I had a deep conversation about UU programming for young adults with my son (24) and daughter (29) yesterevening. Because it will be turning over in my mind for a while, it will help to capture its essence here.

Daughter’s take (YRUU, cons, DYSC, now celebrating Jewish holidays with her husband and stepdaughter): Still considers herself UU, sees church membership as a possibility in the future, notes that young adults who join (UU or not) tend to have children. Felt YRUU and con culture were positive forces in her high school years.

Son’s take (YRUU, cons, 2 GAs as a youth, bridged at GA Long Beach, church committee member while in college, now unchurched and uninterested): Still considers himself UU, highly critical of YA programming, especially the 20/30 group at our church, which specifically excluded 18-22 year olds and consists mainly of young professionals who “talk about their houses and their kids”. Very heated, complicated reaction to Tim Adkin’s recent blog post on the topic, but not eager to enter the fray.

My take: I feel a little guilty about my unchurched UU progeny, until I am reminded that I was also unchurched from 18 to 33. Not only was I unchurched, but permanently estranged from the denomination of my childhood. As long as my son and daughter identify positively with Unitarian Universalism and are living it in the world, I feel grateful for the congregation that helped us raise them.