Youth Ministries

For our future, for our present…

As we come out of childhood and start the rocky path to adulthood we are in a critical time. We begin to delve into faith and identity development, form social connections, and experience tremendous growth. We begin to choose our friends, develop our values, and experiment with a broad array of styles and expressions. It can be exciting and dynamic, and also delicate and dangerous. Youth ministry must strike a balance between protecting and pushing, between guiding and allowing what is, between teaching and listening. Youth ministry is a two-way street.

Religious Education

Our Whole Lives explores sexuality, relationship, and our faith (thoroughly developed and supported). Coming of Age is an opportunity for in-depth faith development and theological exploration. Each program offers an excellent way for youth to get to know individual adults, and adult systems, and to become more integrated into the congregation.

Six interwoven components make up a balanced youth program:

  • Worship – spiritual expression within the individual, the community, and beyond.
  • Community Building – includes fun and games, also serious discussion; ministry with a small “m” happens here.
  • Social Action – youth are often the voices that call us to live our values, and we should heed the call and encourage it.
  • Learning – this happens throughout, and often more dynamically than in a classroom.
  • Leadership –as knowledge of relations, groups, and institutions develops, confidence builds.
  • Youth-Adult Relations – this is unique and revolutionary: youth and adults in partnership for mutual benefit and ministry.

Youth Groups...

...can be the core of a youth’s experience in a congregation. They offer a safe space to develop leadership, friendship, and learn in a unique environment of UU values. Steady, nuanced adult support is critical (ideally from a well-funded, trained staff person). Youth groups should be integrated into congregational life.

District-wide Events...

...connect youth to others outside their home congregation. They allow youth to develop identity, explore spirituality and theology in a broader context. The energy created by a larger group can be electrifying, especially for worship and social action. Youth return to their congregations and youth groups with a deeper sense of UU identity and the skills to share it with others. Check the right-hand column on this webpage for a schedule of youth conferences.

Regional and Continental Events

Continental YRUU and the UUA Office of Youth Ministries are in transition. The possibility of partnering with New England Districts for regional trainings and conferences is being explored.

Bridging Programs

As youth prepare to become young adults, and often leave their homes and congregations, a Bridging Program and ceremony can provide further faith development, social action, and a welcoming of these new young adults into the fellowship of lifelong Unitarian Universalism.

Youth Advisors...

...need networking and support -- everything from a weekend-long retreat, to an afternoon of pizza and skill sharing, to a 30-minute phone conversation. Our youth advisors need validation and training for the sometimes challenging work they do. (Sound familiar?)

Resources for Youth Ministry

Email lists:

These are both low volume lists, but great places to put out questions as they arise and ask for resources.

Library materials:

The district office has some great resources, including library materials that can be checked out of the district office in Watertown for free. You can check out the whole library here.

Specific books we recommend for Youth include:

  • Building Your Spiritual Home
  • From YACs to SACs: A Guide to District Youth & Young Adult Programming
  • LRY Leadership Handbook
  • Moving Beyond Icebreakers
  • Youth Advisors Handbook

And for High School RE:

  • Considering Your Options Youth OWL  
  • Dare to Know  
  • Growing Together  
  • Heresy Apparent  
  • How to Be a Con Artist  
  • Life Issues for Teenagers Youth OWL  
  • Next Time She'll Be Dead  
  • Our Whole Lives  
  • Sacred Threads  
  • Sexuality and Our Faith - Grades 10-12 Youth OWL  
  • Thinking the Web  
  • Truth and Meaning 
  • Worth and Dignity of All People

UUA Resources:

The UUA has a number of helpful resources. The YRUU website is a general portal http://www25.uua.org/YRUU/.

The leaders library has a huge number of resources (both electronic and hard copy). You can look at it here:
http://www.uua.org/leaders/leaderslibrary/index.php.
Under "I am a..." select "Youth Advisor" and click search at the bottom.

How can Clara Barton/Mass Bay Districts help you nurture these ministries in your congregation?

  • New Youth Advisor Start-up support
  • Consultation on youth ministries
  • Youth conferences, training, retreats (facilitated by the district and hosted by congregations or clusters)
  • Help advocating for staff support and funding

For information, contact
kbellavancegrace [at] uua [dot] org (Karen Bellavance-Grace )
Director of Faith Formation