-will
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
New Survey
Want to do this survey of 18+ individuals who grew up in a UU religious education program and/or participated in YRUU/LRY? All responses are anonymous and confidential. No personal or private information will be collected. Here’s a link to the survey: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/X8HGZKN
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Letter from Bill Sinkford acknowledging end of YRUU - September 13, 2008
Dear Friends,
I am excited to share with you recent positive developments in the transition in our Unitarian Universalist (UU) youth ministry. Based on feedback from the UU youth community and other key stakeholders last spring, we have worked over the summer to enhance the voice of youth on the Youth Ministry Working Group (YMWG). I am delighted to announce that six youth and two youth advisor positions have been added to the group, bringing the total representation to ten youth, two youth advisors, and eight other adults (including young adults).
As you may know, the YMWG is charged with recommending to the Unitarian Universalist Association’s (UUA) Administration and Board of Trustees a new framework for UU youth ministry based on the 2005-2007 Consultation on Ministry to and with Youth and the related Summit on Youth Ministry. The Working Group will help us make concrete the vision of a youth ministry that is central to the mission of Unitarian Universalism, offers multiple pathways for involvement, and is:
· congregationally-based;
· multigenerational;
· spirit-centered;
· counter-oppressive, multicultural, and radically inclusive.
The process for selecting these new youth and advisor members was developed during a productive meeting I had with the 2007-08 Young Religious Unitarian Universalists (YRUU) Steering Committee at General Assembly this past June. During the meeting, those present agreed that the outgoing elected YRUU leadership, in partnership with youth currently serving on the Working Group, would be tasked with choosing the additional youth and advisors to serve on the YMWG.
With the support of the UUA’s Youth Ministry Office, the 2007-08 Steering Committee and YMWG youth conducted a wide-reaching application process to select the new members from among over 50 applicants. Those selected will join the returning members at the group’s next meeting from October 3-5 in Waltham , MA . You can find a complete roster of the Working Group, including the new members, at the related page of our UUA website. See: [Link to be inserted]
In the midst of these developments, I am mindful that some confusion remains about the status of continental YRUU and the state of current services to and programming for UU youth in our Association. Let me try to provide some clarity.
First, it is true that YRUU as a continental organization has effectively ended. In April, the Board of Trustees of the Association approved a 2008-09 budget that shifted funding previously allotted to the YRUU Steering Committee and Youth Council to the development of new youth programs and support for the charge of the Youth Ministry Working Group. Thus, for the time-being, the mantle of continental youth leadership has been passed to those youth ably serving on the Working Group who for the next year will help to shape the future of our Association’s youth ministry. Of course, representative youth leadership continues at the district and congregational level throughout our Association.
I know that for those UUs whose experience in our faith has been positively shaped by participation in Continental YRUU, its end may bring with it some measure of disappointment and hurt. Despite the broad consensus that the current structure for continental youth ministry was not serving our faith well, there is sadness in saying good-bye and uncertainty about what comes next.
Also, since the term “YRUU” is now used to describe many local youth groups and district gatherings, the news of Continental YRUU ending has, in some cases, been mistaken as a message that all youth programming in our Association is suddenly ceasing. This is certainly not the case. The decision to end Continental YRUU will not affect local or regional “YRUU” groups or gatherings. To the contrary, a key goal of this transformation is strengthening our congregational youth ministries and nurturing the role that districts and inter-district collaboration play in successful youth ministry.
Further, it is important to note that core UUA-level services to youth are being and will continue to be provided during this interim period in youth ministry including Youth Caucus at General Assembly, the Chrysalis training program, web resources, curriculum development and youth ministry consultation.
Many of you are wondering: what comes next? And indeed, our UU youth ministry is in a liminal space as we embark on this intentionally interim year. We stand between what has been and what is yet to be. In-between places like these present us with uncertainty for sure, but also with tremendous possibility. It is my hope that we can use this time to generate excitement about the future of our youth ministry, as we allow the Youth Ministry Working Group to carry out its charge.
Befitting the twenty-five year history of Young Religious Unitarian Universalists, we will have a chance to honor and celebrate this important organization and all of its accomplishments at General Assembly 2009 in Salt Lake City . This will also be an opportunity to acknowledge those who have served in its leadership from its inception in 1983 through 2008.
In the meantime, I look forward to keeping you apprised of further developments in youth ministry throughout the year. You can also sign up to receive regular updates about the process by contacting the Office of Youth Ministry at youth@uua.org.
In faith,
William G. Sinkford
I am excited to share with you recent positive developments in the transition in our Unitarian Universalist (UU) youth ministry. Based on feedback from the UU youth community and other key stakeholders last spring, we have worked over the summer to enhance the voice of youth on the Youth Ministry Working Group (YMWG). I am delighted to announce that six youth and two youth advisor positions have been added to the group, bringing the total representation to ten youth, two youth advisors, and eight other adults (including young adults).
As you may know, the YMWG is charged with recommending to the Unitarian Universalist Association’s (UUA) Administration and Board of Trustees a new framework for UU youth ministry based on the 2005-2007 Consultation on Ministry to and with Youth and the related Summit on Youth Ministry. The Working Group will help us make concrete the vision of a youth ministry that is central to the mission of Unitarian Universalism, offers multiple pathways for involvement, and is:
· congregationally-based;
· multigenerational;
· spirit-centered;
· counter-oppressive, multicultural, and radically inclusive.
The process for selecting these new youth and advisor members was developed during a productive meeting I had with the 2007-08 Young Religious Unitarian Universalists (YRUU) Steering Committee at General Assembly this past June. During the meeting, those present agreed that the outgoing elected YRUU leadership, in partnership with youth currently serving on the Working Group, would be tasked with choosing the additional youth and advisors to serve on the YMWG.
With the support of the UUA’s Youth Ministry Office, the 2007-08 Steering Committee and YMWG youth conducted a wide-reaching application process to select the new members from among over 50 applicants. Those selected will join the returning members at the group’s next meeting from October 3-5 in Waltham , MA . You can find a complete roster of the Working Group, including the new members, at the related page of our UUA website. See: [Link to be inserted]
In the midst of these developments, I am mindful that some confusion remains about the status of continental YRUU and the state of current services to and programming for UU youth in our Association. Let me try to provide some clarity.
First, it is true that YRUU as a continental organization has effectively ended. In April, the Board of Trustees of the Association approved a 2008-09 budget that shifted funding previously allotted to the YRUU Steering Committee and Youth Council to the development of new youth programs and support for the charge of the Youth Ministry Working Group. Thus, for the time-being, the mantle of continental youth leadership has been passed to those youth ably serving on the Working Group who for the next year will help to shape the future of our Association’s youth ministry. Of course, representative youth leadership continues at the district and congregational level throughout our Association.
I know that for those UUs whose experience in our faith has been positively shaped by participation in Continental YRUU, its end may bring with it some measure of disappointment and hurt. Despite the broad consensus that the current structure for continental youth ministry was not serving our faith well, there is sadness in saying good-bye and uncertainty about what comes next.
Also, since the term “YRUU” is now used to describe many local youth groups and district gatherings, the news of Continental YRUU ending has, in some cases, been mistaken as a message that all youth programming in our Association is suddenly ceasing. This is certainly not the case. The decision to end Continental YRUU will not affect local or regional “YRUU” groups or gatherings. To the contrary, a key goal of this transformation is strengthening our congregational youth ministries and nurturing the role that districts and inter-district collaboration play in successful youth ministry.
Further, it is important to note that core UUA-level services to youth are being and will continue to be provided during this interim period in youth ministry including Youth Caucus at General Assembly, the Chrysalis training program, web resources, curriculum development and youth ministry consultation.
Many of you are wondering: what comes next? And indeed, our UU youth ministry is in a liminal space as we embark on this intentionally interim year. We stand between what has been and what is yet to be. In-between places like these present us with uncertainty for sure, but also with tremendous possibility. It is my hope that we can use this time to generate excitement about the future of our youth ministry, as we allow the Youth Ministry Working Group to carry out its charge.
Befitting the twenty-five year history of Young Religious Unitarian Universalists, we will have a chance to honor and celebrate this important organization and all of its accomplishments at General Assembly 2009 in Salt Lake City . This will also be an opportunity to acknowledge those who have served in its leadership from its inception in 1983 through 2008.
In the meantime, I look forward to keeping you apprised of further developments in youth ministry throughout the year. You can also sign up to receive regular updates about the process by contacting the Office of Youth Ministry at youth@uua.org.
In faith,
William G. Sinkford
Thursday, July 3, 2008
URGENT: Committed youth advocates needed!
Hello All,
I have just returned from General Assembly in Fort Lauderdale, FL, the UUA's annual business meeting. The Youth and Young Adult Empowerment Resolution which you may have heard of was passed by a large margin and was accompanied by a lively discussion. It is safe to say that the defining issue of this year's GA was youth and young adults.
For youth ministry, a process has been designed to come up with a new structure, one that will take the place of YRUU. UUA President Bill Sinkford created the Youth Ministry Working Group last year to create this structure. We, YRUU Steering Committee, have expressed our many concerns with this past year. To remedy these concerns, we have arranged to add new members to the Youth Ministry Working Group.
We are looking for 6 youth and 2 adult advisors to join the Youth Ministry Working Group. Please spread the word in your UU communities! We are especially looking for young applicants and those who have been leaders in their congregations and districts.
Application: http://www.uua.org/documents/youthconsultation/working_group_app.pdf
In Struggle and Faith,
Will Floyd
member of the last YRUU Steering Committee 2007-2008
I have just returned from General Assembly in Fort Lauderdale, FL, the UUA's annual business meeting. The Youth and Young Adult Empowerment Resolution which you may have heard of was passed by a large margin and was accompanied by a lively discussion. It is safe to say that the defining issue of this year's GA was youth and young adults.
For youth ministry, a process has been designed to come up with a new structure, one that will take the place of YRUU. UUA President Bill Sinkford created the Youth Ministry Working Group last year to create this structure. We, YRUU Steering Committee, have expressed our many concerns with this past year. To remedy these concerns, we have arranged to add new members to the Youth Ministry Working Group.
We are looking for 6 youth and 2 adult advisors to join the Youth Ministry Working Group. Please spread the word in your UU communities! We are especially looking for young applicants and those who have been leaders in their congregations and districts.
Application: http://www.uua.org/documents/youthconsultation/working_group_app.pdf
In Struggle and Faith,
Will Floyd
member of the last YRUU Steering Committee 2007-2008
Monday, May 5, 2008
Friday, April 25, 2008
Board Letter to the YRUU Steering Committee
To the YRUU Steering Committee
On behalf of the UUA Board of Trustees, I want to thank you for writing us. We share your concerns that the process of implementing the recommendations of the Summit on Youth Ministry should be transparent and fully in partnership with youth. We also want to make sure that during this transition, that youth ministry programming continues. Accordingly, we passed the following resolution at our April meeting:
"The administration shall make the transition in youth ministry an institutional priority now. This process must be transparent and those responsible for implementation must be in authentic relationship with the youth community and its elected leadership. During this transition, the administration must provide monthly progress reports to the Board. The administration shall ensure that UUA support for youth ministry programming is maintained throughout the transitional period."
In addition, we recognize that without Youth Council, there will be no way to elect a new Steering Committee and so, we encourage you in seeking to find a new process to democratically elect a new group of youth leaders for the next year. We have amended next year's budget to provide the same level of funding that Steering Committee got this year to a new "Youth Transition Team," the temporary successor to Steering Committee. We trust that this team will be able to be active participants in the further work of the Youth Ministry Working Group and communicate directly with the UU youth community.
Finally, we have placed on the General Assembly 2008 agenda a business resolution entitled "Youth and Young Adult Empowerment Resolution." By doing this, we hope to provide a springboard for substantial and productive discussion during plenary on youth and young adult ministry and empowerment.
This is a time of change and we thank you for being essential partners in the process of building effective congregationally-based youth ministry. We look forward to working with you and the Youth Transition Team that succeeds you in the year ahead.
In faith,
Paul Rickter, UUA Secretary
On behalf of the UUA Board of Trustees, I want to thank you for writing us. We share your concerns that the process of implementing the recommendations of the Summit on Youth Ministry should be transparent and fully in partnership with youth. We also want to make sure that during this transition, that youth ministry programming continues. Accordingly, we passed the following resolution at our April meeting:
"The administration shall make the transition in youth ministry an institutional priority now. This process must be transparent and those responsible for implementation must be in authentic relationship with the youth community and its elected leadership. During this transition, the administration must provide monthly progress reports to the Board. The administration shall ensure that UUA support for youth ministry programming is maintained throughout the transitional period."
In addition, we recognize that without Youth Council, there will be no way to elect a new Steering Committee and so, we encourage you in seeking to find a new process to democratically elect a new group of youth leaders for the next year. We have amended next year's budget to provide the same level of funding that Steering Committee got this year to a new "Youth Transition Team," the temporary successor to Steering Committee. We trust that this team will be able to be active participants in the further work of the Youth Ministry Working Group and communicate directly with the UU youth community.
Finally, we have placed on the General Assembly 2008 agenda a business resolution entitled "Youth and Young Adult Empowerment Resolution." By doing this, we hope to provide a springboard for substantial and productive discussion during plenary on youth and young adult ministry and empowerment.
This is a time of change and we thank you for being essential partners in the process of building effective congregationally-based youth ministry. We look forward to working with you and the Youth Transition Team that succeeds you in the year ahead.
In faith,
Paul Rickter, UUA Secretary
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Steering Committee Letter to Board of Trustees
April 17, 2008
To: Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) Board of Trustees
From: Young Religious Unitarian Universalists (YRUU) Steering Committee
CC: William G. Sinkford, President, UUA; Leadership Council, UUA
We are writing to express some of our thoughts and concerns about YRUU funds, the Youth and Young Adult Empowerment Resolution, and the Youth Ministry Working Group.
While collaborating with the Youth Ministry Working Group this year, we have realized the importance of our participation in the implementation of the Summit recommendations. We are invested in a process of change that results in a more robust and spiritually based youth ministry that ministers to all youth in our denomination.
To: Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) Board of Trustees
From: Young Religious Unitarian Universalists (YRUU) Steering Committee
CC: William G. Sinkford, President, UUA; Leadership Council, UUA
We are writing to express some of our thoughts and concerns about YRUU funds, the Youth and Young Adult Empowerment Resolution, and the Youth Ministry Working Group.
While collaborating with the Youth Ministry Working Group this year, we have realized the importance of our participation in the implementation of the Summit recommendations. We are invested in a process of change that results in a more robust and spiritually based youth ministry that ministers to all youth in our denomination.
This year we have put a great deal of energy into finding our role in the process of creating a better youth ministry structure. We have also struggled with our responsibility to direct YRUU activities. Due to the extraordinary events of the past months and the ostensible priorities of the UUA Administration, we have focused our energy away from sustaining YRUU activities and towards being a voice for the responsible and accountable creation of a new structure for youth ministry. Given these circumstances, we will not be holding Youth Council this summer.
We further request that the Board recommend the following youth ministry funding priorities to the UUA Administration:
· Groundwork – This organization was created out of the partnership of YRUU leadership, C*UUYAN leadership, and the Youth and YA-CM Offices, among others. This partnership reflects a commitment to Anti-Racism/Anti-Oppression work that is based directly in the Youth and Young-Adult experience. Groundwork was created with the expressed goal of ministering to youth and young-adults who were not being served by the Journey Towards Wholeness Initiative. We believe that supporting Groundwork is essential to the continued success of Anti-Racism/Anti-Oppression work in UU youth communities and the denomination as a whole.
· DRUUMM YaYA – YRUU Steering Committee would like to continue its support for the work of DRUUMM YaYA Steering Committee. We hope that the UUA Administration shares this commitment.
· Interweave YaYA – Queer youth in our denomination are not adequately ministered to. We would like to allocate money care of Interweave to be used specifically to support the current efforts to create a youth and young-adult chapter.
· White Allies (ARE) YaYA – We believe that it is important to support white anti-racism work that seeks to be accountable to DRUUMM. We would like to allocate money care of Allies for Racial Equality to be used specifically to support white youth and young-adults seeking to do anti-racism work.
As we move into a new youth ministry structure, it is critical that we build upon the anti-oppression work espoused by YRUU in the last decade and expand support of identity-based ministries.
We are aware that the Youth and Young Adult Empowerment Resolution is an agenda item at your April 18th meeting. We are in full support of this resolution and respectfully request that you consider designating it a full business resolution at GA 2008. We feel that this resolution has the potential to create needed dialog about the importance of youth and young adults in our denomination. A discussion about youth and young adult empowerment during plenary could aid in bringing people together during this time of transition. It provides a concrete foundation for youth to turn to when they need institutional support within their congregations. We know that making this resolution a full business resolution is a special situation. However, the announcement and outcry about YRUU’s ostensible demise occurred after the deadline for GA business resolutions and we feel that this resolution cannot wait another year.
We have concerns about the Youth Ministry Working Group, which we had the opportunity to share with both the Working Group and Kay Montgomery during our April 11th meeting. Our concerns about the Working Group include: that the Working Group was chosen by poor youth/adult power dynamics; that the selection of Working Group members was not transparent and is staff heavy; that the Working Group has had a unclear mission, process and timeline; that the Working Group lacks a critical mass of people currently engaged in youth ministry in their congregations or districts; that there has been no adequate public explanation or outreach in regards to the Working Group’s mandate, goals, process, timeline, or membership; and that there has been a lack of communication and authentic collaboration with YRUU Steering Committee this year. We strongly believe that any committee that is tasked with creating the underpinnings of a new youth ministry should contain a critical mass of youth ministry “experts”—youth engaged in their congregations, adult advisors, ministers doing youth ministry, recently bridged youth leaders. This entire process should be reexamined. We recommend that a reformed, more transparent and democratic, process be created to develop a plan for UU youth ministry.
It is critical to have an active representative youth voice that can guide our denomination in this period of youth ministry transition. In July and August 2008, we plan to administer the nomination and election of a new and yet-unnamed committee that will represent youth to UUA leadership and to the Youth Ministry Working Group. Our hope is that youth and adult advisors who are engaged in Unitarian Universalism—in congregations and districts--will be able to participate in the formation of this committee. We plan to hold elections for the committee online, in the absence of a denomination-wide event that could be inclusive of all eligible youth and adult advisors. This committee will be created with the understanding that it will collaborate authentically with the Youth Ministry Working Group to develop of plan for a new youth ministry structure. We request that the Board of Trustees and the UUA Administration support and collaborate with this new committee in creating a viable, sprit-centered, and justice-seeking youth ministry for our denomination.
In Love, Struggle, and Faith,
YRUU Steering Committee
Rose Roberts
Will Floyd
Kimberlee Tomczak
Kasey Neiss
Paul Rickter
Noah Hurowitz
Elisabeth Moore
We have been informed that the proposed budget that you will be reviewing does not include funds designated specifically to YRUU as it has during pervious years, but rather includes a broad Youth Ministry line item. The implication of this change is the cessation of YRUU specific funding and therefore YRUU activities and governance structure. We request that any change in YRUU funding as it has been allocated in the past be accompanied by the formal clarification of the status of YRUU as a Sponsored Organization.
We further request that the Board recommend the following youth ministry funding priorities to the UUA Administration:
· Groundwork – This organization was created out of the partnership of YRUU leadership, C*UUYAN leadership, and the Youth and YA-CM Offices, among others. This partnership reflects a commitment to Anti-Racism/Anti-Oppression work that is based directly in the Youth and Young-Adult experience. Groundwork was created with the expressed goal of ministering to youth and young-adults who were not being served by the Journey Towards Wholeness Initiative. We believe that supporting Groundwork is essential to the continued success of Anti-Racism/Anti-Oppression work in UU youth communities and the denomination as a whole.
· DRUUMM YaYA – YRUU Steering Committee would like to continue its support for the work of DRUUMM YaYA Steering Committee. We hope that the UUA Administration shares this commitment.
· Interweave YaYA – Queer youth in our denomination are not adequately ministered to. We would like to allocate money care of Interweave to be used specifically to support the current efforts to create a youth and young-adult chapter.
· White Allies (ARE) YaYA – We believe that it is important to support white anti-racism work that seeks to be accountable to DRUUMM. We would like to allocate money care of Allies for Racial Equality to be used specifically to support white youth and young-adults seeking to do anti-racism work.
As we move into a new youth ministry structure, it is critical that we build upon the anti-oppression work espoused by YRUU in the last decade and expand support of identity-based ministries.
We are aware that the Youth and Young Adult Empowerment Resolution is an agenda item at your April 18th meeting. We are in full support of this resolution and respectfully request that you consider designating it a full business resolution at GA 2008. We feel that this resolution has the potential to create needed dialog about the importance of youth and young adults in our denomination. A discussion about youth and young adult empowerment during plenary could aid in bringing people together during this time of transition. It provides a concrete foundation for youth to turn to when they need institutional support within their congregations. We know that making this resolution a full business resolution is a special situation. However, the announcement and outcry about YRUU’s ostensible demise occurred after the deadline for GA business resolutions and we feel that this resolution cannot wait another year.
We have concerns about the Youth Ministry Working Group, which we had the opportunity to share with both the Working Group and Kay Montgomery during our April 11th meeting. Our concerns about the Working Group include: that the Working Group was chosen by poor youth/adult power dynamics; that the selection of Working Group members was not transparent and is staff heavy; that the Working Group has had a unclear mission, process and timeline; that the Working Group lacks a critical mass of people currently engaged in youth ministry in their congregations or districts; that there has been no adequate public explanation or outreach in regards to the Working Group’s mandate, goals, process, timeline, or membership; and that there has been a lack of communication and authentic collaboration with YRUU Steering Committee this year. We strongly believe that any committee that is tasked with creating the underpinnings of a new youth ministry should contain a critical mass of youth ministry “experts”—youth engaged in their congregations, adult advisors, ministers doing youth ministry, recently bridged youth leaders. This entire process should be reexamined. We recommend that a reformed, more transparent and democratic, process be created to develop a plan for UU youth ministry.
It is critical to have an active representative youth voice that can guide our denomination in this period of youth ministry transition. In July and August 2008, we plan to administer the nomination and election of a new and yet-unnamed committee that will represent youth to UUA leadership and to the Youth Ministry Working Group. Our hope is that youth and adult advisors who are engaged in Unitarian Universalism—in congregations and districts--will be able to participate in the formation of this committee. We plan to hold elections for the committee online, in the absence of a denomination-wide event that could be inclusive of all eligible youth and adult advisors. This committee will be created with the understanding that it will collaborate authentically with the Youth Ministry Working Group to develop of plan for a new youth ministry structure. We request that the Board of Trustees and the UUA Administration support and collaborate with this new committee in creating a viable, sprit-centered, and justice-seeking youth ministry for our denomination.
In Love, Struggle, and Faith,
YRUU Steering Committee
Rose Roberts
Will Floyd
Kimberlee Tomczak
Kasey Neiss
Paul Rickter
Noah Hurowitz
Elisabeth Moore
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Board of Trustees Votes to Place YaYA Empowerment Resolution on GA 2008 Agenda
Youth and Young Adult Empowerment Resolution
WHEREAS the Unitarian Universalist Association Bylaws state that our Association promotes "the full participation of persons in all of its and their activities and in the full range of human endeavor without regard to . . . age"; and
WHEREAS statement #12, “Support, Integrate, and Retain youth and young adults to keep our congregations vibrant and growing” in the Open Space Technology Process at General Assembly 2007 received the largest number of votes, 773 votes (representing 12.4 % of the votes cast); and
WHEREAS the future of our denomination benefits from the full participation of youth and young adults to enliven, grow and sustain our Unitarian Universalist movement, principles and ideals, including the use of the democratic process within our congregations and society at large; and
WHEREAS Youth and Young Adult empowerment is an attitudinal, structural and cultural process whereby young people gain the ability, authority and agency to make decisions and implement change in their own lives and the lives of other people to create intergenerational equity; and
WHEREAS unique opportunities at the congregational, district and continental level for youth and young adult self-direction create synergy for a larger youth and young adult identity and promote communication and connections between local youth and young adults across the continent;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the 2008 General Assembly of the Unitarian Universalist Association urges the Unitarian Universalist Association, its congregations and district structures to:
1. Invite ministerial support to youth and young adults through inclusive worship and intentional presence; and
2. Invest financial support in youth and young adult leadership bodies and programs when viable; and
3. Provide support for youth and young adult staff and volunteers to receive suitable training and resources, including self-directed anti-racism and anti-oppression trainings; and
4. Attend to the needs of youth and young adult constituents with marginalized identities by providing resources and opportunities within the congregation and at the district and continental levels.
WHEREAS the Unitarian Universalist Association Bylaws state that our Association promotes "the full participation of persons in all of its and their activities and in the full range of human endeavor without regard to . . . age"; and
WHEREAS statement #12, “Support, Integrate, and Retain youth and young adults to keep our congregations vibrant and growing” in the Open Space Technology Process at General Assembly 2007 received the largest number of votes, 773 votes (representing 12.4 % of the votes cast); and
WHEREAS the future of our denomination benefits from the full participation of youth and young adults to enliven, grow and sustain our Unitarian Universalist movement, principles and ideals, including the use of the democratic process within our congregations and society at large; and
WHEREAS Youth and Young Adult empowerment is an attitudinal, structural and cultural process whereby young people gain the ability, authority and agency to make decisions and implement change in their own lives and the lives of other people to create intergenerational equity; and
WHEREAS unique opportunities at the congregational, district and continental level for youth and young adult self-direction create synergy for a larger youth and young adult identity and promote communication and connections between local youth and young adults across the continent;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the 2008 General Assembly of the Unitarian Universalist Association urges the Unitarian Universalist Association, its congregations and district structures to:
1. Invite ministerial support to youth and young adults through inclusive worship and intentional presence; and
2. Invest financial support in youth and young adult leadership bodies and programs when viable; and
3. Provide support for youth and young adult staff and volunteers to receive suitable training and resources, including self-directed anti-racism and anti-oppression trainings; and
4. Attend to the needs of youth and young adult constituents with marginalized identities by providing resources and opportunities within the congregation and at the district and continental levels.
Sunday, March 9, 2008
Draft Youth and Young Adult Empowerment Resolution
Salutations Youth, Young Adults & Adult Allies!,
Have you found the news about youth and young adult ministry frustrating? Do you want to do something to make our voices heard? We have decided to go political and are trying to use the democratic process inherent in our faith to affect wide-spread, positive change. After talking with many youth and young adults from across the continent, we have written a resolution for Youth and Young Adult Empowerment within all levels of the Unitarian Universalist Association.
We believe that in this transitional time the critical values and voices of youth and young adults must be represented in the political process of our denomination. This resolution does not attempt to restructure continental YRUU or C*UUYAN; it attempts to reaffirm the values that we all share and promote them at every level of our faith.
This resolution is meant for everyone. We are from the Central Midwest District and plan to take steps to have this resolution passed in our district. You can do this in your district! In the Central Midwest District, this means communicating and gathering support from youth and young adults in congregations and determining the appropriate steps to get the resolution on our District Annual Assembly’s agenda in April. We also have been communicating with our UUA Trustee, District staff, and youth and young adults on district leadership bodies (i.e. District Youth Steering Committee/Youth Adult Committee and Young Adult Steering Committee).
This is a grassroots initiative and we encourage you to start or contribute to a similar movement in your district. Through our conversations, we have been attaining allies of this resolution in many districts. These folks will be leading and guiding the process for having this resolution passed at your District Annual Assembly in April or May. If you would like any information regarding initiatives already blossoming in your district or guidance on how to begin the process yourself, please contact us!
There is also the possibility for this resolution to be presented and passed at this year’s General Assembly as a responsive resolution. We are currently in dialogue with the UUA Board of Trustees about this resolution. Due to all of these recent changes, General Assembly will be a challenging time for youth and young adult issues. Regardless, having districts affirm youth and young adult empowerment is vital.
We must use the synergy inherent in youth and young adult movements to fuel us, to encourage us, and to be the change we want to see happen in our faith. We must collectively take action to protect and promote the core values of ministry to and with youth and young adults.
Let’s make youth and young adult empowerment a reality.
Only you can make this happen!
We desire your feedback, questions, concerns, opinions, and support of this resolution.
Thank you and Blessings,
Victoria Mitchell and Kimberlee Tomczak
http://yayaempower.blogspot.com/
Victoria Mitchell
(314) 620-8474
CMWD Youth
Eliot Unitarian Chapel of St. Louis, MO
Youth Council Representative on DYSC
Kimberlee Tomczak
(608) 225-7463
CMWD Youth & Young Adult Coordinator
Adult Advisor YRUU Steering Committee
Youth and Young Adult Empowerment Resolution
WHEREAS youth and youth adults in the past have been visionaries for our denomination, youth and young adult leaders were a key component of bringing Unitarians and Universalists together in the merger of 1961 and the subsequent creation of the Unitarian Universalist Association; and
WHEREAS statement #12, “Support, Integrate, and Retain youth and young adults to keep our congregations vibrant and growing” in the Open Space Technology Process at General Assembly 2007 received the largest number of votes, 773 votes (representing 12.4 % of the votes cast); and
WHEREAS the future of our denomination benefits from the full participation of youth and young adults to enliven, grow and sustain our Unitarian Universalist movement, principles and ideals, including the use of the democratic process within our congregations and society at large; and
WHEREAS the Unitarian Universalist Association Bylaws state that our Association promotes "the full participation of persons in all of its and their activities and in the full range of human endeavor without regard to . . . age"; and
WHEREAS Youth and Young Adult empowerment is an attitudinal, structural and cultural process whereby young people gain the ability, authority and agency to make decisions and implement change in their own lives and the lives of other people to create intergenerational equity; and
WHEREAS if youth and young adult empowerment is to be a reachable goal in our Association, it is necessary for there to be support in providing unique opportunities at the congregational, district and continental level for youth and young adult self-direction and for youth and young adults to be active, full members of our denomination; and
WHEREAS youth and young adult involvement at the district and continental level create synergy for a larger youth and young adult identity and promote communication and connections between local youth and young adults across the continent; and
WHEREAS the current members of the 2008 DRUUMM YAYA Steering Committee, YRUU Steering Committee, C*UUYAN Steering Committee supports making changes toward the goal of congregationally focused youth and young adult ministry and multi-generational congregations; (Pending these Steering Committees Official Approval)
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT Unitarian Universalists call for a commitment to support youth and young adult empowerment through the activities and attitudes of all levels of the Unitarian Universalist Association, including congregations, districts and continental institutions; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the 2008 ____________ District Assembly / General Assembly of the Unitarian Universalist Association urges all Unitarian Universalist congregations to:
1. Annually assess how youth and young adults are or are not supported in worship and congregational settings; and
2. Provide ministerial support to youth and young adults through intentional guidance, presence, devotion and time; and
3. Invest financial support in youth and young adult initiatives when viable; and
4. Provide support for youth and young adult staff and volunteers to receive suitable training and resources; and
5. Attend to the needs of youth and young adult constituents with marginalized identities by providing resources and opportunities within the congregation and at the district and continental levels; and
6. Support youth and young adult self-directed anti-racism and anti-oppression trainings.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the 2008 ____________ District Assembly / General Assembly of the Unitarian Universalist Association urges all Unitarian Universalist districts to:
1. Allot specific staff support for youth and young adult constituents and their congregations; and
2. Allow for an authentic youth and young adult voice by having youth and young adult district leadership bodies; and
3. Invest financial support in youth and young adult district leadership bodies; and
4. Provide and promote youth and young adult conferences and leadership development events on the district level; and
5. Attend to the needs of youth and young adult constituents with marginalized identities and their congregations by providing resources and opportunities within the district and continental level; and
6. Support youth and young adult self-directed anti-racism and anti-oppression trainings; and
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that the 2008 ____________ District Assembly / General Assembly of the Unitarian Universalist Association urges all Unitarian Universalist continental institutions to:
1. Invest financial support in youth and young adult programs, initiatives and staff; and
2. Provide accessible resources for youth and young adult constituents at the district and congregational level; and
3. Provide accessible resources for youth and young adult constituents, especially marginalized identities, who are currently not supported at the district and congregational level; and
4. Provide and promote youth and young adult conferences and leadership development events on the continental level; and
5. Allow for an authentic youth and young adult voice by having youth and young adult continental leadership bodies; and
6. Support youth and young adult self-directed anti-racism and anti-oppression trainings.
Written by Victoria Mitchell and Kimberlee Tomczak.
Monday, February 25, 2008
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Board of Trustees - Letter Concerning YRUU and C*UUYAN
February 19, 2008
On behalf of the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) Board of Trustees, I'm writing this message to set some facts straight regarding recent announcements affecting Young Religious Unitarian Universalists (YRUU) and Continental Unitarian Universalist Young Adult Network (C*UUYAN).
Over the past few weeks, there has been much discussion about letters sent out by the YRUU and C*UUYAN Steering Committees announcing the decisions by the UUA staff to discontinue their budgets, decisions which would effectively result in the dissolution of YRUU as a continental organization and severely affect C*UUYAN.
In this discussion, two facts need to be emphasized:
-- The fiscal year 2008-2009 budget will not be approved by the UUA Board of Trustees until its meeting in April, so there has been no decision to end financial support for YRUU or C*UUYAN.
-- YRUU and C*UUYAN have status as UUA sponsored organizations that can only be changed by a vote of the UUA Board and we have never voted to change those arrangements nor even received such a proposal from UUA staff.
In short, no decision has been made about the future of YRUU or C*UUYAN and no decision will be made until, at the earliest, the April 18-20 meeting of the UUA Board. And any decision we make will continue to be informed by consultation with all stakeholders in youth and young adult ministry, including both organizations' Steering Committees and the community of youth, young adults, and their adult allies.
In faith,
Paul Rickter, UUA Secretary
On behalf of the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) Board of Trustees, I'm writing this message to set some facts straight regarding recent announcements affecting Young Religious Unitarian Universalists (YRUU) and Continental Unitarian Universalist Young Adult Network (C*UUYAN).
Over the past few weeks, there has been much discussion about letters sent out by the YRUU and C*UUYAN Steering Committees announcing the decisions by the UUA staff to discontinue their budgets, decisions which would effectively result in the dissolution of YRUU as a continental organization and severely affect C*UUYAN.
In this discussion, two facts need to be emphasized:
-- The fiscal year 2008-2009 budget will not be approved by the UUA Board of Trustees until its meeting in April, so there has been no decision to end financial support for YRUU or C*UUYAN.
-- YRUU and C*UUYAN have status as UUA sponsored organizations that can only be changed by a vote of the UUA Board and we have never voted to change those arrangements nor even received such a proposal from UUA staff.
In short, no decision has been made about the future of YRUU or C*UUYAN and no decision will be made until, at the earliest, the April 18-20 meeting of the UUA Board. And any decision we make will continue to be informed by consultation with all stakeholders in youth and young adult ministry, including both organizations' Steering Committees and the community of youth, young adults, and their adult allies.
In faith,
Paul Rickter, UUA Secretary
Keep Traditions Alive
Remembering our YRUU faith is not only about the institutional aspect, it is about our traditions such as songs, ice breakers, worships, or anything. Please share those dearest memories here.
Monday, February 18, 2008
Bill Sinkford - A Letter to the YRUU Steering Committee
February 15, 2008
To: Young Religious Unitarian Universalists (YRUU) Steering Committee
From: William G. Sinkford,
President, Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA)
CC: UUA Board of Trustees
The two-year Consultation on Ministry to and With Youth made it very clear that we need to imagine new and more effective ways to support youth ministry throughout the Association of Congregations. The vision of multi-generational church life and support for congregational youth ministry which was created at the Summit on Youth Ministry last summer is powerful and positive. This year is intended as the time to create that new imagination. It is a time of transition and is, therefore, complicated.
The findings of the Consultation demonstrate that there is a broad consensus that the current structure for continental youth ministry is not serving our faith well. It is true that Continental YRUU, as we have known it, will be replaced at some point by a new structure that will serve us better. It is the task of the Youth Ministry Working Group to recommend that new structure. The decision to hold the Working Group meetings at the same time as your meetings this year in February and April was intended to maximize the opportunity for Steering Committee input in the development of the new structure.
Unfortunately, as a result of failures in communication within the UUA staff, some incorrect information was shared with you at your recently completed meeting. You were told that the Continental YRUU structure would end in June of this year and that there was no funding in the UUA's budget for Youth Council next summer. The reality is that the UUA's budget for next year will not be presented to the UUA Board for approval until its April meeting. No firm decisions have been made about ending support for the Continental YRUU structure. And because of YRUU's status as a Sponsored Organization, the UUA Board will have to approve any decision to end support for the organization. I apologize for the distress that incorrect information has caused.
I've asked the Office of Youth Ministry staff to prepare a set of "Frequently Asked Questions" about this process so that there will be clarity for all of us.
I hope this letter helps clarify where we are in the process. I am very sorry that inaccurate information was reported to you as fact. It is my most sincere hope that we, together, can reclaim the positive energy of the past two years and move toward a youth ministry which will serve Unitarian Universalism well.
In faith,
William G. Sinkford
To: Young Religious Unitarian Universalists (YRUU) Steering Committee
From: William G. Sinkford,
President, Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA)
CC: UUA Board of Trustees
The two-year Consultation on Ministry to and With Youth made it very clear that we need to imagine new and more effective ways to support youth ministry throughout the Association of Congregations. The vision of multi-generational church life and support for congregational youth ministry which was created at the Summit on Youth Ministry last summer is powerful and positive. This year is intended as the time to create that new imagination. It is a time of transition and is, therefore, complicated.
The findings of the Consultation demonstrate that there is a broad consensus that the current structure for continental youth ministry is not serving our faith well. It is true that Continental YRUU, as we have known it, will be replaced at some point by a new structure that will serve us better. It is the task of the Youth Ministry Working Group to recommend that new structure. The decision to hold the Working Group meetings at the same time as your meetings this year in February and April was intended to maximize the opportunity for Steering Committee input in the development of the new structure.
Unfortunately, as a result of failures in communication within the UUA staff, some incorrect information was shared with you at your recently completed meeting. You were told that the Continental YRUU structure would end in June of this year and that there was no funding in the UUA's budget for Youth Council next summer. The reality is that the UUA's budget for next year will not be presented to the UUA Board for approval until its April meeting. No firm decisions have been made about ending support for the Continental YRUU structure. And because of YRUU's status as a Sponsored Organization, the UUA Board will have to approve any decision to end support for the organization. I apologize for the distress that incorrect information has caused.
I've asked the Office of Youth Ministry staff to prepare a set of "Frequently Asked Questions" about this process so that there will be clarity for all of us.
I hope this letter helps clarify where we are in the process. I am very sorry that inaccurate information was reported to you as fact. It is my most sincere hope that we, together, can reclaim the positive energy of the past two years and move toward a youth ministry which will serve Unitarian Universalism well.
In faith,
William G. Sinkford
Friday, February 15, 2008
Letter from Nick Allen - YRUU Steering Committee Representative on the Youth Ministry Working Group
Dear YRUU Friends and Allies,
As the YRUU representative on the Youth Ministry Implementation Working Group, and as someone who has been involved with the consulting and implementing of this youth ministry initiative for the last year and a half, I would like to speak to what happened this weekend with the ending of continental YRUU. These are my personal thoughts and they do not necessarily agree with the UUA’s position or YRUU Steering Committee's position.
First, I want to express my regret. One word that has been thrown around a lot at last weekend’s Implementation Working Group meeting is “transparency.” Continental YRUU’s disbandment has been an unspoken administrative objective for years, but it has not been made explicit to those whom that decision most deeply affects: youth. I am dismayed that, after so much talk about multigenerational relationships, multigenerational communication effectively broke down out of fear of retaliation. The end of continental YRUU should have been clearly in the cards from the start, not sprung upon the youth as a “final step.”
That said, we cannot choose to accept this with the finality with which it was presented. It has been demonstrated to us, on so many painful occasions, that this continental leadership structure does not work. It does not efficiently disseminate information to district and congregational levels of youth leadership. It does not give youth a strong and influential voice within the institution. It is not accessible to the great majority of Unitarian Universalist youth. And, most importantly, it does not provide authentic empowerment to young folks, especially Queer/Genderqueer youth, Youth of Color, and otherwise marginalized youth. As stated at the Summit on youth ministry, YRUU cannot continue to function as it does: with great ineptitude at a high cost to all. What exists is beyond resuscitation.
It’s clearly time for something new. But starting again, unlike letting go process, cannot be an administrative mandate. If we’re going to take this back, then let’s do it. Let the staff and the administration know how you feel. Send emails and calls to Jesse Jaeger (617-948-4359, jjaeger@uua.org), Judith Frediani (617-948-4373, jfrediani@uua.org), and Bill Sinkford (617-948-4301, bsinkford@uua.org). Tell them you’re pissed (I did), but tell them where you see us going from here. Just don’t, for your individual higher power’s sake, do nothing. Without feedback, this process will become patronizing and even more damaging than what is in place.
It should also be made clear that aside from providing them with more financial and staff resources, this does not yet affect the current structures of the youth movement at the district or congregational levels. Our youth groups and cons will only change as much as we individually wish them to.
We, as a faith, fight what it aged and out-of-touch. We are a faith about awakening the spirit, not imposing individual creed on others. We are a movement that challenges old standards and revisions our practices towards more equitable ends, not one that is complicit with the status quo. We, as a people, challenge and constantly renew our convictions; we do not, and will never, accept mandates as Truth. Change is a rejuvenating process for us, and as long as we are liberal, inquisitive, courageous, and open-hearted, Unitarian Universalism will always remain a Young Faith.
To borrow the words of a dear friend:
Let’s forgive ourselves. Let’s forgive each other. Let’s begin again in love.
Yours with Faith,
Nick Allen
nallen_00@msn.com
As the YRUU representative on the Youth Ministry Implementation Working Group, and as someone who has been involved with the consulting and implementing of this youth ministry initiative for the last year and a half, I would like to speak to what happened this weekend with the ending of continental YRUU. These are my personal thoughts and they do not necessarily agree with the UUA’s position or YRUU Steering Committee's position.
First, I want to express my regret. One word that has been thrown around a lot at last weekend’s Implementation Working Group meeting is “transparency.” Continental YRUU’s disbandment has been an unspoken administrative objective for years, but it has not been made explicit to those whom that decision most deeply affects: youth. I am dismayed that, after so much talk about multigenerational relationships, multigenerational communication effectively broke down out of fear of retaliation. The end of continental YRUU should have been clearly in the cards from the start, not sprung upon the youth as a “final step.”
That said, we cannot choose to accept this with the finality with which it was presented. It has been demonstrated to us, on so many painful occasions, that this continental leadership structure does not work. It does not efficiently disseminate information to district and congregational levels of youth leadership. It does not give youth a strong and influential voice within the institution. It is not accessible to the great majority of Unitarian Universalist youth. And, most importantly, it does not provide authentic empowerment to young folks, especially Queer/Genderqueer youth, Youth of Color, and otherwise marginalized youth. As stated at the Summit on youth ministry, YRUU cannot continue to function as it does: with great ineptitude at a high cost to all. What exists is beyond resuscitation.
It’s clearly time for something new. But starting again, unlike letting go process, cannot be an administrative mandate. If we’re going to take this back, then let’s do it. Let the staff and the administration know how you feel. Send emails and calls to Jesse Jaeger (617-948-4359, jjaeger@uua.org), Judith Frediani (617-948-4373, jfrediani@uua.org), and Bill Sinkford (617-948-4301, bsinkford@uua.org). Tell them you’re pissed (I did), but tell them where you see us going from here. Just don’t, for your individual higher power’s sake, do nothing. Without feedback, this process will become patronizing and even more damaging than what is in place.
It should also be made clear that aside from providing them with more financial and staff resources, this does not yet affect the current structures of the youth movement at the district or congregational levels. Our youth groups and cons will only change as much as we individually wish them to.
We, as a faith, fight what it aged and out-of-touch. We are a faith about awakening the spirit, not imposing individual creed on others. We are a movement that challenges old standards and revisions our practices towards more equitable ends, not one that is complicit with the status quo. We, as a people, challenge and constantly renew our convictions; we do not, and will never, accept mandates as Truth. Change is a rejuvenating process for us, and as long as we are liberal, inquisitive, courageous, and open-hearted, Unitarian Universalism will always remain a Young Faith.
To borrow the words of a dear friend:
Let’s forgive ourselves. Let’s forgive each other. Let’s begin again in love.
Yours with Faith,
Nick Allen
nallen_00@msn.com
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Letter from William G. Sinkford Concerning Youth/Young Adult Ministry Transition
February 14, 2008
Dear Friends,
Our youth and young adult ministries are in a time of transition. There is a broad consensus that our current approaches and structures have not been adequate to the need, nor been able to take advantage of our opportunities. We are beginning to chart a new course forward. But change is always unsettling. And letting go of past practices is never easy.
We are listening carefully to the concerns and hopes of youth and young adults and those who stand with them in faith. Let me assure you that the new course has not yet been defined and decided. Both the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) Administration and Board remain committed to the creation of vital and effective youth and young adult ministries. Our task is to determine, together, what structures can move us toward that mission.
I ask for your patience. UUA leadership and stakeholder constituents are still in dialogue to solidify a plan of action. Within a week I will distribute widely the emerging direction and try to address as many of the good questions that have been raised as possible. And I promise to continue to share information as this process unfolds.
In faith,
William G. Sinkford
President
Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations
Dear Friends,
Our youth and young adult ministries are in a time of transition. There is a broad consensus that our current approaches and structures have not been adequate to the need, nor been able to take advantage of our opportunities. We are beginning to chart a new course forward. But change is always unsettling. And letting go of past practices is never easy.
We are listening carefully to the concerns and hopes of youth and young adults and those who stand with them in faith. Let me assure you that the new course has not yet been defined and decided. Both the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) Administration and Board remain committed to the creation of vital and effective youth and young adult ministries. Our task is to determine, together, what structures can move us toward that mission.
I ask for your patience. UUA leadership and stakeholder constituents are still in dialogue to solidify a plan of action. Within a week I will distribute widely the emerging direction and try to address as many of the good questions that have been raised as possible. And I promise to continue to share information as this process unfolds.
In faith,
William G. Sinkford
President
Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
C*UUYAN Letter on Funding Cut
Funding for C*UUYAN was cut before funding for YRUU. For the young adults, this decision came without a "Consultation" process. The letter to C*UUYAN can be found here: UUA cuts funding for C*UUYAN.
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
YRUU Institutional Memory Project
Calling all UUs involved in YRUU past and present:
The YRUU Institutional Memory Project will enable the UU community to gain a better understanding of the events of the past few years as they relate to YRUU. Anyone may post to this blog and, barring explicit content, all submitted posts will be posted.
The YRUU Institutional Memory Project will enable the UU community to gain a better understanding of the events of the past few years as they relate to YRUU. Anyone may post to this blog and, barring explicit content, all submitted posts will be posted.
To post, email yruusc@gmail.com with subject line "YRUU Institutional Memory Project."
Monday, February 11, 2008
YRUU Steering Committee Letter on End of YRUU Structure
February 11, 2008
To whom it may concern,
As the continental YRUU Steering Committee, it is with great sorrow that we inform you that on June 30, 2008 the UUA will cease to fund YRUU youth activities at the continental level. Therefore, Youth Council will not be held this summer or in the years to follow and YRUU Steering Committee 2007-2008 will be the last. The UUA will continue to fund and support Youth Caucus at GA and the Chrysalis training program. The work of youth ministry within the UUA will shift to a congregationally based focus.
This change has been in the works for several years. At the Long-Range Planning Meeting in 2003 between YRUU and the UUA, a "Common Ground III" was proposed. “Common Ground” is in reference to the two meetings in the early 1980's that dissolved Liberal Religious Youth (LRY) and created Young Religious Unitarian Universalists (YRUU). The Common Ground III resolution, drafted in consultation with Bill Sinkford and the Board of Trustees, stated that further goal setting and re-imagining of youth ministry and YRUU was needed. At Youth Council 2004 consensus on the resolution of Common Ground III was blocked preventing it from passing, and in the following months the UUA Board of Trustees convened the Consultation to and with Youth that conducted a survey and congregational, district, and stakeholder conversations related to UU youth ministry. The Consultation process culminated with the Summit on Youth Ministry in July 2007. The Summit resulted in a vision for the future of UU youth ministry that focused largely on congregationally based programs. To carry out this vision, the Youth Ministry Working Group was formed, charged with implementing the objectives outlined in the Summary Report on Ministry to and with Youth. The Youth Ministry Working Group has a heavy UUA staff presence but also includes volunteer members, four of whom are youth. The working group held its first meeting February 8-11, 2008.
To whom it may concern,
As the continental YRUU Steering Committee, it is with great sorrow that we inform you that on June 30, 2008 the UUA will cease to fund YRUU youth activities at the continental level. Therefore, Youth Council will not be held this summer or in the years to follow and YRUU Steering Committee 2007-2008 will be the last. The UUA will continue to fund and support Youth Caucus at GA and the Chrysalis training program. The work of youth ministry within the UUA will shift to a congregationally based focus.
This change has been in the works for several years. At the Long-Range Planning Meeting in 2003 between YRUU and the UUA, a "Common Ground III" was proposed. “Common Ground” is in reference to the two meetings in the early 1980's that dissolved Liberal Religious Youth (LRY) and created Young Religious Unitarian Universalists (YRUU). The Common Ground III resolution, drafted in consultation with Bill Sinkford and the Board of Trustees, stated that further goal setting and re-imagining of youth ministry and YRUU was needed. At Youth Council 2004 consensus on the resolution of Common Ground III was blocked preventing it from passing, and in the following months the UUA Board of Trustees convened the Consultation to and with Youth that conducted a survey and congregational, district, and stakeholder conversations related to UU youth ministry. The Consultation process culminated with the Summit on Youth Ministry in July 2007. The Summit resulted in a vision for the future of UU youth ministry that focused largely on congregationally based programs. To carry out this vision, the Youth Ministry Working Group was formed, charged with implementing the objectives outlined in the Summary Report on Ministry to and with Youth. The Youth Ministry Working Group has a heavy UUA staff presence but also includes volunteer members, four of whom are youth. The working group held its first meeting February 8-11, 2008.
Although official YRUU structures will cease to exist at the end of June, youth programming on the district and congregational levels will continue relatively unaffected. Current youth resources available from the Office of Youth Ministries will continue to be available.
YRUU Steering Committee will now be advocating for the creation of a strong continental youth leadership body that would have the explicit goal of serving congregations and that would be empowered to direct the resources of the Office of Youth Ministries. We will also be advocating for support of anti-racism/anti-oppression work within youth ministry. The YRUU Steering Committee calls on the UUA to support the Groundwork collective of trainers, the Youth Social Justice Training (YSJT), and identity-based ministry groups like DRUUMM YaYA.
As representatives of the larger UU youth community, we value feedback on our blog at http://uulogy.blogspot.com/. Thoughts, memories, rants, and love notes are appreciated and welcomed. There you will also be able to find current information about the youth ministry transition process.
In Love, Struggle, and Faith,
YRUU Steering Committee
Elisabeth Moore
Rose Roberts
Will Floyd
Kimberlee Tomczak
Kasey Neiss
Paul Rickter
Noah Hurowitz
In Love, Struggle, and Faith,
YRUU Steering Committee
Elisabeth Moore
Rose Roberts
Will Floyd
Kimberlee Tomczak
Kasey Neiss
Paul Rickter
Noah Hurowitz
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