Synapse

1983-2007

Starting from 1983, Continental YRUU released Synapse, a newspaper that was issued three times annually. Due to budget constraints in 2005, the publication transitioned to two online releases consolidated into one printed edition. By 2007, the UUA's Office of Youth Ministries ceased Synapse's publication, citing insufficient submissions and staffing. Instead, they revealed plans to introduce a newsletter published three times a year as a replacement.

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A drawing depicting a large hand holding a flag with various global flags, surrounded by many smaller hands. The flag features international flags including Japan, the United Kingdom, Turkey, Lebanon, and others. The word 'PEACE' is written below the drawing, and the word 'SYNAPSE' is written at the top. The illustration symbolizes unity, peace, and international harmony.
A newspaper cover titled "SYNAPSE," with a hand-drawn illustration of a synapse with a drop in the middle. Text underneath invites readers to fill out forms and participate in feedback activities.

1983 -

Illustration of diverse young people celebrating with musical instruments, including guitar, tambourine, and microphone, under the title 'SNAPSE' and the subtitle 'Intergenerational Celebration', with additional text indicating it is a publication of the Young Religious Unitarian Universalists from 1986.
A vintage newspaper page from the Spring/Summer 1990 issue of Synapse, featuring a logo with intersecting symbols including a drop, a dove, a peace sign, and a heart. The page discusses a mailing list purge and instructions for re-subscribing via a label and mailing address in Boston, MA.
A black and white newsletter titled 'Synapse' with a swirl design and abstract mountain landscape on the front page. The newsletter includes various sections with instructions and messages addressed to the readers.
Front page of a vintage underground newspaper called Synapse from February 1993, featuring hand-drawn graffiti-style artwork and various handwritten sections, including sections titled "I Love It!", "Trim It!", "I've Moved!", and others.
A newsletter titled 'SYNAPSE: A Point of Contact Where Energy and Information are Exchanged' features black-and-white photos of young people engaging in various activities, including group conversations, outdoor activities, and classroom interactions. The newsletter is from Winter 1994, Volume XII, Issue 2, printed in the USA, and includes sections for mailing addresses, volunteer messages, and recycle instructions.

- 2007

  • Black and white newsletter titled 'synapse' featuring a large image of a Buddha statue. The headline reads 'LARGE YOUTH IN INDIA CAN WE SO FAR EASE'. Several smaller photographs of crowds, landmarks, and street scenes are below the headline, with captions mentioning youth encounters, Phoenix in the fire, and district news.

    Vol. 1 Issue 1

    1983

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  • Black and white collage of various historic and cultural images, including people gathered, statues, buildings, a sailing ship, and trees, with a newspaper-like layout and text referencing heritage trails and articles.

    Vol. 1 Issue 2

    1983

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  • A black and white cover of a publication titled 'Synapse,' featuring a large group of young people posing outdoors with a decorative star graphic overlay. The cover also includes text about issues and page numbers.

    Vol. 1 Issue 3

    1983

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  • Black and white illustration of two stylized human figures and a dog on mountainous terrain with a rising or setting sun. The figures are reaching toward each other, and the scene is framed with intricate decorative border designs. The title 'Synapse' is prominently displayed at the top, with a note at the bottom explaining synapse and its origin from Greek, as well as publication details.

    Vol. 2 Issue 1

    1983

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  • Vol. 2 Issue 2

    1983

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  • Vol. 2 Issue 3

    1984

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  • An illustration of two hands clasped in a handshake, with mountains in the background. The word 'SYNAPSE' is at the top, and the phrase 'A Point of Contact where Energy and Information Is Exchanged' is written beneath it.

    Vol. 3 Issue 1

    1984

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  • Black and white illustration of a leafless tree with roots shaped to spell 'GROW' at the base. The tree has a handwritten sign hanging from one of its branches that reads, 'The newspaper of young religious, unitarian, universalists'. The background depicts mountains and small tents or structures.

    Vol. 3 Issue 2

    1984

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  • Stylized black and white arrow illustration with multiple layered arrows pointing upward and to the right.

    Vol. 3 Issue 3

    Missing

    Nothing to Read Yet
  • Drawing of a hand holding a flag composed of various international flags, with the words 'synapse' at the top and 'peace' at the bottom, and a sun, cloud, and many tiny figures in the background.

    Vol. 4 Issue 1

    Labeled as 1986 - this is believed to be a misprint

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  • Black and white illustration with overlapping triangles and shapes, with the words "SYNTAX of the TRUTH" and "LEADERS" embedded within the design.

    Vol. 4 Issue 2

    1985

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  • A black and white drawing of a group of five people, including children, playing musical instruments and singing, with the headline 'SINAPSE' and the subtitle 'INTERGENERATIONAL CELEBRATION'.

    Vol. 4 Issue 2 - this is believed to be a misprint

    1986

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  • Black and white graphic design with the words "SYNAPSE" at the top and "DARE TO BE DIFFERENT" at the bottom. In between, there are multiple starburst shapes of varying sizes and patterns.

    Vol. 4 Issue 3

    1986

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  • A comic strip titled 'Synapse' illustrating a humorous dialogue about conscience and the human brain, with hand-drawn characters and speech bubbles, related to themes of consciousness and religion.

    Vol. 5 Issue 1

    1987

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  • The cover of a publication titled "SYNAPSE," featuring illustrations of flying birds and a large birdcage. Subheadings indicate articles about news, fiction, prison experience, an interview with Bill Schulz, tales from the UK, and spiritual themes. The subtitle reads "A point of contact where energy and information are exchanged," and the main theme is "The Faith of the Free."

    Vol. 5 Issue 2

    1987

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  • Stylized black lines with arrows pointing upward, representing growth or progress.

    Vol. 6 Issue 1

    Missing

    Nothing to read yet
  • Collage of black-and-white photographs of diverse people, including children and adults, at a gathering or event, with a sign reading 'People Sound' and various scenes of unity and activism.

    Vol. 6 Issue 2

    1987

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  • Black and white Comic-style illustration showing two chicken legs with fists, connected at the top by a candle flame, symbolizing a handshake. Text above reads "SYNAPSE" with subtitle "A POINT OF CONTACT WHERE ENERGY AND INFORMATION ARE EXCHANGED." Two speech bubbles beside the chicken legs say "Boning Up On" and "Your Humor!"

    Vol. 6 Issue 3

    1988

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  • Illustration of a magazine cover titled 'SYNAPSE,' featuring a map of the world and a doorway labeled 'The Universal Classroom' with a sign that reads 'Always Open.' The cover lists article topics with page references on the left.

    Vol. 7 Issue 1

    1989

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  • Black and white newsletter cover titled 'Synapse' with hand-drawn illustrations and text discussing youth, church, and community topics.

    Vol. 7 Issue 2

    1989

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  • A black-and-white publication titled 'Synapse' with the subtitle 'Roots and Wings: YRUU's History Traditions and Visions.' It features a hand-drawn illustration of trees with roots and wings. Instructions for mailing a label to YRUU Youth Office in Boston are included, with a checkbox for receiving Synapse.

    Vol. 7 Issue 3

    1989

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  • Historical newsletter titled 'Synapse' from Spring/Summer 1990 discussing energy, arts, and mailing list updates, featuring a large stylized logo with a heart, a star, and a peace sign.

    Vol. 8 Issue 1

    1990

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  • Black and white newsletter cover titled 'SYNAPSE,' discussing energy and information exchange, published by the Young Religious Unitarian Universalists in Boston, Massachusetts, Winter 1990.

    Vol. 8 Issue 2

    1990

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  • Black and white abstract illustration of multiple overlapping lines with arrows pointing upward and to the right.

    Vol. 9 Issue 1

    Missing

    Nothing to read yet
  • Cover page of a publication titled "Synapse" with the subtitle "The Blueprint for Our Dreams." Features a black-and-white line drawing of tangled lines forming a shape, signed by Caroline Saunders. The magazine is from Winter 1991, volume 13, issue 2, in the United States. The top right corner includes a note about energy and information exchange, and the top left corner indicates a contact point location.

    Vol. 9 Issue 2

    1991

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  • A collage of black and white images featuring various people, including children and adults, with headlines and text related to community events, social justice, and personal ads, with some colored elements highlighting specific words like 'SAVE ELVIS' and 'BIG JOY'.

    Vol. 10 Issue 1

    1992

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  • A black and white newspaper page titled 'Synergy' from Fall/Winter 1992, Vol. X, Issue 2. The page features various sections and articles, including a large quote by R.W. Emerson: 'What lies behind you and what lies before you are tiny matters compared to what lies within you.' There are multiple photographs of people, some labeled with captions like 'Page 3: New RYU Programs,' 'Page 4: Personalities,' and 'Page 5: The Continental.' Other sections mention topics such as lesbian/bisexual/gay concerns and various interactive activities, with small notes and speech bubbles scattered throughout.

    Vol. 10 Issue 2

    1992

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  • Black and white cover page with the title "SYNAPSE" at the top, a drawing of a baby goat in the center, and the phrase "celebrating life" at the bottom. Various text snippets and floral sketches are present on the page.

    Vol. 11 Issue 1

    1993

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  • Black and white collage featuring various artistic hand-drawn logos, symbols, and text, including the words "YRUU" and "YRUU" with different styles; a hand-drawn globe with "YRUU" on it; and multiple stylized words and phrases related to YRUU, a religious youth organization, with some signatures and a header of a newsletter titled "Synapse," indicating it is a publication for young religious Unitarian Universalists.

    Vol. 11 Issue 2

    1993

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  • A black and white newsletter page from 1994 titled "Synapse" with a swirling spiral and mountain landscape illustration. Contains sections for updates and addresses, with a recycled paper note at the bottom.

    Vol. 12 Issue 1

    1994

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  • A black-and-white newsletter titled "SYNAPSE," labeled as "A Point of Contact Where Energy and Information are Exchanged," dated Winter 1994, printed in the USA. The front page features various photos of young people, some smiling and posing, and others engaging in activities. The page contains sections with prompts for students, such as "Howdy! Please take a moment to fill out this form and help us clean out our files," and other blank or filled-in forms, along with a logo combining a stylized torch or flame with a leaf, and a small globe icon, indicating it is a publication for young religious Universalists.

    Vol. 12 Issue 2

    1994

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  • Hand-drawn magazine cover titled 'SYNAPSE' with a illustrative depiction of a clock with a drop at the center and roots at the bottom. Includes handwritten notes and small sections of text around the drawing.

    Vol. 13 Issue 1

    1995

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  • A black and white cover page of a publication titled 'SYNAPSE,' labeled as a point of contact for religious universalists, dated Fall 1995. The central image is a chalice with a flame and a question mark inside it, with the phrase 'What Can We Do' around the top of the chalice. The chalice contains headlines about youth violence, school safety, anti-gay bias, homicide, and teen violence. The bottom contains sections for submitting news, addresses, district information, and sponsorship details.

    Vol. 13 Issue 2

    1995

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  • A black-and-white newsletter cover titled 'SYNAPSE' with the subtitle 'A Point of Contact Where Information and Energy are Exchanged.' It features the issue details from Spring 1996, Volume IX, Issue 1, and is printed in the USA. The central logo depicts a tree with a flame above it, surrounded by the text 'Young Religious Unitarian Universalists.' The bottom contains various notes and a mailing address for Nonprofit Organization U.S. Postage Paid Boston, MA.

    Vol. 14 Issue 1

    1996 - Mislabeled as Vol. 9 Issue 1

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  • Cover page of Synapse, a publication of young religious Unitarian Universalists, dated Fall 1996, Volume IX, Issue 11, printed in the USA. Features a collage within a large diagram of the gender symbols for male (♂) and female (♀) filled with photos of diverse people.

    Vol. 14 Issue 2

    1996 - Mislabeled as Vol. 9 Issue 2

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  • The cover of a newsletter titled 'SYNAPSE' from Spring 1997, featuring sketches of diverse people's faces and an education-focused layout with sections for feedback, announcements, and organizational information.

    Vol. 15 Issue 1

    1997

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  • A collage of newsletters and posters from Synapse, a publication focused on communication and energy exchange, dated Fall 1997, Volume XV, Issue II, and related to the University of Utah community and various events.

    Vol. 15 Issue 2

    1997

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  • People sitting and talking at a synagogue event, with children playing near the walls.

    Vol. 16 Issue 1

    1998

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  • A black and white illustration of a hand holding a small Earth globe, with the words 'Synthesis' and 'Acting Out' prominently displayed, along with handwritten text about the exchange of thoughts and energy.

    Vol. 16 Issue 2

    1998

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  • A black-and-white magazine cover titled "SYNAPSE" from March 1999, Vol XVII, Issue I. It features various illustrations including a seated person with a pointed hat, a woman with long curly hair, a person seated at a table, a shrouded figure, and a cartoon person with a steaming head and a spoon. The cover promotes the message "get smart" and the phrase "the many paths to knowledge," credited to young religious unitarian universalists, emphasizing inclusivity for everyone.

    Vol. 17 Issue 1

    1999

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  • Cover page of Synapse publication from October 1999, Volume XVII, Issue II, featuring a black and white cartoon skull illustration and a list of articles and authors.

    Vol. 17 Issue 2

    1999

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  • A collage of bold, black text on a white background with various words and phrases related to social issues, politics, and culture, arranged vertically and randomly, with some words larger than others.

    Vol. 18 Issue 1

    2000

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  • Black and white protest illustration with the headline 'Stop Racial Harassment' and the subtitle 'The Tides of Racism.' It features three figures with arms extended, labeled with words such as 'hope,' 'fear,' and 'fear of,' symbolizing social struggles. The image includes a smaller text about prison reform, the war, educational inequalities, and youth detention, with a note at the bottom claiming to be by young unitarian universalists for everyone.

    Vol. 18 Issue 2

    2000

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  • A black and white cover illustration for Synapse magazine, Spring 2001, Issue 1, Volume XIX, featuring themes of environmental sustainability. The illustration shows the Earth supported by two large, stylized tree roots that resemble interconnected hands. On top of the roots are factories with smoke stacks emitting pollution, and a separate area with a tree, representing environmental elements. Speech bubbles ask if people can afford to be green and mention the split between Canadian and U.S. UUs. The tagline at the bottom states "by young religious unitarian universalists... for everyone." The title "Environmental Sustainability" is displayed diagonally across the top, and the magazine's subtitle notes it is a contact point for information and energy exchange.

    Vol. 19 Issue 1

    2001

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  • Black and white cover of SYNAPSE magazine, Winter 2001 issue, titled 'Ending the Cycles of Hate', featuring a soldier in uniform holding a rifle, surrounded by images of various people's faces, and a dollar bill in the background.

    Vol. 19 Issue 2

    2001

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  • A black and white newsletter or flyer titled "Meet Wendell, Our New Continental Calendar Spring 2002." It contains an introductory message from Wendell, a photo of him, and a section about the Youth Office's activities and schedules, including conference dates, scholarships, and training sessions. The layout includes text blocks and a photo of Wendell.

    Vol. 20 Issue 1

    2002

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  • A black-and-white cartoon illustration commemorating the 20th anniversary of YRUU, featuring a smiling sun, a computer screen with 'Synapse Online', and various symbols like peace signs, flag with 'justice', a book, lounge chair, and a girl reading a magazine, with the words 'Final Printing' at the bottom.

    Vol. 20 Issue 2

    2002

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  • Black and white illustrated cover of a publication titled "Synapse" with artistic drawings representing the theme "The Power of Language," including abstract and symbolic elements, a small dragon, a figure with flowing hair, and a note about awareness, from the year 2003.

    Vol. 21 Issue 1

    2003

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  • Black and white abstract illustration with multiple wavy arrows pointing upward to the right.

    Vol. 21 Issue 2

    Missing

    Nothing to read yet
  • A group of diverse young people gathered together on the cover of a publication titled "SYNAPSE" with the subtitle "Education Reform and Multiculturalism," issue of volume XXII. The photo was taken by Jennifer Ryu. The cover also features a quote about information and energy exchange and provides a web address for synapse.

    Vol. 22 Issue 1

    2004

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  • Cover of Synapse magazine's Fall 2004 issue featuring anti-racism themes with a central opening surrounded by words like 'guilt,' 'fear,' 'hatred,' 'prejudice,' and others, over a textured background.

    Vol. 22 Issue 2

    2004

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  • A black and white illustration of a tree with an owl perched on a branch, and two people hugging underneath. The image promotes themes of sexuality, education, awareness, community, safety, and respect, with handwritten words and phrases related to these themes. It is titled 'Sunrise' and includes a quote about the exchange of information and energy.

    Vol. 23 Issue 1

    2005

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  • Graphic poster with the word 'Synergy' in colorful, artistic font, featuring a black fist symbol, photos of diverse people, and text about universalist religious activism and community values

    Vol. 24 Issue 1

    2006

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