Events and Programs for Youth & Young Adults

Summer Conferences at Silver Lake

Our week-long "conferences" offer life-changing experiences to youth in grades 4 and up, shaping future leaders and spirited community-builders everywhere.  

Confirmation Retreats

At Craigville Conference Center on Cape Cod

At Prindle Pond in Charlton, MA

At Silver Lake Conference Center in Sharon, CT

Confirmation groups and their youth in grades 7-9 are invited to join us for a weekend with activities, worship, and fellowship through our theme of "Becoming and Belonging." These weekends are facilitated by trained teams of pastors and educators from throughout our state. The purpose of these retreats is to offer youth an experience of the wider faith community by exploring basic Christian values of the church in a new community.  Come play and learn together! 

CTUCC Youth Revival

Fill your spirit with praise music and inspiring words in this exciting worship service  that is now an annual tradition in the Connecticut Conference. This is a dynamic worship service that will renew your spirit. Come and lift your praises, celebrate vitality, and embrace diversity! 

 

 

Giv2 (Give Squared)  

Giv2 is a corps of youth and adults giving back to our communities in response to the gifts of God. This model encourages collaboration as groups of congregations to unite in service in their local communities.
 

 

 

 

Thinking About Working For God

The primary aim of the TAWFG program is to notice, name, and nurture youth who have gifts for ministry. This program features the annual "SHINE" retreat for high school students in the fall and also paid apprenticeships in the spring.

 

Joseph D. Clemmons Initiative

The Joseph D. Clemmons initiative was developed by the Connecticut Conference, UCC Racial Justice Ministry. This initiative exists to create a more culturally diverse experience within the youth and young adult ministry programs of the CTUCC and at Silver Lake Conference Center. Through interaction, exchange, investment and connection, we provide a span of opportunities for youth of color to grow as people, as leaders, and as faithful disciples.

 

United Church of Christ Leadership Events

UCC National Youth Event

UNITE!

July 22 to July 25, 2020 at Purdue University

United Church of Christ’s National Youth Event will take place at Purdue University in West Lafayette Indiana July 22-25th 2020. This 4 day event is celebrated as the largest denominational gathering. Often bringing in 4,000 participants, this time together is centered on faith, leadership, service and social justice to empower our youth and young adults (ages 12-22).

Who: Youth ages 12-18 (grades 6 through 12)
What: United Church of Christ’s National Youth Event 
When: July 22-25th 2020 
Where: Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana 
Cost: $375 (note: this does not include transportation)

Click here for registration and transportation information.  The Southern New England Conference will offer bus service from Windsor, CT and Framingham, MA.  Seats can be reserved on a first-come, first serve basis with a deposit of $100.

Click here for an SNE Scholarship Application

Click here for a printable flier

 

 

Youth @ Synod

July 2021 in Kansas City 
Youth at Synod is for young leaders ages 13 to 18 who want to experience the vibrant diversity of the wider church. Stay tuned for more information about this event.  Scholarships are available through the generosity of the Edward Turner, Jr. scholarship fund.

 

Eastern Regional Youth Event (ERYE)

Click here to see photos of ERYE 2018 at California University of Pennsylvania.

 

Ecumenical Advocacy Days

April 24-27, 2020 in Washington, DC

“Imagine, God’s Earth and People Restored!” 
Church leaders meet in Washington, DC every April for worship, learning, networking, and witness. This annual ecumenical gathering culminates in a lobby day on Capitol Hill. Scholarships are available for young adults ages 18-35 who want to engage in activism and advocacy. The deadline for scholarship applications is February 8, 2020.

 

Young Adult Service Communities (YASC)

Young adult leaders (ages 21-35) are transforming communities through the faith-inspired pursuit of justice, collaborative action and intentional living. Applications for the 2018-2019 program year will open in November.  There is a new YASC community sponsored by First Church of Christ in Simsbury in partnership with Hartford area non-profits and CTUCC.