General Assembly 2007: Portland, Oregon
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The Reverend Jane Rzepka |
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| CLFers enjoy the show at the Worship Service. |
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| The room was packed for the Worship Service. |
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| CLF and CYF staff their booths in the Exhibit Hall. |
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CLF Worship
Watch the CLF Worship: RealVideo | Windows Media
Come to the Church of the Larger Fellowship's General Assembly Worship Service! The Revs. Jane Rzepka and Patrick O'Neill preaching, welcome from Denny Davidoff, music from the UU Musician's Network, and more... Lively straight-up Unitarian Universalist worship at its best!
Read the text of the worship  , which includes the order of service; a meditation by Mr. Kelly Weisman Asprooth-Jackson and Mr. Barb Greve; "A Temple of the Heart," a homily by the Rev. Dr. Patrick T. O’Neill; and "The Shelter of a Tree," a homily by the Rev. Jane Rzepka.
CLF 2007 Delegate Reports
Documents are in MS Word format.
CLF at the Bridging Ceremony
Watch the Bridging Ceremony:
RealVideo | Windows Media
Kimberlee Tomczak, Church of the Younger Fellowship (CYF) Steering Committee Facilitator, accepts the Donna DiSciullo Award for young adult programs at the General Assembly (GA) 2007 Bridging Ceremony in Portland, Oregon. The Rev. Jane Rzepka holds the award after accepting for the CLF Board and Staff, and stands beside Michael Tino, UUA Young Adult and Campus Ministry Director. CYF members who were at GA joined Kimberlee, Jane, and Michael on the stage in the plenary hall at the Oregon Convention Center. Congratulations to the CYF Steering Committee, the CLF Board of Directors, and all the members of CYF!
The Rev. Jane Rzepka, accepting the award on behalf of the Church of the Larger Fellowship
Already I'm thinking that this is a room full of heroes. Not to mention a Unitarian Universalist universe full of heroes. And not just any kind of heroes, but that special kind who have the vision and the guts and the presence of mind to care about Unitarian Universalism for young adults. Maybe you are one, or about to be one. And maybe you just care. Either way, in my book you are a hero.
Donna DiSciullo's another one—Donna, who put this award in place to begin with, that we might all remember to ask ourselves, “who's doing this work anyway; who's good at it?”
Other heroes who spring quickly to mind are the Young Adult Office staff and the Association of congregations who support them.
But in accepting the DiSciullo award on behalf of the Church of the Larger Fellowship, I want to highlight, well, the Church of the Larger Fellowship! And the courage and persistence and imagination of our board of directors and staff. It wasn't that intuitive or easy a sell, this idea of an online congregation by and for young adults—the blueprints don't exist, and it seemed like a pretty risky project for a congregation to take on. But we said yes.
Which brings me to the rest of the heroes in this story, or maybe I should say, the real heroes, the actual people behind the Church of the Younger Fellowship. They've dealt with the details, the design, the drama—and built this congregation from a standing start.
All thanks and attention should go to the CYF, represented tonight by the facilitator of the CYF Steering Committee, Kimberlee.
Kimberlee Tomczak, accepting the award on behalf of the Church of the Larger Fellowship (after The Rev. Jane Rzepka)
It's been two years since a small group of dedicated UU young adults began with optimism and an idea: A young adult congregation online. Daring to dream big and work hard the Church of the Younger Fellowship was founded. In this time we have grown to over 450 members world-wide and have expanded Unitarian Universalist ministry to young adults.
We could not have come this far this fast without the support, patience and guidance of the Church of the Larger Fellowship. Like a young adult leaving home in search of their independence and future , yet still needing of a place to come home to, to do laundry, get financial assistance and seek advice, the CLF is our home. Thank you for believing in our dream and trusting us to our own future.
As UU young adults and youth go in search for their future they will need the support of all of the parents, adult allies, ministers, and religious educators to keep the faith.
Wherever they go, regardless of the time of day, they can log in and find contemporary worship, spiritual discussion, and faith community at the Church of the Younger Fellowship. I was at my church this morning.
I am blessed in knowing the young adults who volunteer their time, talents and vision to keep the CYF alive. Working together we can help our Unitarian Universalist youth and young adults stay connected with their spiritual community, and spread our saving Unitarian Universalist message to the world.
Let's say keep the faith together, ready?
Keep the Faith!
Join us next year! June 25-29, 2008, Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
Last updated February 12, 2008
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