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Unitarian Universalist Association Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministries
November 2010 Youth Newsletter
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 Letter from the Editor
An active response
Dear Friends,
One of the ways the Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministries puts multigenerational community into practice is by informing you about issues of injustice, empowering you to make your voice heard and participate in discussion and debate. Sometimes that is not enough and current events oblige us to respond with action, take a stand, and work to right wrongs. The recent spate of teen suicides in the LGBTQ community caused by bullying is one such case and cannot be tolerated.
To address this we are publishing links to resources as well as creating our own because we believe differences in sexual orientation and gender identity should be affirmed. No one should face ostracism or persecution because of who they are or who they love. We want your help because, as youth, your voice is one that questioning youth want and need to hear. Tell the full diversity of the LGBTQ community that they are accepted, supported and loved and that you are committed to "helping make it better now." When you see somebody struggling, help them find the support they need and don't let them go.
In other news, we hope you are inspired to form or participate in a Common Read group and also to add your voice to the virtual discussion on the Facebook "Common Read - The Death of Josseline" group page.
And be sure to peruse the Events and Announcements sections which include information and links for conferences, grants and more!
Happy reading!
UUA Youth and Young Adult Ministries |
 | | Rev. Dr. Monica Cummings |
Pastoral Message
Allies in spirit and action
Hi Family,
I write this column with a broken heart. My heart is broken because of the number of young people who have attempted or successfully committed suicide over the past month. My heart is broken because once again cries for help were ignored until a critical mass of suicides forced the media, politicians, clergy and other adult authority figures to pay attention.
I just reread the Shared Differences: The Experiences of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Students of Color in Our Nations Schools. The findings of the report confirm what the national media is finally reporting: many GBLT students do not experience public schools as being safe spaces for them if their sexual orientation, gender expression or gender identity deviates from what has been defined as the norm. As we have learned over the last month bullying is at an all time high and going to school for many GBLT youth is hazardous for their health. Many people are focused on the bullies who have created hell on earth for GBLT youth. What about the silent witnesses who are on the school buses, walking the hallways and sitting in classrooms? What is their responsibility?
What GBLT youth and young adults need are allies. People who will support them when they are called disrespectful names, threatened with violence and made to feel other than who they are: human beings who deserve to be treated with love and respect. To quote Audre Lorde, "Your silence will not protect you," because racism, classism, sexism, ableism, ageism, and heterosexism are all linked. Until we each speakup for someone being mistreated, bullies and bigots will continue to interpret our silence as acceptance. If you want to be an ally, join or start a Gay-Straight Alliance group at your school, tell the bully to leave your friend alone, or report abusive behavior to a responsible adult. Finally, you can ask the person being mistreated how you can be supportive.
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 at http://uuyayaoc.blogs.uua.org/.
Living My Faith,
Rev. Monica
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 How to help
The Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministries calls upon everyone to make it better for questioning youth and young adults and is developing resources to help. Here is a partial listing:
For Youth - The Trevor Project - The Trevor Project is determined to end suicide among LGBTQ youth by providing life-saving and life-affirming resources including a nationwide, 24/7 crisis intervention lifeline, digital community and advocacy/educational programs that create a safe, supportive and positive environment for everyone.For Parents - PFLAG - PFLAG has a dedicated network of resources for trans / questioning youth, communities and others seeking education. For Communities - Religious Institute's Full Inclusion Congregational Self-Assessment - The Religious Institute is a multifaith organization dedicated to advocating for sexual health, education, and justice in faith communities and society. Our partners include the major SRH and LGBT advocacy organizations, as well as the leading mainstream and progressive religious institutions in the United States.
Visit the UU Youth Ministry Facebook group for a complete and continuously updated list of resources.
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SB1070 + Prop 8
Update 11: Motion in the court
(source for graphic: http://colorlines.com)
SB1070
On November 2 the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals heard oral arguments from the federal government and the state of Arizona over the anti-immigrant law SB 1070. The appellate court is examining U.S. District Court Judge Susan Bolton's decision to enjoin its most controversial portions back in July.
SB 1070 makes it a state crime to be undocumented in Arizona and gives law enforcement officers the right to question and investigate a person's immigration status while they're enforcing other state and local laws and even civil codes. The law also demands that a person be kept in custody while law enforcement determines their immigration status. These are the provisions being examined by the appellate court right now. (Read more.)
Prop 8
The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals will hear oral arguments for the appeal of Perry v. Schwarzenegger and of Judge Walker's historic ruling finding Prop 8 unconstitutional on Monday, December 6th at 10am PDT. |
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Youth View
Make yourself heard!
The UUA maintains several blogs of interest to youth. This month our Congregational Stewardship blog wants to know how your congregation is including you in their most important decisions. Make multigenerational worship a reality: add your voice to the discussion.
 
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Events
Opportunities
Trainings
Gatherings
 The Laramie Project UU Youth Fundraising Event. Join thousands of Unitarian Universalist youth throughout the continent by hosting a benefit screening of the film version of the Laramie Project during February, 2011, in partnership with and to benefit local charities dedicated to reducing hate and intolerance. Open your congregation to your community to declare that you Stand on the Side of Love!(Read about it on Facebook.)
 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.
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Announcements
Association-wide
International
Regional
Local
Field Test "Heeding the Call: Qualities of a Justicemaker" for Jr. High Youth - Winter 2011
The UUA seeks a group of congregations diverse in size, location, and culture to test the first Tapestry of Faith curriculum intended specifically for Junior High youth. Field test congregations submit feedback electronically on an internet survey site. Please contact fieldtest@uua.org to apply!
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.
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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 Resources
Books
Videos
Website
Organizations
UU World Winter 2010 Issue -"Reclaiming Krypton: Why a generation that grew up with Buffy and the Power Rangers will demand a different Unitarian Universalism." Doug Muder discusses why a generation that grew up with Buffy and the Power Rangers demands a different Unitarian Universalism.
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."
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. |
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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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