A Weekend with the Youth

Midway through October, I packed up my sleeping bag and headed to Randle, Washington, for TheologiCON. Con is a gathering of High School youth from the Pacific Northwest District of the UUA and British Columbia. This year, KUUF and Cedars were the ‘hosting congregations,’ which meant that our own youth helped develop and lead many of the programs.

Imagine, if you will, 160 youth and 40 adults at a camp in the middle of nowhere, the leaves on the trees glowing golden, the ground wet and glistening with rain, the spirit of radically inclusive Unitarian Universalist community permeating it all. The youth have a thing or two to teach us about building community. What they are able to achieve in two short days is nothing short of miraculous. In the closing circle, youth who had come to Con feeling isolated and resentful were transformed, eagerly proclaiming, “This weekend has been incredible!” and “I love you all so much!” But I’m getting ahead of myself.

The weekend began with orientations. Adult sponsors gathered in the library, and the Youth Empowerment Services (YES) team explained our role. Each of us were assigned a youth mentor who we could check in with at any time over the week if we had any questions or issues.

Next, the “Spirit Corps” gathered. They needed a much larger space, because by my estimate, about two thirds of the youth wanted in. In days gone past, a “Spirit Committee” made up of youth and adults would patrol the campus, throwing candy at anyone who was out of line—the rules are clear: no drugs, alcohol, or violence, and no sexual contact between the neck and the knees. However, these days a culture shift is underway, and more youth are taking responsibility for cultivating an accepting, respectful, safe environment.

In addition to the Con rules and the site rules—don’t go in the woods...there are bear and cougar—the deans of Con (our own McKay Campbell and Marina Phillips from Cedars) explained the purpose and function of Spirit Corps. Ably supported by a cast of district youth leaders, they told us about “The Robbie Rule,” which invites us to make sure that there is always space for one more person in any con- versational circle, and “The One Hour Rule,” which limits the amount of time a person spends with any one person, in order to make sure that you meet more people.

The general orientation hardly had any new arrivals, so enthusiastic was the response to the invitation to be a part of the Spirit Corps. Before we knew it, it was time for the first of three worship services, all led by KUUF’s Caitlin Budd.

It was simply magical to see these youth, their faces lit only by candlelight, singing and worshipping together.

By now it was about 3 o’clock, so most of the sponsors headed to sleep, while the youth stayed up talking, drumming, and making hemp bracelets...and hugging. There is lots of hugging at Con. Though clearly some people were greeting others as old and dear friends, it was inspiring to see the way ‘con virgins,’ people new to Con, were welcomed intentionally and shepherded through their experience by other youth.

“Touch Groups” allowed for a deeper connection to a small group of people. Workshops were fun but had real content, and the theme presentation invited the youth into conversations about theological topics that adults sometimes shy away from. Not the youth. Most dived in, and I was amazed by the diversity of beliefs and experiences they shared.

One of my favorite experiences was the “Talent/No-Talent Show.” Most of the youth that performed were astoundingly talented. A few were...not. Regardless, the response was unguarded enthusiasm. From the young woman who stuck a straw through her tongue (eww!) to the young man who dressed in drag and lip synched “Dancing Queen” to the many multitalented musicians, dancers and comedians, everyone was applauded, drowned in hoots and hollers, and loved and appreciated unconditionally.

It used to be that people viewed Con as a time to let loose. Away from the parents, with minimal supervision, who would be surprised if the youth went a little wild? Some churches stopped sponsoring their youth, keeping them at home. My own experience as a UU youth at district events was decidedly mixed.

However, I can say with absolute certainty that Cons now are light years away from my experience back in the stone ages. The youth create something amazing, inspiring, and almost utopian: a place where everyone is not just accepted, but celebrated, just as they are. I’ve never seen a truer or fuller expression of our UU values.

Blessings, Liz