Top Picks for Youth Ministry
Greetings! My name is Erik Kesting and I serve as Director of the Unitarian Universalist Association’s (UUA’s) Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministries. Members of the Lifespan Faith Development Staff Group at the UUA are here to support you in the work of creating thriving youth ministries.
Every week, we receive inquiries from congregations starting and maintaining youth groups, fostering leadership and spirituality with youth, and building communities wherein all youth are affirmed, empowered, and spiritually nourished. You'll find links below which will connect you to the resources I’ve found valuable in supporting these congregations in the past year. If you don’t find what you are seeking in this list, please contact me or another member of our Lifespan Faith Development Staff. We have a wealth of diverse resources available and look forward to being in touch!
Erik B. Kesting
yayadirector @ uua.org
- The Youth Ministry Working Group Report (PDF, 24 pages)
The capstone of the UUA's multi-year Consultation on Ministry to and with Youth, this report offers both specific suggestions and a call for a broad culture change in our faith communities to nurture a vibrant youth ministry and Unitarian Universalist (UU) faith. To help you explore the Youth Ministry Working Group Report and adopt its recommendations in your own congregation or organization, accompanying user guides are available for youth, UUA staff, and congregations.
- Mosaic Project Report
The Mosaic Project Report offers recommendations to help congregations, districts, and Association create an environment that effectively supports Youth and Young Adults of Color both in their development of a healthy identity and through the transition from childhood to adulthood. The positive impact of creating such an environment can reach beyond the Youth and Young Adults of Color community into all ministry areas. An essential read for all those working with youth.
- Coming of Age Handbook for Congregations
Coming of Age is a pivotal program and rite of passage for Unitarian Universalist youth. The Coming of Age Handbook for Congregations is the definitive resource for congregations of all sizes and is filled with workshops for youth, small group ministry sessions for parents, social action projects and rites of passage. Field tested by congregations with groups ranging from four to twenty-three participants, this guide will help both congregations and youth to define their beliefs and put their faith into action.
- Youth on Board
This non-profit organization “helps young people and adults think differently about each other so that they can work together to change society.” Several publications and resources are available to help your congregation involve youth in decision making and serve on committees and boards.
- Youth Ministry News
Published by the UUA Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministries, this monthly e-newsletter will keep you informed about the latest resources and opportunities for UU youth and those engaged in youth ministry.
- Welcoming Children with Special Needs
An empowering resource for accepting youth with special needs into congregations and youth groups. Includes information on common physical, mental and emotional disabilities and disorders, plus teacher training guidelines and strategies and techniques for inclusion. Designed for religious educators, ministers, lay leaders and parents.
- The Chrysalis Training Program
The Chrysalis Training Program provides teams of youth and adult trainers to lead various trainings for youth and youth advisors for districts, regions, or clusters of congregations. Trainings include Leadership Development, Spirituality Development, Basic Youth Advisor, Advanced Youth Advisor, and Chaplain. Contact your UUA district staff or sylvia @ cuc.ca (email), if you want to organize a training in your area.
- Youth Group Handbook
Offers practical suggestions, guidance and programming ideas for youth group leaders and members. Addresses collective decision making, working effectively with adults, social action, anti-oppression work, worship, and more. Includes a wide selection of games and activities for building trust and community, previously available in Deep Fun. An essential tool for anyone involved in the growth and development of a successful youth group.
- Our Whole Lives (OWL) for Grades 7-9 and Grades 10-12
Grounded in a wholistic view of sexuality, Our Whole Lives provides not only facts about anatomy and human development, but helps participants to clarify their values, build interpersonal skills, and understand the spiritual, emotional, and social aspects of sexuality. Resources include a book of age-appropriate workshops and an accompanying guide, Sexuality and Our Faith: A Companion to Our Whole Lives, which offers spiritual value components to enrich the Our Whole Lives experience in a faith-based environment.
- Full Circle: Fifteen Ways to Grow Lifelong UUs
Katie Erslev, a lifelong UU, surveyed and interviewed 82 men and women from ages 25 to 87 who were raised as UUs. She identifies fifteen common threads as critical to their commitment to the faith. An excellent Unitarian Universalist-specific resource on building multigenerational community.
- New Media for UUs Blog
People of all ages, and especially youth, communicate in new ways through online social networking services like Facebook, MySpace, Twitter, and blogs. These are important tools for reaching many young adults. The UUA's New Media for Unitarian Universalists blog has lots of tips on how to use new media and improve your online presence and develop a communication strategy that works for youth.
- Tapestry of Faith
The Unitarian Universalist Association’s new core curriculum includes programs and online resources for youth. Here you will find stories, activities, worship ideas, openings, closings—all in complete and comprehensive curricula that have been intentionally designed to strengthen UU identity.
- Youth Advisor Discussion List
An email list for youth advisors to discuss questions and share best practices about working with youth.
- Crossing the Bridge from Youth to Young Adulthood
Formerly the Bridging Ceremony Resource Guide, this guide helps congregations, districts and conferences design and implement bridging ceremonies for youth making the transition to young adulthood. Contains both practical tips (such as orders of service from actual ceremonies) and also historical and philosophical discussions of the nature of bridging ceremonies.
For more information contact youth @ uua.org.
Last updated on Wednesday, June 2, 2010.
