Blue Boat of Youth and Young Adult MinistriesWhy Should Young Folks Go To General Assembly?
What is the role of spiritual community in these times? We’ve been asking that question over and over, particularly as we think about our upcoming Unitarian Universalist Association General Assembly. What is the point of gathering, especially a gathering that takes so many resources, when so many of us are in pain, subject to violence, unclear what the months between here and there will bring? This General Assembly the theme is “Resist and Rejoice.” And we certainly have much need for resistance. The white supremacy, greed fueled economic inequality, hetero-patriarchy and ableism that existed before Trump was elected is gaining ground in our government and in our streets. These developments are horrifying, outrageous, scary. So…
Snapchat Me a Movement
How Snapchat makes social change happen We reprint with permission this very useful guide to using Snapchat as a platform for advocacy work by Aneta Molenda, originally published on the M+R lab blog. Learn more about the passionate people who support progressive advocacy groups and causes at M+R, . Snapchat for Advocacy by Aneta Molenda Anyone can snap a selfie with the doggy ears filter. And anyone with excellent taste (me) can make heavy use of the rainbow vomit. Exhibit A: But a real Snapchat superstar uses her powers for something loftier: pressuring Congress, speaking out on urgent issues, and saving the world. It really is a snap (apologies in advance for the bad…
Humanist Voices in Unitarian Universalism
The Many Faiths within Unitarian Universalism The latest addition to the Skinner House Books (SHB) series exploring the many faith traditions that also find a home in Unitarian Universalism (UU) has just been published. “Humanist Voices in Unitarian Universalism” explores Religious Humanism – which is founded upon the belief that human beings are of great worth and dignity (echoing the Unitarian Universalist 1st Principle), and in the importance of coming together in community to share feelings and emotions (much like the Unitarian Universalist 3rd Principle). These similarities are no surprise, as Religious Humanism has deep roots in Unitarian Universalism, and became a significant part of the Unitarian faith in the 1920’s. Whether you are a…
Using Your Universal Translator
A Sermon by Kadyn Frawley Watch this terrific pastoral message from Summer Seminary graduate Kayden Frawley, preached to her congregation on January 29, 2017. Using Your Universal Translator – Transcript Good morning! I’m going to ask you all some questions. You don’t need to raise your hand when you agree, just think the answer to yourself. Question 1. How many of you have either that one relative or group of relatives who ALWAYS like to bring up religion at times where you feel it’s completely inappropriate? PAUSE Question 2. When getting ready to visit with this particular person or group of people, do you have to mentally prepare in advance what you are going…
The Many Ways to Get Money for GA
General Assembly (GA) is many things: transformitive, spirit filling, jam packed, challenging, fortifying… and expensive. We want to do everything we can to make sure money doesn’t hold you back from attending GA. There are lots of ways to get to GA and have a fabulous time without turning your pockets inside out. First things first, you’ve got to figure out how much it’s going to cost you to attend. via GIPHY Make a budget You’ll need to budget for registration (and if you’re a youth, consider your sponsor’s registration too), transportation, housing, food and some extra spending money (sure, for fun – but also for unforeseen circumstances). Use this handy-dandy budget template to get…
Youth Ministry Training Webinar 6
Inclusive Youth Group Dynamics If you’ve found yourself here on Blue Boat it’s a fairly safe assumption that at some point in your Unitarian Universalist life, you’ve created a covenant with a youth group or religious education class. Eric Bliss, Youth Ministry Specialist for the Pacific Western Region of the Unitarian Universalist Association is a champion of covenant and works with groups all the time to create them. He notes that when we do this essential activity, it might at times feel…how do you say… tedious or awkward. Eric says that covenanting is essential because, “Capital “C” covenant is the basis of our faith. In other words, rather than doctrine or creed, how we choose to be in relationship with…
“With No Force At All”
A Unitarian Universalist Welcome by Leslie Mills After I graduated college, with my family of origin in turmoil, I moved to a place where I knew no one outside of the job I was working. As I young person who didn’t know myself well yet, I had some messy relationships, with no healthy models to hold up as a mirror. I was drifting, and in a lot of pain. In desperation, I recalled my Unitarian Universalist upbringing, and thought I’d take a risk and try out the UU congregation in my new town. I attended a Music Sunday, and was so moved I found myself weeping. I signed the visitors book as a gesture of…
Real Love is Not Nice
There is a poster you can buy in the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) bookstore that says in big font “Love is Hard. Do it anyway.” This poster, designed by Carey McDonald, UUA Outreach Director, talks about an interdependent inclusive love. This is the love we’re called to as Unitarian Universalists (UU). I believe that love is hard, and I try and try to do it anyway. I fail a lot, because I’m human. I try again. This real hard love is at the center of my faith, and because it is so sacred to me, I feel frustrated when I see people confusing what love calls us to with being nice. These days many of…
VIDEO: Keeping Your Campus Ministry Going
#UU Campus Q’s Episode Five The Reverend Annie Gonzalez Milliken, the Young Adult and Campus Ministry Associate of the Unititarian Universalist Association Office of Youth and Young Adult Minisitries invites Matt Stidman and Marion Hirsch (narrated by Stephanie Carey Maron) to tackle the problem of transferring leadership of campus ministry so it continues even after you’re gone. Like Campus UUs on Facebook to be notified when episodes of UUCampusQs are released! (Spoiler alert: Marion’s narration is particularly animated!)
A Seat at the Table
A Seat at the Table: The Transformative Practice of Being Together by Lauren Hulse Early this year, the congregation I am a part of in Knoxville, Tennessee, Tennessee Valley Unitarian Universalist Church (TVUUC), helped bring an Interfaith program called A Seat at the Table (ASATT) to our hometown. The premise is very simple: once a month people from a diversity of faith traditions sit down to share a meal and a conversation. Last week, I got to attend one of these dinners – despite the apparent simplicity of the concept, it was a profound and transformative experience. A Seat at the Table dinners move from place to place each month, landing wherever they can find…
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