Young Adult News
A monthly newsletter of the UUA Office of Young Adult Ministries    May, 2009 -  Issue 69

In This Issue
May Action of the Month
GA Young Adult Scholarship Deadline Extended
Register Now for ConCurrent
Join Our Mailing List!
Events
OMD - UUYAN Spring Con
May 29-31, 2009
Shaker Hts, OH

CMWD - CONscientious: Live Your Faith!
May 29-31, 2009
Brookfield, WI

ConCurrent: Opus and ConCentric 2009
June 19-23, 2009
Salt Lake City, UT
May Action of the Month: Crash Course for Immigrant Justice
Each month, the UUA implements robust action campaigns that aim to engage congregations and individual UUs.  Actions of the Month will focus on accomplishing concrete policy objectives that reflect our faith values.  Visit the UUA's Social Justice page for more information.

When it comes to immigration, understanding the issues and promoting awareness is half the battle. Lead your congregation, community, campus groups, or friends in some of the activities suggested in the UUA's May Action of the Month, Crash Course for Immigrant Justice. The Crash Course resources include guidelines for conducting an interactive art project, hosting an Immigration/Migration Quiz Night, and competing in an essay contest.

You can keep up to date on immigration & UU advocacy by following UUA Immigration on Twitter, or hold a discussion about a book, film, or sermon. Please send photos & stories of your May actions for immigrant justice to Susan Leslie as sleslie@uua.org so we can post them on our Congregational Stories page or blog!
Greetings!
Greetings all,
 
I hope you'll take a few minutes from your day to read through the important announcements in this month's issue of Young Adult News. First, if you have not already heard about the Mosaic Project, which focused on ministry with youth and young adults of color, be sure to check it out! Links to more information and the Mosaic Project Report can be found in the article below. Second, if you still need a scholarship to General Assembly, do not delay in reading on... the deadline has been extended to May 15but funds are limited! Apply immediately if interested! Third, the Continental UU Young Adult Network is having their annual conference, ConCurrent, in Salt Lake City in June and you're invited!
 
In next month's Young Adult News you can expect information on the UUA's reporting as requested by the 2008 General Assembly Responsive Resolution Youth and Young Adult Empowerment: Accountability. Until then, may the power and the spirit move through you and with you.
 
In faith,
 
Erik B. Kesting
Acting Co-Director of Young Adult Ministries

UUA Releases the Mosaic Project Report
The Mosaic Project is an assessment project of the Identity-Based Ministries staff group, in cooperation with the Office of Youth Ministries, the Office of Young Adult Ministries, and other Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) staff, that focuses on identifying the Unitarian Universalist ministry needs of Youth and Young Adults of Color. The 2009 Mosaic Project Report provides the findings of the study and recommendation for congregations, districts, and the association.
 
"As a religious educator, and a parent of young adult Unitarian Universalists of color," said Natalie Fenimore, Director of Religious Education at the UU Congregation of Fairfax, VA, "I welcome the Mosaic Project Report as evidence of the commitment of the Unitarian Universalist Association to our ministry to and with youth and young adults of color and Latina/o and Hispanic, and multicultural/multiethnic descent."
 
Fenimore observed, "While this document acknowledges the shortcomings of our congregations and our Association in this ministry, it also lays out a way forward and gives voice to the desire for 'deep conversations.' The road to the future Unitarian Universalist faith community presented in this report-that is, a community that supports, values and celebrates the diversity of our youth and young adults-is a road that must be taken."
 
The Mosaic Project recognizes that, while many UU congregations are predominantly white/European descent, most have one or more members of color, particularly children. The project's report focuses on four key areas: developing anti-racist, anti-oppressive communities; creating multicultural communities that encourage the full participation of differing cultures; supporting healthy racial identity development; and, nurturing and supporting People of Color communities. Read more about the Mosaic Project and the Mosaic Project Report.
GA Young Adult Scholarship Deadline Extended
The General Assembly scholarship application deadline for financial assistance from the Young Adult Ministries Office has been extended to May 15. If you are a young adult and are need financial assistance in order to attend General Assembly, please fill out this scholarship application (PDF) and email it to the YOUNG ADULT MINISTRIES OFFICE care of Hallie Andrew at handrew@uua.org or fax it to 617-367-4798. You do not need to complete the last two bullets on the Application Checklist. Contact Hallie Andrew at handrew@uua.org with any questions.
Register Now for ConCurrent: Opus and ConCentric 2009!
Who: You!  (young adults ages 18-35)
When: Friday afternoon, June 19 through Tuesday evening, June 23, 2009
Where: University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT
Why: For spirituality, for depth, for community, for playing your part in the UU young adult movement
How: Register by Monday, May 25 at http://connectuu.com/events.php?action=view&event_id=1202
How much:  $200-375 (see below).  Payment due upon arrival.
 
The Continental Unitarian Universalist Young Adult Network (C*UUYAN) Steering Committee is happy to announce the network's annual conference, coming up just before the UU General Assembly in Salt Lake City, Utah!  Join us at ConCurrent for five days of community, worship, workshops, and guiding our organization.  This conference will provide the spiritual depth and the leadership and C*UUYAN business opportunities that you have come to expect from Opus and ConCentric.
 
UU young adult ministry in North America is going through a critical time of transformation.  ConCurrent will serve as a vital opportunity to engage with this process as a community.
 
We will also be graced by the presence of some surprise guests-keep an eye out for more info.
 
Registration:  Register now at ConnectUU.com.  You must register by Monday, May 25 to be guaranteed space.  We are offering a sliding scale registration fee.  The Fair Share cost for ConCurrent is $375.  Because we want this event to be accessible to all, we are striving to provide options for those who may have difficulty coming up with the full $375.  If you are unable to afford this amount, we will offer a subsidy to bring the cost down as far down as $200.  In addition, further scholarships are also available.  Please contact us at CUUYAN-SC@yahoogroups.com for more information.  Payment will be expected upon arrival at ConCurrent.  Thank you for paying the full amount that you can afford!
 
Business:  We will conduct C*UUYAN business during plenary sessions throughout ConCurrent.  If you have an idea for how to improve C*UUYAN, you are welcome to submit it as a resolution for plenary.  Please contact Steering Committee at CUUYAN-SC@yahoogroups.com for more information.
 
Staff:  We are seeking staff support for chairing the conference, worship, workshops (spiritual and leadership as well as anti-oppression/anti-racism), chaplains, and business moderators.  Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis.  Staff will be reimbursed for their travel and will have their conference registration fee waived.  There are ample opportunities for helping out in other capacities as well: with worship, running a workshop, or any other way you might think of!  Contact Steering Committee to apply at CUUYAN-SC@yahoogroups.com.
 
For more information (including answers to some FAQs), visit: http://www.uuyan.org/details-on-the-sure-to-be-awesome-concurrent.
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
(608) 467-6886- ekesting@uua.org