WINGS

WINGS is our mid-week program for youth, 6th-12th graders, on Thursdays from 5:00 to 7:15 pm. The evening offers music/drumming and dance, recreation, faith exploration, service projects, and dinner.

It includes individual study or discussion for 6th and 7th graders. There is an 8th grade confirmation class where these young people are encouraged to become official members of the congregation through confirmation. Separate activities are held for grades 9 through 12.

Youth Fellowship
The youth meet throughout the year for service projects, mission trips, retreats, and  social activities.

The youth participate regularly in projects that make a difference in the world. Some are as simple as the CROP Walk; at other times they have journeyed to Miami or the Back Bay Mission in Biloxi, Mississippi. They have hammered and painted at Habitat for Humanity and collected money for the Heifer Project.

The youth also take a variety of trips, some for recreation, others for consciousness raising and some for work projects. This June, twelve of our WINGS participated in workshop, fellowship and service at the Southeast Regional Youth Event in New Orleans.

 

Social Justice Retreat
The Youth-led Worship Service on August 15, and the Haiti Benefit Concert featuring Bryan Sirchio were just two of the highlights of a weekend-long Social Justice Retreat held here at FCUCC for our senior high youth and young adults.

Bryan Sirchio singing one of his songs at the Haiti Benefit Concert

Friday evening began with music by Bryan, a well-loved UCC minister, songwriter, and musician, who set the theme for the weekend with the songs, “Dream God’s Dream,” and “Something Beautiful for God.” Small group discussions on compassion, charity and justice, and a simulation game on poverty helped set the focus for the following day. We were also blessed with a presentation by Jacci Tutt on the SURE social justice process, by Pam Duckett, and by a graduated mother and son from the Salvation Army’s FAITH program. On Saturday the youth, invigorated by Bryan’s music oncemore, set out in teams to volunteer all day. Each team served different sites in the morning and afternoon. Our youth and young adults prepared and served food at the Salvation Army and Orchard Place, and painted at Habitat for Humanity and Easter Seals. Reflection and a deeper conversation about the difference between charity and justice followed, along with commitments made for future action. A full story is here.