MEET THE 2023 COA CLASS

Every spring, the Coming of Age class presents a service of their own design which represents the culmination of their final year in our Children's Religious Exploration program. This beloved rite of passage signifies the transition from childhood to adolescence in our community. The service, which includes readings and music the teens choose and perform themselves, features a “This I Believe” statement from each member of the class in which they share their perspectives with the broader congregation.

We’ve chosen a few sentences to highlight from each “This I Believe” statement to give you a taste of the thoughtfulness, humor, and wisdom these young people bring to our congregation. You can watch the entire 2023 Coming of Age service here: tinyurl.com/fusCOA

Mason Shadle

“If you are open-minded to anything such as new experiences and new opportunities, you can potentially have more fun and learn new things. Sometimes things as simple as trying a new food, smiling at someone who walks by you who you don’t know, exploring a new place, and going outside of your comfort zone can all be great ways to be open-minded and find joy in your life.”

Spencer Comer

“Part of being a Unitarian is coming together with people from different beliefs and cultures, and uniting as one, no matter what our beliefs on God are. This is why I chose to be Unitarian: it’s a place where everyone can thrive and nobody has to feel left out.”

Reece Conroy

“Games are much more than a form of entertainment; they have the power to educate, inspire, connect, and enrich our lives in many ways. Whether we are alone or with others, games offer a unique and valuable experience that has the potential to improve and enhance our lives in many ways.”

Nico Conti

“Music also has its own meanings and associations. Each song I listen to carries its own landscape and set of mental images. However it’s experienced, and however it presents itself, music is something that’s very important to me. It changes the way I experience things, and it lets me see its images, stories, and landscapes.”

Desmond Lasseter

“I truly think that the experience of living in a different country for any time period is very valuable to a person’s character. You undergo moments that are incomprehensible if you did not experience them yourself. In life, I will take the lessons that I learned in Hungary with me. I will make sure to welcome anyone who moves to the US because I know how it feels to be alone in an unknown country.”

ADAM SANDWICK-SCHROEDER

“To put this plainly, putting patience into practice presents a perfectly painted picture that appears to be paradise, but I find it to be painfully apparent that patience isn’t always practical. I think if the world were to use patience to our advantage it would feel far more enjoyable with less stress and better results, all thanks to patience.”