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Unitarian Universalist Association Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministries


August 2011 Youth Newsletter


    
Fun in the Sun
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Letter from the Editor

 

Summer share                                          



   




Dear Friends, 

 

Wherever we are in life, summertime is a different time from the rest of the year.  The long, hot sunny days start us thinking about what we want to explore in the world.  One of the things that makes summer great is the availability of opportunities for youth and young adults who want to deepen their spirituality, strengthen their leadership skills, or simply gather with other Unitarian Universalists to resource and regroup before fall.  Youth gather at camps like (among others) DeBenneville Pines in Angelus Oaks, California, The Mountain in Highlands, North Carolina,  Unirondack in the Adirondacks, U-Bar-U in Kerrville, Texas, and for Goldmine training in Northern New England, The Pacific Northwest and later this summer in Metro New York.  Young adults congregate at the Midwest Leadership Training School, OPUS, or on the Young Adult Water Justice Road Trip in the Pacific Southwest.  UU's of all ages congregate at events like SUUSI (The Southeast Unitarian Universalist Summer Institute), SWUUSI (The Southwest Unitarian Universalist Summer Institute), UUMAC (Unitarian Universalist Mid-Atlantic Community Conference) and UULTI (Leadership School of the Central East Regional Group of the UUA).

This list is not comprehensive - much more happens in our community than can be succinctly noted here.  We want to hear what you've been up to this summer - where have you been, what have you done, who have you met and what have you learned?  Write us at [email protected] and let us know.  We'll share your story and by spreading the word we are certain to make next summer even better for everyone! 

 


Happy reading!   

UUA Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministries

Visit the Unitarian Universalist Youth Ministry Facebook page!  Find us on Facebook
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Youth View
 

YOUr opportunity for $ to make change 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

YOUTH GRANTS: Money for change 

Paint a mural.  Write a hymn.  Run a food drive.  Host a children's day.  Plant a garden.  Organize a letter-writing campaign.  Develop a weekend retreat.  Schedule a film screening.  These are just a few of the things that Unitarian Universalist youth will do this year.  As you think about how you can make a difference remember that the Youth Project Grants Program can help fund your project!  This program exists to supply grants of up to $2,000 to UU youth for opportunities to grow in faith, deepen in spirit, develop skills and offer leadership and service to Unitarian Universalist communities.    

 

So ask yourself, what are you passionate about?  What change can you make in your community?  We are accepting applications now, so check out sample project ideas and the application at

Youth Project Grants and get your project moving! 

 

The UUA offers many ways for youth to lead our movement and develop our faith - field testing new resources is one of them. Check out these programs and email [email protected] to learn more!

Heeding the CallYouth view themselves as agents of change in the world as they develop qualities crucial to justice work. 

A Chorus of FaithsGuides youth to become interfaith leaders as they explore diverse faiths, including our own, and implement a local interfaith project based on UU values of service to our community and religious pluralism. (Developed with the Interfaith Youth Core (founded by Eboo Patel) and funded with a grant from the Shelter Rock Congregation.)

Building Bridges (online soon):  Youth understand and appreciate our religiously diverse world by examining religions through the lens of how they serve fundamental human needs.  


Social Justice


 

UPDATE 08: Not vacating





(source for graphic: http://colorlines.com)

Following legislative issues in specific states with national impact that decrease social justice in our nation.  

IMMIGRATION

Arizona:  UUA president convicted in civil disobedience case.
  Rev. Peter Morales  was found guilty of misdemeanor in Ariz. protest of SB 1070; calls for federal investigation of Phoenix sheriff.
Arizona: 
Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer announced late Wednesday she has filed a petition asking the Supreme Court to consider her state's appeal to a lower court ruling that put on hold key parts of Arizona's anti-illegal immigration law.
Illinois:
  The Illinois DREAM Act, recently signed into law by Governor Pat Quinn, gives undocumented immigrant students access to privately funded college tuition assistance.  Illinois, a state with one of the highest populations of illegal aliens, is the latest to pass such a measure.  But lawmakers in other states, most notably Maryland, are working to stop similar legislation.

 

MARRIAGE EQUALITY   

Change.Org Petition: Gay Muppets Deserve Marriage Equality Too! 

With all the same-sex marriage hoopla going on, it's hard to ignore the couples who have been together for 10, 20, 30 years without the rights that heterosexual couples are afforded. Which is why some think it's about time that Bert and Ernie had their moment.  The UK Daily Mail reports, "'Let Bert & Ernie Get Married On Sesame Street', a petition at change.org started by Illinois resident Lair Scott, has already gained over 1,100 signatures" in just seven days.  But not everyone agrees.  View the petition or view other petitions in response to this one.  

California:  Gov. Jerry Brown has signed a bill making California the first state in the nation to add lessons about gays and lesbians to social studies classes in public schools.  

  

WORKER'S RIGHTS 

Opinion: "Why the Republican War on Workers' Rights Undermines the American Economy"

by Robert Reich. "This war on workers' rights is an assault on the middle class, and it is undermining the American economy.  The American economy can't get out of neutral until American workers have more money in their pockets to buy what they produce. And unions are the best way to give them the bargaining power to get better pay."  More.  

 Events  

Opportunities
Training
Gatherings
   

 

 

 

One Week to Fight Hunger - Together!  Imagine the good we could accomplish if young Unitarian Universalits came together from many congregations to focus our attention on one issue for one week?  The Northern New England District is leading an effort to find out!  From Sunday, September 25, 2011 to Saturday, October 1, 2011, congregations across New England are invited to come together, across ages, and collect food for local food banks or serve local organizations.  If you are not in New England bit feel inspired to take part, never fear!  You, your youth group, and your congregation are also invited to participate.   When we all come together how much food will we collect?  How many people will we feed?  How many organizations will we support? The possibilities are endless and the need is great, so join us and be creative! 

Resources include tips for successful food drives as well as a resource for discussing hungerare available at the Northern New England District site.  Creative ideas and stories will also be shared on the NNED blog, "All Together Now."  Participating?  Let us know!   

 

Dynamic Youth Ministry Fall 2011 Session Registration Opens August 22.  A lively interactive full-semester on-line course offered through the Starr King School of the Ministry.  Recommended for all religious leaders whether new or old to Youth Ministry.  Open to the public - not just seminary students!  Genformation Get more information and to register here 

 

Youth Program Testers Needed!  Become a field test congregation for new youth programs.

A Chorus of Faiths is an eight-workshop program for high school youth on interfaith leadership.

Heeding the Call is twelve workshops devoted to developing qualities of a justicemaker in junior high aged youth.   Apply even if you plan to use the programs in non-traditional settings:  add a workshop of curricula once a month to your regular youth group meetings, use them to launch weeknight programming, or as the basis of a retreat. If your congregation has a relationship with youth groups from other religions, use A Chorus of Faiths to spark interest in doing service work together.  Some congregations already envision using A Chorus of Faiths with a cluster of youth from several congregations.  For applications email [email protected].  Direct questions to Jessica York, Youth Programs Director, at [email protected].

 

Dynamic Youth Ministry: On-line course by Starr King School for the Ministry, Fall 2011 Registration Opens August 22.   This course is part of a broader movement to revitalize youth ministry within and beyond Unitarian Universalism.  This lively interactive course grounds students in theological, ethical and programmatic aspects of youth ministry and embodies a youth ministry that is a vibrant, robust and flexible part of every congregation.  Previous participants include graduate students, ministers, youth advisers, non-profit staff, religious educators, parents and others.   

Get more information and register or visit "Dynamic Youth Ministry" on Facebook:  Find us on Facebook 

 Announcements

Association-wide
International
Regional
Local  



 
   

 

 

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!   Deadline to apply for the next round of funding is December 1 - don't delay!  Learn how to apply, including sample project ideas, at Youth Project Grants.

Resources

Books
Videos
Website
Organizations

  

 
Online video resources from the Rev. Dr. Monica L. Cummings
Introduction to Gender and Sexual Orientation for Youth
Introduction to Ethnic Identity Formation for Youth of Color



UU World Summer 2011 Issue. 

UUWorld summer 11

Our 50th Anniversary "Gold Issue!"

  Subscribe or read UU World online!

 
KidSpirit Online
is a unique community for 11-15-year-old youth everywhere. Young writers and artists share their ideas in KidSpirit Magazine, an ad-free quarterly that explores spirituality, values and life's big questions in an inclusive atmosphere.  Visit, read, contribute! 

Video - "A Religion for Our Time, Episode 18: "Unitarian Universalists Rebuilding New Orleans" shows how three UU congregations in New Orleans, like the city itself, were devastated by Hurricane Katrina. However that devastation became an inspiration, not an obstacle, to the members of all three churches. Their resilience and determination have been in evidence every day of the last five years as they rebuild not only their churches, but the city of New Orleans itself.
Download Episode Eighteen (MP4)
(right-click to save the file).

 

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.  Next application deadline is December 1, 2011.

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!
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 [email protected]
Keep reading - let's evolve together!