I spoke with Eric Bliss, DRE at First Unitarian Society of Denver and main coordinator of the annual MLK Overnighter held MLK weekend. He said attendance has doubled in the three years FUSDen has hosted it. I am highlighting this way of gathering because of it's success and popularity amongst Central cluster youth and adults. Northern, Southern and Western cluster folks, if you'd like to learn more about his model, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

From Bliss: 

For the third year in a row, First Unitarian Denver invited youth from across the Front Range to an MLK Anti-oppression overnight focusing on social justice.

This year's installment, "Occupy What?!?", focused on economic justice and brought together almost 60 youth and adults from 7 different UU congregations.

Events ranged from games on class and classism, to guest speakers talking about homelessness and poverty in Denver Metro, to a "field trip" to the Occupy Denver site, where participants brought hot beverages to the Occupy folks, talked face to face in solidarity with members of the movement, and finally met with their leadership for an informative presentation and Q & A session.

The program culminated the following morning with "take home" discussions about ways to make a difference in the youth's congregation and community, ending with a joyful march in the MLK Marade.

UU youth can make a difference. To quote MLK, "It's not a question of burn baby burn. For us...it's build baby build." Building connections. Building confidence. Building bridges. That's what the MLK Overnight is all about.

If your congregation has a new or different way of gathering and you'd like to share it, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

So we've got a new, streamlined structure for the YAC, (drawing 3 representatives from each cluster plus a chaplain and chair from anywhere to form a district team) and a new model to involve neighboring congregations in con planning. The success of this new team and new con planning model depends on having confident, qualified and visionary people to fill the roles. When I look around me at cons I see an amazing amount of potential in both youth and adults to keep the community aligned with it's mission: "to connect people to the spirit of Unitarian Universalism through radical hospitality, youth empowerment, consciousness raising, and social change" and to guide us towards our goals: 1) to buid multigenerational relationships 2) to create spirtual homes for youth at cons and in our congregations 3) to create immersion experiences that make life long UUs. The district is committed to providing ways for future leaders to learn and practice the skills needed for them to fulfill their potential.The following are events leaders can look forward to:

Chaplaincy Training - May 4-5 in Denver

Counselor Training for QUUest - July Dates TBD in CO Springs

Spirit Commitee How To's - March Dates TBD in Salt Lake City

Cluster Kick-Offs (Multigenerational community building and leadership development) - Fall of 2012

I will get to the second article about the way YRUUers want to improve con planning, but I just can't resist talking about QUUest!

Last year, campers wrote letters to themselves and gave me the addressed envelopes to mail to them in 6 months. Well, it's been 6 months so I pulled out the box andd mailed the letters. In that box, I also found a handful of postcards I'd asked them to write to send our supporters to let them know that this camp is important.

I was shocked to tears to read over the incredibly heartfelt gratitude, and to realize just HOW important this camp is to this district. I just have to share: (Even though many were signed, I ommitted the names since I haven't asked permission to share online).

I learned about Unitarian Universalism. We also went deeper into our spiritualities and grew as people. I loved it. It also helped with leadership. QUUest is fantastic. We make friends for life!

QUUest was the best thing that I could have experienced at this time in my life. I eliminated my self doubt, and so much more. From the bottom of my heart, thank you

This camp helped me make friends and find my inner spirituality and Thank You!!!!

I really came out of my shell at QUUest because of all the awesome welcoming people.

As a camper at QUUest Camp, I’ve realized some very important lessons and have really changed as a person, it was great!

QUUest is the most important camp ever. WE LOVE QUUEST! It teaches us how to love.

Before coming to QUUest I was an Atheist, and after Jenny Finn’s workshop I started believing in god.

Ooooh my goodness. My life was completely impacted by QUUest Camp this week. My faith in humanity has increased tenfold. I learned so much about UUism and religion and spirituality.

This was easily one of the better experiences of my life. I have gained so much spiritual knowledge that I will keep with me the rest of my life.

QUUest has changed my life! Next year I will be going to college and I did not know if I could make it on my own QUUest is great.

Thank you! This camp means the world to me. You are wonderful.

One thing I take with me is the acceptance and I feel honored to be part of this group.

This camp has been so inspirational and eye-opening. It has shown me a side of myself I had no idea even existed.

This camp has helped me grow spiritually so much! We appreciate your supporting it very much! Thank you!

Spiritual sanctuary has been found and maintained.

QUUest has been one of the most amazing, life changing experiences of my life. It gave me a true connection to myself, the world and to the wonderful people I met. I would do it again in a heartbeat.

The first time I have felt like a good human for weeks! LOVE

BEST WEEK OF MY LIFE!

(smile)