On the horizon is a time of transition as Heartland, Prairie Star, and Central Midwest Districts deepen their relationship to each other and to regionalization in MidAmerica. The respective district boards from Central Midwest, Prairie Star, and Heartland have been in thoughtful communication about what this expanded move into regionalization will mean for each of our respective districts as they primarily work on issues of governance.

In terms of staffing, the co-employed staff from the three districts have decided to appoint Nancy Combs Morgan their first regional staff person, ¾-time, to work coordinating youth and young adult ministries. Nancy is currently full time on the staff of Heartland District and will continue to work there ¼ time as Faith Development Director. This portfolio change will begin on Sept. 1st, 2011. This appointment is a transitional appointment which we expect to last two years.

Making this shift now was a way of keeping a person in this position during a time of exceptional austerity while allowing us to live in to substantially new program and administrative structures. We look forward to shaping these new structures in conversation with the leaders of the three districts of the MidAmerica region.

Nancy shares this about her new position:

“Beginning on September 1, 2011, I look forward to stepping into the role of the MidAmerica Coordinator of Emerging Youth and Young Adult Ministries. As expressed from the entire MidAmerica Regional Staff, we have covenanted that our shared vision is based on a model of teamwork for ourselves, and for our congregations. I will promote, support and enable regional and congregational youth and young adult initiatives, which are spirit and faith centered, multicultural and inclusive, and grounded in multigenerational faith communities. The emphasis will be on a forward thinking philosophy of new and sustainable models for emerging youth and young adult ministries.

"Within this work, I endeavor to provide:

• Monthly webinars for youth and young adult ministries, including contemporary worship, social networking, pastoral care, social justice endeavors, leadership development, small group ministry and faith development
• Monthly webinars for youth advisors—a series of basic and advanced youth advisor webinars, that will equal what we formerly offered in face-to-face trainings
• Monthly teleconferences/webinars for young adult leaders who are active in our congregations and/or leaders in campus ministry groups, or who are seeking to create emerging groups of UU young adults
• Coordination and development of service opportunities in youth and young adult ministry to help congregational youth and young adult groups have direct opportunities to participate in such endeavors.
• Enabling and helping sustain youth advisor networks via email/Facebook/Twitter to get out regional and national information and training opportunities to the advisors
• Enabling and helping sustain cluster networks within MidAmerica for congregations to connect with neighboring congregations in their youth and young adult ministry work, and to help realize face-to-face youth conferences in each district
• Supporting Youth MidWest Leadership School to ensure that there is transformative and quality leadership development opportunities for youth in MidAmerica."
• Contact Nancy at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .