One major problem I have faced is not having the resources conveniently known in one place. To give these resources more reach, here is a page full of wonderful resources. This is a living document constantly being updated, so feel free to send me suggestions! This post is also not completed, but it will never really be completed. While I do not like putting out unfinished work, I believe any resources are better than no resources, so here you go!
Books
- Becoming: A Spiritual Guide for Navigating Adulthood edited by Kayla Parker-This book is my favorite book of words! I cannot recommend it enough! It is divided into sections, like Community and Roots, and subdivided into opening words, a longer reflection or two, poems and prayers, and closing words, with the sheet music for a couple UU classics in the very back. It is amazing for worship planning, for for self reflection, and for everyone. I think every young Unitarian Universalist should have a copy of this book
- Voices from the Margins collected by Jacqui James and Mark D. Morrison-Reed-This is an anthology of meditations specifically by multicultural ministers. If you want to make an effort to diversify your UU lense, this book is a great starting point.
- Spilling the Light by Theresa Soto-this is also a collection of meditations, but they are all written by the amazing Theresa Soto. They did such an amazing job with this book.
- Breaking and Blessing: Meditations by Sean Parker Dennsion-
- Love like Thunder: Meditations by Jess Reynolds
- Shelter in this Place edited by Meg Riley
- Rejoice Together: Prayers, Meditations, and Other Readings for Family, Individual, and Small-Group Worship by Helen R. Pickett-This book from the 90s just keeps giving.
- Worship for Young Adults: A Practical Guide for Creating Contemporary Services
- Youth Ministry Advising: A Complete Guide, Second Edition edited by Carey McDonald, Jeremie Bateman, and Jennica Davis-Hockett
Websites
- Worship web-If you haven’t spent far too many hours on this site, you probably will soon. This is a site made by the UUA where anyone can post their own words. It’s not just poems-there’s songs, stories, and even complete worships from start to finish. Some of my words are even on there! If you are stumped for planning a worship-head here. They also have an app, but it’s not quite as good as the website(which works pretty decent on mobile).
- Blue Boat Blog–
- YUUP-less of an individual website and more a flexible online community
- 3 Models for Youth Group Covenanting and Beyond-this UUA page on covenanting is extremely helpful to find your bearings in covenanting
- UU Hysterical Society-If you’re looking for a good UU laugh, this is a good place to start!
- Deep Fun PDF-this is a book of UU games from I believe the early 2000s. Many games are definitely outdated, and when I brought this up in a UU group, someone groaning said “I thought we got ride of that.” Regardless, it has many essential games to youth community, and the first couple of pages going over the 5 levels of community is a spectacular resource. I cannot tell you how much I have used this.
Instagrams
- @theyounguu-It’s me! Follow my insta to keep up with me
- @instayayauua-this is the account where various UUA youth things are shared(and where I found out about the youth trustee board position!)
- @ga_youth-this page is used for GA related youth stuff
- @uucsj-this is the UU College of Social Justice’s insta
That’s all I can think of for now! If your favorite isn’t on here, please please send it to me! I want more youth to find it!