In the UCC, young adults are technically those people between the ages of 18 and 30. The reality is that a young adult could be female, male, a student, a professional, single, married, a parent, still living with a parent, Generation X or a Millennial, a seminarian, an ordained minister, someone who hasn't set foot in a church since high school and anything in between. "Young Adult" is a distinction of age that encompasses a group as diverse and dynamic as any in the UCC. This webpage is a ministry resource for these young adults, those who minister with them, and all those seeking a better understanding of the needs of young adults and their many roles within the United Church of Christ (categories which are most definitely not mutually exclusive). The links below describe the resources offered by this site.

Thom Chu, our consultant for youth and young adult ministries, facilitated communication for young adults attending General Synod, whether as delegates, visitors, or exhibitors. Young adults found several opportunities to gather: afterhours socials, picnics, karaoke, worship and more. The 2030 Clergy Network also hosted several young clergy gatherings during the event. Elections for the UCC Council for Youth and Young Adult Ministries were held over the weekend for the 2009 - 2011 term, and the results are available here.

As we come into contact with young adults in our daily environments, whether at work, in our casual connections with strangers, in greeting visitors in our congregations, it is useful to acknowledge that there are various spiritual perspectives and experiences that persons bring with them. Consider the following typology which might be useful for mapping your surroundings (this is intended to be descriptive, not prescriptive).

In our year-long assessment to shape a comprehensive plan, we:
* heard from 173 youth and adults at National Youth Event workshops
* gathered 96 youth, young adults, and adults at four regional focus groups across the UCC
* convened with 231 additional youth, young adults, and leaders at 14 other events face-to-face, by phone, and online
* created an online survey that was completed by over 1,000 youth, young adults, and ministry leaders
* interviewed youth- and young adult-serving staff in conference and association settings.

Some dominant priorities and needs emerged from this assessment work.

For example, we learned that:
* Youth AND young adults value opportunities to do justice work and mission service
* Youth AND Young Adults overwhelmingly stated that the ideal congregation and ministry groups for them are inclusive. They seek a place where everyone is welcome and accepted.
* Young adults had a yearning for opportunities to network with peers in the wider church.
* Top needs among youth and young adult ministry leaders include opportunities to network with UCC colleagues, and leadership training to help them in their ministries with young people.

The next step within the national setting of the church is to use the recommendations and identified priorities to guide staffing, resources and support for youth and young adult ministries.
Read the Report and Recommendations for Youth and Young Adult Ministries; we hope the information will also be helpful to your conference, association, or congregation in your desire to support young people in your ministries.

Call and Education. Information on UCC-related colleges and seminaries and discerning God's call in our lives.

Justice. Social justice with a young adult perspective, highlighting key issues, sharing opportunities to take action, linking to great justice- and action- oriented websites and more.

New Fire, a young adult formation event and strategy session for the National Council of Churches young adult formation work, will be held in Minneapolis from November 6 - 9, 2009 (just before the NCC General Assembly). All interested young adults from the UCC are encouraged to register and participate! Watch for information and registration details at www.faithconnectsus.org.
The National Council of Churches seeks Young Adult Stewards to assist at the General Assembly in Minneapolis, November 10 - 12, 2009. Applications are due by September 11, 2009.
Student Ecumenical Partnership is a national network that seeks to: Develop a national network of students and those committed to ministry with students in order to support student's faith journey; foster the churches' commitment to ministry with and for students and advocate for their needs and concerns; and encourage student participation in state, regional, national and international ecumenical student events. STEP welcomes every college or university student who wants to be more closely connected with other Christian students. Though most students in STEP are affiliated with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) or the United Church of Christ, any student is welcome!

Volunteer and Mission Opportunities. Here's information about volunteer and mission opportunities available for young adults, as well as links to organizations and websites that host such opportunities.

The UCC and You. What exactly is the UCC, and why is it unique? How can young adults tap into that distinctive identity and be vital participants in the life, mission and ministry of the UCC? Here's a place to learn more about the UCC and how you can get more involved, including more information than you ever knew existed about the ways young adults are and can be serving in the national setting of the church.

Young Adult Clergy. Resourcing and networking for young adult clergy. Believe it or not, you are not alone out there!

Young Adult Ministries Mission Statement. Read the mission statement adopted at General Synod 21 in 1997.

Link to the Our Whole Lives Education Page. If you want to start or continue a Young Adult group, this resource would be the one to use!! It is written by young adults – trainings for its use are being set up all over the country.

Links Links to other UCC pages of interest, young adult webpages from other denominations and faiths, resources on young adult ministry, Christian online magazines, young adult-focused websites, sites on postmodernity and Christianity and more.