The Mosaic Project
Assessment of Our Unitarian Universalist Ministry to Youth and Young Adults of Color and/or Latina/Latino and Hispanic and Multiracial Descent
An important process is underway at the Unitarian Universalist Association. The Identity-Based Ministries staff group, in cooperation with the Lifespan Faith Development staff group, the Youth Ministry Office, and the Young Adult and Campus Ministry office, is assessing our ministry to youth and young adults of color and/or Latina/Latino and Hispanic and multiracial identities. This comes at an exciting time when the Association is re-envisioning our ministry to youth as a whole.
In June of 2007, Laura Spencer was hired as the Program Associate for Racial and Ethnic Concerns in the Identity-Based Ministries staff group to oversee this process. With the assistance of the Mosaic Project Task Force, a report of the project findings will be produced by December 2008.
The Question
The question in essence is: What are the ministry needs of African, Caribbean, Native/American Indian, Asian and Pacific Islander, Latina/Latino and Hispanic, Middle Eastern/Arab, Multiracial and Multiethnic and trans-racially adopted Unitarian Universalist (UU) youth and young adults? How does our Unitarian Universalist faith need to change in order to meet these needs? What structures need to be strengthened or established to support families, congregations, campus groups, districts, and continental bodies in their ministries to these youth and young adults?
The Process
We are striving for a positive approach, looking for best practices and strengths. The Mosaic Project will include the use of internet technology through surveys, a Face-book presence, as well as direct interviews with a wide variety of stakeholders. We would like to see a large visioning gathering next summer to pull together the findings and dream of a youth and young adult ministry that will carry us into the future.
Your Place in the Mosaic
It is an exciting time for our Unitarian Universalist faith. Please join The Mosaic Project in helping to shape a multicultural faith community that lives up to the promise of our principles. Contact Laura Spencer, the Program Associate for Racial & Ethnic Concerns: Assessment of Youth & Young Adult Ministries, lspencer @ uua.org, to:
- Participate in our surveys and interviews.
- Help to spread the word about The Mosaic Project.
- Let us know about UU youth and young adults of color and/or Latina/o and Hispanic and multiracial descent in your area.
Mosaic Project Survey for Youth and Young Adults of Color and/or Latina/o and Hispanic Descent
The Youth and Young Adult survey asks about the experiences of youth and young adults of color and/or Latina/o and Hispanic (YaYAOC) descent in their local youth groups, young adult and campus ministry groups, and at district and continental gatherings. Take the online survey. Encourage other UU YaYAOC to take the survey too!
Mosaic Project Congregational Survey for Ministers, Directors of Religious Education, Youth Advisors, and Other Leaders in Your Congregation
The Mosaic Project Congregational survey asks about your congregation, its demographics, and its programming. Please take time to complete the survey. Please also share it with others in your congregation who may have additional valuable input.
For more information contact idbm @ uua.org.
Last updated on Friday, May 2, 2008.
