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Unitarian Universalist Association Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministries
September 2011 Young Adult Newsletter
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EDITOR 'S LETTER
Back on the beat
Dear Friends, September is here, vacation is over, and everyone is back to their regularly scheduled business. Even though January 1 is months away, this is the beginning of a new year for a lot of us. This year promises great opportunities for youth and young adult Unitarian Universalists to participate and lead in growing our faith and our movement. The Multicultural Leadership School for Youth and Young Adults of Color (MLS), Common Read - lifting up the work of Eboo Patel and the Interfaith Youth Core, revised Chrysalis trainings, and Youth Ministry Advisory Committee (YMAC) are a few examples of how you can lead. Participating in reflection and discussion in advance of the Justice General Assembly to be held in Phoenix, Arizona in June 2012 (Justice GA) is another great opportunity to make a difference. So say goodbye to summer and hello to an exciting new year together deepening our faith, sharing our values, broadening our movement, and being the change we want to see in the world.
Happy reading!
UUA Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministries
Visit the Unitarian Universalist Youth Ministry Facebook page!
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PASTORAL MESSAGE
(We all need) Seasonal Support Hi Family, I am sitting in my home office in Southeast Wisconsin, watching trees dance with the wind, trying to wrap my mind around the fact that summer is over. Summer's end brings the beginning of school, congregational ingatherings, the gradual shift from outdoor to indoor activities and shorter days. I confess I am not one of those people who loves the fall and enjoys watching leaves turn colors and taking walks in the cool crisp air. However, I admire the lovers of fall and their enthusiastic attitude related to the change of the season. For some people this time of year is energizing and spiritually renewing. For others, it is the season that begins the annual challenge to not hit the snooze button on their alarm clock five times or sit in their favorite chair playing Super Mario Brothers. all day while missing meals or eating cookies (or other carbohydrates) because their brain is in a fog and their energy level is on empty. Sometimes the person feels so empty they consider suicide. If the above description sounds familiar, you may be experiencing something called seasonal depression. If you are experiencing seasonal depression, there are things you can do to combat it. For example, exercise, eating a balanced diet, attending a support group, therapy or talking with your family, friends, minister, or DRE and letting them know how you are feeling. If you are suicidal and you have a plan, call 911. However, if you are considering suicide and you do not have a plan call: - National Suicide Prevention - 1-800-273-TALK (8255) - LGBT and questioning youth - 1-866-4-U-TREVOR (1-866-488-7386) I want you to remember that a significant number of people feel what you are feeling and have gone through what you are experiencing. So keep in mind that you are not alone and ask for help. You can contact me on Facebook at Monica Cummings, email me at [email protected], or leave a comment for me on the YaYA of Color blog, UU Living Mosaic. I Love You, Rev Monica Visit me on Facebook |
YOUNG ADULT LEADERSHIP Initiative!
Welcome to Ghana: You Are Invited! On August 5, 2011, Erik Mohn, UUA Young Adult Spirituality & Service Consultant, began a 24-day journey to Ghana where he volunteered in a health clinic, a school, and an orphanage through Amizade, a global service learning organization. Here he reflects on the experience.
COMMON READ: Acts of Faith by Eboo Patel, founder of the Interfaith Youth Core.
Following up on last year's Common Read in congregation and groups focusing on immigration with "The Death of Josseline: Immigration Stories from the Arizona Borderlands," this year's selection focuses on the role of youth in bridging interfaith connection through service work. Find out if your congregation plans to participate and, if not, suggest they do.
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CAMPUS MINISTRY
UPDATE 09: With style
Campus ministries reopen as students head back to school College groups diversify offerings with OWL, social justice, and programs for older students. As Unitarian Universalist college students head back to school this fall, they don't have to leave all their church connections behind. At least not at the more than 150 schools around the country with campus ministry programs. Read more.
New Guide for Congregations: How to Start, Build and Sustain Campus Ministry Download the online resource "Being More Visible, Changing More Lives: A UU Campus Ministry Group Handbook for Congregations" (the second item under the heading "Get Inspired.") This comprehensive and detailed guide will walk you and your congregation step-by-step through the process of starting, building and sustaining a Campus Ministry Group.
Please do contact me directly about your existing or emerging campus ministry at [email protected] - I'd love to talk with you! Kayla Parker Campus Ministry Associate Unitarian Universalist Association [email protected] |
Social Justice
UPDATE 09: Unsettled
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Events
Opportunities Training Gatherings
One Week to Fight Hunger - Together! Imagine the good we could accomplish if young Unitarian Universalists 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 but 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 including tips for successful food drives as well as a resource for discussing hunger are 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! |
Announcements
Association-wide International Regional Local
Young Adult Service Directory. Participate in growing! An important goal, here at the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA), is to provide young adults with an outlet through which they have the ability to intertwine spirituality & service, while also exploring their UU identity and personal relationship to the entire world. Visit Young Adult Spirituality & Service at the UUA to learn more! |
Resources
Books Videos Website Organizations
The Minns Lectures. In April 2011, the Minns Committee brought together UU clergy leaders from around the country, along with seminarians, lay leaders, and parishioners, to reflect on where we are and where we want to go as we move toward our future. View the archive here.
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 Fall 2011 Issue available now! Featuring stories about changes to the UUA voted upon at the last General Assembly, sustainable ecotourism the UU way, and more! Subscribe or read UU World online !
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! |
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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 [email protected] Keep reading - let's evolve together!
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