|
|
Unitarian Universalist Association Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministries
October 2010 Youth Newsletter
|
| |
|
 Letter from the Editor
A multigenerational point-of-view
Dear Friends,
In this issue of Youth News we want direct your attention to an amazing project that congregations throughout our Association are working on this fall. Unitarian Universalists everywhere are joining together in groups of all sizes to read and discuss a new book, The Death of Josseline: Immigration Stories from the Arizona Borderlands. The book by Tucson journalist Margaret Regan was published by our very own Beacon Press. It tells the stories of the complex and escalating chaos along the U.S.-Mexico border. This book will transform your views on immigration and America and we need youth participation! Will you help? We need youth to organize members of your youth group to read and discuss The Death of Josseline or to organize a multigenerational group in your congregation to read it together! Let us know how it goes. If you need some funds to purchase copies of the books, check out our Youth Project Grant. You can pre-order the paperback version, which comes out next week. Personally, I want to share that this will be my last month writing to you as Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministries. I depart with great confidence that our team of Youth and Young Adult Ministries staff - along with the many other staff working for Association of Congregations - will continue to bring you new resources, connection and support as you engage in the pivotal work of youth ministry in our faith communities everywhere. I've included a few words more about my departure in an article below, also welcoming a new staff member to our team! Of course, you will also find the many opportunities we always include in our Events and Announcements sections. These include conferences, grants and more! In faith, Erik B. KestingUUA Youth and Young Adult Ministries Director |
|
Common Read
The Death of Josseline
This month the UUA invites congregations to participate in an initiative designed to strengthen community and create the world we want to live in. Common Read is the opportunity to read and discuss the same book in group on an issue of importance in society, creating the opportunity for reflection, conversation and discernment as we respond and act in light of what we discover together. The first Common Read selection is Margaret Regan's book, "The Death of Josseline: Immigration Stories from the Arizona Borderlands."
Common Read is based upon the Unitarian Universalist Fifth Principle of the right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within our congregations and in society at large. It strengthens multigenerational and fully diverse congregations by encouraging all UUs to determine our response together. A discussion guide has been published online to structure and guide discussion. Common Read is an opportunity for outreach and community building sharing UU values with others, be they American or not, UU or not. People are encouraged to join the Common Read Facebook group even if they don't belong to a congregaton, or in addition to a congregation based reading group.
 Encourage your congregation to participate to take advantage of the UUA Bookstore discounted price on multiple purchase orders of the book. |
|
SB1070 + Prop 8
Update 10:
Quiet on the legal front
Active on the social front
(source for graphic: http://colorlines.com)
SB1070
Many undocumented aliens are migrant farm workers in the United States. Countering claims that these people take jobs away from Americans, the United Farm Workers Union has created a campaign challenging Americans to accept these labor-intensive, low-paying farm jobs. Stephen Colbert testified on Capital Hill last month asking Congress to give migrant farm workers civil rights protection.
Prop 8
While there has been no significant action on California Prop 8 in the past month, Raymond Chase, an openly gay culinary arts student at Johnson and Wales University, took his own life on September 29, the fifth young gay person to commit suicide in the past three weeks. Fighting against intolerance and discrimination directed at LGBTQ and the LGBTQ community and for their civil rights is what the battle over Prop 8 is about. Visit the "It Gets Better" campaign featuring videos of LGBTQ people talking about their experience and promising that no matter how awful the viewer might be feeling right now, there is hope and there is help. |
Transition
Much of our work as a community of faith is built on relationships. So we wanted to hear from our outgoing Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministries and our incoming Campus Ministry Associate about their transitions to honor and build their relationships to our communities. Just like in our congregations, our leadership on staff at the UUA changes as time passes, but our shared commitment to justice, our passion for youth and young adult ministries, and our voice for a welcoming, liberal religious home for all remains strong! - Ed.
The Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministry is pleased to welcome Kayla Parker as your new Campus Ministry Associate. Regarding her hopes and goals for her work with our campus ministry leaders, Kayla writes:
Dear all,
I am thrilled to begin working with you to bridge some gaps! Let's create solid ground between youth and young adulthood in Unitarian Universalism as well as UU college students and their religious and non-religious peers. Unitarian Universalism is a great platform for students to discuss their personal lives and theologies in fellowship and I hope that together we can expand its prevalence on campuses across the nation. Please feel free to contact me with your questions and suggestions on building exciting and vibrant campus ministry!
All my best,
Kayla
Likewise, we bid a fond farewell to Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministries Erik B. Kesting and asked him to share a bit about his transition:
Dear friends and colleagues,
I cannot find the words to express the unique mix of excitement and sadness that I am feeling these days: abounding excitement for new possibilities and new adventures, deep sadness for the end of a long, special relationship. I love the work that we share, nurturing Unitarian Universalist communities and healing our world. So it is not without sadness that I tell you of my coming departure from the UUA Staff. My almost ten years on staff has shaped deeply who I am today. The lessons learned, the friends and colleagues made, and the spirit of life that fills our work will continue to inspire me in many new and different ways.
I have accepted an exciting job offer that will allow me to pursue new goals and to relocate to a new home with my partner, Sara. Although I am concluding my time on staff, I look forward to working with you in new ways as a lay leader in our faith.
Sincerely yours,
Erik B. Kesting
|
|
|
|
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 available in hardcover at public libraries.
|
Announcements
Association-wide
International
Regional
Local
 Job Listing: Youth and Young Adult Ministries Director
Provide vision, leadership, and services in support of the UUA's youth and young adult ministries. The ideal candidate has a deep understanding of Unitarian Universalism and demonstrates exceptional organizational, advocacy, teambuilding, and communication skills. Experience with youth and young adult ministries and a record of anti-racism/anti-oppression/multiculturalism experience is important. The candidate possesses strong leadership skills, the ability to build and lead a large team and manage a significant budget, and excellent writing and public speaking skills.
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.
|
 Resources
Books
Videos
Website
Organizations
Resource - "Standing on the Side of Love Activist Toolkit" - download application for your FREE memory stick!
This toolkit gives you the tools to further the Standing on the Side of Love campaign in your community and it comes on a cool memory stick!
Video - "A Religion for Our Time, Episode 10: Multicultural Ministry"
Episode Ten shares insights from the fifteen-year journey of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Annapolis (UUCA), Maryland, toward becoming a more diverse congregation. How do you in your church create this multiracial, multicultural paradigm? UUCA Associate Minister Rev. John Crestwell explains by making it "...a conscious, deliberate, and determined effort of the congregation. You've got to look at every aspect of your ministry and make every aspect of that ministry speak to the reality that you seek."
Video - "A Religion for Our Time, Episode 9: Deepening Faith through Service"
Episode 9 shows how the social justice program at the Neighborhood Unitarian Universalist Church of Pasadena, CA engages the congregation in a range of projects and facilitates participants' spiritual growth. As Associate Minister Rev. Hannah Petrie observes, "Some of our most spiritual moments - where we're really connected with the divine - happen when we're in service to others and a more just and peaceful world."
Video - "A Religion for Our Time, Episode 8: Cluster on the Cutting Edge"
This episode profiles four enthusiastic Unitarian Universalist (UU) congregations in upstate New York that are determined to grow by working together. Their Capital Region Unitarian Universalists of New York cluster is producing remarkable results, including a brand new congregation!
Grants - Youth Project Grants
Grants are available ranging in value from $200-$2,000 to help support congregations and districts by creating opportunities for youth, including service and spirituality projects.
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. |
|
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! 
|
|
|
|
|
