The Workshop Will Begin in a Moment
Midwest UU Leadership
New Youth Advisors/Youth Coordinators: “Let’s Talk”
Introductions
This Conference Is Being Recorded
New Youth Advisor/Youth Coordinator , “Let’s Talk”
Midwest UU Leadership
Fall 2012Nancy Combs-Morgan, MidAmerica Coordinator for
Emerging Youth and Young Adult Ministries
Begin “doing” by reflecting….
By reflecting on the hopes and dreams for youth ministry in your congregation
Structure and intentionality are essential in achieving your dreams
What is the “structure” of your youth group?
What are the expectations for adults working with the youth group?
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
Balance Structure and Creativity
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 http://www.uua.org/re/youth/leading/45563.shtml
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, http://www.uua.org/re/tapestry/62884.shtml
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, multigenerational programs, social justice projects, etc…
Create opportunities for youth to engage in spiritual reflection through small group ministries and/or other programs
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)
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?
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
Check out the “Luminary Leaders” program, http://www.uua.org/re/youth/leading/luminary/index-shtml
Q & A
Thank You