Blue Boat of Youth and Young Adult MinistriesUUs Bend the Arc at the United Nations
Living UU in Stereo Podcast Luminary Leader Martin Tomlinson, Co-Dean of the 2016 UU-UNO Intergenerational Spring Seminar, April 7-9 in New York City, interviews the Director of the Unitarian Universalist Association UU-UNO (Unitarian Universalist United Nations Office), Bruce Knotts. Hear about Bruce’s start in the Peace Corps, his rise to influence leaders at the United Nations, and the impact Unitarian Universalists have in creating justice and equity on the world stage. Finally, learn more about the 2016 seminar theme, “The Colors of Inequality: Costs and Consequences”, and register to attend this awesome event. Register online before March 18, 2016.
Cultivating a Culture of Youth Leadership
Race to the Top for Unitarian Universalism It’s a thrill every time I get a notification that a new youth has applied to our Luminary Leaders program. But I have to admit, the shock has worn off when I open the tab and see it’s another youth from Eliot Chapel in Kirkwood, MO and that it’s Director of Religious Eduction Scott Stewart serving as one of the two required endorsements. Eliot Chapel has seven people (four youth Luminary Leaders and three young adult Luminary Alumni) in the program. Compare that to our second runner up, with 5 people in the program, four of whom were fast tracked into the program because they attended a national…
Multicultural Support Team Moves Toward Justice
In honor of the Standing on the Side of Love 30 Days of Love 2016 campaign, Steven Ballesteros speaks up about the important work of supporting Youth of Color. As a Unitarian Universalist young adult of color I have at times lacked a sense of belonging and of being in right relationship in this faith. I know I am not alone in this feeling. Luckily, there are places in which I can feel safe and ways in which I can apply myself. I currently live near Seattle, Washington, which places me in the Pacific North West District of the Unitarian Universalist Association. There I have helped create and serve on the PNWD Multicultural Support Team for…
Love set Ablaze
In honor of the Standing on the Side of Love 30 Days of Love 2016 campaign, Phebe Hawes speaks up about being a light of love in a time of hate. In order to love alike, we need not think alike ~Francis David. This quote got me thinking. I come from a suburban, mostly white, community. For the most part, we look alike. But we certainly do not think alike. And there’s not a whole lot of love either. So I turn to social media. Like many millennials, I spend most of my time online. I, however, spend a majority of that time defending my beliefs to people who don’t agree. I get the feeling…
Illuminating Leaders: Phebe Hawes
Luminary Alum Phebe Hawes has big ideas… Phebe Hawes is a lifelong Unitarian Universalist (UU), from the Westminster Unitarian Church (WUC) in East Greenwich, RI. She graduated in the Class of 2015 from North Kingstown High School, and attended Summer Seminary in Boston in 2013. Summer Seminary helped her define her call to ministry, and her involvement in her church, and the greater UU community. Since then, she has participated in a number of functions and served her church in many ways, from babysitting to helping lead worship services, leading youth group and planning cons, and participating in social justice work in the community, from Black Lives Matter rallies to volunteering at the Sharing Locker,…
Illuminating Leaders – Alex Jensen
LUMINARY ALUM ALEX JENSEN WANTS TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE… And he’s well on his way to making that a reality. Alex is a graduate of the first ever Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) Summer Seminary in 2013. Summer Seminary was a very important experience for him, as it helped him discern and answer his personal call to the service of others and learn more about what he wanted to do in his future career. He is curious about Military Chaplaincy. Previously, at Future Leader Camp, he explored how his Unitarian Universalist values fit with the military while learning survival and leadership skills. Alex now attends California State University in Monterey Bay, majoring in Human Communication with…
Illuminating Leaders – Kadyn Frawley
LUMINARY LEADER KADYN FRAWLEY GRABS LIFE BY THE CHALICE… And has had many life changing experiences because of it. Kadyn attended Midwest Youth Leadership School in 2014 where she learned that each person expresses ideas differently and that everyone longs to be heard and helped. At a Youth Chaplaincy Training in 2014 she learned skills she can use in her con community and in day-to-day life when assisting others to work through their struggles. Kadyn served on the Worship Planning Team for a con in 2014 at Countryside Church Unitarian Universalist where she learned how to apply spirituality and philosophy to a moving service for 200 youth and 50 adults. This year Kadyn attended Activate! New Orleans through…
Illuminating Leaders – Kendra Burdick
Luminary Alumni Kendra Burdick isn’t one for the spotlight… But that hasn’t stopped her from becoming a powerful community leader. Kendra taught the Pre-K religious education class at her church and has been an elementary school cheer coach. She served as a Chrysalis trained Peer Chaplain and worship coordinator for her youth group. She was involved with her church’s Board of Trustees. Kendra attended Summer Seminary in 2014 to learn more about becoming a military chaplain and gave a sermon at her church after the experience. Her youth program coordinator, Jessica Laike, thinks of Kendra as a “sleeping giant” – in the time she has known her, Jessica has seen Kendra go from being quiet and timid to being calm,…
Illuminate UU: Shareable Image Contest
Attention all Luminary Leaders and Luminary Alumni! Illuminate your creativity and spread the good news of Unitarian Universalism. Create a shareable image, enter it in the contest for a chance to win UU swag! The winning images – First, Second and Third Place – will be published on 2 high-traffic websites blueboat.blogs.uua.org and uua.org – promoted on social media, and and seen across the United States! Contest Prizes: First Place: Large YaYA Swag Package Second Place: Medium YaYA Swag Package Third Place: Small YaYA Swag Package Create an image (JPEG format only) that visually represents a Unitarian Universalist value and voice. Must include a quote from a living Unitarian Universalist Must have permission…
Youth Together for Justice
First Unitarian Society of Denver Youth Group Hosts MLK Con 2015 MLK CON 2015 In Review by Sofia Avery-Kapulski and Max Pivonka Picture a dense horde of teenagers packed into a church sanctuary, murmuring spiritedly. It’s night. Many of them have traveled long, exhausting hours just to congregate here, and yet the smouldering quiver of adolescent incendiarism can be felt from the steps outside. The air of inspired, visceral unity is formidable. But this is no cult coming-of-age rite, nor is it the beginning of a subversive and dangerous riot. These youth are gathered together here tranquilly, they’re gathered because of a shared passion for justice, and they are gathered in the name of…
Recent Comments