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Youth and Young Adult Ministry Sunday is part of our Assocation's capital campaign, The Campaign for Unitarian Universalism.

HOW TO PLAN

Funding the Vision: Steps to a successful Youth and Young Adult Ministry Sunday

(excerpt from the Planning Team Packet)

You do not need to do everything listed here. This is a collection of suggestions for your Mind the Gap Team to choose from.

Part I: Getting Youth & Young Adult Ministry Sunday on the Calendar

1. Talk with the people who are in charge of Sunday Worship. This differs from congregation to congregation (minister, RE professional or Worship Committee)
   
2. Board of Trustees Approval. This is a fundraising effort, so discuss this initiative and why it is important with the Board. The more enthusiastic supporters enlisted, the better.
   
3. Select Sunday in the fall of 2002. (The date is flexible, and can be anytime through Spring 2003.) Make sure that it is written down in official location.
   Look for a Sunday with:
   • Enough time to publicize in advance
     
   • Good attendance & no other fundraising conflicts

Part II: Publicity & Activities in Advance of the Sunday

1. Select a "Mind the Gap" Coordinator. (Professional or Lay leader)
2. Contact 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.
3. Coordinator & Minister(s) create Mind the Gap Team
   (We suggest an intergenerational team where possible.)
   • Publicize Event
     
   • Cultivate Donors
     
   • Design the Youth and YA Ministry Sunday
4. Publicity suggestions:
   • Use the resources found in the Publicity Resource Packet
     
   • Good places to publicize this event:
     
     • Newsletter - advertisement, minister's column or feature article
       
     • Sunday Program
       
     • Bulletin Board
       
     • Direct letters and E-mail
   • Through Publicity be sure to let people know:
     Let people know the Sunday is coming and what the date is
     • Spotlight Youth, Campus & Young Adult Programming in your church
     • Be clear that this is a fundraiser, and there will be a special collection.
       
   • Host an Adult Education before the Sunday explaining what is going on in your congregation and the UUA to support Youth, Campus and Young Adult Ministry.
     
     • You could invite your Youth Group to speak, play the campus ministry video, find out if your Young Adult & Campus Ministry Regional Consultant is available to come speak, etc.

5. Identify & cultivate larger donors in advance of the Sunday. Work with the minister and any development staff or volunteers to figure out which members are passionate about this issue & might consider larger gifts. (ie. Parents of children in college, life-long UUs, Young Adults & youth too!)

• Host a Special Fundraising Dinner or Reception
  
• Have an event where potential donors can get to know the Youth & Young Adults and their hopes and dreams for the congregation.
• See the "Guide to Seeking Major Financial Donations" in the Planning Team Packet .
  

1. Gather the Worship Team to plan the Sunday
   

• the group responsible for this will vary in every congregation from one minister or lay leader to a Worship Committee, Mind the Gap Team, Minister and RE Professional, etc.)
  
1. Use the Worship Packet prepared by the Department of Ministry in collaboration with the Youth and Young Adult & Campus Ministry Offices.
   • The packet includes readings, testimonials, sample sermons and hymns to pick and choose from.
     
2. Intergenerational Participation is a smart idea for this Sunday wherever possible. (It is not essential, though, and congregations without youth or young adults are encouraged to participate.)
   
3. Uncover the stories & testimonials of members in your congregation who have been affected by youth, campus and young adult ministry.
   • They can either be woven into a sermon or these people can be given a couple of minutes to share in person during the service.
     
   • Why not host a dinner people who grew up Unitarian Universalist in order to generate excitement and gain stories for the Sunday. Find out what would have made their experience better, etc.
     • **This is a key group to ask for help with raising awareness around these issues, and also one to cultivate for gifts as youth and young adult ministry may be particularly meaningful to them.
       
     • The Youth Publicity Packet, Worship Materials, and Planning Team Packet also contain stories.
       
4. Figure out "the Ask"
   • Convey to your congregation that this is not your typical Sunday Offering, and it is a one-time event. It is an opportunity to join generosity with many other Unitarian Universalists and to generate the funds necessary to match the momentum and exciting initiatives taking root in so many of our congregations and on campuses.
     
   • Consider where to place "the ask" and possibly move the offering until after the stories, sermon, and readings have been shared.
     
   • See "Words for the Offering for Youth and Young Adult Ministry Sunday" by The Rev. Ralph Mero found in the Worship Materials or online.

Part IV: THE END

1. Celebrate Your Success.
   
2. Thank Your Volunteers.
   
3. Mail contributions to the UUA.
   • See the "Mind the Gap Youth and Young Adult Ministry Sunday Contribution Guidelines" in the Planning Team Packet for specific instructions.
     
4. Be sure to take advantage of the grants, curricula and resources that you helped make possible!
   
5. Call the Youth Office or Young Adult & Campus Ministry Office and get your youth and young adults connected to the trainings, conferences, newsletters, and other resources already available to them.

Good Luck!