Unitarian Universalist Association Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministries
May 2010

 
Kesting Headshot Letter from the Editor



Arizona Immigration Law Challenges UU Values
Unitiarian Univeralist Association Contemplates its Response
 


 


Earlier this week the New York Times published an article entitled A Generation Gap Over Immigration. One young adult interviewee claimed that "discussing immigration with her older relatives is like 'hitting your head against a brick wall.'" I am grateful that we are working to breakdown those walls in our religious communities.
 
The article reinforced for me the value of multigenerational relationships in our congregations. "Forget sex, drugs and rock 'n' roll; immigration is a new generational fault line," the article states. Just as Unitarian Universalists have created a space where people of all ages can openly and respectfully discuss issues of sexuality and our faith, we also provide one of the few spaces where different generations can engage in healthy, respectful dialogue on immigration. Thanks to our shared religious convictions about welcoming the stranger and caring for those in need regardless of ethnicity or nationality, Unitarian Universalist communities are a place where young adults can find older adults who will stand in solidarity with them on this important issue.
 
As you know, recent laws passed in the state of Arizona have highlighted the need for consciousness-raising, reform, and love. The UUA Board has called for delegates at General Assembly 2010 to relocate the 2012 General Assembly, currently slated to take place for Phoenix. We need young adult voices at the table as we discern our faithful response. Together we can work for justice, together we can stand on the side of love.
 
In faith,

Erik B. Kesting
UUA Youth and Young Adult Ministries Director

Monica Headshot 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 [email protected] or leave a comment for me on the UU Living Mosaic.
 
Living My Faith,
Rev. Monica
Immigration - Tip of an Iceberg


The Arizona desert is closer than you think.





If all goes according to schedule in Arizona, August will mark the enforcement of State Bill 1070, requiring police to ask any person already detained for another reason for proof of legal residence if police had a "reasonable suspicion" that the detained person could be in the country illegally goes into effect.  In addition, the law allows citizens to bring lawsuits against officials or agencies that they believe are not enforcing the law to its fullest extent and implicates legal residents who transport or "harbor" undocumented friends or relatives.

The law's nondescript name makes it seem unthreatening to American citizens and legal residents, but it potentially effects everyone.  In a statement released April 23, UUA President Peter Morales states, "Arizona's Senate Bill 1070 undermines everything our nation stands for. Under the provisions of this law, members of my own extended family could be targeted and detained, even though we have been American citizens for generations."

UUs everywhere are responding, and on April 25, Arizona Unitarian Universalists joined a large rally at the state capitol to protest the new anti-immigrant law widely judged to be the harshest in the nation. The demonstrators rallied against Senate Bill 1070 and called for federal immigration policy reform. The UUA Board has called for a General Assembly (GA) boycott of Arizona, to be voted on by delegates at GA this year in Minneapolis.

In addition to the pernicious effect of misidentification that is likely to follow as law enforcement officers make a preliminary determination of an individual's residence status on the basis of racial or cultural identification, the law is a gateway to discrimination against all marginalized populations, whether they be racial, religious, cultural, gender or orientation defined. 

Arizona represents the leading edge of a movement, as eleven states are currently considering similar legislation, but the Unitarian Universalists across the country continue to protest  this trend toward unfair, discriminatory laws that challenge the basic values of our faith, and the United States.  There are many ways for UUs to take a stand against this trend and to stand on the side of love. See the resource section below for one: "The UU Social Justice Fellowship in Queens, New York."

 Announcements, Events
& Resources

 
Young Adult Opportunites
Books & Video
Training



Announcements

Employment - Program Consultant for Lifespan Faith Development and Youth Ministry - Ohio-Meadville District (P/T) New!
Help congregations and their leaders provide and expand their Lifespan Faith Development and Youth Ministry programming and ministries.

Fellowship -  UU Social Justice Ministry, Queens, NY, Sept. 2010-11  Deadline July 2010!
The UU Congregation of Queens, NY is seeking six social justice fellows starting this fall to serve the social justice needs of the local community with an emphasis on immigration. The fellowship includes spiritual reflection with support from a UU minister. A great opportunity to deepen your faith through action and theological reflection.

General Assembly Registration Open
Join thousands of Unitarian Universalists June 23 - 27, 2010 for our annual General Assembly (GA) in Minneapolis, MN. 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.

UUA Young Adult Project Grants  Apply Now!
The Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministries offers a number of grants for local congregations and groups. We are always seeking to fund innovative, accountable, and sustainable young adult programs around the continent.  We are currently accepting applications to fund your ideas!

Residency - The Mountain Retreat and Learning Center Young Adult Residency Program
A 15-week residency to help young adults navigate our shared world by providing space to reflect, build community, serve and pursue passions.  For other UU camps and conferences offering similar programs see the Council of UU Camps and Conferences.

Travel - Unitarian Universalist Service Committee (UUSC) JustJourneys
Unique international educational travel experiences that focus on human-rights and social justice issues. Become a more effective human-rights activist and develop action steps for creating change.



Events


LDC for Youth and Young Adults of Color, August 13-17, Boston, MA.
Annual Leadership Development Conference for Youth and Young Adults of Color.

Contrary, May 21-23, 2010, Chicago, IL.
Social action and interfaith discussion to empower each other to become the change we wish to see in the world.  Open to individuals age 18-35.

OPUS, August 4-8, 2010, Manteno, IL
The annual spiritual retreat of the Continental Unitarian Universalist Young Adult Network.


Resources

Book - Spirit of Life - Workshop documentation.  A Tapestry of Faith Program for Adults. 
Based on the popular hymn, the new Spirit of Life adult curriculum offers participants space, time, and community to explore their Unitarian Universalist identity. Participants are invited to claim an inclusive definition of spirituality and recognize the sacred in various aspects of their lives.

Grants
- Young Adult Project Grants
Grants to help support congregations and districts by creating opportunities for young adults, including service and spirituality projects.

Video - "The Theology of Star Wars!"
Episode Four from the series A Religion for Our Time presents a creative approach to theology from the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Wilmington (UUWF), North Carolina. What's a compelling way to engage a diverse audience in discussion of theology and Unitarian Universalist principles? How about a curriculu
m designed around the Star Wars movies? It's working like a charm at UUWF.  Watch other video from the UUA produced series A Religion for Our Time.
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Thanks!