Turn out was high from all age groups at this question and answer session. A circle of thirteen youth was in the center and the youth and adults on the outside could write questions to be asked of whomever decided to answer.

Denise Davidoff, Unitarian Universalist Association Moderator, and Chris Trace, a youth commissioner on the Commission for Social Witness, acted as moderators and questioners by screening the questions.

Questions ranged in substance from "What is religion to you, and why do you do it?" to "What annoys you about UUism?" The youth responses were well received, and many of them were greeted with applause and/or laughter.

One question of special interest was "What do you see as the greatest social injustice?" Several youth expressed their unwillingness to choose one, but most mentioned one. Youth responses included indifference, systems and organized hierarchy, too much military spending, not educating people about many topics, and ageism from young to old as well as old to young.

Another question that interested those in the audience asked what could be done to get youth excited about Senior High Youth Groups. The general consensus was that the youth needed to be very involved in the process as well as the youth group itself.

When asked how youth groups helped them through their adolescence, youth responded that they had often had to share problems and help others with their problems and that it literally helped them to survive. This prompted someone to ask if we should be training youth as therapists instead of teaching them about our faith. The youth said that that was not all that was happening, but rather that it helped them to get along so that they could learn about their faith.

Davidoff ended the session by mentioning that many of those who once were young and are now involved in the church on many different levels had also been saved by LRY or YRUU as well. She believes that the youth advisors are helping to train the youth who will save the UUA.

Reported by Phil Morse-Fortier; formatted for the web by Kasey Melski.