Some quick comments on some items in the above list:
#4 -- one-on-one components should be checked against safety policies (and insurance policies), needless to say.
#5 -- involving young people in the life of the church has worked in my observation. Case in point: I know a UU adult who grew up in a tiny congregation, and he said he loved it even though there was no youth group -- he loved it because he was fully integrated into the life of the congregation, from leading worship to serving on committees -- and since that tiny congregation was so desperate for volunteer help, it needed his efforts just as much as any adult's efforts. Young people do want to be needed by adults.
#6 -- Smaller rites of passage may make some sense. However, I believe a big Coming of Age program or equivalent in early adolescence can't be replaced. Rites of passage often help with life transitions and attendant grief, and early adolescents are often grieving their lost childhood -- a coming of age program affirms for them that growing into adulthood is a Good Thing. Rites of passage shouldn't be just arbitrary, but should tie into deep physical, cultural, psychological, and/or emotional -- and above all, spiritual -- changes in life. Bridging Ceremonies work due to spiritual/cultural reasons -- it is the moment when most young people leave home, with all the attendant loss and grief and joy and excitement that entails -- surely rich material for a rite of passage.
#10 -- The book "Understanding by Design" suggests that when we design educational programs, we should start with what we want learners to understand -- then design appropriate ways to evaluate whether learners have reached understanding -- and *only then* design instructional methods. Which makes sense. But most congregations do things backwards -- we begin by locking ourselves into traditional church school as an instructional method. No wonder we are so often frustrated when children do not reach our goals for understanding!! The old "junior church" concept still makes a lot of sense....
#11 -- This implies that congregations should allow children to become full members without age restriction -- there are exceptional children who would make great board members!
#12 -- This may imply that in most UU congregations, parish ministers are going to have to take charge of training parents, probably through weekly worship services.
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