See highlights from the past year of Youth ministry (not pictured: lots of Zoom!). Singing by Brooke Hosford!

A reflection for Youth Sunday from Joyce DeGreeff, from Psalm 147:1-12 and John 20:1, 11-18

On Maundy Thursday, eight interactive prayer stations set up in our sanctuary took participants through the story of Holy Week, from Palm Sunday through Holy Saturday. It was a unique, reflective, and engaging way to experience the journey of Jesus’ last week. Thank you to all who participated and made this event possible.

What could be more fun and joyous than gathering together in our beautiful Welcome Garden to celebrate Palm Sunday, coloring posters and making our own instruments, and processing around the neighborhood? Adding a REAL pony! Enjoy the slideshow of our fantastic celebration!

It may have been a bit cold but the sun was shining and the fire was roaring, and that was enough to give the Youth Group time for a little fresh air and a glimpse of spring. Lent feels especially long this year, after so many months of pandemic living. So it’s good to come together and be reminded of the gifts of nature, laughter, and friendship as we prepare for Easter – a new beginning full of hope and possibility.

Thanks to all who gathered to mark the beginning of a new Lenten season with fellowship around a fire in the garden.

On Saturday, February 6th we invited four children and their families to join us in the Welcome Garden for a very special outdoor, in-person event where we gifted new bibles to Miriam Brown, Maya Figueiredo, Sophie Allison, and Benjamin Andrus. This is a beloved WCUC tradition that we were happy to be able to continue this year with some creative twists! A special thanks to our snow shovelers (Mark Garvey and the Sedlock and Schummers families), photographer (David Swain), and families who made this day possible. Enjoy the pictures!

Here’s a reflection from February 7th from Jessica and our Children’s Ministry.

To celebrate the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., WCUC was invited to join an at-home sign making project hosted by the Concord-Carlisle Human Rights Council in collaboration with COAR (Communities Organizing Against Racism). We offered the opportunity to participate to our children, our youth, and the wider congregation, and the pictures we received of the created signs are amazing! Take a look at how WCUC is honoring the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and illustrating our dreams for our communities.

The youth group took advantage of the sunshine and snow last weekend with a gathering for some outdoor fun. We enjoyed some sledding (and a few friendly snowball fights) and then warmed up by the fire with hot cocoa and s’mores. We might have to make this an annual tradition!