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Unitarian Universalist Association Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministries
August 2010 Young Adult News
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 Letter from the Editor
District support.
Dear Friends,
Did you know there are over 1,000 Unitarian Universalist congregations in the United States?
We have lay-led congregations of 25 members. We have congregations with over 1,000 members. We have urban congregations and rural ones, ones that meet in storefronts and ones that meet in centuries-old, historic buildings. Each of these congregations is a special community of love with its own history, leadership, strengths, and challenges. To effectively resource and support all our members, our Association of Congregations is organized into 19 districts. Their boundaries are admittedly awkward, historical artifacts, but they all have pride, charm, and leadership.
Districts often support youth steering committees or youth empowerment services teams. Many organize amazing youth conferences, camps, leadership and spirituality development opportunities and more. Districts are a place where you can find community and a place where you can lead. Districts are a place where you can find the tools and resources you need to make your congregation stand out as a beacon of outstanding youth ministry!
So what are you waiting for? Find out what's happening by checking your district's website or emailing your district staff and get connected in your district today!
In faith, Erik B. Kesting
UUA Youth and Young Adult Ministries Director
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 Letter from Rev. Monica
Standing on the Side of Love in Arizona.
Hi Family,
I just spent the last week at Camp deBenneville Pines in the
Pacific Southwest District where I was co-chaplain for senior high summer
camp. This past camp was
particularly special for me. It was my fourth senior high summer camp, which meant
that I was present to see one generation of senior high youth grow up and grow
out, which was the theme of this year's camp.
While at camp I spent time talking with members and a youth
advisor of the UU Congregation of Phoenix. During my conversation with the youth advisor I shared with
him the shock and sadness I felt at GA while watching the film "Standing On
the Side of Love in Arizona" and hearing members of our PSWD youth camp family tell
the story of their mother's deportation. The youth advisor recalled his memories of the Sunday morning when a
member of his youth group shared during check-in that her mother had been
deported. The youth advisor and I
fell silent in our separate but shared experience of shock and sadness after hearing
about these young people being separated from their mother.
As I wrote in my May newsletter column, people on both sides
of the immigration debate believe their position is backed by the law, American
values, human rights and/or love. I
encourage you to watch the film "Standing on the Side of in Arizona" and let your conscience be your guide on how you can stand on the side of love and
support a fellow UU youth.
I will end with a reflection attributed to Pastor Martin
Niemoller:
In
Germany, they first came for the Communists,
and
I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Communist.
Then
they came for the Jews,
and
I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Jew.
Then
they came for the trade unionists,
and
I didn't speak up because I wasn't a trade unionist.
Then
they came for the Catholics,
and
I didn't speak up because I was a Protestant.
Then
they came for me-
and
by that time there was no one left to speak up.
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 YaYA of Color blog, UU Living Mosaic.
Living My Faith,
Rev Monica
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Re-source
Resource + Resource = Resourcefulness According to Websters Dictionary, the word "resource" defines what we are doing this month and tools we can use to participate fully in the Unitarian Universalist youth community. So check out the definition of "resource" (reprinted below), gather your energy, click on the link to your district and get involved!
Resource
Main Entry: re·source Pronunciation: \ˈrē-ˌsors, -ˌzors, ri-ˈ\ Function:
noun Etymology: French ressource, from
Old French ressourse relief, resource, from resourdre
to relieve, literally, to rise again, from Latin resurgere -
more at resurrection Date:
circa 1611 1 a : a
source of supply or support : an available means
-usually used in plural b : a natural
source of wealth or revenue -often used in plural c :
a natural feature or phenomenon that enhances the quality of human life
d : computable wealth -usually used
in plural e : a source of information
or expertise
2 : something to which
one has recourse in difficulty : expedient
3
: a possibility of relief or recovery
4
: a means of spending one's leisure time
5
: an ability to meet and handle a situation :
resourcefulness
(from the Merriam-Webster online dictionary)
Resources
UUA District Map (Click on the link to locate your district.)
Direct links to UUA District websites:
Ballou Channing
Central Midwest District
Clara Barton
Florida District
Heartland District
Joseph Priestley
Massachusetts Bay District
Metro New York
Mid-South District
Mountain Desert
Northern New England
Ohio-Meadville District
Pacific Central District
Pacific Northwest District
Pacific Southwest District
Prairie Star District
Southwestern
St. Lawrence District
Thomas Jefferson
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Updates
AZ SB1070
CA Prop 8
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Young Adult Leadership
Bethany Lowe: Your C*UUYAN Liaison to GA
The Young Adult Caucus at General Assembly in Minneapolis last June elected a new liaison for the Continental Unitarian Universalist Young Adult Network (C*UUYAN) to GA. Bethany Lowe was chosen to fill the two-year position from a strong field of candidates. Bethany, 21, from Lexington, MA, is completing her studies at the Global College of Long Island University. Last year her studies took her to Taiwan, Thailand, India, and Turkey on a comparative religions program.
C*UUYAN also recently elected several new board members. Bethany is eager to play the role of liaison with Young Adult Caucus co-moderators to "make sure the Young Adult Caucus co-moderators are informed as the mission of C*UUYAN evolves and changes over the coming year."
Bethany excitedly talked about her role as liaison leading up to GA 2012 in Phoenix. "The major reason I ran was to work with the Young Adult Caucus co-moderators and the leadership of C*UUYAN to facilitate a strong presence of young adults at GA in Phoenix promoting our UU values."
Congratulations, Bethany!
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Events
Opportunities
Trainings
Gatherings
 Dynamic Youth Ministry geared toward Unitarian Universalists.
This online course grounds students in theological, ethical and programmatic aspects of youth ministry, building youth ministry that is a vibrant, robust and flexible part of every congregation.
Learn about youth leadership and spiritual development, professional support for youth advisors, adolescent life issues, multi-generational community building, and various models of youth programming. To register, reference course number "EDFT-8462" in an e-mail to mdowdell@ses.gtu.edu and bruetersward@gmail.com. |
 | Announcements
Association-wide
International
Regional
Local
Field Test "A Place of Wholeness" High School Youth Program - Fall 2010
The UUA seeks congregations diverse in size, location, and culture to field test a new 12-session program, "A Place of Wholeness". Framing a Unitarian Universalist identity as both inheritors of a strong faith tradition and co-creators of that faith's future, the program guides youth towards understanding their place in this interdependent religion of love, faith, hope, reason, freedom, and tolerance. For information or to apply please contact Ministries and Faith Development by email at fieldtest@uua.org or call Alicia LeBlanc at 617-948-4371.
Board member search for the UU Ministry for Earth.
The UU Ministry for Earth is an independent
non-profit organization that strives to provide UUs with organized
ways to connect energy, ideas, and information about how their lives
relate to the living Earth, environmental justice, and future
generations. We are looking for a young adult
passionate about Earth justice to serve as a member of our board. Email office@uuministryforearth.org for more information.
Recruiting web communications (content and monitoring) and other volunteers.
The UUMFE envisions a world in which all
people make reverence, gratitude, and
care for the living Earth central to their lives. Our purpose is to
inspire, facilitate and support personal, congregational and
denominational practices that honor and sustain the Earth and all
beings. If you are passionate about Earth justice, please join us! Email office@uuministryforearth.org for more information.
Become a C*UUYAN At-Large Committee Member. The Steering Committee is looking for two at-large members to guide the big picture of
C*UUYAN's direction and practical work for our next annual
meeting. The term of these appointed positions runs until the summer meeting in
2010, when you can run for re-election. (At-Large Committee Member Job Description.) For more information email us. C*UUYAN Observer to the UUA's
Board
of Trustees. Play a critical role keeping the C*UUYAN community
informed and engaged with the conversations and issues which impact our
movement. The C*UUYAN observer will attend three
Board meetings (and relevant committee meetings) on weekends in Boston, and report to the
steering committee and the broader C*UUYAN body. (C*UUYAN Observer to the Board Job Description)
Interested in either of these positions? For more information email us.
UUA
Youth Project Grant Program (Requires adult advisor) - 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 how to apply, including sample
project ideas, at 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 for ages 16+
(varies).
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Evolution
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 youngadults@uua.org
Keep reading - let's evolve together!
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