An update from Youth and Family Ministries director, Deanna Shumaker

The Youth of Unity and Uniteens had an amazing time baking last weekend—and the cupcakes sold out fast. Thank you for affirming us!
These are the details for the major events that the youth are fundraising for this spring and summer.
YOU (Youth of Unity) Rally: Friday, April 24-Sunday, April 26
The Eastern Region’s Spring Rally is at beautiful Camp Tockwogh, a YMCA camp on the Chesapeake Bay near Worton, MD. Usually held on the last weekend of April, this rally is open to high-school-age Youth of Unity in grades 9, 10, 11 and 12 (14-19 years old) and their Ministers, Sponsors, Parents and Chaperones.
Teen participants should be active members of their YOU Chapter or home church. The Rally Registration fee includes lodging at Camp Tockwogh, the rally T-Shirt, all supplies, snacks on Friday and Saturday evening, breakfast, lunch and dinner on Saturday and breakfast on Sunday. An awesome tradition most choose to participate in is a post-Rally lunch at the local Pizza Hut! It's a great way to extend the experience and prolong the goodbyes.
Each year, the Rally program is created and presented by four YOU Officers who are elected each year at the annual Spring Rally business meeting. They receive guidance from Jane Harden, the Regional Youth Consultant.
The Regional YOU team's intention is to create a safe place of unconditional love and acceptance for youth from across the Eastern region. We want the youth to be able to gather for a weekend of spiritual growth and fun. The program consists of workshops or “truth talks” presented by YOU Officers, music and dancing, large and small group activities, meditation time, a talent show, and a choice of Saturday activities including archery, climbing wall, boat rides, basketball, and a drum circle.
Uniteen Retreat: Friday, May 15-Sunday, May 17
A Regional Uniteen Retreat is an overnight or weekend spiritual event for Unity middle school teens and pre-teens at an Eastern Region Camp or host church. It's planned and facilitated by Regional Unity Staff and/or Uniteen Leaders. This year's Retreat will be at the South Mountain YMCA located in Reading, PA.
Uniteen Retreats allow young teens to meet and gather with other teens from other Unity churches around the region to learn and practice Unity truth principles. Retreats commonly include large and small group activities, prayer, meditation, music, drumming, team building games, free time sports, singing, talent show, food, fun and more.
To attend a Uniteen Retreat, teens must be in grades 6, 7, 8, or the equivalent (11-14 years old). Uniteens should also be active in their Church Uniteen Group. Ministers, Uniteen Leaders, parents, and chaperones are welcome to attend.
DID YOU KNOW? Unity of Gaithersburg will be hosting a Uniteen Retreat this Fall! Contact Deanna if you'd like more information on volunteering!
IYOU (International Youth of Unity):
Two of our teens, Hanna and Monika, are interested in attending the International Youth of Unity event this July! IYOU is an international event at Unity Village and brings together teens in active YOU chapters from all over the world. Attendees are expected to read an assigned book (this year it's Power Up by Revs Paul Hasslebeck and Cher Horton) and write an essay. This is an exciting event and a powerful spiritual opportunity for our teens!
These are the details for the major events that the youth are fundraising for this spring and summer.
YOU (Youth of Unity) Rally: Friday, April 24-Sunday, April 26
The Eastern Region’s Spring Rally is at beautiful Camp Tockwogh, a YMCA camp on the Chesapeake Bay near Worton, MD. Usually held on the last weekend of April, this rally is open to high-school-age Youth of Unity in grades 9, 10, 11 and 12 (14-19 years old) and their Ministers, Sponsors, Parents and Chaperones.
Teen participants should be active members of their YOU Chapter or home church. The Rally Registration fee includes lodging at Camp Tockwogh, the rally T-Shirt, all supplies, snacks on Friday and Saturday evening, breakfast, lunch and dinner on Saturday and breakfast on Sunday. An awesome tradition most choose to participate in is a post-Rally lunch at the local Pizza Hut! It's a great way to extend the experience and prolong the goodbyes.
Each year, the Rally program is created and presented by four YOU Officers who are elected each year at the annual Spring Rally business meeting. They receive guidance from Jane Harden, the Regional Youth Consultant.
The Regional YOU team's intention is to create a safe place of unconditional love and acceptance for youth from across the Eastern region. We want the youth to be able to gather for a weekend of spiritual growth and fun. The program consists of workshops or “truth talks” presented by YOU Officers, music and dancing, large and small group activities, meditation time, a talent show, and a choice of Saturday activities including archery, climbing wall, boat rides, basketball, and a drum circle.
Uniteen Retreat: Friday, May 15-Sunday, May 17
A Regional Uniteen Retreat is an overnight or weekend spiritual event for Unity middle school teens and pre-teens at an Eastern Region Camp or host church. It's planned and facilitated by Regional Unity Staff and/or Uniteen Leaders. This year's Retreat will be at the South Mountain YMCA located in Reading, PA.
Uniteen Retreats allow young teens to meet and gather with other teens from other Unity churches around the region to learn and practice Unity truth principles. Retreats commonly include large and small group activities, prayer, meditation, music, drumming, team building games, free time sports, singing, talent show, food, fun and more.
To attend a Uniteen Retreat, teens must be in grades 6, 7, 8, or the equivalent (11-14 years old). Uniteens should also be active in their Church Uniteen Group. Ministers, Uniteen Leaders, parents, and chaperones are welcome to attend.
DID YOU KNOW? Unity of Gaithersburg will be hosting a Uniteen Retreat this Fall! Contact Deanna if you'd like more information on volunteering!
IYOU (International Youth of Unity):
Two of our teens, Hanna and Monika, are interested in attending the International Youth of Unity event this July! IYOU is an international event at Unity Village and brings together teens in active YOU chapters from all over the world. Attendees are expected to read an assigned book (this year it's Power Up by Revs Paul Hasslebeck and Cher Horton) and write an essay. This is an exciting event and a powerful spiritual opportunity for our teens!