Worship and Faith Formation
Worship
We are a progressive intergenerational Christian community celebrating God’s radically inclusive love each week. Worship is both in-person and streamed on YouTube. Our services include singing, prayer, scripture reading, and a sermon. Children of all ages are welcome and included. Communion is celebrated once per month. We affirm many words and images to talk about God. To learn more about worship and to watch online, go to our worship page.
Childcare for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers
Compassionate childcare is provided by our professional Childcare Provider and volunteer youth for our “littles” in the Nursery Room. For families who prefer to stay together during worship, we have two PrayGround stations, with soft toys and a table for coloring. Kids Activity Bags are available in the narthex.
Youth
As our middle schoolers and high schoolers mature towards adulthood we encourage them to join and participate in our Sunday morning worship with the rest of our congregation.
Faith Formation
Children, Youth and Families
Together! Growing in Faith
On the first Sunday of each month, we offer an intergenerational faith formation program after worship starting at 11:15 am in the Plymouth Room. This will be an opportunity to gather, sing, get to know each other, create, and celebrate our wonderful church community. ALL AGES ARE INVITED AND ENCOURAGED TO ATTEND! Activities are intended to appeal to everyone.
Adults
The mission of the Adult Faith Formation Team is to provide opportunities for congregation members that help us explore vital questions about our faith and grow in faith as a community of believers. The team works with the Lead Minister to conceive, organize and present group programs around speakers, book discussions, movies, educational classes, new resources, etc. We strive to create a range of programs that may appeal to a broad cross-section of our congregation.
Youth Program
Youth Group
Join the oldest school-aged youth in joyful connection-building, truth-seeking, and discovery of the “really real.” We’ll share authentic conversations over meals, make meaning while doing justice and service work, and get in touch with what resonates with the spirit in each of us as we hold space to ask big questions and pursue the answers together. We warmly welcome all, regardless of membership or religious beliefs.
Youth Service Trips
An opportunity to participate in a justice-focused service learning experience and travel is a highlight of the summer for Macalester Plymouth youth. With goals of creating positive change that aligns with our shared values, experiencing new cultures, building community, deepening our spirituality, and increasing individual's senses of self, these trips are often described as life-changing. Previous locations include New Orleans, Los Angeles, and Boulder, CO.
Confirmation
Traditionally, confirmation is a time for youth to reflect on their beliefs and decide if they want to become a member of the church. We do not approach this as a time of indoctrination, but rather a time of deepening reflection on their experiences and beliefs. It culminates in a celebration of who they are no matter what they decide. Typically, confirmation is for youth entering 8th and 9th grade and is a year-long process offered every other year. Our approach emphasizes experiential learning and discussion rather than a didactic "classroom" style.
Our Whole Lives
Our Whole Lives (OWL) is a lifespan sexuality curriculum co-authored by the United Church of Christ and the Unitarian Universalist Church. OWL helps participants make informed and responsible decisions about their relationships, health and behavior in the context of their faith. It equips participants with accurate, age appropriate information in six subject areas: human development, relationships, personal skills, sexual behavior, sexual health, and society and culture. It provides not only facts about anatomy and human development, but helps participants to clarify their values, build interpersonal skills and understand the social, emotional and spiritual aspects of sexuality. We typically offer Our Whole Lives for middle school and high schoolers every other year.