Youth and Emerging Adults
“Lifespan Faith Engagement” means accompanying those who are coming of age in a dying and transforming world to be meaning-makers and agents of change. We are here to support religious professionals and lay leaders of all ages to do just that.
We support your congregational ministries and your efforts to connect across congregations by offering funding and consultations with our staff. Find your connection in the sidebar.
Congregational Ministry
We provide support in the following areas with a diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging lens. We also help you build your network of peers, colleagues and professionals who can go even deeper with you.
Spiritual Depth
- We can support you in implementing spiritual resources for times of transition and change such as bridging from youth to young adulthood.
- We’re dedicated to helping you implement spiritual practices and youth centered worship that can be transformative experiences that help young people navigate life’s complexity.
- We can be right there with you in compassionate witness to the mental and emotional illness and wellbeing of young people in your communities.
Deeper Joy
By Jennica Davis-Hockett
Deeper Joy is a compilation of games, songs, activities and practices designed for community builders, activists, educators, and anyone interested in fostering inclusive, multigenerational communities.
Gatherings and Facilitation
- We can partner with you to address the tensions of and provide resources for deeper, radically inclusive whole community engagement with young people at the center.
- We are behind you as you advocate for prioritizing youth safety in your congregation and at your events.
- We can be there to assist you as you attend to the keystone ministry for emerging adults (18-24 yo) in your congregation.
Youth and Adult Lay Leader Training & Recruitment
- We are happy to be brought in as thought partners as you navigate the new and challenging landscape of volunteer and youth advisor support. The UUA has curricula and offerings to assist in your youth ministry volunteer preparation (PDF).
- Where are the youth in your congregation on their leadership journey? We are here to help you work alongside your youth to explore their faith more deeply and to challenge themselves in a variety of developmentally appropriate ways.
Connecting Across Congregations
Whether you’re a youth, emerging adult or adult, a lay leader or professional, an old-timer or a newcomer, we can be a conduit for you to find supportive peers, partners, and mentors to fortify your innovative ventures involving youth or emerging adults.
Multiplatform Trainings
We can collaborate with you and local colleagues to execute in person and online learning experiences for youth and/or adults on pastoral care, community building, leadership development and safety. Connect with your Regional Liaison to make this happen.
Networking, Events, and Immersions
- We collaborate with many offices and teams to support access and a sense of belonging for youth and emerging adults at General Assembly.
- We can provide registration support, safety consults and content suggestions for inter-congregational youth events (cluster cons) including overnighters.
- We create channels for youth, advisors and emerging adults to connect directly with their peers through the Young UU Project (YUUP),Youth Advisor Discord and National Emerging Adult Taskforce (NEAT).