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, November 16, 9am – 12 noon: Marston Canyon Work Day, we will be clearing trails and removing invasive plants. We will be working under the City of San Diego volunteer program and our work will be supervised by Balboa Park rangers. Meet at the Vermont St. Trailhead (google/maps 1200 Cypress Ave. 92103). Walk down the Vermont St. trailhead on the north side of Marston Canyon. We encourage everyone who attends to bring their own gloves. Wear long sleeved shirts, long pants, sturdy shoes and sun protection. Please bring your own water to stay hydrated! Please RSVP (email fiona.case@missionhillsucc.org), by Tuesday November 12th. All youth (17 years old or younger) need to fill out a waiver form including the signature of a parent/guardian. I will send it to you when you RSVP.
Sunday, November 17, 10am – 11am: the youth group band will play during MHUCC Sunday Service.
Sunday, November 17, 2 pm – 3:30 pm: Sky Zone Trampoline Park. Register here. And fill out the required waivers on the SkyZone website—no entry without one. Kids will have a blast, families will gather for dinner together.
Sunday November 24, 11:30am: Thanksgiving dinner, fellowship hall (youth help to serve the food)
Friday, December 6, 5pm – 6:30pm, Whole Church Advent Celebration
Friday, December 13, 6 pm – 8pm: We will organize crafts and games for the children at the El Nido apartments holiday party (transitional housing for families seeking a safe haven from domestic violence
Saturday, December 14, 5pm – 6pm: We will raise funds for the three charities we are supporting (using our holiday ornaments) at the Holiday in the Hills street fair.
Sunday, December 15, 11:30am – 12:30pm: We will sing carols for the residents of Green Manor
Wednesday, December 18, 5pm: Partnership Churches Youth Christmas Party, hosted at the KCC.
Sunday, January 12, 10am: Youth Orchestra at KCC
Friday, January 24, 6pm – 9pm: Preparation for our annual fundraising event – raising money for our Mexico trip in February
Saturday, January 25, 5pm – 9pm: Our annual fundraising event – raising money for our Mexico trip in February
Saturday, February 15 – Sunday, February 16: Home building trip to Mexico with Casas de Luz.
Friday February 21, 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
Saturday March 8, Volunteering at the San Diego Food Bank Warehouse
Friday, April 11 – Sunday, April 13: Partnership youth group spiritual retreat at Camp Stevens near Julian.
Sunday, May 11: confirmation service and party
Sunday, August 3 – Saturday, August 9: Sierra Service Project, San Diego South Bay
The MHUCC Youth Group Blog
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...
Coastal Cleanup Day 2024
In San Diego County, I Love a Clean San Diego organizes Coastal Cleanup Day with support from the California Coastal Commission, who organizes this...
Youth Group at the Sock Hop
The MHUCC Homecoming Sock Hop was such fun! The Youth Group helped with food prep and serving.
Board Games and Planning
To celebrate the start of a new year for the MHUCC Youth Group, we organized a board game night - and invited friends from the San Diego UCC...