Siri Larsen

Betty Jeanne Reuters-Ward

Erik Kesting

3109 Bridging Ceremony

Sponsor: Planning Committee

Prepared for UUA.org by: Allan Stern, Reporter; Jone Johnson Lewis, Editor; Allan Stern, Photographer

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"Celebrating the transition from youth to young adulthood and the power of our liberal religious voice to change the world."

The 2005 bridging ceremony was held on Saturday evening, June 25th, in the main arena at the Fort Worth Convention Center.

Matt Meyer opened with a solo on the drums. He was followed by Darrick Jackson who gave the opening words and lit the chalice.

UUA President Rev. Bill Sinkford then welcomed everybody [full text].

Siri Larsen, YRUU Steering Committee Member, gave the Youth Voice remarks. Here is part of what she said:

"I feel like everywhere I go, I see people shielding their eyes, turning away from what they don't wish to know. Many have forgotten that we all live as part of an interdependent web of life. Very often, youth aren't looked to as the ones currently doing the good work to be done. We are often referred to as "the future" and that we should be learning from our elders what to do when they're gone or when they're done leading...as if the progress WE'RE making right now isn't as important. It seems to me that those kind of ideas come from comparisons to the past and expectations about what we are or will be, rather than from a curiosity to find out is true now."

"The future I want to be a part of comes from all people of all ages letting go of expectations and comparisons and being full of ambition and curiosity to seek the new and unknown."

"Bridgers, I wish for you a wonderful and meaningful experience as you become an integral part of the young adult community. I hope you stay a cherished and indescribably important part of the youth community. I encourage you to step away from the known and take a step toward the unknown. Go forth in your ventures with your eyes wide open and your hearts full of wonder."

Betty Jeanne Rueters-Ward gave the Young Adult Voice response. She talked about how capable youth leadership really can be, and how it should not be taken for granted.

Groups should not let themselves by compartmentalized but should instead be seen as central to our faith movement. Adults do play a critical and necessary role in developing youth leadership.

She added, "I have witnessed how compartmentalization can damage our movement. Our congregation should be dependent upon the intergenerational process...we are ALL lifelong teachers and learners."

"To the adults in the audience: I wish for you that you can have young people in your lives to mentor/partner you, as well as vice versa."

Joseph Santos-Lyons then introduced the film, "A Living Faith" by Benjamin Ernst and Sukho Sanghera. It focused on youth empowerment, showing a visit of many youth to a protest at the School of Americas in Georgia.

Then the high point of the evening took place. One by one, bridging youths took their place at the microphone, introduced themselves, and were then welcomed by the older youth and adults, to loud applause from those present.

UUA Moderator Gini Courter then gave a charge to the Bridgers, and ended with the chant "Keep the Faith," joined by the crowd.

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