REGIONAL UCA YOUTH MINISTRY IN THE HUNTER, THE UNITING YOUTH FELLOWSIP [UYF] AND EASTER CAMP+

 
THOUGHTS FOR 'DYNAMO' READERS AND OTHERS...
   The Uniting Church in the Hunter has enjoyed a rich tradition of edgy [sometimes annoying] and dynamic ministry with young people since it's beginnings. The Youthleaders at the time of Union in 1977 chose to launch 'something new' to work on together... Easter Camp 1978 at Glenrock Campsite... and we have witnessed several 'waves' of young people, leaders, events that filled calendars, worship and that experience of various places being the 'latest' congregation to enjoy a growth spurt across the years....
   The Hunter UYF rode the wave of social change from the 1960s and 70s because of a radical discipleship vision and story. It became something more of a maintaining the energy beyond the 1980s and into the 1990s with Youth Workers funded or not at different periods and 'groups' of young people in their hundreds experiencing all that this had to offer.
   Over the last 5 or so years generation Y have come through into young adulthood and have wrestled with increasingly busy working and studying lives. They have embraced opportunities beyond the increasing generation gap in mainstream congregations but have engaged in those to greater or lesser extent along the way. It's true of the Hunter community but even moreso of our churches, that numbers thin around the age of 20 and certainly in our churches there's a gap in the age range which means that group of young adults have not been able to [and sometimes unwilling or unable to] hand on responsibilities to a next group of young people. It's been some years since the UYF had a raft of activities for all UCA youth alongside Easter Camp during each year. Thise events which have happened have often been attended by particular peer groups.
All this work has left a group tired, moving on to 'the next thing' or just 'moving on' in some cases and it's been tough for some. Youth Groups in the Hunter are mostly High Schoolers, at the younger end of the scale. Many are just 'dipping toes in the water' of faith and other have little or no concept they are part of a Uniting Church... To reinvigorate regional ministry with young people in the Hunter will require a unifying vision that excites young people and draws them in 'right where they are.' It raises questions way beyond 'will we or won't we do Easter Camp?'
   What to do about the UYF and regional ministry with young people in this scenario, especially having seen the enthusiasm of a group of adults lead to 'trying' Easter 24 as a measure for 2012 and it being 'not quite Easter Camp' and only attracting low numbers?
   This would have been a burden for the younger leaders who would have managed but would have needed to work pretty hard to sustain a 24hr+ program with 30+ people as a 'fun' event for those registered. It was cancelled very late in the scheme of things...
   There are at least three fronts to work on...
[1] growing a vision and identity for regional ministry
[2] equipping and encouraging young adults to be disciples in the next stage of their lives e.g. in congregations, new faith communities or experimental approaches to being people of God with an underlying goal of growing people who live out their faith in daily life whether they find a community to connect with or not
[3] to work with existing youthleaders to grow regional ministry that unites and multiplies their efforts... these things will or should determine the WHAT of this challenge...

WHERE TO FROM HERE:
As YOUTH MINISTRY DEVELOPMENT WORKER my role in part encourages me to engage in ministry that will...
- facilitate communication between different networks
- encourage the youth & young adult network to initiate intentional and creative ways for discipleship building and belonging
- resource, mentor and train youth & leaders towards mature discipleship with leadership skills for their roles
- assist the Youthleaders to develop their combined activities
- equip congregations to develop youth ministry
-facilitate connections with the wider church and community
-work towards connecting smaller groups in
There's a focus on 'sustainable' events or programs and leadership practice...

  As someone whose life and leadership were findamentally shaped by Easter Camp I too grieve it's loss in 2012... for me it's not about doing what ot takes to hold Camp... but doing what it takes to encourage young adults in their journey and to fashion what might work for the next generation. The younger generations already feel the pressure of being involved for a 'whole Easter Weekend', working part time, needing to fund University studies at some point and living. These young people have a more tenuous sense of belonging within the UCA and are at present mostly early to mid High School age so rely on parents and others for transport etc.
   These young people value choice and lots of activities compete for their time... entertainment is sought in lots of places so the church needs to focus on it's uniqueness and what will excite and motivate young people to invest, not just opening the doors or the flyers and expecting them to come... it's tough...
  
I AM WORKING ON:
- individual conversations with those who've given UYF leadership to care for and encourage them
- a celebratory event with food, to celebrate all things UYF and thank lots of people for their recent years of engagement and allow some to 'let go of' feelings of responsibility and in some cases 'guilt'
- a gathering or series of gatherings of any young people and young adults who do want to continue offering regional leadership, to see if we can't envisage some possibilities alongside the Youthleaders and their local groups
- equipping and supporting local group leaders to build grassroots ministry with young people so regional connections make sense and help grow beyond local borders
- we now know some significant adults would help with whatever is tried... but the shaping of that needs to be generated by the young people or we are just floating our own version. However valuable it has been or could be,
ownership of what is planned is crucial to it's chances of success...
I'd welcome questions, comments, offers, energy, waiting, prayer and encouragement in this important time!!