Adapted from the Chrysallis Model and integrating the best practices of youth ministry recommended by Mark DeVries: "Sustainable Youth Ministry," this weekend long, 15 hour training will examine the 6 Pillars of Balanced Youth Groups, the Web of Youth Ministry (as put forth by the UUA Youth Ren Module), and concrete, inspiring methods with which to make this very important work nourishing and transformational for adult advisers.  Come hungry.  Leave happy knowing you are prepared to partner with your congregation's youth to go deeper than ever before.

It is highly suggested that you read: Youth Ministry Advising: A Complete Guide.  This guide is available at: http://www.uuabookstore.org/searchproducts.cfm

Additional recommended reading: Mark DeVries: "Sustainable Youth Ministry,"

Facilitators: Eric Bliss and Kristin Famula

Eric Bliss, Director of Religious Exploration at First Unitarian Denver, is a native of Knoxville, TN, where he grew up attending both Westside Unitarian Universalist and Tennessee Valley Unitarian Universalist Churches.  He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Biology and Teacher’s Certificate in the States of Tennessee and Utah.  As a career educator, Eric has taught secondary science classes from Ecology - to Chemistry -  to English as a Second Language.  Eric has been active in UU leadership virtually his entire life, beginning as a YRUU group leader, eventually becoming a youth mentor, coordinator, and advisor at places such as The Mountain, NCCJ’s “Anytown,” Ferry Beach, Quuest Youth Camp, and GA Youth Caucus. 

Eric is currently a member of the Fahs Collaborative Guiding Team, Chair of his District LREDA Chapter, and Chaplain to Youth for the Mountain Desert District.  He is the loving father of a beautiful boy, named Hollis, is an avid soccer fan and coach, loves skateboarding, playing guitar, and exploring the outdoors.

Kristin Famula, a life-long UU, is the Director of Create Meaning Northern Nevada, a “Congregations and Beyond” outreach ministry.  Before moving to CA in December, she spent the past seven years as the director of religious education at a UU church in Colorado.  She has dedicated much of her UU professional life to working to build offerings that truly meet the needs of children, youth and adults – creatively discovering new ways for all UU’s to explore our faith. 

Kristin also serves as a program leader for the Unitarian Universalist College of Social Justice – coordinating educational and experiential travel experiences for UUs (most recently traveling to Mississippi on a multigenerational civil rights journey), and serves as co-founder and program director for the National Peace Academy which offers educational peacebuilding programs.

In her spare time Kristin enjoys exploring her new town, playing music, and traveling.