The Workshop Will Begin in a Moment
Midwest UU Leadership
New Youth Advisors/Youth Coordinators 101
Introductions
This Conference Is Being Recorded
New Youth Advisor/Youth Coordinator 101
Midwest UU LeadershipNancy Combs-Morgan, MidAmerica Coordinator for
Emerging Youth and Young Adult Ministries
Where Do You Start?
Clarity of roles and structure…
are you part of a team of youth advisors (seek a team approach)
how will you communicate with one another
who is taking “point” in working with your religious educator/minister; RE Committee; YAC; Board; Social Justice Committee’s?
How do you begin?
Do you have a registration rosterWhat communication vehicles exist for
youth in your congregation? Review social networking policies with
DRE and/or ministerHave you made sure that your information
has been given to your DRE for a background check?
Before Meeting with the Youth Group
Have you met with your fellow youth advisors? Consider a SMG approach…
Are there greater goals in the congregation which the youth group should be responsive to? Ex. Having more multigenerational services or social justice efforts; milestone events; new initiatives (Standing on the Side of Love)
Youth Group In-Gathering
It’s time for the first youth group/youth class….consider:
Hospitality-recruit at least 2 returning youth to be greeters
Be Intentional-go through last year’s list of participants/visitors to send out a facebook and/or e-mail invite for the first session
In-Gathering, cont.
Before the first sessionrecruit adults and youth to make the
space welcomingare there special needs considerations…does the space reflect a welcoming
feeling for a “new start,” or does the space only reflect former attendees and/or former activities
Start As you Mean to Continue
Consider a structured session allowing time for fellowship, creativity and for building a covenant
Be prepared that first session with a chalice lighting and consider a brief small group ministry session (at least 30 minutes)
Creating the 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…)
Resist Going Right to Goals/Task
The inclination is often to get right to “work,” setting goals for the year, assigning roles, etc…
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
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
Our UU History of Youth Ministry
YRUU – one of the most valuable gifts that the YRUU experiences provided to UU youth were leadership development opportunities. Leadership in this model encouraged youth to take responsibility for their own programs.
Leadership model of YRUU focused more on consensus and collaboration. Adults working with youth in this leadership model were encouraged to maintain
“nondirective leadership” Youth Advisors Handbook:A Resource for YRUU Advisors
Consultation on Ministry to and with Youth
Multi-year process of discernment
Input actively sought from congregations
A time of deep listening on youth ministry
We are still in this period of discernment
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
Pathways for Youth Leadership DevelopmentInvite youth to plan, participate in and lead
worship
Create opportunities for youth to engage in spiritual reflection through small group ministries and/or other programs
Pathways for Leadership Development
Invite and encourage youth to sing in your choir or to provide instrumental music during worship – make sure they are part of the planning and rehearsal process
Provide opportunities for youth to religiously educate children in the congregation
Pathways for Leadership Development
Recruit and train youth and adults to partner in providing a faith development series, such as “Evensong.”
Invite and train youth to be part of the congregation’s lay pastoral care team, working closely with the minister
Pathways to Youth Leadership Development
Recruit and train youth to serve on congregational boards and committees(not just youth specific committees or the RE committee)
(Youth on Board, www.youthonboard.org)
Pathways to Youth Leadership Development
Make sure that your congregational social justice endeavors are multigenerational. Ask youth to be active leaders in these efforts.
Consider youth/adult team leaders for “Standing on the Side of Love” efforts
Widen Youth Voices and Participation
Take time to evaluate in your congregation the possibilities for youth to be full members – what are your guidelines for membership
Coming of Age programs and membership
Are all of your committees, task forces, boards, etc…open to youth leadership?
Welcoming Youth of Diverse Needs, Abilities and IdentitiesA goal of youth ministry must incorporate
the lens of welcoming all youth (The Mosaic Project)
Couple this lens with asking youth to help organize your congregation’s involvement in such outreach efforts, such as “The Trevor Project,” and or creating a “It Will Get Better Video.”
The “Developmental” part of youth ministry Key developmental tasks of the middle
adolescence stage (ages 15-18)1) finding a valued place in a constructive group2) cultivating problem-solving skills3) acquiring support systems and knowing how to use
them4) finding ways to be useful to others5) finding ways to feel a sense of basic self-worth
(Nurturing Children and Youth:A Development Guidebook)
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 congregationSet an early goal for youth leadership
development – send them to Youth Midwest Leadership School, www.mwls.org
Have congregational conversations….on how to truly be a multigenerational community; the meaning of youth empowerment (considered a cluster event for these conversations)
Q & A
Thank You