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Metro NY Minute -- June 2007

  
 
News from the UU District of Metro NY
 
Have you seen the pictures of the 2007 District Annual Meeting? Click here or visit the District website. And don't forget to mark your calendar for the 2008 District Annual Meeting: May 2-3, 2008!
The District is beginning the search for the next Congregational Services Consultant, the position currently held on an interim basis by the Rev. Calvin Dame. If you are interested, or know of someone who might be interested, in serving on the search committee, contact Jerry Muntz, District President - . Read a letter from Jerry Acrobat Reader Required.
The Spring 2007 Chalice Lighters Call is underway for the First Unitarian Society of Plainfield Acrobat Reader Required (NJ) to help the Society implement a marketing campaign, a key component of their membership development plan. The Fall 2007 Chalice Lighters Call will help fund a training program with New Dollars/New Partners, part of Partners for Sacred Places, for up to 12 congregations that have older or historic buildings and are interested in raising funds to restore, improve, and better utilize their buildings. Congregations interested in the training and also in being involved in organizing and coordinating the program should contact Calvin Dame. The deadline for applying for the Spring 2008 Chalice Lighters Call has been extended until October 1, 2007. Click here Acrobat Reader Required for an application form.
"Thirty Years of Feminist Transformation" is featured in the summer 2007 issue of UU World magazine. The District Women and Religion Committee is a branch of the national UU Women & Religion, a UUA Independent Affiliate Organization, and invites all women to participate. Read more Acrobat Reader Required.
The May 2007 issue of the Annual Program Fund QUARTERLY Acrobat Reader Required newsletter is now available. The UUA's Department of Stewardship & Development publishes this newsletter to provide information and congregational stories to those involved or interested in the Annual Program Fund, and in stewardship generally.
The Spring 2007 issue of the Data Services Newsletter is now available. Published by the UUA's Department of Data Services, the newsletter includes time-sensitive information about updating congregational data for the 2008 UUA Directory, UU World magazine subscriptions, and more.

 

  
Register Now For . . .

General Assembly (GA) 2007 in Portland OR June 20-24! Early bird registration runs through April 30. Congregational presidents are especially invited and will be reimbursed for a portion of their registration fees. Read more Acrobat Reader Required.

UU Leadership Team Institute, a collaborative initiative of the Murray Grove Association and the Joseph Priestly, Metro NY, Ohio-Meadville, and St. Lawrence districts. A six-day residential program July 28-August 3, the Institute is designed for congregational leaders wishing to strengthen their team and leadership skills in order to make a real impact in their congregations and communities. Click here  Acrobat Reader Required for a flyer.

More Good Stuff to Check Out!

Worship Service Providers available to District congregations

RE-Sources for religious education leaders

Job opportunities around the District

SmallTalk Acrobat Reader Required for small congregations

Action Alerts from the UUA Washington Office for Advocacy

InterConnections for lay leaders

UUA Monthly Mailing to all congregations

UUWorld.org, UUA's online magazine
The Church of the Larger Fellowship is offering on its Online Learning Center a new course titled "A UU Take on Global Warming/UUs Take on Global Warming." Covering both the science of global warming and the philosophy of a religious response, the four-week course begins July 15.
The UU World magazine will launch a new section, Congregational Announcements, in its Fall issue. Congregations may place an announcement of up to 50 words for a specially discounted rate. The deadline for the Fall issue is June 15. For more information visit www.uuworld.org/advertising/placeacongregationalannouncement.shtml.
The UUA Office of Congregational Stewardship Services is the new name for the Office of Congregational Fundraising Services. Stewardship more accurately reflects the work of this office, which focuses more broadly on spiritual stewardship and less on the narrow task of fundraising. Wayne Clark is Director of the Office and the author of the recently published Beyond Fundraising: A Complete Guide to Congregational Stewardship, available from the UUA Bookstore.
UU Mid-Atlantic Conference (UUMAC) is a summer camp for UUs, a multi-generational, intentional community meeting annually each summer at DeSales University for a week of fun, recreation, spiritual rejuvenation, and growth. You are welcome to join the UUMAC family! This year's camp is July 22-28, 2007. Click here for a brochure Acrobat Reader Required.
 Nick Page and the Mystic Chorale will perform June 16 at Community Church of New York UU (Manhattan) in the "Long Walk to Freedom" concert. Phumlani of South Africa's Dundee Voices of Joy will also perform in celebration of South Africa's June 16 holiday honoring the 1976 student uprising in Soweto.
 The UU Congregation at Montclair is the new name chosen by members of the congregation located in Montclair NJ at its annual meeting May 20. Previously, the congregation was named the Unitarian Church of Montclair. Read more. Prior to the meeting, the congregation invited local media to attend. Read more Acrobat Reader Required.
 Choirs from the UU Congregation of Central Nassau (Garden City NY) and the First Unitarian Congregational Society of Brooklyn (NY) sang the national anthem before the start of the New York Liberty Game at Madison Square Garden on June 3. The two congregations sponsored the outing as a fundraiser for their joint partner congregation in New Orleans. Read more Acrobat Reader Required.
 For 31 years, the UU Society in Stamford (CT) has been graced with the talents of Maureen Ferrara-Higle as pianist, organist, choir director, and music consultant. On Sunday, May 20, Maureen and the Rev. Ron Sala collaborated on the presentation of a music-oriented special celebratory service. Read more Acrobat Reader Required.
The Fourth Unitarian Society of Westchester (Mohegan Lake NY) has just completed a major upgrade of its website, www.fourthuu.org/, using a template from the First Unitarian Society of Minneapolis (MN) offered free of charge as part of its UU Web Templates Project. The Fourth Unitarian Society of Westchester was motivated in part by a workshop sponsored by the District on April 1, 2006, led by Valerie Holton, UUA Marketing Outreach Consultant, and titled "Marketing 101: Developing an Outreach Strategy for your Congregation.
 The UU Fellowship at Stony Brook (NY) is sponsoring a new live-music venue, Grounds and Sounds Cafe, featuring national and local musicians. The Grand Opening is June 8 at 7:30. Read more.
 
Milestones and Transitionss
 
Rev. Fred L Hammond was ordained by the UU Congregation of Danbury (CT) on May 27.
 
Rev. Rob Gregson, minister at the First UU Fellowship of Hunterdon County (Baptistown NJ), begins an extended leave of absence on June 17. Bob Janis Dillon, Consulting Minister, will begin full-time duties in the fall.
 
Rev. Nate Walker has been called to serve the First Unitarian Church of Philadelphia (PA), beginning August 1. Rev. Walker has been serving the Unitarian Church of Staten Island (NY) as Consulting Minister.
 
Rev. Julie Newhall has been called to serve the UU Congregation of Somerset Hills (North Branch NJ), beginning in August. Her installation is planned for October 14. Rev. Newhall has been serving the UU Fellowship of Sussex County (Newton NJ) as Consulting Minister.
 
Aisha Hauser will be leaving the First UU Church of Essex County (Orange NJ) as Director of Religious Education to begin as Director of Religious Education at the Fourth Universalist Society (Manhattan) at the end of August.
 
Rev. Galen Guengerich will be installed as Senior Minister at the Unitarian Church of All Souls (Manhattan) on October 28 at 5:00 p.m.
 
Upcoming Workshops and Meetings
 
Visit the District's Calendar and Events page for these and other events:
 
bullet UU University: June 19-20, sponsored by the UUA, in Portland OR just prior to General Assembly.
bullet General Assembly 2007: June 20-24, Portland OR.
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Religious Education Week on Star Island: July 14-21, Star Island NH.
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UU Mid-Atlantic Community (UUMAC): July 22-28, DeSales University, Center Valley PA. Click here Acrobat Reader Required for a registration brochure.
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UU Leadership Team Institute: July 28-August 3, Juniata College, Huntingdon PA. Click here Acrobat Reader Requiredf or a poster.
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Young Adults Social Action Under the Sun: August 3-5, Murray Grove Retreat and Conference Center, Lanoka Harbor NJ. Visit www.connectuu.com to register. For more information, contact Daniel Gregoire.
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Junior/Senior Our Whole Lives (OWL) Training: August 10-12, Murray Grove Retreat and Conference Center, Lanoka Harbor NJ. Click here Acrobat Reader Required for a flyer. Click here to register. For more information, contact Andrea Lerner.
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Junior High Retreat: September 15-16, Harriman State Park, Bear Mountain NY. Click here Acrobat Reader Required for a flyer. Click here to register. For more information, contact Peter Green.
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New York State Convention of Universalists Annual Meeting: October 12-13, UU Society of Oneonta, Oneonta NY.
 

Guided by our living faith, the Unitarian Universalist District of Metropolitan New York exists to be a source of connection and transformation for our congregations and our larger world.