Broadening engagement with youth & young adults
Three young adults with a long history of participation in Conference youth programs and activities worked this spring with staff to plan, develop and launch the Conference’s Instagram channel.
We are delighted to announce that each of the young adults who were part of this initial project – Cecilia Alexander (UCC New Brighton), Cole Marshall (First Congregational UCC, Anoka), and Kristen Peterson (First Congregational UCC, New York Mills) – will continue to work with the Conference this summer as Youth Engagement & Social Media Interns. They will work with the Outdoor Ministry Program Director and Associate Conference Minister of Faith Formation to manage content and campaigns on Instagram, help plan and facilitate online gatherings for youth and young adults, and consult with staff about how to build broader engagement with youth across the Conference.
We look forward to working with these talented, energetic, passionate, and insightful young leaders. Please join us in welcoming Cecilia, Cole, and Kristen and take a moment to read their words of introduction below.
Cecilia Alexander
“I attend UCC New Brighton, and I am currently a junior at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire studying Political Science and Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies. I am thrilled to be starting an internship working on the new UCC youth/young adult Instagram! My main focus in this project is to be able to connect youth to social justice opportunities because that is a large part of my faith and how I see God. Look out for the upcoming #socialjusticesundays.”
Cole Marshall
“I am a part of UCC Anoka. I just completed my second year of college at Minnesota State University Mankato, and I am majoring music industry songwriting. The Minnesota Conference has been a huge part of my life for so many years, so I am very happy to be able to work and help out with the ucc.mn Instagram!”
Kristen Peterson
“I attend the UCC in New York Mills. I decided not go to college. Instead, I am working full time as a front desk representative at a resort. I’m interested in this internship because the UCC encourages us to work together and I love being a part of this community. With this internship I hope to show the youth today that this isn’t the end and we still have so much to do. I also hope to show off my craft skills.”