P U LS E
HAVING A MENTOR HAS POWERFUL BENEFITS.
YOULEAD YOULEAD+ IS THE PULSE YEAR We know that our young leaders LONG LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT are longing for connection, but are PROGRAMME FOR YOUNG ADULTS. also pretty committed in all that they do. As we have journeyed IT HAS BEEN SPECIFICALLY with our young adults in designing DESIGNED TO SUPPORT YOUNG YouLEAD+ we have discovered the LEADERS WHERE-EVER THEY need for flexibility and adaptability. LIVE, MAKING SURE OUR YOUNG he program now runs over two LEADERS IN REGIONAL AND retreats, one in February and the REMOTE COMMUNITIES ARE ABLE other in July and weekly online TO ACCESS RESOURCES AS WELL.
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sessions, which young leaders can join in when they are able or when there are units that interest them. We are still learning as to the best ways to support our young leaders, but have worked hard to make it accessible regardless of where young leaders live in the Synod.
It has been so exciting to see the diversity of the Uniting Church come together and learn from each other. Our young leaders come from different cultural backgrounds and different communities, as they share stories and learn together they encourage and support each other as well. A number of the group from our pilot YouLEAD+ two years ago still stay in touch and help each other out on occasion. What we have learnt is the importance of others recognising the gifts in our young leaders and tapping them on the shoulder as an entrance into the program.
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insights
A lot of young adults don’t see themselves as leaders. The value of a mentor or an elder highlighting their gifts can be life changing. My hope is that we can strengthen and broaden this community and in doing so we learn what ministry is like with emerging generations across the Synod and inspire news ways to work together. Currently the Synod fully funds the program as a way to grow our young leaders and for those travelling from regional presbyteries, with a number of presbyteries and scholarships available to help with travel expenses. KAREN MITCHELL-LAMBERT
TEAM LEADER OF PULSE
If you would like more information contact Karen Mitchell – Lambert at the PULSE team: KarenML@nswact.uca.org.au
