Ren Mod: Ministry With Youth
Tue, 03/06/2012 - 9:00am - Wed, 03/07/2012 - 5:00pm
The philosophy of this module is that youth will be ministered to by Unitarian Universalistcongregations when they are respected as community members. As youth are empowered to be full members of Unitarian Universalist communities, both they and the community will be strengthened. Youth empowerment does not mean that adults are disempowered or should abdicate responsibility. It is not either/or. Youth empowerment means that the more empowered youth are as youth, the more appropriately empowered adults will be as adults.
Note that this module is NOT an advisor training. Advisors are welcome to attend, and their perspectives greatly strengthen the module for everyone; but it is only fair and considerate to do your best to make sure that they don’t come with false expectations. There are also religious educators who have the dual responsibility of advising their youth group. Some of the resources are the same for the Ministry With Youth Module and the program that focuses on youth advisors, Youth Advisor Training. While this module is relevant to people working with youth in various capacities, this module is
- directly focused on the education of the people supporting advisors.
- congregation-oriented rather than focused on district- or cluster-level youth ministry. This grew from the belief that it is the congregations that are central to the religious experience of Unitarian Universalists.
- concerned with youth programming as part of the total life of the congregation
The module will include discussions of the following areas:
- Characteristics and qualities of youth
- Building community
- Balanced programming
- Youth/congregational connections
- Selection, training and support of advisors
- Resources
- Youth programming structure within congregations, districts and at the UUA
Reader: We highly recommend that participants become familiar with the contents of the reader and read as much of it as possible before attending the module.
TRAINERS:
- Lisa Rubin, DRE at First Parish in Bedford, MA
- Karen Fisk, DRE at the Unitarian Universalist Community Church of Augusta, ME
Fee: $250 - includes one night accommodations and four meals
