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Dear youth and parents, 

On Tuesday evening I presented a summary of the major things we've learned from our participation in the Sticky Faith Cohort to UCC's Board of Stewards as part of their monthly meeting.  I wanted to share them with you so that you can see some of the things that are guiding how we think about ministry with children and youth at UCC.  Here's an abbreviated list of what's on the handout:
 

Importance of Congregational Worship: When children and youth worship regularly with the entire congregation, their faith is more likely to stick after they graduate from high school.

Intergenerational Programs and Connections: Kids who regularly participate in programs and activities that include a wide variety of ages are more likely to develop a healthy, lasting faith.

5:1 Ratio for our Kids: Every kid should be able to name five non-staff adults from our church that are important to them (know them by name, know what's happening in their life).

College Transition: We need to prepare our kids for living a life of faith in college before they depart, and the youth ministry should provide a connection to home during their freshman year.
 

Importance of Faith at Home: Faith-related conversations and practices at home and within a family multiply the "stickiness" of what happens at church.
  

Shift from "Performance-Based" Christianity: We often point to those with the highest levels of participation in church activities as model Christians, not those with a faith that shapes their lives and informs their actions.
 

Create Space for Questions: Kids who have room to question their faith or wander from church and still feel like a loved, valued part of the community develop a more mature, sticky faith.

Technical Change vs. Adaptive Change: Churches often try to apply technical solutions to problems, when the issue really centers on the culture of the community or the nature of the system.

If you'd like to see the full handout that includes implications and key questions for UCC based on these points, click here.  And, as always, feel free to contact me if something piqued your interest or raised questions for you.

Read on for information about our parking fundraiser for the Texas Tech game, the CROP Walk, CYF Fall Retreat deadline, registration for this year's Disciples Class, and more!

Grace and Peace,
Russ 

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Last week I received Herb Murray's resignation, and all youth families should have received a letter from Herb this past weekend.  (If you haven't seen the letter, you can read it here.)  It has been a great joy to work with Herb, and so much of the energy and vitality found in our ministry with middle school youth is tied to his leadership over the past 2+ years.  Many of you know what a talented artist and graphic designer he is, and I have no doubt that his gifts will be put to great use as he follows that calling.

Everyone will have an opportunity to wish Herb well at a farewell celebration on Sunday evening, November 4.  We are hammering out details, but I encourage you to save the date and plan on a festive event with food and tomfoolery that parallels our normal youth group time slot (starting around 6:15 p.m.)