News From the Summer Co-Directors of Religious Education...

by Ramona Barr & Kate Thompson-Jewell

Meet Our Childcare Coordinator, Elizabeth "Beth" Curtin

Stop in the nursery and introduce yourself!

Beth was born and raised in Rochester, MN. Beth and her partner, Rob have been together for six years. She has three children, Oliviya who is 13, Karise who is 8, and Elijah who is 5. She also has a dog named Lulu. She loves to sew, and golf, and bike. 

Beth is an experienced Day Care Provider and Early Childhood Special Education Nursery School Teacher. Beth also has experience working with the school district, where she works with children with special needs. She comes to us with a Bachelors degree in Psychology from Argosy University in Phoenix, AZ and a Masters degree in Human Resources from St. Mary's University in Rochester, MN. She is First-Aid and CPR certified. 

As you've been traveling this summer enjoying your family time, we've been preparing, sprucing up, brainstorming, meeting with a plethora of groups and committees and customizing curricula for this upcoming Religious Education church year together.

Here's a list of what we've been up to...

So know this, as the visioning workshops clearly stated that a focus on youth and children is what the church wants to focus on, Rev. Fritz has been working with us to align some of the curricula taught each Sunday with his sermon topics occasionally to bring the lessons full circle. Together with the parent letters provided to parent of RE students, there is a wonderful opportunity for parents to engage their children in some meaningful spiritual growth discussion. 

We hope to 'wow' you with the positive changes we're implementing this church RE year. Get your kids registered, it's going to be a great year! Can't wait to see you all in class again!

Dear Congregational Leader,

Last month you sent your youth to attend Youth Midwest Leadership School (YMLS) under the guidance of our staff at Beloit College in Beloit, WI.

Each year we work with our students at YMLS to create an experience that provides them self-awareness, leadership, and social justice skills as well as a better understanding of UU religious values and heritage.

We use the Murphy-Meisgeier Type Indicator for Children (MMTIC) which is a form of the Meyers-Briggs Type Indicator which we use to help our students better understand their natural preferences for how they take in information, make decisions, and interact with the world around them. Each student has been provided with an MMTIC report to better help them understand their preferences.

During the week, we focus on how each of the students can be leaders as individuals, part of a team, a member of a congregation, as well as a member of the overall UU movement. Each student has participated as part of an intergenerational worship planning team with the adult students at Midwest Leadership School (MLS). The youth also participated in a service project with a local Beloit, WI based social justice organization.

As part of the curriculum, we asked each student or group of students to come up with a "next step" project to take the skills and knowledge that they have gained throughout the week and use them to benefit their community.

We are including this memo along with the letter that your youth has written to the congregation in hopes that you will continue working with them to develop their leadership and put into practice the project that they are bringing home with them.

If you have any questions about YMWLS, the curriculum, or the experience of the week, please don't hesitate to let us know.

Thank you for supporting your youths' participation in this life-changing experience!

Sincerely,
Ben Wallace, Senior Dean
Youth Midwest Leadership School
bmwallace@gmail.com, 402-680-6226

7-15-16
To whomever in my lovely congregation this letter is received by or concerns;

My name is Jackson Young, and hopefully you know that my (presumably our) congregation not only provided the opportunity, but even sponsored me to go to YMLS (Youth Midwest Leadership School) as one of three youth chosen to represent our church at this one-week school in Beloit, WI. 

I am not the first representative of our church to attend this school, and the reason I wrote this letter is to let others know why they shouldn't let me be the last. I've learned a lot of new ideas, concepts, and general understandings of leadership, Unitarian Universalism as a whole, and myself. I, my teachers, leaders, and other close peers who felt transformed by this experience, believe and whole-heartedly agree that the communities and congregations we will return to will see the "return on investment" in the youth they sent here.

Sincerely,
Jackson Young
2016 YMLS attendee from First Unitarian Universalist Church, Rochester, Minnesota

7-15-16
Dear Congregation;

I learned about the impact of words and actions good and bad. We did many multi-generational things including planning worship. We built up a great feeling of community during our time together. We learned about the many differences between sympathy and empathy, for which, I think some kind of presentation is in order. I learned about listening and chaplaincy training as well. There was also a large amount of self-discovery involved. We learned more about the seven principles and the six sources, increasing our UU understanding. We learned about privilege and racism. We learned of the complexities of leadership. Finally, we also learned more about the UUA. I am thankful for this time to meet new people from multiple generations. I am thankful for all of this time with new friends and for all of this new knowledge.

I would simply like to thank you for sending me here.

Sincerely,
Nate Shriver
2016 YMLS attendee from First Unitarian Universalist Church, Rochester, Minnesota

7-15-16
Dear First Unitarian Universalist Church of Rochester, Minnesota

The Youth Midwest Leadership School is a fun and intense experience that I believe more youth in the congregation should experience. It is very educational and eye-opening. Students here learn about the impact of their words and actions both as a leader and a part of a group or team. We learn the difference between sympathy and empathy. We learn how to listen. We learn more about ourselves as people and leaders. We learn of privilege and micro-aggressions, and we learn more about being a UU. We spoke of social justice issues and we planned and executed our own worship services with the adult school, making it a part of the learning process.

There is a lot of trust among students at the end of the week, and I believe that the trust we experience should be shared with our congregations. Many personal stories are shared, and though we've only known each other for a week, we all feel connected and loved. That feeling is one that I wish I had as strongly here in this place as well, because that feeling is what builds strong communities.

I believe the most important lesson we learned is that a leader isn't only the one who tells the group what to do; a leader is someone who does what they think is right, someone who pauses to listen and someone who understands that not everyone is like them. There is a lot more to leadership than shouting your ideas of what to do the loudest and expecting everyone to follow without question. It's not just being in a place of power - like being a president or a teacher or a minister - but it is doing what you think is right and just.

Thank you for giving me the opportunity to be here.

Sincerely,
Autumn Harff
2016 YMLS attendee from First Unitarian Universalist Church, Rochester, Minnesota

By Robin Taylor, Ministerial Search Committee

Welcome to First Unitarian Universalist of Rochester: A Class for Newcomers

If you have been visiting First Unitarian Universalist Church and would like to find out more about Unitarian Universalism and our congregation, we invite you to join us for the Welcome to First Unitarian Universalist Church class. Together we will have an opportunity to share our religious journey and meet others who are exploring the church as a spiritual home and will explore the mission and vision of this church, as well as historical and contemporary Unitarian Universalism.

• Tuesday, September 27th, 6:30 - 8:00 p.m., Hearth Room

• Tuesday, October 25th, 6:30 - 8:00 p.m., Hearth Room

If you would like to sign up for a class, please sign up on the clipboard on the Guest Table or contact Sarah Rothwell, Coordinator of Congregational Life, at 282-5209 or p astoralcare@uurochmn.org. For the last 2 classes described, with at least one week advance request, childcare will be provided. Contact childcare@uurochmn.org.