Get Started with Young Adult Ministry

Here are a few ways you can begin with young adult ministry, whether you are a congregational leader, an adult ally, or a young adult yourself.

• Top Ten Tips for Starting a Young Adult Group (PDF)
  A great place to start if you are trying to get a young adult group going in your congregation.
   
• Blue Boat: Blog for Youth and Young Adult Ministries
  Opportunities, stories and new resources for young adults.
   
• The Hub Map
  Add your young adult group and find other groups nearby.
   
• Young Adult Ministry For Congregations
  Information and suggestions for congregations to support and affirm their young adults.

For Leaders

• Young Adult Leaders Roundtable Call
  A monthly opportunity to connect with young adult leaders across the country and hear the latest news. The call is open to all interested leaders of young adult Unitarian Universalist (UU) groups; email youngadults @ uua.org to join.
   
• Code of Ethics for Peer Leaders in Young Adult and Campus Ministry
  Review this Code of Ethics developed by the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministries and the Continental Unitarian Universalist Young Adult Network (C*UUYAN) as a model for young adult UU communities.

For Individuals

• Backpacker’s Notebook: Exploring UU Faith and Community
  Young adults travel a metaphorical faith journey in this unique and personalized notebook. Includes activities and space for journaling. By Rev. Michael Tino.
   
• Church of the Larger Fellowship, for Young Adults
  This virtual congregation has a weekly online worship service, regular readings and young adult discussion groups.

Program Ideas

• Small Group Ministry
  The small group ministry model of listening and sharing on important issues is a great format for young adult groups. Sometimes known as covenant groups or chalice circles, small group ministry offers structured discussions of religious and theological questions.
   
• Social Gatherings
  A core part of most young adult groups. Read this article for some social event ideas.
   
• Service and Justice
  Social justice, from global to local issues, is a major way many young adults connect with their faith. There are opportunities for service trips, community projects and group experiences.
   
• Trainings
  Focused on a particular skill or topic, trainings give young adults a chance to connect with one another on a deeper level while learning about faith, social justice and community.
   
• Classes and Curricula
  Offering a rich and structured approach to faith development, young adult religious education curricula can be adapted, shortened or modified to fit your needs.
   
• Fundraising
   
  • Young Adult Ministry Project Grants
    The Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministries offers a number of grants for districts, local congregations, and groups. We are always seeking to fund innovative, accountable, and sustainable young adult programs around the continent.
     
  • Young Adult Service Trip Fundraising Manual (PDF)
    Money does not have to be an obstacle to expressing your faith through service. This handy manual will guide you step-by-step through how to gather funds to make the service trip of your dreams a reality. While this manual focuses on funding service trips, it can also be used to fundraise for other service and social justice projects.