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by Nancy Sogliuzzo Christ Church Unity, San Diego, CA Y.O.U. Coordinator, Southwest Regional Sub-Regi Sponsor West, 2005 CCU President—Board of Directors An ancient Chinese proverb focuses on vision with this quote: “If your vision is for one year, plant wheat. If your vision if for a decade, plant trees. If your vision is for a lifetime, plant people.” Michelangelo, the Italian artist and sculptor, prayed that God would keep his vision alive. “Lord, grant that I may always desire to do more than I am able to accomplish.” God has a vision for each of us, for our church, and for every ministry team within a church. God calls us to grasp the vision for these areas so that we have a clear picture of where we are heading and what we are setting out to accomplish. Without a vision, how can leaders lead anyone anywhere? Vision also gives a church ministry hope and meaning which transforms the team into one with perspective and a compelling reason to stay focused on what really matters— doing God's will. Vision is HOW to accomplish the mission. Vision is different from mission in that it is the unique way the ministry has been called to fulfill the larger mission. Without a clear and specific vision, working to reach a mission can be frustrating and unsuccessful. Values also play a part in the process. They define agreements for living that are acceptable and appropriate for a church community. These values operate in each church whether clearly defined or not. Listen For vision to work, it must be specific to the team. It must result in a series of specific goals with measurable outcomes, strategies and tactics. It is important for us to listen to God at every step of this visioning process, so that we find God’s vision, not just our own. Grasp Many suggest that a vision that is based solely on what we can easily do or from what we thoroughly enjoy is most likely a human vision and not God’s. God’s vision calls us to achieve things that we can’t expect to do on our own. God’s vision is so much grander than ours that we might not grasp it at first, but it will become known if we stay connected. Art The of Visioning continued on page 17 Volume 12, Issue 1 Spring 2005
Transcript
Page 1: The t of Visioning - Unityav.unityonline.org/en/association/publications/educationLink/Spring... · 3rd Annual New Thought Children, Youth and Family Ministry Conference. 12. Register

by Nancy Sogliuzzo Christ Church Unity, San Diego, CA Y.O.U. Coordinator, Southwest Regional Sub-Regi Sponsor West, 2005 CCU President—Board of Directors

An ancient Chinese proverb focuses on vision with this quote: “If your vision is for one year, plant wheat. If your vision if for a decade, plant trees. If your vision is for a lifetime, plant people.”

Michelangelo, the Italian artist and sculptor, prayed that God would keep his vision alive. “Lord, grant that I may always desire to do more than I am able to accomplish.” God has a vision for each of us, for our church, and for every ministry team within a church. God calls us to grasp the vision for these areas so that we have a clear picture of where we are heading and what we are setting out to accomplish. Without a vision, how can leaders lead anyone anywhere?

Vision also gives a church ministry hope and meaning which transforms the team into one with perspective and a compelling reason to stay focused on what really matters—doing God's will.

Vision is HOW to accomplish the mission.Vision is different from mission in that it is the unique way the ministry has been called to fulfill the larger mission. Without a clear and specific vision, working to reach a mission can be frustrating and unsuccessful. Values also play a part in the process. They define agreements for living that are acceptable

and appropriate for a church community. These values operate in each church whether clearly defined or not.

ListenFor vision to work, it must be specific to the team. It must result in a series of specific goals with measurable outcomes, strategies and tactics. It is important for us to listen to God at every step of this visioning process, so that we find God’s vision, not just our own.

GraspMany suggest that a vision that is based solely on what we can easily do or from what we thoroughly enjoy is most likely a human vision and not God’s. God’s vision calls us to achieve things that we can’t expect to do on our own. God’s vision is so much grander than ours that we might not grasp it at first, but it will become known if we stay connected.

ArtThe of Visioning

continued on page 17

Volume 12, Issue 1 Spring 2005

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Con

ten

ts Vision page The Art of Visioning 1 Step by step guide to the visioning process.

Empowered Youth Ministry: The Vision 4 Dream big for your Youth Ministry program!

Vision—From Next Generation Unity 19 NGU gives young adults the opportunity to stay in the Unity family.

Teens and Young Adults Who is Missing? 16 What can you do to build the young adult population in your church?

What Happens to Young Adults after Y.O.U.? 18 Help our campus ministries grow!

Vision—From Next Generation Unity 19 NGU gives young adults the opportunity to stay in the Unity family.

Youth and Family Ministry Empowered Youth Ministry: The Vision 4 Dream big for your Youth Ministry program!

Change Is Happening to Benefit You! 10 The Association’s Youth Education website has many new features.

The Faces of Experience and Wisdom… 15 A new Youth Director’s Manual is in the works.

Resources Change Is Happening to Benefit You! 10 The Association’s Youth Education website has many new features.

The Faces of Experience and Wisdom… 15 A new Youth Director’s Manual is in the works.

New Products Available Through the Association 20 See our exciting new products, including great gift ideas.

What’s the Best Choice for Me? 24 An exciting new Uniteen curriculum is now available.

What’s Happening Opportunities to serve in Youth and Family Ministry 3 Two churches are looking for just the right person.

3rd Annual New Thought Children, Youth and Family Ministry Conference 12 Register by April 9th to attend this inspirational & informative event.

Child/Teen Ministry Week 13 Experience the new design of a fully-integrated week.

Places to Go, Much to Learn 22 A look at Regional and Association events.

In this Issue

You are invited to submit news, articles, ideas and photos for publication byJanuary 1, April 1, July 1 and October 1.

Education Links StaffKathryn Kellogg—Editor

Joanna Carrell—Graphic Designer

Bernadette Swanson—Proofreader

Education Dept.Martha MosleyVice President of Education ext. 333 e-mail: [email protected] Anna AndesCurriculum Development Consultant e-mail: [email protected]

Kathryn KelloggChildren’s Ministry Coordinator ext. 338 e-mail: [email protected]

Dorothy GenskeLicensed Unity Teacher Coordinator ext. 326 e-mail: [email protected]

Rebecca AveryAOU, YOU & Teen Ministry Coordinator ext. 327 e-mail: [email protected]

Joanna Carrell, Program Assistant ext. 356 e-mail: [email protected]

Marti Hayes, Education Assistant ext. 332 e-mail: [email protected]

Jo Ann Spruill, YOU Assistant ext. 347 e-mail: [email protected]

Bernadette SwansonCurriculum Editor/Writer ext. 346 e-mail: [email protected]

Contact us Monday-Thursday Receptionist 816-524-7414

After hours Automated system 816-524-7750

Website: www.unity.orgFax: 816-525-4020

Education Links is a quarterly publication of the Association of Unity Churches PO Box 610, Lee’s Summit, Missouri 64063

Each Unity Center should receive up to 5 copies of Education Links—one each for their Minister, Youth Ed Director, Uniteen Leader, YOU Sponsor and NGU Leader. Suggested Love Offering for additional subscriptions is $10 per year.

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To My Fellow Visionaries,

You know who you are. You are the one who volunteers in the children’s ministry or serves as a Uniteen or YOU sponsor. You are the one creating Next Generation of Unity groups and looking for ways to get Unity on college campuses. You are the youth ministry director or family minister who provides places and programming for the younger sector of your congregation. You are the one who holds the babies in the nursery and is eagerly awaiting the birth of the new little one expected to arrive any day now. You are the minister who pastors a church that doesn’t have any children now but holds that dream in your heart that sometime your ministry will ring with the laughter of youth.

Opportunities to serve in Youth and Family Ministry

You are all visionaries because you show up for children either physically, emotionally or spiritually. You hold a vision that they might experience a kinder, safer world by the conscious use of spiritual principles and practices.

Vision is about seeing clearly what you desire to manifest. This issue is all about vision from a step-by-step process to three separate articles on envisioning young adult ministry in churches and on campuses. Enjoy reading!

Blessings to you all, Kathy

Director of Youth and Family MinistryUnity Church of Overland ParkOverland Park, Kansas

Spirit has opened a space for a dynamic, energetic, loving leader to support, educate, inspire, and nurture our vibrant and growing youth and family ministry. More than 150 children and 800 adults attend our Sunday Celebration Services, and hundreds more attend our weekly classes and support groups. We are known as a community who celebrates and embraces our children. Every Sunday, all the children are blessed with song as they enter and leave the sanctuary. Reverend Patricia Bass is seeking a Unity Minister, Licensed Unity Teacher, and/or a professional educator with a strong Unity foundation to join her leadership team. The successful candidate will be highly organized and flexible with a passion for youth ministry. He or she will: 1) create and/or adapt exciting curriculum and programs for children; 2) develop and/or coordinate educational and spiritual programs for parents and families; and 3) supervise, train, and nurture the YFM staff and 50-75 volunteers. Pulpit opportunities exist for the candidate who brings strong platform skills. We offer a strong benefit and compensation package. If Spirit is calling you to serve in a prayer-centered community that embodies service, celebrates children, and honors diversity, please E-mail your resume to [email protected].

Director of Youth Ministry, Unity Church of Christianity, Houston, Texas. Please send resumes and references to: search @unityhouston.org or fax to 713-787-3499.

To Our Next Director of Youth Ministry:We are a growing ministry whose purpose is to be a catalyst for spiritual evolution, creating better lives and a better world. Your personal purpose aligns with ours and your heart’s calling is to teach, love and inspire children (and adults) into being all they are created to be. You are creative and energetic with a strong personal commitment to living Unity Principles. You come from the position of the infinite potential that each child possesses and you strive to create staff and volunteer positions that bring forth that spiritual potential to its fullest. You are comfortable overseeing a program serving more than 400 families with a growing average Sunday school attendance of 200 children from diverse backgrounds. You have experience and expertise in all areas of spiritual education, from curriculum planning and design, to lesson preparation and implementation.

You love working with and inspiring volunteers and warmly embrace and instill confidence in parents. Your ability to organize and oversee details is exceptional and you use technology to the fullest. You capably establish and oversee the program’s annual budget, its part-time employees and more than 100 volunteers. We are grateful you’ve been drawn to make a difference in the lives of children and families by working with this ministry. We look forward to meeting you soon!

Vision

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by Rev. Diane Venzera Great Lakes Children’s Education Consultant, LUTUnity Church of Oak Park, ILDiane is currently in the Field Licensing Program as the first candidate in Youth and Family Ministry.

Creating the VisionNothing in our world exists if we haven’t first seen it in our mind’s eye. When I look at my Youth Ministry program or my life, I am not limited by what I see with my eyes. I know that there are endless possibilities if I am just willing to take the time and energy needed to vision for them. It is like going on a treasure hunt that is only limited by what we believe we can find in our God-mind. I love the process of creation because it assures me that the universe is a living, vital energy and that change and growth are always possible. If I am not satisfied with the way things are, I know that there are steps I can take to change things. It is very self-empowering.

As I crisscross the Great Lakes Region as the Children’s Ministry Consultant, I encounter Youth Ministry programs in various stages of development. They all have different strengths and weaknesses, but the one thing they all have in common is the desire to offer the highest, most life-affirming programs that they can. They are always seeking to grow and to provide new experiences that allow the innate genius to unfold within each child.

One of the things I encourage the participants to do is to sit down as a team and to either create or renew their vision for their program. Every time we have used this activity, the teams have come away with a renewed sense of commitment, a clearer idea of where they are and where they want to go, and an incredible outpouring of energy that cannot be contained.

The participants begin the creation process in this small group activity, but then they are encouraged to take the activity back to their church and to include their entire team in the process. Once the vision is solid, I encourage them to share it with their adult congregation and to invite everyone into the process of bringing it into manifestation. They are also encouraged to dream big! Do not be limited by fear, by what your program is like right now, nor by the current physical space. This is about bringing what is best for our children into reality.

The individual team members are also empowered by this because everyone gets a chance to share their own personal vision of youth ministry. In the discussion and sharing that follows, even greater ideas come forth. So, I encourage you to undertake this activity and to see what it is that you can create.

Vision

Empowered Youth Ministry: The Vision

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We have only to look to our Unity Principles and our main text, the Bible, to find directions for visioning. Our 3rd Unity Principle tells us exactly how to create what we want in life. It states: “We are co-creators with God, creating reality through thoughts held in mind.” Then the first chapters of Genesis describe the steps we take to bring our ideas into manifestation. The amazing thing is we use these steps every day to create our life experiences, whether we are aware of them or not, so why not explore them and make conscious choices?

The Unity text, Metaphysics I, reminds us of how God creates: There is one underlying law and through this law all things come into expression; also there is one universal Mind, the source and sole origin of all real intelligence.• First is mind.• Then mind expresses itself in ideas.• Then the ideas make themselves manifest.

Each idea created by Divine Mind is whole and perfect. Man catches mental sight of an idea in Divine Mind and proceeds to put it in terms understandable to him. All ideas have their origin in Divine Mind, but their character as unfolded by man depends entirely upon his acquaintance with God. (Author emphasis.)

If we are truly willing to enter into conscious co-creatorship with God, we

must understand the law upon which all creation is based. This is The Law of Cause and

Effect. All cause is in the realm of the mind. Effects are the result

of the thoughts we hold in mind. Most of us begin with effects and try to work from

them, but the true metaphysician begins with causes.

To recognize the power of thought is the key to working consciously with the creative process. It is by our thoughts that we transform not only our inner but our outer world. It is important to remember that when we use the term “thought” we are referring to the combined energies of both thinking and feeling. Words themselves are not the power but carry the power of the thoughts they represent. Words express a thought already held in mind. Therefore, in addition to changing our words to effect transformation in our lives, we must also change the thoughts which have inspired the worlds. The most powerful of all spoken words are affirmations of Truth.

So, I invite you to take a look at your life or your youth ministry program and acknowledge what words of Truth you speak about it. Are they life-affirming words or are they filled with doubt and fear? You have the power to create anything you want to create.

What is the vision and mission you have set forth? Below is an explanation for both.

“A church that does not have a good program for children is not likely to thrive.” ─Robert & Janet Ellsworthfrom Congregations as Healing Communities: 7 Characteristics of Life-Enhancing Churches

Vision

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The Vision StatementThis is the basic, bottom-line reason that your ministry exists. It is what keeps you on purpose. You can constantly refer back to this statement as you make decisions regarding your ministry.

It is important that your vision aligns with the vision of your church and is supported by your minister and board.

Laurie Beth Jones, in The Path: Creating Your Mission Statement for Work and for Life, says, “A vision statement should be no longer than one sentence long. It should be easily understood and it should be easy to remember.”

The MissionThe mission tells you how you will bring your vision into being. It is your plan of action and the ultimate desire for your ministry. “You must hold in consciousness a faithful belief that God is All-good, and the Good is awaiting our thoughts to shape God-substance into the resources we desire. This means that your mission must not be limited by your consciousness. It needs a sense of grandness.” (Laurie Beth Jones)

The mission is longer and more specific. According to The Path, some key elements are:• It is written down in the present tense.• It covers a variety of activities and time frames.• It is filled with descriptive details that anchor it to

reality.

The mission encompasses but is not limited to:• Sunday lessons for the children• Special events for youth• Intergenerational family activities.

Visioning in ActionI have included a description of a visioning process based on the steps of creation. You can use this process whether you want to recreate your life or your Youth Ministry programs. I have also included how this process worked for us as my friends and I created Spirit’s Light Foundation. Understand that even though this is written in step-by-step fashion, the creative process is not a linear process. It is circular—moving, growing and changing. Some steps may need to be revisited as the process continues.

Creating a Vision for Our Youth Ministry Programs“The 1st chapter of Genesis describes the creative action of the universal Mind in the realm of ideas and does not pertain to the manifest world.” We will use this process to create our vision. (from CEP workbook Creative Process)

The Goal: To create a vision for our Youth Ministry programs that we can invite our congregations to hold with us.

Step 1, Setting Our Intentions…ReflectionOn the first day out of the darkness God created light. What is the Divine Idea that is dawning in our minds? Our first step is to recognize that all ideas are from God. What will we do with

ours? Will we let it pass by or will we grab hold

of it and work

with it? If we are unsure of which direction to go, then the prayer we say is one for guidance.

Spirit’s Light Foundation: We had attended a traditional youth ministry event that did not meet our needs. The idea that came to us was that we could create something better that would serve New Thought ministries. We wanted to create our 1st Annual Children, Youth & Family Ministry Conference.

Vision

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ReflectionOn the second day the waters separated and sky was created. Here we begin to develop our faith in the process and faith in our ability to create what we have visioned. We are only limited by our mind and our beliefs. This step tells us that “the sky is the limit.”

Spirit’s Light Foundation: We believed that we were the ones to bring this idea into reality. We immediately sat down and began to share ideas—our strengths, our desires, our hopes and our dreams. The possibilities were unlimited and, the more we talked, the more ideas came forth.

Questions to Explore/Discuss1. What is your greatest desire for your life or

your Youth Ministry program? What idea is seeking to be expressed through you? What is yours to create?

2. What parts of your program are working well? What do you want to keep?

3. What parts are ready to be released or transformed?

4. What personal intention would you like to set for yourself and your youth program? (Aim for the highest possible vision─we are co-creating with God. The intention can be updated as we move through the process.)

5. Now that you have set your intention/vision, what things can you do to make it firm in your mind and develop the faith needed to bring it forth? What tools do you have that will get you through the rough times when doubt begins to creep in?

Spirit’s Light Foundation: This second step of developing the faith and using our tools is one we constantly revisit. When we first began to plan our youth conference, we discovered that each of the seven women in the group had a particular skill that would prove essential. But even with all our skills, things did not always go as planned. There were many times when I felt overwhelmed and not up to the task. When those times showed up, we came together in prayer and support and checked our vision to see if we were still on task. One of the most powerful things we did was decide that this vision was important and we would never lose sight of it or never give up. The children were too important.

Step 2, The Power of Imagination…ReflectionOn the third day the earth began to take form. This day tells us that our mind has the power to shape and form thought. We can use our imagination to begin to visualize how we would like it to be. It is the beginning of creating concrete details.

Spirit’s Light Foundation: We created a master plan of what our ministry would be. We dreamed big and not only wrote out what we wanted to do now, but also in the future. We added as much detail as possible. Our ideas included the youth & family ministry conference, creating curriculum, and providing training programs.

Questions to Explore/Discuss1. What are the components of your program? Consider: • What do you want your youth to learn or experience? • What experience do you want to see demonstrated? • What teachings will you use? • What kinds of activities will you provide? • How do you serve youth and families? • What do you offer that other programs do not? • Why should people join in with the vision? • Anything else you feel is important.

Vision

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2. Referring to your personal Intention for your youth program, what Intention can your group create that serves all of the members of your ministry?

3. How can your group work together to bring about this vision?

Step 3, Expanding the Vision…ReflectionOn the fourth day God created the sun and moon. The fourth step tells us that the sun represents the spiritual I Am and the moon represents our intellect. It invites us to be willing to surrender our will to the will of God. It is easy to get caught up in doing what we think is best and forgetting that there is a greater power within us that will guide us if we let it.

Spirit’s Light Foundation: There are many, many times when I get caught up in thinking I have to have all the answers. I get frustrated when I don’t receive information in what I believe is a timely manner, after all I did set a final date for publication. This frustration is Spirit’s way of reminding me that everything really is working in Divine Order even if I can’t see it in the moment. When I allow these times of frustration to lead me back to Spirit, I can then let go of my need to do things in a particular way. I can know that all is working together for good. I can relax and I can let my limited desires go as I open up to ideas that are even better. When I allow God to direct the show, things move forward effortlessly. ReflectionOn the fifth day God created birds of the air and creatures of the sea. The fifth day tells us that many, many ideas and plans will come into our minds as we seek to express our vision. It is important to use our inner wisdom and judgment to choose the ideas that will lead us to the vision we want to create and to discard the ones that are not in our highest interest at this time.

Questions to Explore/Discuss1. What areas bring you the most frustration? What things are

you trying to control?

2. If you are feeling this frustration, what can you do to reestablish your connection to Spirit?

3. What can you do to stay in your heart and stay connected to your Christ-self in the midst of set-backs, confusion, lack of understanding or lack of belief in the vision by yourself or others?

4. What new ideas are coming to you?

5. How do you decide which ideas to use and which ones to discard?

6. How can you involve the congregation in your visioning process?

Step 4, Oneness With God…ReflectionOn the sixth day God created land animals, man and woman. Man represents our intellect and woman represents our heart. How do we stay connected to both our thinking and feeling natures? If we use only our intellect, we create something that has no heart. If we live only from our feeling nature, then we are unable to use rational thought and we are constantly tossed around on the waves of our emotions.

Spirit’s Light Foundation: I tend to spend a lot of time in my mind so the constant reminder of how this conference will affect people, what they will receive from it, how they will feel about it helps me to stay connected to both head and heart. We created not only a wonderful ministry but also an outstanding team of women that balance one another.

Vision

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1. What are the gifts that each of your team members have to offer? How will you make use of each of them?

2. What is the clear vision and intention that you want to join together to create? If we are the very image of God and are co-creating this vision with God, what does it look like? Create a poster advertising your vision.

Visioning Activity(Adapted from New Directions in Spiritual Education, Part I, by Marelu Marson, p. 6)Materials: Large poster board, markers, stickers, scissors, construction paper and glitter

Directions• You have been given, free of charge, a full-page ad in the

local newspaper.• Design an ad publicizing your children’s ministry program.• Before you begin, consider the following questions as if your

ideal program is already in place.~ What is the vision of your youth program?~ What teachings do you follow?~ What does your program have to offer that can’t be found

anywhere else? How are you unique?~ What would you like families to know about your

program?~ What do you want your youth to learn or experience?~ What do the children do in your program?~ What benefits will the children and families receive by

attending?~ What is the content of your curriculum?

~ What kind of activities do you provide?~ How will children be spiritually enriched?~ What logo or symbols could you use to represent the

essence of the program?

Many of these questions have been addressed in the steps listed above. So once you are finished with the discussion, create your ad.

The creation of these ads in our youth trainings is very empowering. They create a visual representation of all the grand ideas and give the team members a common goal to focus on. They are then encouraged to take the posters to their home churches and invite the entire congregation into the process.

Step 5, Let Go and Let God…ReflectionOn the seventh day God rested. It is now time for us to stop our mental activity and to allow our ideas to come forth. We know that we have done what we needed to do. We also understand that if what manifests is not exactly what we had in mind, we have the power to continue with the vision. We don’t worry about what has manifested because we know that that is expended energy. We can go back into our thoughts and change them at their source. On the seventh day we “rest in the assurance that all that have been imaged in it will come forth in expression.”

Spirit’s Light Foundation: The ideas set forth in our process have come to be. We are now an alternative Unity Ministry offering our 3rd Children, Youth & Family Ministry Conference. We are lovingly supported by the Association of Unity Churches, and we know we make a difference in the lives of children.

Vision

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by Anna AndesCurriculum Development Consultant

During the past year one of the things I have loved about having two new staff members in the Education Department, Kathy and Rebecca, is the shift that has happened relating to change! A lot of cleaning out has occurred as a result. Old files from the eighties and nineties have been sorted and eliminated. The not-very-useful library at the Association has been cleaned out creating a concise library and space for a prayer room. Our once much-needed Video Lending Library has been blessed and released due to lack of use, and the videos have been donated to churches and other loving homes.

We all know that when we do some elimination, we create a vacuum. Part of this cleaning up process has moved us on to realizing the need to update the Youth Education portion of www.unity.org. And that has happened and is still in process! We now have many, many new additions to this section that you will find useful. Some of you have already discovered this, while others of you would probably like this discovering process to be easy. So spend a few minutes with this article and your computer and see what is there that can be useful to you. Likewise, if you think of things that you would like to see on the web pages, go to the first education page and send one of us an e-mail with your feedback. We want these pages to serve you wonderful people in the field doing the work.

Change Is Happening to Benefit You!

What are some of the new features?• Risk Management links to valuable web sites• Job descriptions for Youth Directors• Scope & Sequences for many curricula• A one-page description of each curriculum with a list of

essential and optional resources• Links to other Unity teen websites, consultants and young

adult sites

Enough of lists…just examine the attached pages from the website and the lists of some of the contents. Then browse!

I for one am THRILLED with the site improvements...I had fun “surfing” around it yesterday. Very easy to find and access things —Penny

WOW! Sooooo much better. Thank you to all of you who worked so hard to make this website revision happen! It all makes sense now. —Eileen

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Spring 2005 Spring 2005

3rd Annual New Thought Children, Youth & Family Ministry Conference

Key Note Address “One World—One Dream—One Family”Thursday, April 14, 2005 Rev. Gregory Guice, Unity Christ Church, Fort Wayne, IN

Preconference EventJoin us on Thursday, April 14 at 10:00 am for a group discussion on creating Standards for Youth & Family Ministry Programs.

Other Special Events include:• Association of Unity Churches: Open Forum—Bring your Youth Ministry needs & desires

to discuss how these needs can be met. Meet the Staff—Get to know the Association's Education

staff and the services they offer.• Nonviolent Communication

A special Conference presentation on how to use Nonviolent Communication in your classrooms.

• Wine & Cheese Social with the William Underwood Trio and Soloists Marilyn Stark and Bradford Newquist

• Friday Banquet and Dance DJ

For more information or to register, call:708-785-7566 or [email protected]

No registrations accepted after April 9, 2005There will be no on-site registrations.

Cost: 3-Day Conference ............................................... $150.00(Thursday Evening through Saturday Afternoon)

Includes: Key Note Address, Wine & Cheese Social, Opening Ceremony, Seminars of your choice, Banquet & Dance, Closing Ceremonies

Individual Event pricing:Thursday ONLY: Keynote Address, Wine & Cheese Social and Jazz Trio ...............................................................$45.00Friday Seminars, Open Forum and Association of Unity Churches Reception ..................................................$75.00Saturday Seminars, Open Forum and Closing Ceremonies ..................................................$50.00Friday Evening Banquet and Dance ONLY ...........$50.00

Seminar TopicsActive LearningInner & Outer Encounters of a Con scious Kind Ready, Set, Go! Active Learning in Chil dren & Youth Ministry Learning Peace through Peace Scouts

Intergenerational Ex pe ri enc esSacred RitualsWhat to Expect When a Family Is Griev ingNew Ways to Create Intergenerational Par tic i pa tory WorshipMulticultural Learning Styles 1 & 2

Bible ClassesTools to Transform the ClassroomThe Universal Nature of ScriptureTeaching Metaphysics to Our Youth

Communication & Lead er shipNonviolent CommunicationTake the “Teachers As Leaders” Lead er ship CruiseBuilding for the Future: Encouraging Today’s Teens to

Become Tomorrow’s Lead ersTeaching as a Spiritual Path

Teen/Young Adult MinistryActively Engaging UniteensBuilding Your NGU Group From the In side Out

Prayer/MeditationDeveloping & Enhancing Meditation for All AgesPainting With SpiritChildren as Spiritual Guides

Schiller Park, IL • April 14-16, 2005Sponsored by Spirit’s Light Foundation, Inc.

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Spring 2005 Spring 2005

Starting Sunday evening, July 31 Ending Friday afternoon, August 5

The intention of this week is to offer information and experiences that an individual can integrate with their own spiritual gifts to serve our Unity children more fully.

It is a week of learning, sharing, and networking with others. It is meeting youth leaders from around the country who hold a vision for ministering to and with our Unity young people in greater ways. There will be singing, dancing, and a lot of fun!

This year the new design is of a fully-integrated week, providing a knowledge base of best practices and practical tools that support and encourage a child’s/teen’s spiritual development. We will cover the ages and stages of human and spiritual development, responsible and safe environments, Living Curriculum, and metaphysical interpretation for young people. Because all of the above will be interwoven, there are no parts that you can separate out and attend. When you register, it will be for the whole week.

Registration forms are available in this issue on page 14. Please make copies for multiple use. And please note that there are three forms that need to be filled out.

The Class Registration Form is for Unity Institute which oversees attendance, tuition, and giving credit for the class.

The Room Reservation Form is if you wish to stay on-grounds at Unity Village.

The Information Form comes to us here at the Association so we can better prepare for your experience in the class/intensive. When you send in this information, you will be sent a packet

that tells more about this week, when and where it starts, and what you need to do to prepare before you arrive.

If you have any questions, please call Rev. Kathryn Kellogg at the Association 816.524.7414 ext. 338 or email her at

[email protected].

Facilitators this year are Anna Andes, Rebecca Avery and Kathryn Kellogg, with some special presenters throughout the week.

Child/Teen Ministry WeekJuly 31—August 5, 2005Open to all who minister to children and teens

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Spring 2005

15Youth and Family Ministry

by Anna Andes Curriculum Development Consultant

In October four Youth and Family Ministry Directors came to the Association of Unity Churches to work with Rev. Kathryn Kellogg and Anna Andes to conceptualize and write a new Youth Director’s Manual. We discovered that the six of us have been in Unity for 169 years! Two of the directors were born into Unity. Additionally the group totaled 81 years of leadership in Unity churches with much of that in ministry with children and teens. Their experiences represented churches of all sizes and inner city congregations as well as suburban churches. Two have had regional consultant experiences and one has become a minister. What an awesome group with so much wisdom to share!

After evaluating our present New Directions in Spiritual Education, we realized it has served us well for the past 12 years and now needs more detail in some areas as well as new content in other areas such as Risk Management. The group spent three and a half days identifying what is essential in a director’s manual and flushing out the areas of detail that need to be included. Then they worked on writing and re-writing the selected topics. The new manual will include:

Suggestions for the final product included: keep it to the point so that it is easily readable and useful, include forms on a CD that can be

downloaded and modified for local use, make it helpful to the new director as well as rich with guidance for an experienced director. Now those are big requests and we are in the process of meeting as many as possible. At this time, no completion date has been identified as the writing and editing process require considerable time. But know it is on its way to completion and you will all receive word when it is ready.

I extend a big thank-you to our team members who have committed to making this available to you as soon as possible. Every time I come together with a group of Unity leaders who want to participate in a writing project, I am thrilled and amazed at the competence of the people that Spirit has brought together for that purpose. God is good…all the time!

The Faces of Experience and Wisdom…

You Are Looking at Them!Above, L to R: Valerie Mansfield, Director, Youth & Family Ministry, Unity of Louisville, KY; Robin Clark, Director of Youth & Family Ministry, Unity on the River, Amesbury, MA; Joanne Burns, Youth & Family Ministry Director, Unity Church of the Hills, Austin, TX; Jacquie Hardesty, Southwest Region Children’s Ministry Consultant; Anna Andes, Curriculum Development Consultant; Kathryn Kellogg, Children’s Ministry Coordinator for Association of Unity Churches

• The Program and its purpose• Understanding your program• Understanding the culture of

your church• Our congregation and how

we serve them • Creating a vision and mission• Communication with

ministers, staff, parents, volunteers, children

• Curriculum planning

• Financial planning• Equipping the facilities• Creating the Sunday

morning experience• Volunteers and their

training• Nursery and child care • Unity foundations• Risk management• Resources

Left, L to R: Robin Clark, Valerie Mansfield and Kathryn Kellogg discuss one of the many topics covered in the new Youth Director's Manual

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16

Spring 2005

17Next Generation of Unity

by Rebecca AveryUniteen/Youth of Unity/Young Adult Coordinator

Across the Unity movement our young adults are telling us how they feel about church by their absence. This phenomenon is not just contained to the Unity movement. Many other denominations are finding their young adults missing from their Sunday service and are beginning to ask why. Who Are Young Adults? This group consists of adults between the ages of 18–35 and crosses all denominations. Why the large age group? Most churches are finding that the older adults of this age group hold together the leadership while the younger ages participate in the created product. This age group has been identified as the transition stage. Adults between these ages find themselves moving away from home for the first time, attending college, entering into intimate relationships, starting a career, or even beginning a family.

The demographics of this age group can be single, married, divorced, widowed, parents or single parents. Most adults in this age group tend to be enrolled in college or have degrees. Fifty percent of this age group moves at least once per year. Young adults in this group tend to have a wide range of concerns they would like to know how to handle in a practical yet spiritual way. They desire to be spiritual fed, however they find the Sunday service lacking that nutrition. With the demands on their time, they decide not to participate in church.

Concerns of Young AdultsMany of our young adults experience concerns around corporate down-sizing, increased society violence, new family structure, and living with parents, technology and community. Community and friends are a very high priority as they develop support systems where they live. Many of our young adults find they need a spiritual community to support them in their college experience, new life experience such as marriage, having children, or moving to a new location. Some questions a ministry might ask are:

1. How welcoming are we to newcomers? How do we greet at the door?

2. Do we offer classes in parenting, relationships, or how to handle change?

3. How welcoming is our youth education department? Do parents feel safe leaving their children?

4. Can young adults understand cultural references in the Sunday talk?

5. What programs or activities do we offer to young adults in our congregation?

6. Who are our young adults?7. Where are they being spiritually fed?

What Are Young Adults Looking for? Young adults are looking for support. They want communities that touch their hearts and meet their needs. They want classes that challenge their minds—classes such as prosperity, principle, bible, relationships, transition, Unity credit classes, science and religion, and the list goes on.

In a survey done by the American Baptist Churches, they found that young adults:• Were more likely to attend Sunday Service before a class

or group.• Wanted to attend a quality service.• Wanted the service to be well-organized and professionally

presented.• Wanted the service to challenge their minds and touch

their hearts.

Who Is Missing?

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Once the vision is grasped, it is the leader’s job to find ways to communicate it, nurture it, and champion the vision wherever possible. Summarize the vision to a statement of 15-20 words so it is easily remembered.

ActThe final step is to act on the vision, taking the steps towards the goals and tasks mentioned above. If talking about a vision for a ministry team, acting on the vision should be done in concert with the other ministry teams and the broader church so the vision of the larger church is coordinated with the larger mission of the church.

And remember, that grasping and creating such a vision might not be the strength of the minister on your team. That is why there is a team; so that all may complement each others’ gifts and help each other grow in service. Stay open, listen to find those team members who can lead and grow your ministry team as well as your church. And know that through it all, with God in the center of all visioning and planning, the experience, growth and joy from the process will be truly amazing!

The Art of Visioningcontinued from page 1

Young adults can participate in this year’s International Next Generation of Unity Conference, The Journey to Now, held at Savior Pastoral Retreat Center in St. Joseph, Missouri, June 15th through June 19th. This five-day gathering of young adults (NGUers) from all over will focus on our Now. We will have small group time to share concepts of our past, our future and how it relates to our Now. After all… Now is something we all have in common—so let’s talk about it! One of our featured highlights is our participation at the People’s Conference being held in nearby Overland Park, Kansas. While there, we will be present for the regional meetings where we will learn what’s going on within our regions. This is going to be a real treat! Please share with your young adults this opportunity to share space and intentions with others as we come together and share what it means to be a young adult in Unity!

Next Generation of Unity

• Wanted to participate some way in the service.• Were more likely to pay attention to information presented

electronically.

Young adults want a community that will help them through this transitional period. Churches can provide the stability they seek. Stability provides a reassurance that God is moving in and through their lives even when they can not see it themselves. When challenges arise,

elders can share wisdom and love when doubt creeps in. They want to be part of a community that holds each person in prayer and love. They want what

most churches want to be—a faith-filled, loving community. Churches need to be aware if their door

is open or closed. The simple act of welcoming may be the one thing that invites your local young adults to come in and sit for a spell.

What Can You Do?Survey your young adults. Find out what their needs are. Get them excited and get them involved. Connect them with already existing programs and classes or design a class for them.

If you are interested in starting a Local Connection group, please contact us at the Association of Unity Churches (Rebecca Avery, Uniteen/Youth of Unity/Young Adult Coordinator, e-mail [email protected]) or visit the website www.unity.org/ngu. We would be happy to share support for starting a Local Connection at your church, upcoming events, and lines of communication with other groups starting up all around the world.

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Churches located in a city with a university or collegeDo you have a leader who might want to start a weekly meeting on that campus? Members of the Association’s Campus Ministry Team are ready and eager to give guidance and encouragement to anyone interested in doing so. You can also print out a booklet on how to do this at http://www.unity.org/ministryemp/campusminman.pdf. Establishing a campus ministry outreach provides an easy opportunity for you to invite the students to worship with you on Sundays.

The development of campus ministries is allowing Unity to serve the spiritual needs of a population that is eager to hear our message. Your prayerful support and participation is always welcomed!

I encourage you to E-mail me at [email protected] or to phone 910-763-5155.

Next Generation of Unity

by Rev. Russell D. Heiland, Jr.Unity Christ Church, Wilmington, NC

I’ve never really been much of a “kid person.” I don’t have children of my own, save for the exceedingly spoiled four-legged fur balls who share my home. However, that all changed when I attended a workshop on campus ministry led by Rev. Ernestine Griffin, minister of Unity On Campus at the University of Michigan, at our Association’s 2002 annual convention in Orlando. Inspired by her and the students she had in attendance, I inquired about establishing a Unity campus ministry here in Wilmington at the University of North Carolina (UNCW). In short order Unity On Campus-UNCW was born.

Since that time, much has happened to encourage the development of our campus ministries. In December 2003, our Association established its first Campus Ministry Team, with me as chair. Our first official meeting was held at the annual convention in Minneapolis in June 2004. Unity campus ministries have now been established at Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro, TN, and at Florida State University in Tallahassee, FL. Another one is currently being organized at North Carolina State University in Raleigh, NC.

You can help us grow campus ministries!We would like to plant, or at least encourage, Unity campus ministries on campuses where we have former Y.O.U.’ers. But we do not know where these young adults are! So, I am requesting that any of you reading this article provide Rebecca Avery ([email protected]), Anna Andes ([email protected]), or myself ([email protected]) any specific information you have about the college attendance of former Y.O.U.’ers. Our best source of information about the spiritual life of college students is the students themselves.

Are you a church with a NGU Facilitator and you would like an extra copy of Education Links? If so, contact Rebecca Avery at [email protected] to request your copy and add your group to the Local Connection list.

What Happens to Young Adults After Y.O.U.?

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Spring 2005

19Next Generation of Unity

by Julie Lynn JudkinsGLNGU Regional Team

Vision is a word that speaks strongly to me. When I hear that word, I think of trusting the process. I am on the Great Lakes Next Generation of Unity team. My team consists of Pat Anderson-Williams, David DeAngelis, Keith Mitchum and myself. My team and I have many visions for NGU and where it will go. We are trusting the process and we are growing daily all over the Great Lakes. In November we held a retreat at Unity West church in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The theme of our retreat was Let Go & Let God. We had over 18 participants at the retreat and the vision was unfolding in front of our eyes. The theme spoke deeply to every individual who attended this retreat. We had individuals from Michigan, Minnesota, Tennessee, Kentucky, Iowa, Texas, Illinois and Wisconsin. It was a great group of NGU’ers, and we were all there with intentions. The energy flowed the entire weekend through each and every one of us as we unfolded, Letting Go & Letting God.

Reverend Priscilla Mercier, minister of Unity West church, has shown amazing and unconditional support for NGU. She filled Unity West with so much love and energy and she gave us that as our home for the weekend in November. She believes in NGU and the intentions that stand behind it. We thank her for opening her arms up to us and allowing us to have a wonderful home for NGU.

NGU is a great program for the “missing in the pews” generation, ages 18-35 years old. There are many individuals who, after leaving some of the youth programs that Unity provides, end up going off on their own. It is a process that everybody goes through. Having NGU around will give people the opportunity to be involved with a group of similar age, facing many of the same issues in life. Not only do you meet amazing individuals, but you continue growing spiritually in the Unity family! There are also many NGU members that have found their home with NGU and Unity who were not brought

up with a Unity background. It is an amazing group for anyone to get involved in!

Aside from being on the GLNGU team, I am also a junior sponsor for

the Unity West Youth of Unity. I love working with the teens. I have an amazing

YOU group and we have many visions as well. I have one particular vision, and that is to have YOU linked more with NGU. Once YOU’ers have graduated out of YOU, they will have a new home that they can transition into—NGU. This will also continue their vision for their Unity lifestyle and for staying in the Unity family. They will enter a group that will be empowering them as they start a new life as an adult. They will be with individuals who are going through the same real-life experiences.

I believe that NGU should have a Local Connections group at every Unity church, especially the ones with active YOU groups already in place. NGU is an amazing place for everyone who is looking for a group of people to meet with monthly, to grow spiritually, to share their Unity lifestyle, and to welcome you with open arms.

The Great Lakes Next Generation of Unity will be holding their next retreat the weekend of April 8-10, 2005. This retreat will be hosted at Unity in Livonia, Michigan.

If anyone has any questions regarding Next Generation Unity or would like to be added to a NGU list to receive updates on retreats, please feel free to drop me a line. I would love to hear from you. My email address is [email protected]

Love and Lots of Light, Julie

Vision—From Next Generation Unity

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Spring 2005

21

New Products Available Through the Association

Resources

5021 I of the Storm for Teens: Finding Peace in the Midst of Conflict curriculum $25.00Twelve interactive lessons help teens better understand and move through the conflicts they face by applying Principle. These materials were developed by Rev. Jane Simmons, a former Uniteen Regional Consultant. Leaders/sponsors will want to read and use the book for teens by the same name to increase their insight into these important lessons.

6843 Choices and Consequences: Uniteen Life Issues $14.95This curriculum explores how teens’ attitudes affect their choices, how choices can benefit or hurt them, the benefits/consequences of risk-taking, and the importance of listening for their inner guidance before making a decision. Each lesson contains two creative experience options and two stories so the lesson could be used for two weeks.

5020 I of the Storm for Teens: Finding Peace in the Midst of Conflict $15.00This book can lead a teen into a journey of self-knowledge that begins with the heart. Teens learn tools that can help them deal with judgment and criticism in a positive way and allow them to find peace in the midst of conflict. They come to understand that within themselves is that consciousness of peace. The book can be used for class or small group study or as a self study—a great gift idea for any teen.

6000 Unity Youth Ministry Fast-Start Training $34.95, 4 copies for $120.00A concise interactive computer training for Unity Youth Ministry volunteers that contains five Training Units: Introduction, Prayer and Meditation, Sunday Lesson, Unity Basics and Other

Program Essentials. Printable notebook pages, Resources list and an extensive Index are included. Requirements to view: a PC with Windows 98+, a display resolution of 1024 x 768, Internet Explorer 5.0 or higher and a CD Rom drive.

6842 Fair Play: Uniteen Life Issues Series $14.95Seven engaging lessons help teens explore dealing with others with an open mind and heart. Teen challenges examined include prejudice, group connections and power, gaining trust, the impact of one’s beliefs, the value of service and the power of one’s words. Required resource for Fair Play: 6890 More Taste Berries™ for Teens $10.50

New Products Published by Association of Unity Churches

New “I of the Storm for Teens”

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You can order all these through e-mail and the website. Please note these prices do not include shipping.

Online: www.unity.org, click on Shop.

Or e-mail the information to:[email protected]

For the human touch, call the Association: 816-524-7414 and ask for Trudy (ext. 324).

Looking for new gift ideas?

6909 Practice Kindness car and window decal $2.50This colorful car or window decal is an inexpensive gift item for those wonderful volunteers in your youth ministry and can be enjoyed by nearly any age.

6910 Peace Top $1.75Another great gift item, especially for children and teens, is the colorful top with the words “peace inspires peace” on it. As you spin the top, the twirling, whirling colors and patterns come alive.

6011 Wake Up Words™ $2.50 (soar, laughter, delight, etc.)

These colorful paper sticky note flags are a fun teacher gift as they encourage others to focus on uplifting and positive concepts. They can be applied and removed many times and in many places: on a computer monitor, a letter, a gift, a mirror, in a lunchbox or even on a friend’s back!

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Places to Go,Much to Learn

Regional Events

Association & National Events 2005Association People’s Convention—June 13–18International Next Generation of Unity Conference— June 15–19Youth of Unity Conference—July 12–17Child/Teen Ministry week—July 31–August 5Certified Spiritual Educators Intensive—August 14–19

Regional Events 2005Region Title For Regional Contact Location DateEASTERN Region Wide Service

WeekendYOU Marilyn Schoenfelder Individual Chapters Apr 2-3

“Choices” Uniteen Retreat Uniteen Jane Harden Torrington, CT Apr 2-3Roanoke, VA Apr 16-17

YOU/Sponsor Leadership YOU & Spon Marilyn Schoenfelder Bowie, MD Apr 9-10Spring Uniteen Retreat Uniteen & Ldr Jane Harden Roanoke Valley, VA Apr 16-17Spring YOU Rally YOU Marilyn Schoenfelder Camp Tockwogh, MD Apr 29-

May 1Youth Directors’ Retreat YED Betty Hanbury Berkeley Springs, WV June 10-12Fall YOU Rally YOU Marilyn Schoenfelder Camp Tockwogh, MD Oct 28-30

GREAT LAKES

The Conscious Classroom Youth Ed Team

Diane Venzera Grand Rapids, MI April 2Shaker Heights, OH May 21

Spirit’s Light 3rd Annual Children, Youth & Family Minsitry Conference

Youth Education Team

Diane Venzera Schiller Park, IL Apr 16 Regist. by April 6th

Western Sub-Regional YOU Jo Horn TBA, MN Apr 22-24Spring Unitreat Uniteen & Ldr Eileen Patra Jackson, MI Apr 29-

May 1GL Official June Rally YOU Jo Horn Holland, MI Jun 22-26

CENTRAL Central Service Rally YOU Lisa Yelenick Wichita, KS Apr 15-17Fall Rally YOU Lisa Yelenick TBA TBA

CENTRAL & SOUTH

Teacher Training Sponsors & YE volunteers

Madison Monroe Denver, CO May 14Kansas City, MO June 11Omaha, NE July 16Dallas, TX Oct 22

Bi-Regional Rally YOU, Spons, Ministers

Bruce & Lisa Miami, OK Jun 24-27

SOUTH YOU Service Rally YOU, Spons, Ministers

Bruce Verkruyse San Antonio, TX Apr 22-24

NORTHWEST Rally YOU Jackie Green Randle, WA Apr 15-17Kid’s Camp Kids & YOU Jackie & Penny North Bend, WA June 19-22Unitreat Uniteens Jackie Green Randle, WA Jun 26-

July 1Directors’ Fall Leadership Training

YED Penny Gruver TBA Sept 30-Oct 2

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SOUTHEASTHolly Gerrell (C) Michele Senac (U) Carolyn Renfro (Y)10800 Kilcrease Way #8 The Strand 4574 Alder Dr.Tallahassee, FL 32305 Sparks, MD 21152 Port Orange, FL 32127(850) 421-8437 (H) (410) 472-9246 (386) 304-5255 (H)(850) 421-3338 (Fax) (410) 472-9247 (fax) (386) 304-5286 (Fax)[email protected] [email protected] [email protected]

SOUTHWESTJacquie Hardesty (C) Mark Fisk (U) (Y)527 Los Altos Dr. 209 Seldon Ln.Chula Vista, CA 91914 Phoenix, AZ 85021(619) 397-7973 (H) (602) 494-4233 (H)(619) 280-2501, x 114 (W) (602) 978-3248 (Fax) [email protected] [email protected]

WEST CENTRALShirley Barbula (C) Jerry Sharp (U) (Y)200 P Street Unit F32 397 Santa Ynez WaySacramento, CA 95813 Sacramento, CA 95816(916) 447-5978 (H) (916) 451-9567 (YOU)[email protected] [email protected]

NORTHWESTPenny Gruver (C) Jackie Green (U) (Y)2802 S. Laurel E 11115 29thPort Angeles, WA 98362 Spokane, WA 99206(360) 452-7953 (509) 928-0896 (H)[email protected] (509) 838-6518 (W) [email protected]

Regional Education Services Consultants Directory(C) Children • (U) Uniteen • (Y) Youth of Unity • (YA) Young Adults of Unity

SOUTH (YOU)Bruce Verkruyse (Y)8812 Washington Ave.University City, MO 63124(314) 991-7953 (H)[email protected]

EASTERNBetty Hanbury (C) Jane Harden (U) Marilyn Schoenfelder (Y)305 Overhill Road 5413 Green Meadow Rd. 208 Fountain Green LaneChristianburg, VA 24073 Roanoke, VA 24018 Gaithersburg, MD 20878(540) 382-3627 (H & Fax) (540) 776-1477 (H) (301) 330-1736 (H)[email protected] [email protected] m.schoenfelder@ worldnet.att.net

GREAT LAKESDiane Venzera (C) Eileen Patra (U) Jo Horn (Y)325 S. Harvey Ave. 423 South Kenwood Ave 31051 Woodstone Ln #183Oak Park, IL 60302 Royal Oak, MI 48067 Novi, MI 48377(708) 445-1228 (H) (248) 399-4689 (H) (248) 960-9862 (H)(708) 848-0960 (Ch) (248) 398-3727 (Fax) [email protected]@glrkids.org [email protected]

CENTRAL & SOUTHMadison Monroe (C) Laura Morgan (U)4905 Kavanaugh Blvd. c/o Unity Chuch of DallasLittle Rock, AR 72207 6525 Forest Lane(501) 664-4493 (H) Dallas, TX [email protected] (972) 233-7106 ext. 226 (972) 437-3210 (H) [email protected]

CENTRAL (YOU) Lisa Yelenick (Y) 3650 S. Dahlia St. Denver, CO 80237(303) 757-8118 (H) [email protected]

Patricia Williams (YA)PO Box 1054Downer’s Grove, IL 60515(630) [email protected]

Regional WebsitesCentral: www.youcentral.org Southwest: www.swunity.orgGreat Lakes: www.glrkids.org South: www.scucafamilyministry.com and www.websyte.com/unity/scyouSoutheast: seunityyouth.org

SOUTHEAST Spring YOU Rally YOU Carolyn Renfro Leesburg, FL Apr 8-10Summer Connection YOU Carolyn Renfro Asheville, NC Jun 12-17Uniteen Leader Retreat Uniteen Ldrs Michele Senac Jacksonville, FL Sept 16-18Fall Retreat YOU Carolyn Renfro Keystone Heights, FL Nov 4-6Fall Uniteen Retreat Uniteen Michele Senac Live Oak, FL Nov 18-20

SOUTHWEST YOU Official Rally YOU Mark Fisk Oracle, AZ Apr 15-17Spring Unitreat Uniteens Mark Fisk Tucson, AZ Apr 23-24

Palmdale, CA Apr 23-24Kid's Camp Kids Jacquie Hardesty Wrightwood, CA Jun 19-23Uniteen Camp Uniteen Mark Fisk Wrightwood, CA Jun 19-24YOU Summer Connection YOU Mark Fisk Santa Barbara, CA Jul 3-7

WEST CENTRAL

Contact your Regional Consultant for upcoming events

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Exciting new Uniteen curriculum!Our newest seven lessons in the Uniteen Life Issues series, Choices and Consequences, take an honest look at everyday decisions that teens make and the results that they create by their choices.

Our stories and activities help teens to look at: • Do I present myself accurately or do I present a “face”?• Life isn’t always fair, but I have a choice in my response.• How comfortable am I with risk?• All risk is not necessarily reckless.• Following my inner guidance helps me to make

good decisions.

In one of our games, Sweets and Sours, the teens start off with 10 chips. They draw a card which lists a behavior and its “cost” or consequence in chips. Some behaviors gain them chips and some cause them to lose chips. The teens also get to write some cards of their own and add them to the pile. This offers them an opportunity to consider the costs of behaviors that they make everyday.

Our stories are taken from More Taste Berries™ for Teens, Chicken Soup for the Preteen Soul, and the Bible. Each lesson offers two activities to choose from and an optional story. This story can be use to extend the lesson concepts into an additional week’s discussion.

We know that you and your teens will enjoy these highly interactive lessons and we are excited to add them to our Uniteen Life Issues series. Send us feedback at [email protected] (Bernadette) or [email protected] (Anna). We love to hear from you.

For ordering information, see page 21 of this issue.6843 Choices and Consequences $14.95, plus shipping

What’s the Best Choice for Me?Choices and Consequences


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