What Is Coming of Age?

Coming of Age, often called COA, is a milestone program designed to support teenagers as they transition from childhood toward young adulthood within our faith community.

Rather than giving youth a set of beliefs to memorize, Coming of Age honors the Unitarian Universalist principle of a free and responsible search for truth and meaning. The program provides a structured and supportive space where participants can explore their values, consider life’s larger questions, and discover what they authentically believe.

Throughout the program, youth will participate in:

• Thoughtful discussions about faith, identity, ethics, and belonging
• A pilgrimage retreat
• Community service and justice projects
• Adventures and social activities with their peers
• Meaningful interactions with adult congregants who can serve as sounding boards and role models

The experience culminates in a rite of passage. Each participant will create a personal faith statement, or credo, and help plan and lead a special worship service celebrating their emerging spiritual identity and their important place in our congregation.

A New Two-Year Program

Beginning in the 2026–2027 church year, Coming of Age will expand from a one-year program to a two-year journey.

This new format will give participants more time to:

• Develop a deeper understanding of Unitarian Universalism
• Build meaningful relationships with one another
• Become more connected to the congregation
• Explore UU history and their own personal and family histories
• Participate in service projects, outings, retreats, and spiritual reflection
• Consider how their values shape the people they are becoming

Year One: 2026–2027

Belonging, Identity, and Pilgrimage

The first year will focus on identity, community, personal history, UU history, and the many groups and traditions to which we belong. The year’s central experience will be our pilgrimage weekend in April 2027.

Year Two: 2027–2028

Credo, Service, and Youth-Led Worship

The second year will invite youth to explore more deeply what Unitarian Universalism means in their own lives, in our congregation, and in the wider world. Participants will complete a service project, write their personal credos, and create and lead their Coming of Age worship service.

Youth who are unable to participate during the 2026–2027 year are still welcome to join the program for the 2027–2028 year.

Why Are We Making This Change?

Extending Coming of Age to two years gives youth more opportunities to engage deeply with Unitarian Universalism while remaining connected to their peers and congregation.

We recognize that the meeting time for Senior High Youth Group does not work for every family’s schedule. By holding Coming of Age on Sunday mornings, we hope to provide another consistent way for teenagers to participate in congregational life.

The two-year format also gives youth more time for reflection. Questions about faith, values, identity, and purpose deserve time, conversation, shared experiences, and trusted companions.

When Will Classes Be Held?

Coming of Age classes will generally be held on Sunday mornings.

Participants will begin in the worship service at 10:30 a.m. and will leave for class after the Story for All Ages. Class will end at 11:45 a.m.

Please review the calendar below carefully, as some Sundays will include special events, outings, or no class.

Adventures and Community-Building Activities

In addition to Sunday classes, we are planning activities such as:

• Overnight retreat at the church
• A ropes course
• An escape room
• A drive-in movie experience and more
• Our April pilgrimage

These experiences will give participants fun and meaningful ways to build friendships, practice cooperation, and deepen their UU values.

We will hold fundraisers through bake sales to help fund these outings.

What Is the Pilgrimage?

A pilgrimage is an intentional spiritual journey in which the experience of traveling can matter as much as the destination.

By stepping away from their regular routines, participants will enter a shared space for reflection, discovery, and community-building. They will strengthen their relationships with one another, deepen their self-awareness, and visit places connected to the people and movements that have shaped our faith.

California and the Bay Area are rich in Unitarian Universalist and Transcendentalist history. For example, Unitarian minister Thomas Starr King played an important role in supporting California’s continued place in the Union during the Civil War. Transcendentalists such as Ralph Waldo Emerson also helped shape American ideas about nature, spirituality, and preservation.

During the fall, the youth will then use the democratic process to select our destination.

During April, participants will spend two weeks learning about pilgrimage sites and the people connected to them. 

Our pilgrimage is currently planned for the weekend of April 25, 2027.

Does your young person want to participate, but that weekend does not work for your family? Please let us know. We want to make the pilgrimage accessible to everyone who wishes to attend.

Our First Event: Kickoff Overnight

We will begin the year with an overnight retreat at the church.

Saturday, September 12, at 5:30 p.m. through Sunday, September 13, at 9:00 a.m.

We will share dinner, make s’mores, play games, get to know one another, and dive into Coming of Age.

Please RSVP by emailing Rev. Cat.

Our first off-campus adventure will be the ropes course on Sunday, October 4, 2026. Please watch for a permission slip and additional information.

Coming of Age Calendar

Fall 2026–Spring 2027

Year Two of Coming of Age will begin in late August 2027. Additional dates and information will be provided to families before the start of that church year.