgetting to put hymnals up in the choir section where the youth sat and some bumping about of chairs and musical instruments as they struggled to set up different arrangements in our cramped little sanctuary, minus those things it went really well.

Each of the coming of age youth gave lovely speeches about the state of their beliefs so far, and each was different and unique - just like the kids themselves. Geometric proofs, Dr. Seuss, and the Tao were all held up as central to someone's thinking.

And then the youth service highlighted the talents and faith of our high school youth. I loved the process of picking music with them - we ended up with some hymns, some spirituals, some Beatles, and some U2. And the two high school seniors who are Bridging this year each gave lovely, self-confident speeches about what it has meant to them to be a UU youth.

I was so proud of them all, and so happy to see them up front of the congregation.