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January Issue 2026
-He's BACK!
- Save The Dates for Upcoming Events
-YFM Dream Seed Fund
-Ministering with Families Call Tues Jan 27
-Spring Unitreat Info
-Upcoming SEE Classes
-Curriculum Highlights
-Teen Leadership Resource: Prayer & Meditation
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I'm BACK!
Hello, dear friends!
When Cassidy approached me to assist her in fulfilling some of her duties while she seizes the opportunity to spend additional maternity leave time with little Milo, I exclaimed a resounding "Yes!"
I am honored to serve in this interim role once again, and over the next twelve weeks, I will be facilitating the Ministering With Families Zoom Call and editing this YFM Newsletter, among other duties. (Please note the updated "Join" link for this Tuesday's call!)
Everyone reading this message is invited to join with me in a gratitude prayer. There are so many marvelous things happening throughout our Region: new and/or rejuvenated Youth and Family Ministries bubbling up, opportunities for networking - for youth, their adult facilitators, and YFM Directors, increasing spiritual awareness, and growth - first in consciousness, then in the manifest realm. Spiritual Law is unfolding here and now, and in the right and perfect moment. Many thanks to Cassidy, for her leadership during this crucial time in the history of our Region, our Unity Movement, and the human race.
May 2026 continue to bring us "showers of blessings" as we share and receive Divine Wisdom to and from our young Truth students! Thank you to all who are stepping up to answer Myrtle Fillmore's call, "Who will take care of the children?"
Next month, my home ministry, Unity of Columbus, will once again be hosting the Eastern Subregional Mini-Rally and Lock-In! Just as was done last year, this event will be open to Uniteens (ages 11-14) and YOU (ages 14-18), that is, youth attending Unity ministries in the states of Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, and Kentucky. The purpose of the event is to generate interest and boost attendance in the Uniteens and YOU (Youth Of Unity) across the Eastern Subregion of our Great Lakes Region. Teens are encouraged to invite a friend or family member of like age to join them.
Right now, I am working with our Eastern "Sub-Regi" (Subregional Officer) for YOU, Sophie, and the two Regies in our Subregion, Sam and Kellan, to plan a memorable event for all who participate. Registration will open in the coming days, so be on the lookout for that link!
I also want to extend my deepest thanks for the Dream Seed Team (see the featured article below), for initiating a pathway toward making our youth retreats more affordable and accessible for all. If you'd like more information on how your ministry can get involved: Keep your eyes peeled, because it's coming soon - in February!
If there are any "highlights" from your YFM you would like us to share in our next edition, please send a shout this way!
We are walking in the Light, in the Light of God - and I am so grateful!
Yours In Unity,
Daryn L. Wells, LUT - Unity of Columbus, OH
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Save the Dates:
Feb 21-22 | Eastern Subregion Mini-Rally | Unity of Columbus, OH
(REGISTRATION OPENING SOON! STAY TUNED!)
Sun Mar 15 | Live Online Teen Leadership Training
Sun Mar 22 | Dream Seed Rally Day
May 8-10 | Spring Unitreat for Uniteens (6th-8th grades) | Lutherdale in Elkhorn, WI
June 12-15 | June Rally for YOU (9th-12th grades) | Towerhill Camp in Sawyer, MI
July 19-23 | International YOU (IYOU) Event | Unity Village, MO
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YFM Dream Seed Fund: A 2025 Vision to 2026 Action
The 2025 GLUR Board held the vision of more youth attending retreats, and helped turn that vision into action by reinvesting tithes to a youth registration fee reduction for the combined Uniteen and Y.O.U. Fall Retreat. This was a great success, with 82 attendees - 36 Y.O.U., 18 Uniteens, 26 Adults (plus 1 baby). Reps from two chapters who hadn't attended in years came, for a total of 15 chapters. The joy on the faces of each youth as they were individually welcomed into the last large group celebration on Sunday morning via a whooping and cheering carwash was unforgettable!
When asked to fundraise for our regional youth, Rev. Deb Hill-Davis, (Unity of Ames), said YES! Shortly after Conference, she had a team of people ready to go: Rev. Aubree Lynn Maugeri (Unity of Sheboygan), Cassidy Meeks (Regional YFM Coordinator), Rev. Chase (Regional YFM Board Liaison), Kimberly Bencker (Unity of Louisville), and Daryn Wells (Unity of Columbus).
The Dream Seed Fund was created by this team to support the dreams of our youth. Monies received will be used to lower retreat registration fees, to assist with transportation costs to events, and award scholarships for adult leaders and youth.
Consider a contribution to the Dream Seed Fund
Through your donations youth will experience the transforming power of unconditional love present at retreats, rallies and sub-regional events.
Dream Seed Rally Day
Invite your spiritual community to rally in support of teens. We have designated Sunday March 22 as Dream Seed Rally Day. This is in conjunction with National Teenager Day March 21. More information along with suggested activities to come.
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Ministering With Families Call
Tues Jan 27th
6 PM CT/ 7 PM ET
Who: Youth directors, ministers, board members, and others who work with young people.
Purpose: Share best practices and skills around ministering to and with families, and support each other in this important work. Join this wonderful community of support for anyone who works with youth and/or families (or wants to)!
Agenda: Pray-In, Check-In; Celebrations, Challenges; Proposed Topics For Group Discussion; YFM Regional News Sharing; Closing.
Come receive support and get connected with others working to serve youth and families in the Great Lakes Region!
Save the Date for Next Month's Call: Feb 24th (4th Tuesday)
TEMPORARY ZOOM Meeting ID: 814 4598 3620
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Spring Unitreat Info
May 8-10, 2026
WHAT IS A UNITREAT? A weekend-long, youth-led experience for youth in 6th-8th grades supported by high school aged-youth leaders (aka YOU Staff) and adult Uniteen leaders.
In this welcoming and accepting space, participants grow spiritually, socialize, & build new and meaningful friendships. The weekend includes both large and small group activities and discussion, team building, crafts, free-time, singing, meditation, dancing, prayer, fun and fellowship, as well as a graduation ceremony for 8th graders.
WHO CAN ATTEND?
1) Uniteens must be at least 11 years old and in 6th, 7th or 8th grades on the 1st day of the Unitreat.
2) Youth of Unity (Y.O.U) Staff: high schoolers must apply to be on staff, be currently in high school, have attended at least one previous retreat, and be willing to attend an online teen leadership training ahead of the event.
3) Adults currently active in their youth ministry, who attend to chaperone and serve the youth/event. Must be 25 years or older to drive youth, and must have a recent background check on file with their home ministry. Co-ed groups are requested to provide co-ed adult leaders. Because of the increase in our retreat group size (yay!), no more than two adults per group without prior approval from the YFM Coordinator.
All participants must be able to honor heart agreements, function in a group setting and attend the entire weekend from check-in on Friday through the Sunday closing ceremony.
WHERE DOES IT HAPPEN? Lutherdale Retreat Center in Elkhorn, WI. Participants stay in heated cabins with indoor plumbing with youth and adult leaders of the same gender identity.
COST? Typical registration is $225-250/person, but we are working to reduce that through the YFM Dream Seed Fund to make this and future retreats more affordable.
HOW DO I REGISTER? YFM Leaders, watch for an email coming in early February with instructions. YFM Leaders are responsible for communicating instructions to their families. Registration will be open from early February - early April to allow a bigger span for everyone to get their info submitted on time.
The Great Lakes Regional Officers are currently planning a great event for our Region's Uniteens and we look forward to welcoming your group!
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Have You Thought About Deepening Your Understanding of Unity?
Throughout 2026, Rev. Miranda Koberg is offering monthly SEE (Spiritual Education & Enrichment) courses with dedicated sections for youth educators and Next Generation Unity (NGU) respectively.
Dedicated class space will provide opportunity for both personal and pedagogical application of Unity teachings. Many of Unity's young adults are coming from Y.O.U. or already have a basic understanding of spiritual teachings, due to the popularity of spirituality on social media.
SEE for NGU dives deeper into the teachings that set Unity apart from trending spirituality while approaching practical application within the context of the transitional nature of young adulthood.
All courses are virtual, include SEE credit upon passing the class, and are offered at accessible rates.
February course offerings include:
* Healing & Wholeness for NGU
Tuesdays February 24-March 17, 2026 | 7:30-10 PM EST
* Self-Awareness for NGU
Weekend Intensive, February 21-22, 2026 | 2-6:30 PM EST
* Healing & Wholeness for Youth Educators
Thursdays February 26-March 19, 2026 | 2-4:30 PM EST
Feel free to reach out to Rev. Miranda with questions.
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Unity Curriculum Highlight
Many lesson plans have been added to the UWM website, all available for free and in pdf format! From units on self-image to resilience to celebrating Christmas and Easter, there's something for every age group! Check them out below.
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Curriculum Highlight
Spiritual Playdate is a low cost interfaith curriculum resource created by Unity folks that covers relevant topics from resilience to heaven and hell, bullying to gratitude via 'soul talk' life skills lessons. There's also a wonderful curated library by topic and music playlists to accompany each soul talk. Curricula is set for both younger elementary and older ages.
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Curriculum Teen Leadership Resource: Prayer & Meditation
Excerpted from the teen leadership training manual, here is some helpful info on how Unity talks about affirmative prayer, examples of prayers, how to lead meditation and more. Get this in the hands of your teens (and volunteers) and enjoy the richness they're bound to bring!
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