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Unitarian Universalist Association Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministries
September 2010 Youth Newsletter
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 Letter from the Editor
Environmental Justice Concerns Everybody.
Dear Friends,
I just returned from the UUA's Youth Ministry Advisory Committee (YMAC) meeting. As called for in the Youth Ministry Working Group Recommendations, the YMAC serves in an advisory capacity to the UUA President on associational progress in youth ministry and the creation of a truly multigenerational faith. Among other topics, committee discussed the history of youth ministry in our faith, accountability and process for electing the Youth Observer to the UUA Board of Trustees, leadership development and faith based anti-racist, anti-oppressive, multicultural training and identity development opportunities for Unitarian Universalist youth.
This issue of Youth News focuses on environmental justice. Reading through, you will see some of the ways environmental justice links economic, immigrant, and racial justice. This makes real and personal the need for individuals, communities, and municipalities to work harder on environmental justice issues. If we understand the ways in which injustices are linked, our ability to undo them will be strengthened. Lastly, I want to thank the Unitarian Universalist Ministry for Earth for their collaboration in the creation of this issue of Youth News.
Of course, you will also find the many opportunities we always include in our Events and Announcements sections. These include conferences, grants, and more!
Happy reading!
In faith, Erik B. Kesting
UUA Youth and Young Adult Ministries Director
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Environmental Justice
Environment AND people first.
As Unitarian Universalists,
we long for a just society where benefits for some do not come at the expense
of others, especially disadvantaged and oppressed people in our communities and
around the world. The UU Ministry for Earth protects the environment by affirming and promoting the seven principles of the UUA, including:
"Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a
part." We believe that that special
attention need be given to the environmental experience of native peoples, inner
city residents, migrant workers, those in economically depressed rural areas,
and others who, in many cases, have very little influence in the development
and protection of natural resources. The UU Ministry for Earth acts on issues that effect the environment and welfare of all people.
Environmental justice
acknowledges that environmental impacts fall first and most severely on those
who receive the least of society's benefits and have the least power to affect
changes. But the
work of justice also requires that we look at the impact of our own congregational
actions and practices on disadvantaged communities and people of color. If our own actions have negative impacts, surely we can
change our ways. When the actions of others threaten justice, we can find ways
to work in solidarity with the affected communities to prevent or lessen those
impacts. We can also look for opportunities to build new relationships and
create positive impacts in these communities.
The world
is already experiencing impacts from both the human activities that cause
climate change as well as from climate change itself. People fall ill from mining for coal and cleaning up oil disasters. Changing weather patterns contribute to food and water
shortages, leading to increased migration and unrest. Plant and animal species
are going extinct. The UU Ministry for Earth exists to find and advocate for solutions to these problems that are just, fair, and sustainable.
Learn more about the UU Ministry for Earth and how you can make a difference for the earth and the people who live on it by contacting Rowan Van Ness, Environmental Justice Program Associate, Unitarian Universalist Ministry for Earth.
News
Climate Change In
June 2009, the House passed an energy and climate bill, H.R. 2454, known as the
American Clean Energy Security Act, or ACES. Since then, several bills have been introduced in the
Senate, though none have garnered enough support to be brought to a vote. Find more info on the EPA, Clean Air Act, and the Endangerment Finding, and take action.
Gulf Oil Spill The BP Deepwater Horizon Macando well has been capped, but damage remains from the largest oil spill ever. Learn more about the spill, find information, grounding for UU participation and resources, and take action.
Flooding in Pakistan
Hundreds are dead and hundreds of thousands displaced by unprecedented
flooding caused by the worst monsoon rains in 80 years. Massive
flooding in Pakistan has cut people off from access to clean water,
sanitation and food. The UUSC-UUA Joint Pakistan Flood Relief Fund is supporting partner organizations
specifically focused on the needs of women and unaccompanied children.
Resources
UU Ministry for Earth Green Papers on Environment Justice. Papers on the
broad topic of environment and justice, and specific focus areas
such as food, climate disruption, environment and health, and animal
welfare. The
postings are labeled "green papers" because they are meant to stimulate
thoughtful comment, interaction and action by UUs who are involved in
and concerned about the history, connections, and future of environmental
and justice work.
Green Sanctuary Resources
and information for congregations and congregants working together to
restore Earth and renew Spirit. UUSC Environmental Justice UUSC
promotes and defends the human right to water, particularly in
communities facing water-service privatization and resource depletion. UUMFE on Facebook Stay
up to date on UU, interfaith and secular resources on the environment
and justice and connect with other UUs who care about these issues.
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SB1070 + Prop 8
Update /09
(source for graphic: http://colorlines.com)
SB1070
Dennis Burke, the U.S. Attorney for the District of Arizona, talks about the ongoing litigation over Arizona's controversial
immigration law known as SB 1070. Mr. Burke also discusses the latest number from
the United States Border Patrol, Tucson Sector, where arrests of
suspected illegal immigrants are down dramatically. Watch the video.
Prop 8
The Third District Court of Appeal in Sacramento has refused to force
Gov. Schwarzenegger and Attorney General Brown to appeal Judge Walker's
decision to overturn Prop 8 earlier in August. If the Prop 8 supporters -
without the governor or the attorney general - are not allowed to
appeal the case further, same-sex marriages could resume shortly after September 11. Read more.
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Youth and Young Adults of Color
Multicultural Leadership Conference
The first annual Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) Multicultural Leadership Conference for Youth and Young Adults of Color was held in Boston August 13-17. This
conference is part of a UUA commitment to fully serve and include a
multicultural membership. The conference drew twelve participants, ages 15 through mid-30s, from California, Connecticut, Georgia, Maryland, New Jersey and New York. Click here to read more...
Participant evaluations will help shape a
second Multicultural Leadership Conference for summer 2011. Please
contact Rev. Cummings if you are or know of someone who may be
interested in attending.
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 | Events
Opportunities
Trainings
Gatherings
 Common Read: "The Death of Josseline: Immigration
Stories from the Arizona Borderlands"
This month the UUA initiates the Common Read project. Participants are invited to read and discuss the
same book in a given period of time. A Common Read builds community
within congregations and among Unitarian Universalists by giving diverse
people a shared experience, a shared language and a basis for deep and
meaningful conversations. Purchase Margaret Regan's book in hardcover now from the UUA Bookstore or preorder the paperback, due in October. The book is also available in hardcover in
public libraries.
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.
Applications are now being accepted for General Assembly Youth Caucus HUUPER!
If you are a high school student with vision and motivation who wants to be a leader then you should apply now to co-lead General
Assembly Youth Caucus! Get involved in GA planning! Applications for this two-year position are due September 15th. Got questions and want answers? Call Jeremie Giacoia, Leadership Development Associate, at 617-948-4352 or e-mail him: jgiacoia@uua.org.
Application for Nomination to a Committee, Commission, Task Group, or Panel.
The UUA relies upon energetic, committed, visionary Unitarian
Universalists of all ages to serve on the committees, commissions, boards, task
groups and panels that work in partnership with staff to carry out the
mission of the Association. In even-numbered years, the UUA Nominating Committee receives
nominations by mid-August and selects nominees for the slate of
candidates to be presented for election at the following General
Assembly. Apply and help change the UUA!
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 Announcements
Association-wide
International
Regional
Local
 Appalachia
Rising, September 25-27, Washington, DC.
Join
people from across Appalachia and America for a vibrant weekend of strategizing, workshops, learning and cultural events. Learn about the
challenges Appalachia faces and ways to build a movement to end the
destruction and plant the seeds of a sustainable and prosperous
Appalachia. Contact
environment@uua.org to be connected with other UUs who will be standing
in solidarity with those whose lives and culture have been impacted by
mountaintop removal coal mining.
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.
UUA
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 how to apply, including sample
project ideas at Youth Project Grants.
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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 youth@uua.org
Keep reading - let's evolve together!
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