Untitled article by Justin Schroder

After growing up in YRUU and then taking a 5 year hiatus before returning to young adult programming and activities, I have a vision of what our young adult movement might look like ten years down the road.

I believe that the most critical component of a successful young adult group is to have a strong tie in to a local congregation. While it is possible for a campus/young adult group to exist wihtout congregational support, I believe that this support is critical. It is clear that as young adults we have vision, energy, and leadership within our local groups, districts, and at continental events. While this energy is exciting and great changes are coming about, I believe that the key to a fully successful young adult movement will be through institutionalizing young adult programming at local churches - and by doing outreach to local campus communities.

Certainly this is a lofty goal, to be sure, but many churches already have thriving children and youth programs. The next logical step is to create a thriving young adult program. In this way, YRUU youth can see and feel the energy that will support and sustain them AFTER YRUU, and young adults seeking a liberal religious home will know the Unitarian church is a place that they are all welcome.

This sort of support for young adults can come in many shapes and sizes:

• create a budget that will help support a year's worth of programming
• recommend that the church hire a quarter time Campus/Young Adult Outreach Coordinator
• Maybe invite the minister and RE Director to meet with young adults to plan a service specifically addressing young adult needs and concerns

For many years, it has been an uphill battle to gain congregational support for YRUU. Although this struggle is not over yet, the importance of youth programming is being recognized on a much larger scale. Now it is time for Young Adults to be recognized and supported by congregations and fo us to offer our energy and vision to our local churches as well. It is unwise and unhealthy to operate in the shadow of our congregations any longer.

I think that the campus ministry/young adult movement would not be around were it not for the many volunteers who have given countless hours of their time; however, this movement can't sustain itself on volunteers alone. Based on the fact that CUUYAN fell under UUA sponsorship this year (2000), it is clear that support needs to and should come form the continental level. However, and perhaps more importantly, support for YA's must come from local congregations. Young adults, working collabortively with local churches, must create a safe space for these transitional years we find ourselves in. Many of us grew up in the Unitarian church and many of us have much to offer the church, but this can only happen in a space we find safe and meaningful.

It is my dream that some day every decent sized UU church will have a thriving young adult group that the church community is proud of and that is integrated into the larger church community. In this way, no matter where you are in your life journey (graduating YRUUer, searching college junior, or non-traditional student with a wife and family), you will have a UU home to call your own.

Justin Schroeder is the first ever UUA Young Adult/Campus Ministry liason to the C*UUYAN Steering Committee, apointed in early 2000. Working as a part-time campus ministry coordinator for Colorado State University in Ft Collins, Justin has a long history in the Mountain Desert District YRUU and is the co-chair of the newly organizing MDD Young Adult/Campus Ministry Committee. Justin is sheparding the new C*UUYAN long-range planning process for 2001 and beyond. Almost forgot that Justin was one of our Worship Coordinators for GA 2000 Young Adults, is Touch Group co-oordinator for Opus 2000, and throws an excellent frisbee.