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 Shared Differences: The Experiences of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Students of Color in Our Nation's Schools.  The findings of this 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 speak up 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 Youth and Young Adults of Color blog "UU Living Mosaic".

Living My Faith,
Rev. Monica

How to help

2011 Faiths Acts Fellowship.  The Tony Blair Faith Foundation with the Interfaith Youth Core (IFYC) seek candidates aged 20-27 to serve a one-year fellowship to help eradicate extreme poverty.     
Cuba Fellowship: African American Youth and Afro-Cuban Connection  A fellowship for young adults aged 18-24 whose ancestors were forcefully brought to the Americas by way of the trans-Atlantic slave trade and who have demonstrated interest in Afro-Cuban culture.  Recipients will engage in research, build positive relationships with Afro-Cubans and connect communities in Cuba and the U.S.

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 or paperback from the UUA Bookstore. The book is available in hardcover at 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, multigenerational 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. 

Association-wide
International
Regional
Local

Plan, Lead and Minister: Seeking 2011 GA Caucus Chaplain!
The Young Adult Caucus at General Assembly seeks a Chaplain! This is an incredible leadership opportunity to serve as the chaplain and worship leader for the young adult community at GA. The role includes being on the planning team for the Synergy Worship and a possible opportunity to coordinate the service! And if that's not enough, you get to attend the 50th General Assembly for free!
The application is due Wednesday, December 1, 2010.  Contact Victoria Mitchell, Young Adult Caucus Co-Moderator, with any questions.

Join a UUA Board Committee and represent the diversity of Unitarian Universalism.
The UUA relies upon energetic, committed, visionary UUs to serve the twenty-plus committees, panels and task forces that work with staff and the UUA Board to carry out the mission of the Association. We are eager to draw volunteers from the rich diversity of our movement: diversity of race, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation and identity, age, geography, skills and vocation.

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.

Board Member Search for the UU Ministry for Earth
The UU Ministry for Earth is an independent nonprofit 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.
 

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.

 
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 service of a more just and peaceful world."

Grant information for Young Adults working with Youth - 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.