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Adhere Them to Your Congregation This excerpt of a post by Drew Dyck on the Aspen Group examines the trend of Millennials leaving the church, and says that neither making church more stylistically appealing or less religious will turn the trend around. However, research reveals...

Young Adults Building Faith from the Ground up This fall Faith Architects kicks off with three to six regional leadership conferences called the Scaffold Series . We are currently seeking congregations or organizations to host these conferences. Some conferences may be hosted in...

Learn about Robert Jensen, graduate of the Unitarian Universalist Association Summer Seminary Class of 2013, from the selected excerpts of this profile piece by amohammed [at] milipitasjournal [dot] com (Aliyah Mohammed) of the Fremont Bulletin from the Mercury News . – Ed....

Bigger Congregation Smart congregations don't see the overlap between Boomers (in the prime years of congregational governance) and Millennials (adult and ready to lead) as a challenge, they see it as an opportunity to broaden their appeal. Excerpt from " Got religion? How...

Welcome to the Spotlight Series! Each month we’ll feature a different Unitarian Universalist congregation or community that is doing effective, innovative or otherwise interesting ministry with young adults.–Ed. “At Penn State , Unitarian Universalism is synonymous with...

Youth Advisors and other adults supporting youth are vital to outstanding youth ministry. Youth Advisors on uua.org . Our advisor landing page is a portal to all sorts of webinars, information and resources. We highlight a number of them below. Youth Ministry Advising: A...

Congregational Youth Ministry can take many forms, of which Youth Group is just one choice. The resources below will help you think about your youth programming, as well as how you serve and involve youth throughout the congregation. Youth in Congregations Youth as Members Can...

Welcome to the Youth Leadership Resource Page. Building youth leadership skill and creating opportunities for youth involvement in leadership positions are integral parts of what the Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministries does. The following is a listing of programs, events...

Reproductive Justice Tour Daily Blog: Day 2 and 3 Love Reaches Out in many ways, and during the week of June 16–21 Blue Boat invites you to join high school youth of First Unitarian Universalist Church of Columbus and surrounding UU congregations on their Justice Trip learning...

Current Theme, Ageless Idea Faith experience in America is changing, and the theme of General Assembly 2014 (GA), "Love Reaches Out" , responds to current studies of faith in America showing a movement toward a liberal, fluid kind of faith that doesn’t fit with traditional...

Love Reaches Out in many ways, and during the week of June 16–21 Blue Boat invites you to join high school youth of First Unitarian Universalist Church of Columbus and surrounding UU congregations on their Justice Trip learning about Reproductive Justice. –Ed. Greetings from...

Post Your Answer > Spread the Meme Celebrate the 5th Anniversary of Standing on the Side of Love and support the theme of General Assembly 2014, "Reach Out in Love", click on the image to answer any of these questions: How do you reach out in love? Who do you stand on the...

Welcome to the Spotlight Series! Each month we feature a different Unitarian Universalist congregation or community that is doing effective, innovative or otherwise interesting ministry with young adults.–Ed. Small Group, Big Success The Eagle Unitarian Universalists of Florida...

Watch Out Millenials 'cause Here Come the Boomers Carol Howard Merritt asks how an increase of Boomer Generation retirees can and will change congregations on the Christian Century blog. Her key findings: More people will be on a fixed income: giving will change. | More people...

Multigen and Mission Focused “ Original Blessing is like a study in best practices for a congregation that wants to appeal to younger people as well as older folks” remarked Carey McDonald after a recent visit there. Having stopped into Sunday evening worship at this new UU...

Welcome to the Spotlight Series! Each month we feature a different Unitarian Universalist congregation or community that is doing effective, innovative or otherwise interesting ministry with young adults – Ed. “ Bishop Yvette Flunder says her approach to church membership is ‘...

Pre-qualified by Social Media The Interconnections Blog of the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) in its story, " Welcoming in the Age of Social Media " discusses the added importance of making genuine connection with new comers since most people have Googled congregations...

Climate Change: 5 Minutes to Midnight , 15 Years and Counting Down The United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has released a report showing that the effects of global warming have not yet become irreversible, but that they will in 15 years should action...

Celebrating All Families Responding to criticism for supporting diverse models of family, and in a way that would seem right at home at the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA), Honey Maid literally turned the words of their critics against them to remind them of a deeper...

How many campus ministry groups DO we have? You hold the answer! Are campus groups growing? Shrinking? Doing interfaith work? Who supports them? Are they reaching new UUs? Are they helping our recently bridged youth stay connected? These are just a few of the questions I hear...

Connecting, Despite Everything The increasing diversity in family life-style, advent of two-income families, limited public resources, shortened school days and paring instruction down to core subjects crete the impetus to place youth in structured after-school activities. The...

Defeat Racial and Multicultural Injustice Youth are coming of age in an America that is increasingly diverse. Be The Change! (BTC) gives Unitarian Universalist (UU) youth a starting place for discussions about the role of race, identity and justice in living out their faith. The...

Don't Panic, Do Act Fast! Housing at General Assembly (GA) this year is under pressure – because this is shaping up to be one of the best attended meetings in years, and also because of unforeseen labor disputes at two of the major hotels in Providence. The Unitarian...

Engagement Mechanics 101 A strategy that faith-based organizations can use to engage – and keep engaged – the Millennial Generation. This Millennial Impact Report infographic shows how faith-based organizations that are active on social issues and causes can engage Millennials...

Zero Exceptions George Takai , the popular meme -ist (and helmsman Hikaru Sulu on the original Star Trek series) responds to Arizona Senate Bill 1062 permitting business owners to deny service to LGBTQ people on religious grounds, which passed the Arizona Senate . Likening it to...

Re-posted from GLAAD .– Ed. Facebook introduces custom gender field to allow users to more accurately reflect who they are by Rich Ferraro, Vice President of Communications February 13, 2014 Facebook announced today that it will now offer a custom gender field for transgender...

Philanthropy on a Middle-Class Budget People of reasonable means giving through small donations are the biggest source of charitable funds in the United States. In 2013 they give more than wealthy individuals, and more than corporations and foundations combined. Financial giving...

Determining, "Who am I?", does not happen in isolation. Jessica York, Director of Faith Development at the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) reminds us in her post originally appearing on Call and Response , the blog of the Office of Faith Formation at the UUA, reminds us...

The Living Mosaic blog of the Unitarian Universalist Association presents identity development resources for multiethnic families: Videos: Introduction to White Ethnic Identity Formation for Youth [youtube lBA2cRYyvc4] Discussion Guide Handout 1: Definitions (PDF) Handout 2:...

What if the meaning and value of faith movements were built and changed by their users – a "Wikipedia faith"? Question posed by Landon Whitsitt on the Alban Institute blog. Read Whitsitt's pot on the Alban Institute here .– Ed. Church as Wikipedia by Landon Whitsitt At some...

Alain de Botton discusses the idea of religiously enlightened atheism in this TED Talk, originally produced in July, 2011.–Ed. Faith is the province of us all [ted id=1327] Alain de Botton speaks about the value religious movements have for the committed atheist in their...

Welcome to the Spotlight Series! Each month we’ll feature a different Unitarian Universalist congregation or community that is doing effective, innovative or otherwise interesting ministry with young adults. –Ed. Marisa Williams is a new parent in Des Moines, Iowa. When her...

Gotta Love Lookin' Good Save 20% on Standing on the Side of Love gear – from stickers through shirts, all the way to the famous hoodie – all this month in support of the third annual Standing on the Side of Love 30 Days of Love 2014 campaign , "A Spiritual Journey for Social...

Put Your Design on the Future of Faith C*UUYAN creates and supports events catering to Young Adults (YAs) as an identity group, and allowing YAs to get together to celebrate and practice forms of Unitarian Universalism that feed them. These gatherings, however, left YA’s...

The value of religious leaders of congregation is unquestioned, how they can be most valuable may be evolving. We re-post this commentary by Tom Ehrich , which appears on the Religion News Service (RNS)blog, observing that Sunday worship service is but one aspect of successful...

Practice of the Seven Principles of Unitarian Universalism is rooted in our ability to empathize and connect with others. Dr. Brené Brown explains what empathy with animation by Katy Davis . Produced by the RSA (Royal Society for the encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and...

This is an announcement from Shawna Foster, from the Unitarian Universalist Association's International Office .– Ed. International Young Adult Listening Project If you're a young adult living abroad, we want to hear from you! The International Office is conducting a listening...

We bring you this virtual advent calendar, and wonder – what if we tried to live as mindfully every day? -Ed. Visit the calendar here .

Youth is not a barrier to faith in community, but the way youth are separated from congregation can be. Kate Murphy, in her post Is Youth Ministry Killing the Church? from The Christian Century blog, relates how observing a member of youth ministry respond to loss in the...

In the discussion about the future of faith, how to grow congregation and remain relevant in today's world, congregations like The Eliot Church of South Natick remind us that every congregation has a unique personality and embracing it is a key to success. [youtube o07vaMWyoEk#t...

Where inequality exists dialog is hard. We re-post an excerpt of this opinion piece by Francie Latour on the work of the comedian louis C.K. addressing White Privilege . Some Can Laugh Point of View by Francie Latour Wise guy – Wrapped in louis C.K.’s stand-up material are...

This story comes to us from Stevie St. John, a young adult at the Neighborhood Unitarian Universalist Church in Pasadena, CA . She shares her experience with organizing young adults from multiple churches to get together for fellowship. – Ed. Prime number It is the evening of...

Get it Here

A timely message from our friends at Stewardship and Development Office at the Unitarian Universalist Association . We encourage you to lend your support.–Ed. And make your money make a difference Happy ‪ #‎GivingTuesday ! Disgusted with black Friday sales on Thanksgiving day?...

From UU World we re-post an excerpt of Doug Muder 's thoughts on attending a Sunday Assembly that in some ways resembles Unitarian Universalism and in other ways does not. – Ed. Live better, help often, wonder more Sunday Assembly was coming to Boston. You could read about it in...

Connect with campus ministry leaders Sunday December 1, 2013. Looking to nourish the souls of the students in your group? Wanting to create moving worship and facilitate meaningful discussions? Hoping to take care of your own spirit as well? Join the Monthly UU Campus Ministry...

Blue Boat is now on Twitter @BlueBoatBlog No, we haven't gone out in our dinghy out yet. But we will... Follow us .

Feed the Planet In Many Ways. Carbonfund.org , founded by Unitarian Universalist Eric Carlson is set to launch a very ambitious tree-planting campaign, coupled with a really fantastic dining rewards program. This is great for the planet and for the participants. The program is...

Trendspotting. As the #FoF Future of Faith series has explored the need to connect with younger generations, we start to ask "what are Millennials looking for?" Two in-depth reports, based on interviews with spiritually inclined Millennials in liberal religious communities,...

Church and beer? Motivation matters! This past Sunday the minister at the First Unitarian Church of Oakland opened his sermon with an anecdote about Lutherans who were combining beer with church. He joked about being desperate for growth and the congregation laughed. Later that...