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Unitarian Universalist Association Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministries
December 2010 Youth Newsletter
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 Letter from the Editor
It IS the thought that counts.
Dear Friends,
At this time of year it is easy to forget how fortunate and gifted our lives are. Even if we don't consider our present situation perfect, most of us are are generally surrounded by love and material comfort. In 1863 when the United States was at war with itself, President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed the fourth Thursday in November a national day of thanksgiving, or Thanksgiving Day. From a day dedicated to valuing national unity, Thanksgiving has become a time to take stock of how loved we are and to celebrate the many gifts in our life: family, friends, a warm home and table heavy with food. With Thanksgiving we enter winter nourished in body, our souls warmed by the love of those close to us, fortified before the coldest and most inhospitable time of the year, ready and able to turn our thoughts to others.During this season of giving and receiving, please reflect upon the true wealth of your existence and how you can share that wealth with someone in need. The true value of the gifts we give and the gifts we receive is in the love and compassion they symbolize and it really is the thought that counts. So feel generous, be generous, and spread your love around!
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
Holy Days
Hi Family,
Happy Holydays! In the month of December, Hanukkah, Winter Solstice, Christmas and Kwanzaa will be celebrated. However you experience the holiday season, I wish you serenity and safety in the last month of 2010.
During this final month of the year, I encourage you to make a special effort to reflect on the past year and note whether or not you achieved the goals you set, what challenges you overcame and the relationships you maintained. Then ask yourself, "What do I want to achieve in 2011?" Is there something you wanted to do this year and delayed doing? Are there things you did this year that you want to leave in the past? Are there relationships you want to nurture or let go of in the coming year? I encourage you to begin creating the tomorrow (or 2010) you want to have today.
Finally, I invite you to reach out to family and friends who may be struggling with illness, unemployment or depression during this holiday season, when the social and cultural expectation is for people to be happy. Conversely, if you are suffering with depression, please reach out for support. For Youth and Young Adults of Color who are interested, I have a list of UU ministers and religious professionals of color who are willing to provide chaplain support during the holidays. Please contact me for a list of their names.
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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SB1070 + Prop 8
Update 12: In motion
(source for graphic: http://colorlines.com)
SB1070
No decision yet by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, which heard oral arguments from the federal government and the state of Arizona over the anti-immigrant law SB 1070 on November 2. The appellate court is examining U.S. District Court Judge Susan Bolton's decision to enjoin its most controversial portions back in July.
An article in the Phoenix New Times describes the hour-long hearing at the Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco as signaling "a mixed bag for both supporters and opponents of Arizona's harsh anti-illegal-immigrant law." A Story in the Washington Post claims that "deep skepticism" by one judge about the Obama Adminstration's challenge to the law makes it "uncertain" that the federal government can stop the law from taking effect. That and similar articles point out the heavy criticism of the government's position by Judge John T. Noonan Jr. on the issue of police checking a person's immigration status. The Arizona Republic quotes state Senator Russell Pearce, the law's primary advocate, as saying the hearing "went fairly well." On the other hand, two of the judges on the panel suggested that the law's requirement for immigrants to carry ID and penalties for those working illegally would not fly. "This is going to be a mixed verdict," says one California law professor in a Los Angeles Times blog post. (Full story.)
The DREAM Act will likley come up for vote before the end of this year during the "lame duck" session of the U.S. Congress.
Prop 8
On Monday, December 6th the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals heard oral arguments of Judge Walker's historic ruling in Perry v. Schwarzenegger finding Prop 8 unconstitutional. . Attorneys for the plaintiff and defendant debated for and against Prop 8 for more than two hours before a three-judge panel. The hearing focused on the questions of standing, asking if the plaintiffs had the right to challenge Judge Walker's ruling, and whether Prop 8 violates the equal protection clause in the 14th Amendment to the United States Constitution. (Watch the hearing.)
The court is expected to give its opinion in a few months. Experts expect the Appeals Court opinion to be challenged and that the earliest the United States Supreme Court would hear the case is in 2012.
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Events
Opportunities
Trainings
Gatherings
 Interfaith Training for Youth/Adult Teams, Atlanta, Georgia, February 18-21, 2011.Youth and adults who work with youth will learn how to coordinate interfaith service events in their communities. Teams must complete an application process by December 20, 2010. Late applications can not be accepted. People with disabilities, people of color, Hispanic/Latino/Latina and BGLTIQQ applicants are encouraged to apply. For more information please contact Jessica York.
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 or paperback from the UUA Bookstore. The book is available in hardcover at public libraries.
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Announcements
Association-wide
International
Regional
Local
Field Test "A Chorus of Faiths" to develop high-school age UU youth interfaith leaders
This joint venture between the Unitarian Universalist Association and the Interfaith Youth Core (IFYC), funded by Shelter Rock congregation, culminates in youth coordinating an interfaith service. The UUA will host monthly conference calls with participating congregations to support planning the interfaith service project. Contact fieldtest@uua.org to apply. Interfaith Leadership Training for UU Youth February 18-21, 2011, in Atlanta, Georgia
This event empowers youth and adults who work with youth to be interfaith leaders in their congregation and community. Learn how to work with people of other faiths, run events, meet UU's from around the country and build community. Registration fee, travel, lodging, and meals are provided by the UUA. Youth-Adult teams must apply together by December 20, 2010.
Field Test "Heeding the Call: Qualities of a Justicemaker" for Jr. High Youth - Winter 2011
Junior high age youth are encouraged to view themselves as agents of change in the world as they develop qualities crucial to justice work. 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 age 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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Leaders wanted! Free trip to General Assembly!
