GA Unitarian Youth Stakeholder Meeting

GA Unitarian Youth Stakeholder Meeting

GA Youth Update

 Like many things in 2020, the GA’s youth programme has not looked anything like we intended it to at the start of the year. We want to give congregations an opportunity to hear more about how we have adapted plans in response to pandemic, and to be part of the conversation. This email gives an update on recent activities, and we would like to invite anyone interested in Unitarian youth activities to attend a stakeholder meeting via Zoom on 9th November.

 

Youth Pilot Initiatives  

Since the beginning of lockdown, I’ve been working with a range of congregational youth leaders, parents & young people, as well as our GA Youth volunteers, in piloting and developing a number of online youth provisions. The purpose being to support young people during this difficult time as well as, for the first time, introduce an online dimension to our national youth programming.

Here’s what’s emerging…

 

Bad Coffee Club

Bad Coffee Club is the idea of 3 young Unitarians aged 14 – 17. It’s a light hearted yet supportive online space for participants to meet, relax and form lasting friendships. A space built on mutual respect, kindness and a desire to live life to the full.

It emerged around the time of the GA Being Together event when one of the group members, who attended the youth workshop, later contacted me and expressed an interest in supporting youth ministry. Then, by chance, another member got in contact seeking support for youth initiatives they were looking to organise within their chapel. The third member, who attended our last youth residential weekend, has written for The Inquirer and has a real creative fair in designing workshops. 

The group, including myself, have been meeting every two weeks. During that time, we’ve been playing with the format and content of the provision. Just recently we agreed to move onto the next stage of programme development – inviting close friends for feedback.

This is very much a provision run by young people for young people. The founding members will, with support, organise and hold all of the meetings. Eventually, when they feel ready, they will open the group to all aged 14 – 17 years of age.

 This provision is being left to unfold at its own pace. I’ll be in touch with more information when the group feels it’s time to go live.

 

GA Online Congregational Youth Support

This pilot initiative too was born out of the youth workshop at the GA Being Together event. Put simply, a couple of congregational youth leaders expressed a wish to learn more about what other congregational youth leaders were doing in their setting.  

So, as a result of this desire expressed by our members, I have established an online congregational youth support group. The group meets once a month for about an hour. My role is to organise the meetings and hold the space. Participants tend to give an update on their various initiatives followed by a general conversation on a pressing topic which emerged from the previous meeting. Importantly, participants set the agenda with me recording the key points which are later emailed a few days later. I also regularly touch base with all participants individually in order to support with queries specific to their setting. 

This initiative is also in tune with the idea of us (The GA) widening our gaze. It’s about us going beyond national programming and supporting local congregations by working in collaboration and co creating with all those wanting to develop youth and family ministry in their setting.

I’ve been impressed by the degree of sharing amongst the participants. (knowledge, ideas and resources) The group dynamic and culture is a great one – I love it! They’re all extremely supportive of each other. Even more encouraging are the new initiatives which are emerging from the group. If you’d like to join or would like more information please email me on ghowell@unitarian.org.uk

 

The Our Whole Lives Programme (OWL)

Our Whole Lives (OWL), is a comprehensive, lifespan sexuality education curriculum for use in both secular settings and faith communities, devised and led by the Unitarian Universalist Association in the US. I’m very much at the exploratory stage with this one, considering the opportunities for us to build on this programme in the UK. For more information on the content of the programme check out – https://www.uua.org/re/owl . If you’d like more information or would like to be involved email me onghowell@unitarian.org.uk

I should stress that the OWL programme is a provision that goes beyond children and young adults by supporting participants well into adulthood. It’s a lifelong learning initiative. Again, check out the link above. It’s well worth a look.

 

GA Online Student Engagement Groups

Is there an opportunity to offer online programming for students aged 18+? There’s a growing group of us who would like to start a conversation on this subject. Again, like OWL, I’m very much at the exploratory stage with this one. If you’d like more information or would like to be involved email me on ghowell@unitarian.org.uk

 

GA Online Youth Events  

There’s been quite some interest from both GA Youth volunteers and congregational youth leaders around experimenting with national online youth events. Consequently, a task and finish group has been established with the remit of exploring the potential of such gatherings and investigating the practical issues around hosting such events. To date they’ve met on 3 occasions and have drawn a proposal of sorts which they’d like to present at the November meeting. Your feedback would be greatly appreciated.

 

Stakeholder Meeting

The GA Online Youth stakeholder meeting will take place on Monday 9th of November at 7pm. It will last no longer than one hour. If you would like to attend, and you would be most welcome, simply follow the link below. Attendees under the age of 18 should have a trusted adult in the room or close by.

Topic: GA Unitarian Youth – Stakeholder Meeting

Time: Nov 9, 2020 7:00 – 8:00PM

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86223554922?pwd=MENDZDhhbjFYM3ZwNHVFVmdJSVM3dz09

Meeting ID: 862 2355 4922

Passcode: 367979