Unitarian Universalist Association Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministries

April 2010   Youth Newsletter
 
Participate
Kesting Headshot Letter from the Editor


The UUA relies upon youth members to help chart its present and future.  Will you play your part?


For many congregations spring brings annual congregational meetings and district gatherings. Soon after that, in June, our congregations will gather for our annual General Assembly. Each of these is an opportunity to participate in the governance of our Unitarian Universalist Association and its member congregations. 
 
Governance can often be dry and boring, but we put up with its tediousness because it enables us to work more powerfully for justice, respond effectively in the face of crises, and effectively speak as a collective, whether that's one congregation speaking up for immigrant rights in their community or our whole Association taking a stand for federal non-discrimination for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender communities.
 
As Unitarian Universalists, we belief all should have a say in shaping the rules and the agreements we make about how we will be together. This is a great blessing but also a great responsibility. Whether you are a long time committee member or have never attended a business meeting, I ask you to step up and participate. Find out when your congregation's annual meeting is and put it on your calendar. Do the same for your district annual meeting. Lastly, check out General Assembly, where thousands of Unitarian Universalists gather for business, worship, community, and justice. Scholarship grants are still available to help youth and young adults attend!
 
The UUA Board of Trustees is considering some big changes to the ways in which we govern and organize ourselves as Unitarian Universalists. If you're not able to participate in one of the events I mentioned above this year, read the recent UU World article to stay informed about changes happening to the way in which we work together. If you have an opinion, contact your Trustee.
 
These opportunities are rarely only business. Come also to find community, to have your spirit nurtured, and to help heal the world.
 
In faith,
 
Erik B. Kesting
UUA Youth and Young Adult Ministries Director
Monica Headshot Pastoral Message
Time of Transformation




Hi Family,
 
For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven:
a time to be born, and a time to die;
a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted;
a time to kill, and a time to heal;
a time to break down, and a time to build up;
a time to weep, and a time to laugh;
a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
a time to throw away stones, and a time to gather stones together;
a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing
a time to seek, and a time to lose;
a time to keep, and a time to throw away;
a time to tear, and a time to sew;
a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
a time to love, and a time to hate;
a time to war, and a time for peace.
                                                                                          
                                                                                                (Ecclesiastes 3 1-8)

We are couple of days into spring yet the Denver area is digging out of a foot of snow while people in other parts of the country are digging in their gardens.  Spring is indeed a time of contrasts.
 
Spring is also a transformative time of year.  It is a time to honor those who were past-over.  A time of resurrection when the colors of nature come alive.  It is a time to celebrate life in all its manifestations. 
 
During this season of transformation, I encourage you to take time to reflect on your inner season of being.  I invite you to be mindful of what in you needs to bloom and come alive and to allow that energy to manifest itself in your life.  Indeed, for everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven.
 
As always I would love to hear from you.  You can message me on Facebook at Monica Cummings, email me at mcummings@uua.org or leave a comment for me on the
 UU Living Mosaic.
 
Living My Faith,
Rev. Monica

Transforming Governance

General Assembly to reduce number of trustees; change would have implications for districts.


In a special meeting February 4, the Board of Trustees unanimously approved a resolution to pursue comprehensive reforms of the governance of the Unitarian Universalist Association.  The immediate goal of the resolution, which would require approval by the 2011 and 2012 General Assemblies, is a smaller board, but other changes would follow.
Nick Allen corrected headshot

Leader Profile:  Nick Allen




"Being UU has given me a new way to think about leadership, relationships, religious grounding, self in community, and a foundation from which to build a rich and full life."
Ask 19 year old UUA Youth Trustee Nick Allen how being Unitarian Universalist has changed his life and he answers directly, "It has given me the chance to be involved."
 
Nick was born and raised UU, but his relationship to the faith blossomed when he was elected District Representative to Youth Council at age 15.  At first he didn't understand what that meant, "I got a call from a UUA Trustee asking if I would be at the 2006 Youth Council in Boston.  When I realized they wanted me to participate I was inspired and felt empowered."  Over time, Nick's involvement in governance of our Association deepened.  He served on President Sinkford's Youth Ministry Working Group, on the General Assembly Youth Caucus Staff, as Youth Observer to the UUA Board of Trustees, and most recently as Youth Trustee. 
 
These experiences gave him an integrated view of what being UU means: "It is faith and practice. Faith is in embracing and trusting the process of discovery, even when I feel doubt.  Practice is in loving skepticism, perceiving 'otherness', recognizing reciprocity, and expressing tenderness through our way of being, the struggle for social justice, and theological questions." He adds, "I'm UU because I love the romantic ideal of covenant and sharing principles with others in community."
 
Nick believes that youth involvement is essential to the health of our Association of Congregations. "Youth need to claim the UUA for our own because without our energy the story of the UUA stagnates.  It loses the ability to recreate itself.  Religion is about continuity and change - and this happens when youth engage with the adult leadership of our Association."
 
When asked how he plans on practicing his UU faith in the future, Nick said he intends to remain an active UU. He is worried, however, that paths for involvement are limited for young adults like him-no longer youth but not yet settled in life. He will be attending General Assembly in Minneapolis this year and his term as Trustee runs until June 2011.
 
If you would like to get more involved in the governance of our Association like Nick, attending General Assembly is a great opportunity and scholarships are available for interested youth.

How to become a District Trustee.
What is the Youth Caucus?
How to become Youth Observer to the Board of Trustees.
How to become Youth Trustee.
 Events

Youth
Opportunities
Training
Gatherings

 
Chrysalis Training of Trainers, July 10 - 14.
For youth and adult advisors. Become a Chrysalis Trainer and train others. Expenses paid for selected participants.
 
Interfaith Leadership Summer Camp, August 1-6, Highlands, NC.
For youth and adult advisors. Learn how to lead from an interfaith perspective. Partially subsidized event.
 
LDC for Youth and Young Adults of Color, August 13-17, Boston, MA.
Annual Leadership Development Conference for Youth and Young Adults of Color.

2010 YOUTH Midwest Leadership School for Youth (14-18), July 18-24, Beloit, WI.
This intensive experience engages, challenges, and trains Unitarian Universalist youth in Leadership Skills Development, Worship, and Religious Values & Heritage.
 Announcements

Association-wide
International
Regional
Local


GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGISTRATION IS OPEN!
Join thousands of Unitarian Universalists June 23 - 27, 2010 for the 2010 General Assembly (GA) in Minneapolis. You'll experience wonderful and uplifting worship services-morning and night-led by some of our best worship leaders, with glorious music and inspiring messages. General Assembly is also the way that our faith does business, and YOU have a voice in the discussion. There will be hundreds of entertaining programs and informative workshops, including programming specifically for youth and young adults. Scholarships are available. Learn more or register today!

SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE TO ATTEND GA.
The UUA Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministries is offering scholarship grants to youth who want to attend GA June 23-27, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, who can't attend because of financial difficulty.  Accepted applicants will have their GA registration paid for by the UUA, and will receive up to $500 to pay for costs associated with attendance.  Applications are due April 20, 2010, so don't delay!
 
UUA UNVEILS NEW YOUTH PROJECT GRANT PROGRAM - APPLY NOW!
As called for in the Youth Ministry Working Group Recommendations, the UUA has established a grant program for local youth-led projects giving Unitarian Universalist high school-aged youth opportunities to grow in faith, deepen in spirit, develop skills, and offer leadership and service to Unitarian Universalist communities.  Grants up to $2,000 will be awarded to youth who pair with an adult advisor in a sponsoring congregation, district, or Unitarian Universalist organization.  We are accepting applications now, so apply immediately!  

Learn about how to apply, including sample project ideas: Youth Project Grants.

SKILL-BUILDING CAMP - Unitarian Universalist Service Committee (UUSC) JustWorks Camps
Through JustWorks Camps, participants work directly with people in local communities on direct-service projects, learning about human-rights issues firsthand.  Short-term (usually week-long) projects help participants examine and understand the root causes and damaging effects of injustice, with an eye to promoting intercultural understanding. Participants are taught advocacy skills for addressing issues of poverty, discrimination, and racism in their own communities. Usually ages 16+ (varies).

TRAVEL - Unitarian Universalist Service Committee (UUSC) Civil Rights Journey
An inspiring intergenerational trip that takes you to sites of significance in the U.S. civil rights movement.  Participants travel by bus from Atlanta, Georgia, to the historic cities of Birmingham, Moontgomery, and Selma, Alabama.  Participants will meet and hear directly from some of the courageous people who worked to desegregate schools, register new voters, and bring an end to racial discrimmination in the United States.  Along the way, learn about the progressive, nonviolent organizing techniques used by civil rights activists and how they are still being used today.  (14+)
 
GENERAL ASSEMBLY VIDEO PROJECT - DEADLINE MAY 14.
Have a short video that you've posted on your congregation's website or sent out to welcome visitors, educate or inspire members, or evangelize?  Want to create one? Your fellow Unitarian Universalists want to see it; UUA is selecting the best videos to showcase at General Assembly. The GA Video Project Team will work with you to make this a success. Learn more!
Resources
 
Books
Videos
Website
Organizations


GRANTS - Youth Project Grants
Grants ranging in value from $200-$2,000 to help support congregations and districts by creating opportunities for youth, including service and spirituality projects.

VIDEO - "Ogden Unitarian Universalists Reach Out to BGLT Youth"  The Ogden OUTreach Center drop-in program for bisexual, gay, lesbian, and transgender youth and young adults has created a safe space for BGLT Youth in this conservative Utah town.  Watch UU values in action during this six minute video, and see how ours is truly a religion for our time!

BOOK - When Youth Lead: A Guide to Intergenerational Social Justice Ministry
Based on a view of youth as equal participants in congregational life, this Tapestry of Faith toolkit book offers adults who work with youth guidance to construct and maintain a healthy, spiritually vital youth ministry.  For more information contact socialjustice@uua.org
Noticed our new look?

We are working on making your newsletter more fun to read and use, with more opportunities to get involved, connect with other UUs, and deepen your faith.

Let us know what you think!  What's missing?  What are you tired of seeing? 

E-mail us at youth@uua.org

Keep reading - more changes are on the way!
 
Thanks!