Young Adult News
A monthly newsletter of the UUA Office of Young Adult Ministries    October, 2008 -  Issue 62

In This Issue
UUA Action of the Month: Publish for Peace with Iran
Youth Ministry Office Updates
DRUUMM Conference 2008
"Rebuild the Gulf Coast" Student Conference in New Orleans
Young Adult Caucus Chaplain Opening
Spiritual Youth for Reproductive Freedom Regional Training Institute
UUCF Revival 2009
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Quick Links
UUA Action of the Month: Publish for Peace with Iran
The Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) is launching an exciting new initiative called Action of the Month. Each month, the UUA implements robust action campaigns that aim to engage congregations and individual Unitarian Universalists (UUs). The monthly actions focus on accomplishing concrete objectives that reflect our faith values.  For more information on the Action of the Month, visit the UUA Social Justice Page.
 
 
For October's Action of the Month, the UUA invites you to join UUs across the nation to Publish for Peace with Iran. 
Our goal is to get one letter-to-the-editor or op-ed published in each of the 19 UU districts. Visit our Publish for Peace Campaign Headquarters for tips, resources, and background information.
Happy October!
From working group meetings to training events to conferences, there is never a dull moment in the Young Adult Ministries Office during the fall! In fact, this issue is coming to you a bit later than usual because we are settling back into the office after returning from our Young Adult and Campus Ministry Professional Training and Meeting Conference that took place October 9-12. Aside from general visioning and networking, topics addressed at this event included the three levels of service (local, district, and denomination), how to better serve bridgers, how to grow and maintain new and existing campus ministries and how to facilitate culture shift towards one where young adults are incorporated into congregations.
 
In this issue of Young Adult News you will find information about several upcoming opportunities to get involved, including information about the DRUUMM Conference, a "Rebuild the Gulf Coast" Student Conference, a Regional Training Institute by the Spiritual Youth for Reproductive Freedom, an opportunity to apply for the Young Adult Caucus Chaplain, and the Unitarian Universalist Christian Fellowship Revival 2009.
Until next time,
 
Hallie Andrew
Young Adult Ministiries Office Administrator
Youth Ministry Office Updates 
If you'd like to receive updates on the ongoing transitions within youth ministry, including the Youth Ministry Working Group please sign up for the Youth Ministry Office newsletter.  For more information on the Working Group, please visit the Youth Ministry Working Group webpage on UUA the UUA website.
DRUUMM Conference 2008
 
The DRUUMM Annual Conference will be having A People of Color Conference from Friday, November 7 to Sunday November 9 at the Murray Grove Retreat Center in Lanoka Harbor, NJ.  Join Co-Deans Rev. Leslie Takahashi-Morris and Rev. Om Prakash John Gilmore for a weekend of great community, growing, and nurturing.

Highlights of the conference include:
  • Meeting new UUA Staff and DRUUMM Steering Committee members who are working to strengthen People of Color Ministry in Unitarian Universalism including Rev. Danielle DiBona, DRUUMM President
    Learning and giving feedback on the past and future of DRUUMM through an assessment being conducted by Crossroads Ministry.
  • Workshops and discussion choices on internalized oppression, anti-racism, spirituality, creativity and social justice
    Great food!
  • Being a part of a wonderful UU community for a weekend.
The conference is family, children and youth friendly.
Cost: Adults $90-140 (includes housing), Youth $50. Scholarships are available.
 
For more details and to register please visit www.druumm.org.
"Rebuild the Gulf Coast" Student Conference in New Orleans

Three years after Hurricane Katrina, the Gulf Coast still does not have adequate housing, hospitals, or schools.  The Deep South Center for Environmental Justice at Dillard University and the Gulf Coast Civic Works Project are hosting a student conference entitled "Rebuild the Gulf Coast, Rebuild America: Do it Green" on November 14-16 at Dillard University in New Orleans.

The conference will focus on:  

  • the current state of Gulf Coast communities;
  • The Gulf Coast Civic Works Act (HR 4048), which creates a regional authority to fund resident-led recovery projects creating 100,000 good jobs and training opportunities for local and displaced workers to rebuild infrastructure and restore the environment (www.SolvingPoverty.com)
  • Building a national campus movement for racial, social, and environmental justice.

The student conference will include a Wetlands and Toxic Tour, testimonies from community leaders, strategy sessions and spoken word. 

Students willing to commit to service hours towards the Gulf Coast Civic Work Campaign can receive a student stipend, which includes lodging, food, and $100 towards airfare (if flying) to New Orleans.  For more information, mivorywill@aol.com or smlipton@sjsu.edu

Young Adult Caucus Chaplain Opening

Are you interested in an exiting leadership opportunity? Would you like to serve our community at the GA Young Adult Caucus?  The Young Adult Caucus is looking for a Chaplain for the 2009 General Assembly in Salt Lake City, Utah.  We are looking for a CP certified Chaplain to be a part of the Caucus Team during this exciting year.  

 Responsibities:
  • Chaplain duties
  • Create 3 contemporary worship services
  • Be a on the Synergy Worship Planning Team - a Worship service that is Coordinated by the Young Adult Caucus, Young Adult UUA Office, Youth UUA Office, & Youth Caucus.  This part of the position begins immediately.  

At this time we are able to guarantee a stipend of $600 but we are continuing to look for more funding for this position.
 
Please fill out an application form and send to rforest@gmail.com or mail to Royal Forest at 516 Main St. Northport, NY 11768.
 
Deadline for submissions is Nov 10th 2008.

Spiritual Youth for Reproductive Freedom Regional Training Institute
The Spiritual Youth for Reproductive Freedom (SYRF)--a program of the Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice (RCRC)--is hosting a Regional Training Institute in three cities across the country between October 2008 and March 2009:
San Francisco, CA: November 7-8, 2008
Apply by October 3, 2008

Washington, DC: February 1-2, 2009
Apply by December 22, 2008

Austin, TX: March 7-8, 2009
Apply by January 30, 2009
Each training will feature intensive skills sessions preparing participants to galvanize community support for reproductive justice in a faithful context. Trainings will be led by experts in the fields of organizing, religion, and reproductive justice. Session topics include event planning, communications, theology, personal leadership development, and more. Download a sample schedule and see what we've got in the works.

SYRF Regional Trainings are completely free to accepted participants. Applications for the first training in San Francisco, CA are due before October 3, 2008 so apply today!
UUCF Revival 2009
The 8th Global Revival sponsored by the Unitarian Universalist Christian Fellowship will be held Mar. 26-29 at All Souls Church in Tulsa, OK.  The Revival will feature the charismatic, dynamic African-American Universalist preacher Bishop Carlton Pearson, author of "The Gospel of Inclusion".  Pearson's story has been featured prominently in documentaries on MSNBC and NPR and other national media.
 
Young adults are eligible for scholarships to defray expenses to the gathering. More information is available through the  Revival site where a brochure can be obtained. Registration can be handled through the mail or email, and online registrations will begin on Jan. 1, 2009.
 
Highlights of the Revival include:
  • a panel on the emergent church
  • workshops on a variety of topics
  • films
  • small groups exploring personal faith journeys and the relationship of UUism and Christianity within and without the UUA
  • worship that includes Taize, Centering Prayer, Communion, Prayer and Healing, opening worship led by the Rev. Gerald Davis of the multi-ethnic multi-racial Church of the Restoration in north Tulsa and ministers of the other Tulsa UU churches.

The UUCF was founded in 1945 in Boston. Previous revivals have been held in New Orleans, St. Louis, Washington, D.C., Worcester, MA, Fort Worth, New York City, and Cleveland. Contact UUCF Executive Director Rev. Ron Robinson for more information.

Contact the Office of Young Adult Ministries
Hallie Andrew - Young Adult Ministries Office Administrator
(617) 948-4645 - handrew@uua.org
Nancy DiGiovanni - Acting Co-Director of Young Adult Ministries
(617) 948-4629 - ndigiovanni@uua.org
Erik B. Kesting - Acting Co-Director of Young Adult Ministries
(617) 948-6463 - ekesting@uua.org