First-time visitors and long-time friends alike, all youth in 9th–12th grades are invited to Youth Group.
The Youth Room is on the lower level of FUUN’s administrative offices in Norris House, at the corner of Stokesmont and Woodmont. This group is engaged in direct experience in social justice, identity formation, leadership, spirituality, worship, and more. Our web of youth ministry illustrates the scope of what we strive for in our youth programs.
Register NOW!
All Youth participating in Youth Group and/or Our Whole Lives must be registered.
- 2024-2025 Youth Group Schedule
- What to Do When You Arrive
- Participation in Worship Services
- FUUN Membership
- Contact Us
Youth Group starts Sunday, September 8. We will also be holding our first Saturday night Youth Group on 9/14 from 5:30-6:30 for pizza and fellowship. All youth are invited to stay for movie night after. Please contact Scott Winston for more info and to RSVP. Youth programming updates are provided through our FUUN Weekly Eblast, which you can review and subscribe to through our Events page. This includes regular Sunday morning meetings and other special events such as lock-ins and outings to a variety of places like Escape Rooms, the Nashville Zoo, museums, and more.
1. Please go to the Know FUUN table and…
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- If this is your first time or returning visit, you will be provided with stick-on name tags. Please be sure to use them so our Youth Advisors can know who you are.
- If you regularly attend, you should find a nametag waiting for you. Please be sure to use them so our Youth Advisors can know who you are.
2. If you are new, please go to the RE Table and use one of the tablets available to register for Youth Group. This is important so that while you are in our care, we know if you have allergies, how to contact parents, and other such information that allows us to keep you safe. (If you are a one-time visitor, this step is not necessary. But if you are unsure, there’s never any harm in registering.)
3. Go into the sanctuary where we can share the beginning of the service together.
4. After the offering, at approximately 10:30 a.m., youth are sung out to Youth Group. Or if you wish, you are always welcome to remain in the service.
5. Youth Group ends at 12 noon.
There are always a variety of ways that our children participate in worship services. Two of them are:
- On the fourth Sunday of each month, a family/child/youth is invited to participate as the Worship Assistant, which includes offering the Chalice Lighting, reading the Welcome, helping to take up the offering, and more. Let us know if you would like to participate in this way!
- The last Sunday of February is Youth Sunday, the annual worship service planned and offered by the youth.
- At the end of the academic year in mid-May, the children and youth give a gift to the congregation by sharing what they have done in their classes that year as a part of RE Sunday.
* FUUN = First Unitarian Universalist Nashville
Our bylaws state that one may become a full church member as of the age of 14. A two-part orientation for all is offered in February during Youth Group. Participation does not constitute an obligation to join the church, but it is required for all who wish to do so. All who choose to join will sign the membership book – a true rite of passage! – as a part of Youth Sunday (see Participation in worship services).
For all things religious education…
Marguerite Mills, CRE, Director of Lifespan Religious Education
615-383-5760, ext 3304
For OWL and administrative concerns…
Caleb Hampton, Religious Education Administrator
615-383-5760, ext. 3316
Special Events
Calling all Youth!!!
WHAT: A Youth Lock-In to kick off the new church year
WHEN: Saturday, September 9, 8 p.m. until Sunday, September 10, 12 noon.
WHERE: Morgan House on Saturday, Youth Room (Norris House) on Sunday.
WHY: Get to know other Youth! Games! Movie! Food! Sleeping? Plan what you want to do this year!
What should you bring? Board games, sleeping bag, pillow, tooth care, body care, change of clothes. Bring a towel if using the shower. There are mattresses, but not enough for all, so air mattresses are also welcome – as are musical instruments!
What’s on the menu? Pizza, fruit, chips on Saturday night. And we’ll make dessert! Pancakes with real maple syrup on Sunday morning.
Let us know if you have any dietary needs, restrictions, etc. We will accommodate.
Parents: Adult supervision will be in accordance with the FUUN Honoring the Children policy. Drop your youth off at Morgan House any time after 8 p.m. and pick them up on Sunday at the Youth Room (Norris House) at 12 noon.
Please let us know if you have any questions.
Our Whole Lives (OWL)
Honest, accurate information about sexuality changes lives. It dismantles stereotypes and assumptions, builds self-acceptance and self-esteem, fosters healthy relationships, improves decision making, and has the potential to save lives. For these reasons and more, we are proud to offer Our Whole Lives (OWL), a comprehensive, lifespan sexuality education curricula for use in both secular settings and faith communities.
Interactive workshops and activities engage participants, while Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) training and step-by-step instructions for program planners and facilitators help ensure success. The curricula speak to participants’ needs by age group.
Our Whole Lives Offers:
- Accurate information presented in developmentally appropriate ways
- Affective and emotional learning
- Guiding values and principles
- Activities that help participants clarify values and improve decision-making skills
- A safe and supportive peer group
- Acceptance of diversity
- A social justice approach to inclusive sexuality education
- Parent orientation that affirms parents as their children’s primary sexuality educators
- Facilitator trainings, continuing education, and email forums to increase knowledge, skills, and confidence
- Expert user support from the Unitarian Universalist’s Association OWL Program Manager
2023-24 OWL schedule
We do not currently have plans to offer High School OWL during 2023-24, but that can change as interest and volunteer commitments change!
And How Are the Children?
The traditional greeting that passes between the Masai warriors of Africa is “And how are the children?” The story tells us that this greeting acknowledges the high value that the Masai always place on their children’s well-being. Even warriors with no children of their own would always give the traditional answer, “All the children are well.” Meaning, of course, that peace and safety prevail, that the priorities of protecting the young, the powerless, are in place, that Masai society has not forgotten its reason for being, its proper functions and responsibilities. “All the children are well” means that life is good. It means that the daily struggles for existence do not preclude proper caring for their young.
With this in mind, we believe that you deserve to know our children, and they deserve to know you. There are many ways to help, some of which are detailed on our Volunteer Roles page. And that’s only the beginning, please do contact us to learn how anything from an ongoing role to a one-time opportunity can be life-changing for both you and our children.