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the steering committee of the Continental UU Young Adult Network (C*UUYAN) also announced this week that the UUA has withdrawn "funding and staff support" for C*UUYAN, too.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.

To find more UU blogs, visit the links in the sidebar.

Obama's blog surge, thoughts on Lent, and more

Obama wins UU blog primary

At last, something almost all Unitarian Universalist bloggers can agree on: Barack Obama's campaign for president! Over twenty UU bloggers posted praise for Obama in the days surrounding Super Tuesday.

As Chutney at "Making Chutney" asks, "Why Are So Many UUs for Obama?" (February 3, 2008). The Rev. Sean Parker Dennison at "ministrare" answers: "Because he is the first candidate since I've been of voting age to embody intelligence, inspiration, and integrity" (February 4, 2008).

At the end of a three-part series comparing Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton, Jess of "Jess's Journal" concludes in Obama's favor: "Obama sees the Presidency as an opportunity to bring people together to make this country what it ought to be, to give the government back to the people, to create solutions with the input of the people they will effect most" (February 3 2008).

But Joel Monka at "CUUMBAYA" argues that Unitarian Universalists are overly focused on the presidential race, at the expense of statewide and local contests that are "more important" (February 4, 2008). And Earthbound Spirit worries that liberal religion is in danger of being too politicized. She argues that liberal religious preachers should have a message that is "prophetic" rather than "political" (February 4, 2008).

Ashes to ashes?

Lent began with Ash Wednesday on February 6, and two Unitarian Universalist bloggers are discussing the place of this season in contemporary Unitarian Universalism.

Plaid Shoes at "Everyday Unitarian" suggests that Unitarian Universalists can appreciate Lent as a time for introspection: "I would challenge each of you to take these next forty days to develop your own faith statements and start spring with a renewed Spirit!" (February 5, 2008).

The Real Anonymous, at "it's 5 o'clock somewhere," values Lent for a different reason (February 5, 2008):

There are not many times during a year that UUs are asked to SACRIFICE anything, if they're asked to at all. Lent is all about sacrifice and what that sacrifice means. And I think that's a lost virtue and one that UUs need to recover.

Children and race

John Pageless at "The Pageless Book" and Lizard Eater at "The Journey" offer contrasting understandings of how children deal with race.

John recounts an experience from his own childhood (February 5, 2008):

I accused a black child of drinking my beverage when I wasn't looking. My so-called proof was the swirling of my own saliva in my cup. I believed, at that time, that what I was looking at was his 'blackness' that had come off from his skin. When I told an adult, I felt the squirming warmth of revenge uncoil in my heart and was satisfied that justice had been done.

John uses this story to illustrate that personal racism is virulent and that the "struggle" against it is a life-long process.

Lizard Eater tells a different story. Her 8-year-old daughter recognizes differences in skin color and has been teased by other children for having a black friend. Yet, Lizard Eater writes, her daughter is "race-blind" (February 5, 2008).

Kindness in congregational life

On the subject of congregational life, the Rev. James Ford of "Monkey Mind" reminds readers that everyday kindness between congregants is essential (February 6, 2008):

Someone once observed, "The loneliest hour she ever spent was the coffee hour following worship services." I'm haunted and distressed by this. It should never be. A genuine and lively church is built upon the friendly touch and kind word.

To find more UU blogs, visit the links in the sidebar.