Young Adult and Campus Ministry Consultant
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The Ohio-Meadville District is pleased to announce that as of August 1, Evan Young will join our District staff as OMD’s Young Adult and Campus Ministry Intern. Evan’s 1-year internship will focus on developing campus and young adult ministry, particularly in the larger congregations and clusters in the district; In addition, he will help to organize a 4-district large church conference for 2010, and help to develop a district Mid-Sized Church Growth program. A candidate for UU ministry, Evan currently serves part-time as a consulting minister for the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Athens, and part-time as Spiritual Director for UCM Center for Spiritual Growth and Social Justice, an ecumenical and interfaith campus ministry serving Ohio University. He received his M.Div. from Methodist Theological School in Ohio in May 2006. He has lived in the Athens area for ten years, and has been involved in youth and young adult ministry at the local and district levels for much of that time. You can contact Evan at eyoung at ohiomeadville.org |
Read the OMD Up Close on Campus and Young Adult Ministry
Some links to help you with Young Adult Ministry and Campus Ministry
How To
The Unitarian Universalist Guide to Young Adult Ministry (PDF, 52 pages)
A comprehensive introduction to young adult and campus ministry programming and services. With sections on young adult and campus ministry consulting services, involving young adults in congregational life, young adult groups and events, young adults and worship, outreach, small group ministry, justice and anti-oppression work, and resources available to congregations and groups.
http://www.uua.org/religiouseducation/youngadults/youngadults/31435.shtml
Campus Organizer’s Handbook (PDF, 8 pages)
Exactly what it sounds like---a step-by-step guide to organizing a UU campus group. http://www.uua.org/religiouseducation/campusministry/38009.shtml and click on the link for "Campus Organizer's Handbook"
Young Adult & Campus Ministry Covenant Group Manual (PDF, 13 pages)
A brief manual that introduces you to the format and possibilities of covenant groups/small group ministry. Includes sections on training leaders and setting up a small group ministry program in your congregation.
http://www.uua.org/religiouseducation/youngadults/45430.shtml and click on the link under "Covenant Group Manual"
Connecting with Other UUs, Events, and Groups
ConnectUU
An online database with listings of young adult and campus ministry groups and events. List your group or event or search for one in your area!
http://www.connectUU.com
Programming/Curricula
Finding Your Path—covenant group curriculum for young adults (PDF, 39 pages)
In Finding Your Path, participants are asked to think about their gifts and values, and to connect those gifts and values to what they do in the world. This curriculum is intended to address the transitions of young adult years and the need for us each to find our calling in life. This curriculum has eleven sessions (including opening and closing sessions).
http://www.uua.org/religiouseducation/youngadults/45430.shtml and click on link for "Finding Your Path"
Funding
Looking for money to fund your young adult and/or campus ministry project or program? Check out the UUA’s Young Adult Ministry Grant Programs!
http://www.uua.org/religiouseducation/youngadults/38005.shtml
Other Resources
Resource Catalogue—listing of other resources for YA & Campus Ministry (PDF, 12 pages)
http://www.uua.org/religiouseducation/youngadults/22323.shtml
Bridge Connections!
MOST IMPORTANT: Connect your Young Adults to the larger UU Young Adult community. Do that here: http://www.uua.org/members/youngadults/128036.shtml
This is the time of the year when we start celebrating our high school graduates. Here are three things to think about doing with your soon-to-be young adults:
1. Hold a Bridging Program. If you haven’t already, hold a bridging program. There are resources: http://www.uua.org/leaders/leaderslibrary/leaderslibrary/47778.shtml. This can be an evening, a series of gatherings, or a Saturday morning to reflect. Our young people benefit when we provide them a chance to reflect on what it means to bridge into young adulthood, what they’d like to tell their UU congregation, and how they’d like to stay in touch with UUism
2. Hold a Bridging Ceremony. Mark that transition in your soon-to-be young adults’ lives. There are samples of many bridging ceremonies across the internet and resources at the UUA: http://www.uua.org/leaders/leaderslibrary/leaderslibrary/47778.shtml. Many congregations invite each young adult to say something short to the congregation at this important time in their lives.
3. Connect Your New Young Adults: Each congregation received reply cards to send to the UUA with young adults’ information. You can also submit information electronically here:http://www.uua.org/members/youngadults/128036.shtml. Doing this will connect a young adult to the young adult program in this district (or if they’re leaving, their new district), to any campus ministry already existing, and to the national young adult news lists where they’ll learn about UU young adult events. Your congregation is welcome to go above and beyond this and subscribe them to the UU World or to your congregation’s newsletter. Even send them a letter and a care package next fall. But, please, at least connect them to UU young adult ministry.
