Youth
Youth Group
Providing opportunities for youth 7th–12th grade to explore and develop the ethical and spiritual aspects of their lives and make a positive difference in the world.
About our group
The MHUCC Youth Group is a ministry of a progressive, open and affirming church. Our diverse group includes teens from our church families, and from other churches, and youth are not involved in organized religion at all. Everyone is welcome here!
We offer several different types of events and activities, many of which are inspired and lead by youth group members (find our upcoming events list below).
Friday evening meetings, once a month from 6pm – 9pm: These are our largest events and typically include invited speakers and discussions on topics selected by the group, service projects, games, and dinner.
Weekend (usually Saturday) service projects: volunteering with local organizations such as the San Diego Food Bank, San Diego Canyonlands, Friends of Cats, etc.
Visits to other faith communities: last year we visited the Buddhist Temple of San Diego. For the 2024-2025 year we hope to meet with Muslim and Jewish groups.
Sunday morning meetings, every week from 10am – 11am: On three Sunday’s each month there is an opportunity to meet with the entire church community in the sanctuary and then leave the service for our own youth group program – typically a mixture of social catch-up, planning for future events, and a discussion about the Christian faith. One Sunday a month (typically the 3rd Sunday) the youth stay in the sanctuary and contribute to the service as readers, ushers, musicians, etc.
Youth Bible Study, Tuesday evenings starting in September, 6pm – 7pm: An opportunity to explore the most influential book ever written and discuss the spiritual and ethical issues it raises.
Service trips: weekend or week-long opportunities with reputable and well-established organizations. For the 2024-2025 year we are planning a service and retreat weekend at Pilgrim Pines in October, a weekend trip to Mexico to build a home for a young family, working with Casas de Luz, in February, and a week-long 2025 summer trip to work with the Sierra Service Project. These meaningful opportunities are offered a affordable prices and scholarships are available. If our trips are oversubscribed preference is given to youth who have regularly participated other service projects.
Confirmation: for youth that decide to formally join our church we follow curriculum provided by the UCC (“Confirm not Conform”). Topic are incorporated through the year, principally during Sunday meetings. Youth choose to be confirmed in June, alternate years
Videos
Upcoming Events
Saturday, February 15 – Sunday, February 16: Home building trip to Mexico with Casas de Luz.
Wednesday February 19: deadline to sign up for the Youth Group Spiritual Retreat in Julian in April (see below)
Saturday, February 22, 6pm – 9pm: Youth Group Meeting: making soup for the Souperbowl fundraiser for the Uptown Community Service Center
Sunday, February 23, 11:30am: The Souperbowl fundraiser
February 15 – March 7: registration is open for volunteering at the San Diego Food Bank on March 15
Saturday March 15, Volunteering at the San Diego Food Bank Warehouse. Signup opens on February 15, and closes March 7.
Friday, April 11 – Sunday, April 13: Partnership youth group spiritual retreat at Camp Stevens near Julian (see below)
Friday, April 18, 6pm – 9pm: Youth Group Meeting, an evening of contrasts. We will talk about Good Friday, and meditate on the most serious day of the Christian calendar, and we will fill Easter eggs and hide them in preparation for the most joyful day!
Sunday, April 20, 10 – 11pm: Easter Sunday, youth group will reading lessons, serving as ushers
Saturday May 3: volunteer activity (TBD)
Sunday, May 11: confirmation service and party
Sunday, August 3 – Saturday, August 9: Sierra Service Project, San Diego South Bay. We have sufficient interest, so we will be making a provisional booking later this month.
Palm Sunday Weekend Youth Spiritual Retreat
Our Youth Group Spiritual Retreat at Camp Stevens in Julian will be Palm Sunday weekend, April 11-13, Friday evening thru Sunday midday. Open to youth 7th – 12th grade, the camp will provide a weekend of activity for those that enjoy hiking, rock climbing walls, a high-ropes course and archery; or a weekend of art, music, reflection and spiritual growth; or some of both!
The deadline to sign up is February 19. You reserve your spot with a $40 non-refundable deposit and preliminary activity survey. The camp will be $220 per youth, including all food, activities, and transportation from San Diego. Scholarships will be available.
Sign up to volunteer at the Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank Warehouse
(registration opens on February 15, and closes on March 7)
Volunteer on March 15 from 12:30 am- 2:30 pm
Every volunteer must create their own account with the San Diego Food Bank and join our group using our special join code.
Volunteers who are new to Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank:
- Visit http://sdfb.volunteerhub.com/
account/signin and click “create an account” - Create a username and password, and click next
- Enter join code “milhiucy” (join code is case sensitive), click next
- Fill out account information and click “next”.
- Scroll to the event date 3/15 and register for MIRAMAR Warehouse Volunteer Saturday Afternoon Shift 12:30-2:30pm by clicking on the green “sign up” icon.
Volunteers with existing SDFB accounts, but new to our group:
- Visit http://sdfb.
volunteerhub.com/account/ signin and sign in to your account - Click on your name in the upper right corner of the screen, & click “enter join code”
- Enter join code “milhiucy” (join code is case sensitive).
- Click “join”, then click “events” at the top of the screen
- Scroll to the event date 3/15 and register for MIRAMAR Warehouse Volunteer Morning Saturday Afternoon Shift 12:30-2:30pm by clicking on the green “sign up” icon.
The MHUCC Youth Group Blog
Mexico Home Build 2025
We built a house. A home for a wonderful family. Thank you to everyone who participated and who supported us. [gallery type="rectangular"...
An Italian Job: Murder Mystery Dinner Theater
The "Baldini restaurant" was full to bursting with guests, and all the waiting and kitchen staff were busy, busy, busy! The last thing anyone...
Wonders of Creation: Art, Science, and Innovation in the Islamic World
The youth group were invited into a world of wonder as we explored Islamic intellectual and visual culture from the 8th Century to the present day...
Marston Canyon Cleanup
The Youth Group & families, spent a productive morning removing a huge fallen eucalyptus branch and clearing trash along the Marston Canyon...
Chicano Park
The Youth Group visited Chicano Park in Barrio Logan. The mural art was extraordinary, and so much more meaningful as we learnt about the history of...
Refugees and Asylum Seekers
At our September Youth Group Meeting we welcomed Sunni Robertson, Director of Volunteer Engagement at the Jewish Family Service of San Diego. Sunni...