Young Adult and Campus Ministry in Canada

The CUC staff and board recognize that Young Adult and Campus Ministries in Canada have often been an underserved segments in our denomination, especially as funding and support from the UUA has decreased in recent years. In light of these changes, and with more understanding gained from the 2009 survey as well as from dozens of conversations held in congregations and with individuals across the country, concrete actions have recently been taken. Executive Director, Jennifer Dickson took the first step in prioritizing the needs of this demographic by creating a national staff position to focus exclusively on Youth and Young Adult spiritual and congregational needs. It is my great honour to be able to fill that role as the first Youth and Young Adult Programmer of the CUC. A small and long over-due second step in working to support YAs is updating this page! Please check back here in the coming months for more resources and updates or follow my work on my blog: gather the spirit, harvest the power (yayacuc.blogspot.com).  I look forward to working with and for you, to strengthen and encourage these important ministries and I welcome any and all thoughts about what that might look like. If you are interested in participating in a working group to discuss the creation of a Young Adult advisory board (possibly similar in scope to CAYAC) please contact me at ariel@cuc.ca.  In faith,Ariel Hunt-BrondwinJune 17 2010

What are some of the differences between Young Adult Ministry and Campus Ministry, as we often see them listed together (YA/CM)?

Young Adult ministry is about creating an environment in congregations that welcomes, speaks to and supports young adults. The term “young adults” includes a broad age range of 18-35 and therefore a broad range of interests and life experiences. In appropriately addressing this area of ministry, our congregations need to actively include young adults on committees, address issues in Sunday services that are of particular interest (including utilizing examples that are relevant to YA’s) and offer adult religious education and social gatherings that might appeal. On thin note it is especially important for congregations to remember that ‘Young Adult’ includes “Bridgers” and reach out to them. Bridgers are generally 18 – 21 year old Young Adults who are in the process of or have newly transitioned out of their youth group. These YAs are very valuable resources for congregations, as they often have years of UU experience (most having been raised Unitarian) including in worship and social justice.

Many congregations have Young Adult groups that meet together on a monthly basis to have potlucks, or participate in worship or social action to name a few things. Some groups are mostly social and others take a form more similar to a chalice circle or covenant group. Some groups meet in the evenings in each other’s homes and other groups meet after services on Sunday. Sometimes the members of YA groups are actively involved in their local congregation and for others the YA group is their only UU involvement. In whatever form a group takes it is a valid and important way for Young Adults to experience fellowship and spiritual nourishment.

Campus ministry,  generally refers to what happens ON campus. Such as a weekly meeting run by students, which may or may not be  supported by a local UU congregation, with a program incorporating some of the three components of CM; community, spirituality and social justice. Many campus ministries take the form of being a campus club. This usually means that then a UU CM group can put up posters, have a table at campus events, have access to rooms or chapel space and get promotion through newsletters, campus web site etc. There may be a flow back and forth between the congregation, the congregationally based YA group and the CM group and some students may participate in all three!  And some students may prefer not participate in the local CM group and instead opt to volunteer in the RE program or singing in the choir for example.  A congregation can decide to actively support either one or both of these ministries, based on their demographics, capacity and mission.

Please read these two different testimonials written for the Canadian Unitarian about these possibilities and the importance of supporting Young Adult and Campus Ministries.

Don’t Young Adults need a time away from churches? Shouldn’t we just leave them alone and they’ll come back when they’re older?
– By: Lifespan Learning Service Consultant Diane Bosman, First Unitarian Church of Toronto.

“More than one person has asked me this question. My answer is a vehement “No!” First, most Young Adults don’t come back. It is estimated that only 10% of our children continue to be active in our congregations as adults. We may see a “gap” in the young adult age range and then an increase in the late thirties and forties, but most of these are different people. Imagine how strong our movement would be if we also kept our Young Adults.
Second, and most importantly, people aged 18-35 need us! They are engaging in new experiences their minds are opening to critical-thinking, the pursuit of deeper truths and exploration of their world. At the same time they are grappling with the evolution of independent adulthood, and making critical life choices around careers, relationships, sexuality, children, and community. Young Adults need supportive and inspiring community, socially-relevant values, and life-transforming opportunities to engage in service to others. Isn’t it marvelous that this is what we offer! So reach out to Young Adults and find ways to welcome them in.
p.s. Thanks to all the UU congregations that reached out to me as a Young Adult. I don’t know what I would have done without you!”

Rites of Passage at UVic – By: Peter Scales, First Unitarian Church of Victoria (Canadian Unitarian Fall 2009)
‘When does childhood end and adulthood begin?’ This was a recent topic at the UVic Unitarian Club, now in its fourth year since being formed on the model of the UU Club of Queen’s University.

“Every Monday afternoon at the University of Victoria, members of the Unitarian Club gather to discuss issues and form community. At 4:30 p.m. attendees introduce themselves, light the chalice, checkin, and engage in a topic chosen by the convener. The discussion is always lively, weaving together facts, opinions, experiences, and the UU principles.

The campus ministry at UVic allows Unitarian students to stay in touch with the church of their high school years, as well as introducing unchurched students to Unitarianism.  The UVic Unitarian Club is supported financially by the Students’ Society. It gets encouragement from the city’s two UU congregations, as well as moral support from six professors and a former president of UVic, all UU themselves. The Unitarian Club also participates in interfaith events, which are beneficial to all.

Like many things in church life, starting and sustaining a campus ministry group is both easy and difficult. Undergrads are busy and easily distracted; grad students are often better able to bring the required long-term support necessary for a consistent group. Like most of the twenty religious clubs at UVic, the Unitarian Club is convened and administered by a non-student who is inspired by the group’s members.

The effort has its own rewards! If you are interested in starting a campus ministry group at your university or college, please contact Peter Scales scalesp@telus.net).”