Resources for Bridging from Youth to Young Adulthood
One of the most important things we can do is to make sure that the youth who grow up in our congregations stay connected to Unitarian Universalism as they become adults. To succeed in this ministry, we must ensure that our movement stays relevant to the next generation of Unitarian Universalist (UU) adults. Anecdotal evidence tells us that the vast majority of our youth (we've heard numbers as high as 90%) leave our congregations between the ages of fourteen and twenty, most never to return. While they may still consider themselves to be Unitarian Universalist, they aren't a part of our congregations, leaving them alone on their spiritual journeys. This has been referred to as the "cliff" off of which our youth go, never to be seen again. To prevent this "cliff" phenomenon, we seek to build bridges. These bridges come in the form of programs in our congregations and on campuses to keep youth involved as young adults. The Office of Young Adult and Campus Ministry has developed a number of resources to help our congregations create a bridge for youth to cross into adulthood in our congregations.
Crossing the Bridge From Youth to Young Adulthood
This guide, updated in 2003, leads you through developing and instituting a bridging ceremony to celebrate the transition from youth to young adulthood. Includes readings, sample orders of service, and educational pieces for your congregation. We strongly encourage all congregations to hold an annual bridging ceremony.
The Bridging Program: Workshops and Guidelines
This guide, by Colin Bossen and Dawn Star Borchelt, is a brief curriculum on UU identity meant to lead up to a bridging ceremony. Also provides valuable advice on how to keep young UUs involved in their faith communities after the bridging stage. Perfect for congregations, conferences and district, regional and national events.
The Bridge Connections Program
Designed by Michael Tino and Erik Kesting, Bridge Connections are gifts for each Unitarian Universalist youth crossing the bridge to young adulthood—often those turning eighteen or graduating from high school. They are intended to help keep our youth connected to Unitarian Universalism as they become adults. These gifts, which have a retail value of U.S. $60, are available to Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) and Canadian Unitarian Council (CUC) member congregations on a sliding scale of $5-20 each. Each packet includes:
- A copy of a wonderful collection of meditations published by the Unitarian Universalist Association’s Skinner House Books, suitable for a personal message of congratulations from the congregation;
- A postage-paid reply card entitling each new young adult to one free year of UU World and Quest (the newsletter of the Church of the Larger Fellowship) and a subscription to our monthly electronic Young Adult News;
- Information on accessing our online directory of young adult and campus groups.
We encourage all congregations to purchase these gifts for their youth and thank you for your support of our youth and young adults! Order forms are mailed through the UUA Congregational Mailing in late fall or early winter.
Backpacker's Notebook
This curriculum is intended for use by youth and young adults ages 16-25 in the context of a congregation or campus ministry group. A complete update of the original UU Backpacking, Backpacker’s Notebook asks participants to work with a mentor in traveling metaphorical paths of faith discovery through projects designed to address a wide range of learning styles. Participants explore history and theology, community building, service to others, worship and spirituality, social justice, and leadership.
For more information contact youngadults @ uua.org.
Last updated on Monday, June 9, 2008.
