Youth of Unity (Y.O.U)
Resources
YFM Brochure

EdLinks, Winter 09

EdLinks, Spring 09
Copyright © Unity Northwest Church, 2009, All Rights Reserved
Y.O.U. Classroom Focus
  • The classroom is staffed by 2 Y.O.U. Sponsors each week. The group meets during the 11:00 am Sunday Service.

From: www:glryou.org
Y.O.Uers have the opportunity:
  • To be involved in spiritual and service activities
  • For social interaction
  • To receive encouragement from other teens
  • To have a safe place to be heard and respected, to stretch and grow
  • To discover, explore and develop an inner Christ potential in an atmosphere of openness, freedom and unconditional love.
  • To discuss with other Truth-oriented teenagers, the challenges that everyone faces in growing up and becoming independent.
  • To have fun, plan activities and serve others with a group of accepting friends.
  • To participate in regional and international gatherings where they can get to know other teens from Unity churches in their areas and from all over the world.

Lesson Structure
Y.O.U. Events create an atmosphere for teens to experience themselves and learn more about how to apply Unity principle to their lives. This is achieved through various group activities that include group meditation and prayer, family groups, workshops, joy songs and heart talks.

Creating an atmosphere of loving support and safety is key to any Y.O.U. activity. Each unique individual is accepted with open arms. Whether the emotion is laughter or tears, teens are honored for the Christ within them and accepted as an expression of God.

Active learning and peer to peer teaching are the two pillars of Y.O.U. lessons. Though lessons can be on various topics such as, Unity's 5 Basic Principles, The 12 Powers, Religions of the World, or spiritual books, lessons always reflect concepts, ideas and challenges that are relevant to teens.

Y.O.U. Sponsors
Sponsors serve as spiritual leaders, facilitators, coaches, mentors, chaperones and the liaison to the church and region. Through modeling and encouragement of sponsors, teens are often motivated to research, develop and deliver Sunday lessons to the entire chapter and even the adult congregation.


Y.O.U. 3-Fold Focus
Spiritual
  • Weekly a spiritual lesson is offered to assist the Y.O.Uers in the understanding of spiritual laws and their practical application into daily life. Time is also spent in prayer and mediation and developing a consciousness of Oneness. Y.O.Uers sometimes attend weekend retreats which allow for more intensive exploration of their divine nature through group workshops and interaction.

Service
  • Y.O.Uers conduct projects to assist their church and community. A service project is a donation of time, love and energy to accomplish good through the service of others. Each Y.O.U. group organizes and implements a wide variety of service projects depending on the needs of the group, church and community.

Social
  • Y.O.Uers believe in celebrating life and appreciate the joy of togetherness. They take leadership roles in creating fun activities.


Teen Leadership Development
(Information provided by Jo Horn, CSE, GLURC Y.O.U. Consultant)

  • Sponsors help to guide and direct the teens to encourage their spiritual growth.
  • Sponsors are a "coach" and work with teens in planning and presenting the Sunday experience.
  • They also encourage the development of teen officers and meet with them at least once a month to plan the Sunday lessons, set up a 3-month calendar of events for the Y.O.U. Chapter.
  • They act as mentors and encourage Y.O.Uers to take responsibility for their own circumstances and to apply Unity principles to their situations.
  • Along with helping the Y.O.Uers to grow spiritually, a very important role of the sponsor is to help develop leadership with the teens, which will benefit them in all areas of their lives.

Leadership Format:

I Do It
Before delegating authority or responsibility, the sponsor should go first. That is, in order to model effective leadership, do it yourself first.

You and I Do It
Invite the teen to work along with you.

You Do It, I Will Support
After working together with a teen, you can usually determine when it is time to "step aside" and allow him or her to lead. When this time comes, ask the teen to take charge and let him or her know you will be close and supportive.

You Do It, I Will Move On
This phase may be the hardest phase to move into because of the ego. If we seriously want to transfer leadership, then this phase is a "must." Part of the beauty of this phase is that you will discover teens can do a great job.

You Teach Someone Else
This perhaps, is the most exciting phase of all, for it truly involves the extended involvement of more people teaching others. This phase is something you can help your new leaders learn by teaching them the above phases and allowing them to practice them with others.
Y.O.U. Program                                    
Our Y.O.U. program is for high school students. The classrooms is staffed each week with two Y.O.U. Sponsors.


Teen Links
Y.O.U. Events
Y.O.U.ers participate in sub-regional events, regional retreats & rallies and International gatherings offered throughout the year.

Y.O.U. events are Spiritual events specifically designed for Unity high school students. The events vary in length 3-day weekends to week-long gatherings. Activities  which includes: large group activities and small group activities called "Funshops." The funshop are comprised of a variety of activities what reflect the spiritual intention of the retreat. They can be made of music, crafts, movement, games, meditation, and other activities. There is also time spent in “Spirit Groups’ which give the students opportunities to get to know people in a small group setting. All this occurs in a beautiful nature setting.

Requirements to attend any event
  • Must be a teen at least 14 years of age or in 9th – 12th grade.
  • For teens to be eligible to attend YOU Regional and Sub-Regional Events, they need to have 50 % attendance at their Chapter Meetings.
  • For Regional events service hours are also required. For June Rally there may be a required reading.

Adult Leadership Required
  • A minimum of 2 adults from UNW must travel and stay with the group at the camp facility for the entire event. (Minimum: 2 adults for the first 12 teens, and 1 additional adult for each additional 12 teens thereafter.)
  • A background check must be on file at UNW for each adult attending subregional, regional and national events.
  • Coed groups require coed leadership.
  • Drivers for each group must be at least 25 years old with a valid driver’s license and good driving record.
  • Seat belts must be provided for and used by all occupants of cars and vans.

Upcoming Y.O.U. Events
International Y.O.U. Peace Conference
  • July 19-24, 2009
  • Unity Village, Lee’s Summit, MO

Great Lakes Region Fall Retreat
  • Oct. 16-18
  • Camp Duncan, Ingleside, IL

GLURC Y.O.U. Website


Teen Sunday Service