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Unitarian Universalist Association Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministries
May 2010 Youth Newsletter
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 Letter from the Editor
A Unitarian Universalist Summer.
Many of our Unitarian Universalist congregations reduce programming in the summer. They hold fewer worship services, committees tend not to meet, and youth groups often go on hiatus. Other congregations plug along full steam ahead through the warmer months. Reasons abound for this fluctuation including historical connections to the agrarian calendar and the absence of air conditioning in many sanctuaries. What does your congregation do in the summer? Do you like this liturgical ebb and flow or do you prefer consistency all year long?
Regardless of your congregation's approach, there are many opportunities for Unitarian Universalist renewal during the summer including district leadership institutes, family UU summer camps, interfaith leadership camp, and national youth leadership trainings. What will you do to keep your faith in action this summer?
In faith,
Erik B. Kesting
UUA Youth and Young Adult Ministries Director |
 Pastoral Message
Overcoming our fears.
Hello Family,
Fear is a powerful emotion. It can motivate people and communities to behave in ways
that seem irrational and self-destructive. There are things we all fear. For example, not getting what we want or losing what we
already have. Some parents fear
their children will not receive their fair share of programs supported by their
tax dollars. Communities fear not
being able to stretch their resources to meet increasing demand.
We live in a time when politicians have mastered the
strategy of "manufactured fear." The
more fear generated by those in power, the more people are willing to vote
against their own best interests to alleviate their fear. When voters in our country are willing
to see the "other" as the problem, they are less likely to focus on the individuals,
groups and businesses that profit from their fear.
Over the past few months, stories about immigration have
increased. Most noteworthy is the
Anti-Immigrant Law passed in Arizona in April. People in support of tightening our borders and deporting those
who are undocumented believe they stand on the side of law and order. People who support amnesty for
undocumented immigrants believe they stand on the side of economic justice, human
rights and love.
I encourage you to get in touch with what you fear, because
if you are in control of what you fear instead of being controlled by what you
fear, you will be one less consumer of the current political strategy of manufactured
fear.
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 UU Living Mosaic.
Living My Faith,
Rev. Monica |
Camp Life
UU summer camps: So much fun you'll ask for winter camp!
School is almost out and everybody is thinking about summer - getting out into the world, exploring, recharging batteries, and living inspired experiences. In addition to summer training opportunities offered by the UUA, UU camps happen all over America, offering opportunities to grow, worship, and have fun with other UUs. Activities range from "traditional" summer camps that include camping, group sports, and nature trips, to spiritual retreats and service opportunities. more
Summer camps also strengthen the bonds within your congregation, making them truly multi-generational and inclusive as members participate together in worship and activities. more
Attending summer camp is an incredibly rewarding experience.
The UU community is everywhere, but it is only as vibrant as we make it. Going to a UU summer camp lays the foundation of the vibrant community that will accompany you throughout your life.
UU camp resources. more
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Leader Profile: Noel Burke
Summer transition.
"I'll find a way to practice my faith in community."
Noel Burke was introduced to the UUA when her dad took the job as Choir Director at Elliot Chapel in Missouri. She recognized herself in the values of the 7 Principles of Unitarian Universalism and became active in her congregation.
She has been an active UU youth ever since, and quickly found her place, making friends and accepting the opportunity to lead. She is naturally very attached to her local congregation, having grown up with it, but is glad that the national UU community is strong. As a senior in high school looking forward to going to college next fall she realizes she'll have to find a new congregation, and if there isn't one nearby she can look to campus life for the opportunity to congregate with other UU's, declaring, "If there isn't a UU congregation at my school, I'll start one!"
She'll be at GA again this year, but for the first time without her dad, who figured that she'd do a fine job representing their family and congregation without his help. True to form, Noel organized other youth to join her, ensuring her congregation is strongly represented in Minneapolis.
Noel was selected Junior HUUPER, or co-dean, of the Youth Caucus at GA, where she will rely upon her enthusiasm and ability to inspire others to organize the planning of Youth Caucus events.
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 | Events
Opportunities
Training
Gatherings
 Looking for something to do this summer? We'll make space for you at our events!
Don't worry that you missed the application deadline, but do call Jeremie at 617-948-4352 now!
The Youth Interfaith Leadership Camp is August 1 - 6. It's a leadership summer camp for youth-adult teams at the beautiful Mountain Retreat and Learning Center, in NC, in partnership with the Interfaith Youth Core. Registration, lodging, and meals are free, but you are responsible for travel costs (scholarships are available). Our January 2010 Youth Interfaith Leadership Camp was a great success and the August one will be even more fun at The Mountain!
Chrysalis Training of Trainers is July 10 - 14, is for youth and adults who want to become Chrysalis Trainers. Participants will be trained to co-lead Leadership Development and Spirituality Development Conferences for youth around the country. This Training of Trainers is an all-expenses-paid opportunity to grow in leadership and in spirit, and is held outside Atlanta, GA.
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.
GoldMine 2010 Youth Leadership School, July 25-31, Bremerton, WA.
An intensive six-day school to develop personal creed, deepen knowledge of UU heritage and values, expand leadership skills, explore paths of worship, and learn to be a better communicator.
Southeast GoldMine 2010, August 8-14, Oak Ridge, TN.
An intensive five-day program to develop personal creed, deepen knowledge of UU heritage and values, expand leadership skills, explore paths of worship, and learn to be a better communicator.
Ohio Meadville District Summer Institute, July 11-17, Kenyon College, Gambier, OH.
A family-friendly camp with programming for youth, young adults, adults, and children.
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 | Announcements
Association-wide
International
Regional
Local
General Assembly Resgistration 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. Learn more or register today!
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
adviser 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, Montgomery, 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 discrimination 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! The 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. E-mail us! |
Resources
 | Books
Videos
Website
Organizations
Video - "A Religion for Our Time, Episode 4: "The Theology of Star Wars!", is a compelling and fun way to engage a
discussion of theology and Unitarian Universalist
principles from a curriculum designed around the Star Wars movies.
It's working like a charm at UUWF. Check it out!
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
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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!
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