Midweek Message November 20, 2025

Cue the Willie Nelson!  I’ve been On the Road Again in the UUniverse for the last two weekends, and I’m ready to be home with y’all for a while!

In reverse order, I came back this past Sunday eve from Youth Con (Convention) at the Mountain - our UU retreat center with breathtaking views - filled with excitement for our kids.  Blake, the new on-top-of-it director of Camps and Cons, (this may not be his exact title) let me know it was the highest Con participation since Covid. There were a LOT of Youth there!   If you’ve never heard of a Youth Con, it’s where UU kids all over the Southeast Region come together to plan a weekend of connection and living into our values with and for other UU kids.  For me, this was a temperature-taking weekend, too - answering the question “Is this a good use of time for our congregation’s teens and tweens?”  And the answer was a resounding yes.  

To that end, parents of Sr. Youth who didn’t make it to this one have another opportunity to go March 27-29. (Weekend fee for Youth is $100). I was the only minister there this weekend- everyone else was accompanied by a parent or members of the congregation who volunteered to enjoy the Mountain for a weekend as chaperones  (adult rate for a Con for all lodging, gourmet food, and views is $50!!!!!!!!  This is far and away the cheapest way to enjoy the Mountain!).  So, while I’m not chaperoning Sr. Youth again this Church year, you can go if you missed it this time!

There was one congregation from NC whose youth planned out matching PJ bottoms and hoodies from their congregation, and had developed a whole dance routine!  It was amazing to see, and made me excited for our upcoming weekend with Jr. Youth, March 6-8.  I’m holding a parent info session on Sunday, Jan 25, 11:15-11:30 in the Fireside room for those guys.  Please know that while Jr. Youth Advisor, Claire Hennigan, and I have already committed to taking this crew this first time, and therefore no extra adults are needed,  if they need a parent along to feel more comfortable - the more the merrier!  (And they can know that this is normal, and happened from several congregations). And we have a big van reserved for this adventure, so you wouldn’t have to drive if you didn’t want to, but you also could if you wanted the connection time with your child.

     I came back from the previous weekend, from my first LREDA Fall Con (Convention), full of ideas from colleagues, connected to more people for collaboration, and having seen more deeply into what is and isn’t working across our US and Canadian congregations. (While this year’s pageant is well underway for our 

5:00 pm service on Christmas Eve, I have future ideas!) I came home feeling lucky to be a part of a vibrant congregation full of kids - this is not true everywhere! I also had the opportunity to lead worship, and since November has 5 Sundays, and because Rev. Charlotte and I both really want her to know our kids as well, I’m bringing that worship service to FUUN this weekend.  Freaky Sunday?  Whatever we call it, Rev. Charlotte and I will be changing roles for this one weekend, where she does my classroom rounds and I am delighted to lead the service with you.  

Rev. Charlotte and I will also be hosting a drop-in info session on Child Dedications at FUUN on Sunday, 11/30 at 11:15 in the Fireside room to answer any questions you may have, including the information that we are flexible on the dates that work for you and your family.  

And, every week in my section of the eblast, I keep a feedback button live.  Let me know what you need, how you feel, what you’d like to see!

See you Sunday! Rev. Jennifer