The Workshop Will Begin in a Moment

Midwest UU Leadership

Youth Advisors Webinar Series

Introductions

This Conference Is Being Recorded

Youth Advisors Webinar Series

Midwest UU LeadershipNancy Combs-Morgan, MidAmerica Coordinator for

Emerging Youth and Young Adult Ministries

Purpose of this YA Series: Strengthening Connections and Communication

There is a power in sharing experiences, ideas and resources in youth ministry.

On Jan. 26, Feb. 21, Mar. 15, and Apr.17 youth advisors, youth coordinators, DRE’s, and any leader working directly with youth in their congregations are welcome to take part in this webinar series.

Where Do We Begin?

Let’s look at the clarity of roles and structure in your youth program…

are you part of a team of youth advisors (seek a team approach)?

how do you communicate with one another?r

who is taking “point” in working with your religious educator/minister; RE Committee; YAC; Board; Social Justice Committee’s?

Some of the basics to serve your work:Do you have a youth group roster?

What communication vehicles exist for youth in your congregation?

Are there social networking policies within the youth group, which apply to youth and adults?

What “Safe Congregations” policies are you asked to uphold?

How would you describe your current model of youth programming?Are you meeting weekly? Do your timings ever change

or offer an alternate timing for enhanced participation? Do you virtually connect or offer virtual content sessions?

Are there greater goals in the congregation which the youth group should be responsive to?

Such as…having more multigenerational services or social justice efforts; milestone events; new initiatives (Standing on the Side of Love), or using a Small Group Ministry model

Some of the particulars…

How do you welcome newcomers?

Hospitality:recruit at least 2 youth to be greeters, every week is a “new” event

Be Intentional-go through lists of participants/visitors to send out a facebook and/or e-mail invite for each session

Consider an adult/youth partnership to help with hospitality in the youth group

Even more particulars….

Have you thought about youth/adult teams of leaders in the youth group managing membership issues; worship planning and logistics; governance issues; budgeting, and service projects?

Having a few point people working with these portfolios serves the entire group, to keep this work thoughtfully going….

How welcoming is your space?

Before the every session recruit adults and youth to make the space welcoming

are there special needs considerations…

does the space reflect a welcoming feeling, or does the space only reflect former attendees and/or former activities

Do you have a theme or focus?

Is there a plan in your group? Do you have a monthly theme or focus, or are you taking part in a “thematic” church experience?

Consider a structured session allowing time for fellowship, creativity and for building a covenant

Each session should incorporate a chalice lighting and consider a brief small group ministry session (at least 30 minutes)

Creating and Living with the Covenant

Starting with your covenant: with a youth co-leader in the covenant process begin with a template of former covenants, weave the congregation’s covenant into this (if there is one)

Model good facilitation skills in this process, give examples of “Step up, step Back; speaking with one voice; assuming best possible motive, etc…)

Living with the Covenant is an awareness of the organic quality of this pledge and for a calling back to covenantal behavior

Resist Going Right to Goals/Task

The inclination is often to get right to “work,” setting goals for the year, assigning roles, etc…, yet don’t completely stay off goal completion!

attend to group process and governance (how decisions are made)

Take this time to review the 6 components of a balanced youth program (have the 6 components posted throughout the space)

Six Components of A Balanced Youth Program

WorshipCommunity BuildingSocial ActionLearningLeadership DevelopmentYouth-Adult Relations

Six “Killers” of a Healthy Youth Program

Unqualified AdvisorsLack of PlanningUnbalanced ActivitiesUnwelcoming AtmosphereLack of Church supportBad Communication (Jack Brand)

Safe Congregation Issues

Review your congregation’s safety policies, covenant with your fellow advisors to adhere to these policies

Find out beforehand, policies around driving youth to events, cons, etc…

Be on board with these policies – they protect our youth, but are also there for your protection – use a team approach, strive for 2 adults to always be working together with youth

Youth Faith Development

Unitarian Universalist youth leadership development lays a groundwork for enabling young people to realize that they are moral agents, capable of making a difference in the lives of others…(and to)

Accept that they are responsible for the stewardship and creative transformation of their UU religious heritage and community of faith.

Vision Statement from Tapestry of Faith

Youth Ministry Working Group – A new direction with five core values….A vision of youth ministry which is:

-congregationally based -spirit and faith centered -counter oppressive -inclusive and multicultural, andGrounded in multigenerational faith communities

(Youth Ministry Working Group, www.uua.org/youthministry)

The Steps to Building Community

For over 20 years one of the central pillars of UU youth ministry was the “Steps to Building Community” – bonding, opening up, affirming, stretching, deeper sharing and goal setting.

The “steps” illuminate a group process, but there is a need for a deeper grounding

Do you have a process of evaluating your goals for youth leadership development, using those 6 components: worship, leadership, youth/adult relations; community building, social action and learning?

A deeper grounding …

 Unitarian Universalist congregations are called to start and maintain youth groups; fostering leadership and spirituality with youth, and building communities wherein all youth are affirmed, empowered, and spiritually nourished.

 Consider integrating four strands…ethical development, spiritual development, Unitarian Universalist Identity and faith development

Consider your own faith development; what is “feeding your soul?”

Next steps:

What will you do to reach out to other youth advisors in your area/district/region?

Be an advocate for youth in the congregation

Take part in our next Youth Advisor Series on boundary issues and confidentiality, Tues., Feb. 21st

UU Youth Advisor Resources:

Blueboat.blogs.uua.org – check out news in youth ministry

Youth Advisors Handbook, , available at UUA Bookstore, http://www.uua.org

Youth Ministry Working Group  - www.uua.org/youthministry This report presents concrete steps for building vibrant youth

ministries throughout our Association.  “User guides” are also provided to aide your congregation in engaging with the report.

The Mosaic Project - http://www.uua.org/leaders/idbm/multiculturalism/mosaic/index.shtm

This report should be considered along with the Youth Ministry Working Group report, and specifically addresses the needs of youth and young adults of color. 

UU Youth Advisor Resources:

Youth on Board – www.youthonboard.org An organization with resources aimed at assisting organizations

who want to bring youth into leadership.  If you are considering youth on your board or as part of your committees, they have resources for you. 

When Youth Lead: A Guide to Intergenerational Social Justice Ministry by Jill Schwendemen – available at the UUA bookstore

Including 101 Youth Projects, When Youth Lead articulates a vision as well as deals with the concrete issues around youth-led service

that involves the congregation.

Q & A

Thank You