"Concentric 2000 Reader Introduction" by Joseph Lyons

C*UUYAN has become the hub of an exploding community, aptly described as a movement by many. We have seen unprecedented growth among our local chapters of young adult and campus ministry groups, and UUA districts are fostering the establishment of district young adult/campus ministry committees. In three short years a significant transformation has happened in our young adult community, and this is only the beginning. As thousands of young adults deepen their commitment to Unitarian Universalism and participate in local congregations and young adult/campus programs, individual young adult leaders continue to envision a radical new sense of C*UUYAN and influence the direction of our movement for this generation and beyond. The ConCentric Reader is the first in what will hopefully be an annual compilation of writing by and for young adults 18-35 in our Unitarian Universalist Association. What follows is the premiere edition with calls to action, long term ideas, and statements on purpose and goals, and new projects we may see developed on the local, district, or continental level.

As our young adult movement grows, we need to be intentional in capturing the imagination and creativity that is rich among our members. We have seen success in a diverse yet radically inclusive young adult commuity - reaching out to bridging youth, campus students, young adults of color, older young adults, new UU's and young social justice activists. Growth will come within the aforementioned groups along with our traditional mid 20's & 30's commuity which is also becoming more aware of the potential a more vibrant and spiritual young adult movement will bring. C*UUYAN will struggle to welcome all groups and provide a vision and place for different ideas, and this ConCentric Reader will be a resource that both illustrates our wellspring of love for the beloved community and represents the talents of some regular young adult leader types.

Every year that passes, good history is lost to us as people age out, drop out and burn out. This is part of the reality of faith-based young adult community organized primarily by volunteers. It is a positive step to carefully and thoughfully network amongst young adult leaders to ask that they share their ideas and describe what inspires them. C*UUYAN is becoming a more present coalition of local and district young adult groups. We are going to see higher levels of volunteer young adult leadership. We are going to see higher professional and financial commitment from the UUA and congregations over the next generation. The writing contained herin provide some context for where we might go.