Community Building

Mind the Gap! Youth & Young Adult Ministry Sunday 2002

Frequently Asked Questions

What is it?

• Youth and Young Adult Ministry Sunday is a part of the UUA's Capital Campaign, the Campaign for Unitarian Universalism.
• The goal is to raise 2 million dollars to support Youth, Campus and Young Adult Ministries in the United States and Canada. Congregations are aiming for an average donation of $50 per member.
• A Sunday Worship Service in the fall of 2002 focusing on these vital and vibrant ministries, that includes a special collection. (The date is flexible.)

Where is the money going?
The money will fund programs that support congregations and districts that want to start or develop existing Youth, Campus, and Young Adult ministries. For example:

• $100 sends one youth to a leadership or spirituality development conference
• $100 sends one advisor to a youth advisor training conference
• $100 provides an advertisement in a college newspaper for a UU campus group
• $200 helps host a campus/young adult ministry workshop or training for your congregation
• $500 provides a scholarship to the annual Youth and Young Adults of Color Conference
• $500 helps send three young adults to ConCentric Leadership Training
• $500 sends a youth advisor to an advanced advisor training (30 hours of training)
• $650 brings two Youth Program Consultants to your church for a weekend to develop a plan for youth programs
• $1,000 sends one youth as a delegate to General Assembly
• $1,500 brings a big-name speaker to a campus for a high-profile gathering event
• $2,000 funds two youth anti-oppression trainers to attend a youth conference and lead a day-long workshop
• $2,500 pays for a regional campus ministry training weekend
• $3,750 funds a four-year grant to a congregation to pay a part-time Campus Coordinator and provide a small programming budget for a campus group
• $15,000 hires a half-time Youth Ministry Coordinator for a district or church
• $30,000 hires a continental Youth Advisor Coordinator
• $50,000 provides a grant to a church to hire a full-time young adult and campus ministry staff person

And much more! Check the web site for more examples.

We want to participate! or We've signed up & want more info. Who do we contact? Alison Miller, Youth and Young Adult Ministry Sunday Coordinator
Phone: (617) 948-6105
e-mail: amiller@uua.org

What resources & support can we get from the UUA to have a successful Sunday?

• Publicity Packet to get the word out to your members.
• Worship Packet to help create the service (readings, testimonials, sample sermons, hymns, program covers)
• Fundraising Strategy Assistance from: Youth & Young Adult Ministry Sunday Organizing Team, and the UUA Campaign for Unitarian Universalism Staff: Marcy Bailey-Adams, Carla Kindt, Susan Kobayashi, Bob Snow, Terry Sweetser
• Fundraising strategies, worship and publicity resources and more -- Website: www.uua.org/sunday2002
• E-mail list: Sunday2002-L. Join to receive updates and find out what other congregations are doing.
• Let us know what you need to be successful. Call 617-948-6105 or email Alison Miller amiller@uua.org

Worship & publicity materials will be mailed out in the UUA's monthly congregational mailing and are also available online.

Who on the UUA staff is working on this Campaign?
UUA Youth and Young Adult Ministry Sunday Organizing Team:
Wayne Clark, Director of Congregational Fundraising Services
Danielle Dibona, Anti-Racism Program Coordinator
David Hubner, Director of Ministry
Jesse Jaeger, Youth Programs Director
Nancy Lawrence, Assistant to the Executive Vice President
Alison Miller, Youth and Young Adult Ministry Sunday Coordinator
Kay Montgomery, Executive Vice President
Rebecca Scott, Associate Director of Charitable Gift and Estate Planning
Wendell Seitz, Youth Program Specialist
Michael Tino, Director of Young Adult and Campus Ministry
Deb Weiner, Director of Electronic Communications

Steps to a successful Youth and Young Adult Ministry Sunday:

1. Get it on your Worship calendar. Choose a date for Youth and Young Adult Ministry Sunday in the fall of 2002. (Let us know if the fall is not possible, the date is flexible.)
2. Select a "Mind the Gap*" coordinator. (Professional or Lay leader)
3. Call Alison Miller, Youth & Young Adult Ministry Sunday Coordinator & let her know:
   • Date selected
   • Point person & contact info
   • Any special support that the congregation would like.
4. Coordinator & Minister(s) create Mind the Gap Team (We suggest an intergenerational team where possible.)
5. Work to identify & cultivate donors in advance of the Sunday. A couple of suggestions:
   • Use the newsletter, Sunday programs, bulletin board, and e-mail to highlight Youth, Campus & Young Adult Programming.
   • Work with the ministers to find members who care about this issue & might consider larger gifts.
   • Host a special fundraising dinner, coffee house, or adult education about these ministries.
6. Team & minister(s) plan overall Sunday & any related events.
   • Remember that there is a worship packet, publicity resources, fundraising help, and more from the UUA to assist you.
7. Hold your Youth and Young Adult Ministry Sunday Service Celebrate, Educate & Donate!
8. Celebrate your success and mail contributions, made out to:
   Youth & Young Adult Ministry Sunday
   Unitarian Universalist Association
   25 Beacon Street
   Boston, MA 02108

   Please include the name of your congregation on your check

   *What gap? This refers to the age gap we currently have in Unitarian Universalism, youth (14-18) and young adults (18-35).