The 2009 Youth and Young Adult Mosaic Project

Collage of photos: Unitarian Universalists of color.

An Assessment of Unitarian Universalist Ministry to Youth and Young Adults of Color and Latina/o and Hispanic and Multiracial/Multiethnic Descent

The Mosaic Project is an assessment project of the Identity-Based Ministries staff group, in cooperation with the Office of Youth Ministries, the Office of Young Adult Ministries, and other Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) staff, that focuses on identifying the Unitarian Universalist ministry needs of Youth and Young Adults of Color. The 2009 Mosaic Project Report (below) provides the findings of the study and recommendation for congregations, districts, and the association.

“This document brings the issues of young People of Color from invisibility to a bold sense of urgency and action. Set in the context of electing the first President of Color of the United States, the reader get historical insight into why and how the issues of "race" and ethnicity is shaping not only their lives, but the future of Unitarian Universalism. It is a gripping, must-read document for any person working responsibly to build a multi-racial, multicultural congregation and community.”
—Dr. Mark A. Hicks, MacLean Professor of Religious Education, Meadville Lombard Theological School; Curriculum Developer, Building the World We Dream About

The Question

What are the ministry needs of African, Caribbean, Native/American Indian, Asian and Pacific Islander, Latina/Latino and Hispanic, Middle Eastern/Arab, Multiracial and Multiethnic and trans-racially adopted Unitarian Universalist (UU) youth and young adults?

  • How does our Unitarian Universalist faith need to change in order to meet these needs?
  • What structures need to be strengthened or established to support families, congregations, campus groups, districts, and continental bodies in their ministries to these youth and young adults?

The Mosaic Project Report offers recommendations to help congregations, districts, and Association create an environment that is an effective part of the scaffolding that supports Youth and Young Adults of Color both in their development of a healthy identity and through the transition from childhood to adulthood. The positive impact of creating such an environment can reach beyond the Youth and Young Adults of Color community into all ministry areas. By creating congregations, communities, and institutions that embody the seven Principles, Unitarian Universalists can indeed move closer to building the world we dream about.

“As a religious educator, and a parent of young adult Unitarian Universalists of color, I welcome the Mosaic Project Report as evidence of the commitment of the Unitarian Universalist Association to our ministry to and with youth and young adults of color and Latina/o and Hispanic, and multicultural/multiethnic descent. While this document acknowledges the shortcomings of our congregations and our Association in this ministry, it also lays out a way forward and gives voice to the desire “deep conversations”. The road to the future Unitarian Universalist faith community presented in this report—that is, a community that supports, values and celebrates the diversity of our youth and young adults—is a road that must be taken.”
—Natalie Fenimore, Director of Religious Exploration, UU Congregation of Fairfax

Read what others have to say about the Mosaic Project Report.

The Mosaic Project Report

The following documents are PDF files.