Speakers: Jen Harrison, Director; Duncan Metcalfe,YRUU Program Specialist; and Nathan Staples, YRUU Program Specialist

In this interactive session presented in the spirit of a sharing circle with UU Ministers and seminarians, presenters from the UUA's Youth Office talked about strategies to improve "Ministering to Youth." Presenters used methods that they had used and found successful with youth groups, beginning with a get-to-know-you game that involved the participants in running around the room in a variation of musical chairs. The Youth Office staff invited the ministers to participate in a fun visual activity whereby they created a caricature of the "Ideal Youth-Friendly Minister."

This drawing depicted the suggestions of the group and allowed the group to have a lot of fun along the way. By the end of the workshop, the ministers learned that humor, games, and kinesthetic activities can go a long way towards making the session more interactive and effective.

The session provided ministers with concrete techniques and strategies to help make their congregations more youth friendly. Here are some specific suggestions given by Jen Harrison, Director of the Youth Office to enhance Youth programming

• Start a youth choir or a capella group
• Use youth as Teachers in the Religious Education Program
• Start a Youth peer counseling program
• Design alternative "Vesper Services" that are more interactive
• Bring in curriculum-based learning programs such as Our Whole Lives

There were several handouts offered. Some are available from the Youth Office web site, while others can be requested by contacting the office.

• Five Components of a Balanced Youth Program
• "Out of the Basement and Into the Congregation" (PDF file - download the PDF Reader): reprint of an article written by a youth
• Synapse, Publication of Young Religious Unitarian Universalists (YRUU)

Resources: Additional resources can be found by contacting the UUA Youth Office
25 Beacon Street
Boston, MA 02108
(617) 742-2100 x350, 351, 352, 355
yruu@uua.org

Reported for the web by Jessie Washington, formatted by Kasey Melski, photos by Holly Hendricks.