A Leadership Opportunity for Youth: The Consultation on Ministry to and with Youth
by Beth Dana, Youth Ministry AssociateUnitarian Universalist Association
Unitarian Universalist youth aren't just the leaders of tomorrow. You are the leaders of today! You can and should play a role in reshaping youth ministry in our movement—and your opportunity is now.
The Unitarian Universalist Association has begun organizing a series of dialogues, which will happen over the next two years in Unitarian Universalist (UU) communities throughout the continent. The process is being coordinated by a taskforce of fifteen amazing youth and adults, who represent a variety of different groups. Included in this taskforce are the co-conveners of this process, former Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) Youth Trustee At-Large Megan Dowdell and UUA President Rev. Bill Sinkford. According to Megan Dowdell, "We want [youth] to meet each other, we want more of them to define what ministry is, we want more types of ministry…we want ministry to happen not just when youth travel across the country to a continental leadership event, but also when youth go home to their congregations. Youth deserve nothing less than an intergenerational community where they can realize their dreams."
At the taskforce's first meeting in
October 2005, they articulated a vision for UU youth ministry:
Our Unitarian Universalist Youth Ministry will:
- No longer be seen as a problem, but rather as an asset to our congregations and our movement as a whole.
- Recreate one faith, where youth can both self-differentiate and integrate with the rest of the denomination.
- Have many different, equally recognized, and supported forms-youth-adult, youth-youth, and both lay and professional ministry.
- Have more financial, training, and professional support resources.
- Be seen not just as a program but as a ministry, allowing for youth to explore and better understand and articulate their faith and spirituality.
- Make sure that all UU youth feel supported and welcomed in their congregations and in the denomination, and feel like they have a voice.
- Help the voice and energy of youth to drive congregations, especially around progressive and sustainable social change.
- Make sure that anti-racism and anti-oppression work is a central part of all UU communities, leading us to examine how racism and oppression tear us apart, both individually and as a faith.
- Create genuine youth-adult partnerships grounded in mutual respect, trust, understanding, and empowerment.
- Fundamentally transform our congregations with its greater commitment to nurturing and supporting youth during this formative time and to helping youth remain UU as they grow in their faith.
What is your vision for Unitarian Universalist Youth Ministry? Your visionary leadership is essential to the success of the Consultation on Ministry To and With Youth. ere are some ways that youth have and can continue to contribute to this process:
Design the Consultation Process
Youth with many different connections to UUism were key parts of the imagination and design of the consultation process.
Take the Youth Survey
In January and February 2006 more than 1,100 UU youth ages 12-20 completed a survey. A complete report of the results of this survey will be available to everyone in Spring/Summer 2006.
Facilitate or Participate in a Congregational Conversation
Congregations across the U.S. and Canada are signing-up to hold youth ministry congregational conversations. These gatherings, co-facilitated by a youth and an adult, are an opportunity for youth and adults to connect and dialogue with a common goal of better serving youth in your congregation. Youth have a lot to offer these conversations—the ability to reach out to other youth and encourage them to participate, facilitation skills, creative and worshipful openings and closings, and valuable input and experience.
You can find a list of congregations that have already signed up here. If your congregation has signed-up, get in touch with the contact person and offer to help! If your congregation is not on the list, you can bring information about this opportunity to the youth and adult leaders in your church. Phone 617-948-4352 if you need help or suggestions as to how to do this. There are also lots of resources on the website as well.
Young Religious Unitarian Universalist's Conversation on Ministry To and With Youth
In the summer of 2006 current and former Young Religious Unitarian Universalist (YRUU) leaders will gather at Youth Council to revisit the goals and structures of YRUU and transform them to meet the evolving needs and priorities of youth leadership in our movement. More information will be available on the YRUU and consultation websites as plans for this gathering are solidified.
The beauty of this process is that
it builds on itself—starting with individual youth, progressing to
congregations, districts, organizations like YRUU, and eventually a large
representative gathering to set the path for the future. There will continue to
be opportunities for youth to contribute to and guide this process. Stay tuned
to Synapse and the consultation's website for more information about how.
As a former youth leader and a young adult developing my faith and voice
as a Unitarian Universalist, the ministry I've been a part of with both youth
and adults has been crucial to my growth. The friendships I have built with
other youth (in my own congregation and across the country) as well as adult
mentor relationships based on mutual respect have made me the person that I am
today. My hope is that you will have the learning and leadership opportunities
that I had, in order to develop your faith and your voice as Unitarian
Universalist youth.
For more information contact youth @ uua.org.
Last updated on Friday, April 18, 2008.
