A Go Big! Initiative.  Part of the CUC's Short-term Plan.  Contacts: Peter Scales; Sean Barron; Jean Pfleiderer (jeanp@cuc.ca).

At the 2008 ACM in Ottawa, delegates endorsed an initiative to support an integrative, multi-generational approach to engagement of youth, young adults and campus ministry. (Our negotiations with the UUA concerning the continental approach to youth and young adult ministry, as well as changes occurring internally within the UUA, offer an opportunity to develop a uniquely Canadian approach.)

At the September 2008 Board Meeting, the CUC Board unanimously voted to acknowledge and appreciate the contribution of youth to the Unitarian and Universalist Movement in Canada, and recognize their existence as a distinct community within our movement. We are committed to enter into a covenant with the Canadian youth community to articulate the nature of our shared aspirations and to define the terms of reference of our respective obligations. Conversation with our Young Adult community is just beginning as well.

Some of the questions we need to consider concerning youth and young adults were under discussion at the Going-4-ward workshops at the regional gatherings this fall.

Notes from the Eastern Fall Gathering.

Thanks to Youth Observer Sean Barron and Acting Executive Director Linda Thomson (linda@cuc.ca), a National Youth Conference is being planned for May in Toronto to explore the aspirations and goals of Youth ministry in Canada.  Although a good start was made in September  -  when the Board suggested forming a covenant with the youth community  -  progress has been slow, in part a reflection of our current staffing situation.  We anticipate being able to turn more attention to this work in coming months.