Why I’m Starting a Young Adult Group at My Church (And Why I Think the UCC Needs to Do More)

I’m a 21 year old who has always had a passion for church. Ever since I can remember, I have loved sermons, loved the rituals, loved hymns. I even remember joining a prayer group in middle school. Church just works for me. There’s something about faith that really speaks to me. Perhaps it’s because I’ve always been an anxious person so the idea of a higher power who is looking out for me is comforting (though I do remember the nightly children’s prayer of “if I should die before I wake, I pray the Lord my soul to take” terrifying me because that idea completely goes over the heads of children). That explains the relationship with God part, but I still can’t quite figure out why the traditions click. Regardless, they do. And I know I’m not the only young adult who feels that way. I know I’m not the only young adult who has progressive values who wants to discuss issues that are important and work to change the systems that are broken. But unfortunately, I feel so alone in this prospect. Why aren’t there more resources for young adults who feel this way? Why doesn’t my denomination, which I do love dearly, I promise, do more? A quick search on the United Church of Christ website does not contain the information that I think it should. It has the typical mainline Protestant information about “Young Adult Service” groups for mission trips and such, a link to our sexual education program, Our Whole Lives (which I think could be a useful and interesting draw to the church), but also no campus ministry information. There’s also committee for youth and young adult ministry, but honestly? There is just not a ton of information available for young adults who want to get connected to a church. Even just browsing random churches’ websites, I rarely ever see information about young adult groups. I desperately want a connection with young adults who feel similarly to me but it’s just really difficult to find. So in the spirit of Eleanor Roosevelt: “It is not fair to ask of others what you are not willing to do yourself,” I’m taking the initiative to start up a young adult group at my church. My initial ideas are meeting for dinner maybe once a month? Perhaps meeting after church for a quick chat? Maybe even a texting group chat for prayer concerns or just good vibes in general? That is ultimately the first step in my goals for young adult ministry. I’d love to branch out and meet up with young adult groups of other denominations, other faiths, even, and find common ground. I’d love to do service projects with those groups to show the world that Millennials do care about the world around them, that we care about each other. I want this not because I’m upset with the UCC, but because I love it so much. I see us and see that we are a haven for those who feel like they cannot love God as they are and that God does not love them. I know for a fact that there are young adults who feel that way who appreciate my willingness to talk about faith in such a genuine way and perhaps would even want to join a faith community where they could feel truly welcome. I want that for them. I want that for me. We need young adults in the UCC. It is not enough to go from youth group to just the general church population. Young adults do want religious community, though it may look different than what we expect. I know young adults who don’t like sitting through a church service, but would love the opportunity to meet up with other young adults to discuss faith and build community. I’m taking on this task because I believe in the past, present, and future of the UCC. I love this denomination, with its longstanding history of welcome for all of God’s children, but I want more from it so it can thrive and grow. I want to see God’s extravagant welcome extended to all people and that they can be nurtured in a way that is what they need. This is what I need so this is why I’m starting a young adult group at my church.