YRUU and C*UUYAN funding, attracting newcomers, and more

What's ahead for Continental YRUU and C*UUYAN?

Youth and adult bloggers are avidly discussing a letter from the steering committee of Young Religious Unitarian Universalists (YRUU), an organization of UU youth, announcing that the Unitarian Universalist Association will cease funding continental YRUU. The UUA itself has not yet confirmed the funding cuts, but UUA President William G. Sinkford issued a letter acknowledging that "our youth and young adult ministries are in a time of transition." He promised further details within a week.

Some are sympathetic to the decision. The Rev. Dan Harper, at "Yet Another Unitarian Universalist," observes, "YRUU-sponsored continental events, such as the now-defunct Continental Conference (ConCon), looked like insider events, restricted to the very few teens who could afford to attend" (February 12, 2008).

The Rev. Christine Robinson strikes a similar note at "iMinister": "It has definitely seemed to me that something has been awry with YRUU and its focus on Cons as the be-all and end-all of Youth programs" (February 12, 2008).

But others note the value of YRUU for those youth it does serve, and lament the loss of funding. Writing at the LiveJournal community "chalice_circle," Flo describes YRUU as "a community that can save lives, a place where people who feel like outcasts everywhere else can find acceptance, and where important issues can be brought out in the open for discussion" (February 11, 2008).

Jeff Liebman at "uujeff's muse kennel and pizzatorium" also worries: "A key problem with this decision is that it disempowers a ministry that traditionally must fight for legitimacy" (February 12, 2008).

YRUU's steering committee has created two blogs that address the UUA's decision: "YRUU UUlogy," which includes key documents and links, and "YRUU Institutional Memory Project," which features testimonies about the history of YRUU and its predecessor, Liberal Religious Youth (LRY).

At "Philocrites," UU World editor Chris Walton notes that the steering committee of the Continental UU Young Adult Network (C*UUYAN) also announced this week that the UUA has withdrawn "funding and staff support" for C*UUYAN, too. He adds: "It seems important to note how much information isn't yet in circulation about these decisions."

As of Thursday morning (February 14, 2008), a new Facebook group, "Unitarian Universalist Youth and Young Adult Empowerment," had attracted over 350 members. The group reports that "Continental UUYAN is working towards securing financial independence."

Other blog posts on the topic include Stephanie Anagnoson's "YRUU and Me" (February 13, 2008) at "Surviving the Workday"; Kelsey Atherton's "RIP YRUU," (February 12, 2008) at "Plastic Manzikert"; Chalicechick's "YRUU" (February 13, 2008) at "The Chaliceblog"; Cloverdew's "Let's Make This Something Better, Stronger, Something Worth Fighting For" (February 13, 2008) at "chalice_circle"; the Rev. Dr. Daniel O'Connell's "UUA Administration Breaks Up YRUU Steering Committee" (February 13, 2008) at "UUA Politics"; and the Rev. Leela Sinha's "Ending YRUU, First Responses" (February 13, 2008) at "Speak the Truth in Love."

Attracting newcomers to Unitarian Universalism

Inspired by Doug Muder, who wrote about Unitarian Universalism and the working class for UU World (Fall 2007), Elizabeth Barrett at "exUUberance" offers "tips for welcoming working class people when they visit our UU congregations" (February 8, 2008). Tip #1:

Acknowledge that working class UUs exist in our congregations already. This is an important first step. If Unitarian Universalists continue to say that UUs are all middle class and above, all highly-educated and all privileged, they will immediately alienate working class people.

Meanwhile, the Rev. Kit Ketcham at "Ms. Kitty's Saloon and Road Show" offers a list of reasons "Why People Choose Unitarian Universalism" (February 9, 2008).

Spiritual reflections on Lent, atheism

Adding to the conversation on Lent (see "The Interdependent Web," February 8, 2008), Mama G at "Mom to the Left" describes her changing understanding of this season:

I realize that rather than a burden, Lent is an opportunity. Twice a year (Advent being the second such time) I can focus with more intention on my spirituality and grow closer to God. (February 7, 2008)

In "It Happened at 12," however, OnlyConnect remembers vividly a childhood experience of wanting to believe in God, and realizing she could not.

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