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| Metro NY Minute -- June 2009 | |
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| | | | News From the District |  |
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| | |  The District will unveil its new banner at General Assembly. Pictured at left, the new banner is designed by Jim Sanders, District Annual Program Fund Representative, and incorporates the new logo, voted on by participates at the 2009 District Annual Meeting. David Snedden, member of the Morristown (NJ) Unitarian Fellowship, designed the logo. Featured in the background of the 8-foot x 32-inch double-sided banner are the names of all 51 congregations in the District. To see a larger version of the banner, click here  .
Adult/Young Adult Our Whole Lives (OWL) Facilitator Training will be offered August 14-15 at the Community Church of New York UU (Manhattan). The training will run Friday from 2 pm to 9 pm and Saturday from 9 am to 9 pm. Shared guest room housing at the church will be available for $50 per night (private at $150 per night), and commuters are also welcome. OWL based on a philosophy of comprehensive sexuality education that helps participants make informed and responsible decisions about their sexual health and behavior. The young adult curriculum helps participants navigate young adulthood with accurate information, increased self-knowledge, enhanced safety, and strengthened interpersonal skills. For a flyer, click here . To register, click here.
The 2009 Fall Junior Youth Retreat is scheduled for September 26-27 at Camp Ma-Kee-Ya, Harriman State Park, NY. Youth and adults from across the District attend. The retreat is staffed and run by high school UUs, with religious education teachers and parents attending as additional staff and advisors. The youth-adult ratio is about 5:1. For a flyer, click here . For a letter to DREs or RE chairs, click here . To register, click here. For more information, contact Peter Green.
| News From the
UUA |
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 Delegates to General Assembly June 24-28 in Salt Lake City UT will elect a new UUA President. Delegate credentials have been mailed to congregations and include instructions for absentee ballots. Absentee ballots must be received by the UUA by June 17. Congregations can decide whether and how to instruct their delegates on voting. Delegates also will vote to adopt a new Statement of Conscience on Peacemaking. | | | Worth Repeating Registration is open for the UU Leadership Team Institute (UULTI) to be held at Juniata College July 26 through August 1. UULTI is a remarkable week-long residential learning experience that seeks to renew faith, embrace congregational growth and change, welcome and nurture all, and fulfill the promise of Unitarian Universalism in the wider world. All congregational leaders are encouraged to attend. This year a special track for youth is being included. UULTI is sponsored jointly by the Joseph Priestly, Metro NY, Ohio-Meadville, and St. Lawrence districts. For a flyer, click here . To register, click here.
Lay Theological Education Grants are available to congregations for creating programs that focus on spiritual and theological deepening for lay leaders. Funded by Association Sunday 2008, typical grants will be in the range of $2,000-$10,000. The application deadline is October 1, 2009. Details are available at the Association Sunday website, including a blog link and information about how to apply.
The New York State Convention of Universalists will hold its 2009 Annual Meeting on October 16-17 at the
First Universalist Church of Rochester NY in Rochester NY. The keynote speaker will be the Rev. Richard Gilbert, Minister Emeritus, First Unitarian Church of Rochester. All UUs are invited to attend. For a flyer, click here .
The Ohio Meadville District Summer Institute invites everyone to help celebrate 30 years of summer family fun July 12-18 at Kenyon College in Gambier OH. Summer Institute is a week-long institute with programming for adults, young adults, youth, and children, and is a family-friendly camp. This year's theme speaker is Thandeka, professor at Meadville Lombard Theological School.
More Good Stuff to Check Out! Worship Service Providers available to District congregations RE-Sources for religious education leaders Job opportunities around the District InterConnections for lay leaders Social Action of the Month of the UUA Congregational Bulletin, UUA monthly email uuworld.org, UUA's online magazine UU Service Committee news
Small Talk newsletter for small UU congregations |
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The Fifth Principal Task Force, charged by the Board of Trustees in October 2007 with developing a set of recommendations about General Assembly, presented an
interim report  to the board in April, with a final report due January
2010. In its interim report, the Task Force recommends that General Assembly take place every other year, that General Assembly be governance driven rather than program driven, and that all expenses for delegates from Fair Share congregations be fully paid by the UUA.
Beacon Press has announced an exclusive agreement to partner with the Estate of Martin Luther King, Jr. in a new publishing program, "The King Legacy," which will give Beacon Press the sole right to print new editions of previously published King titles and to compile Dr. King's writings, sermons, orations, lectures, and prayers into entirely new editions, including significant new introductions by leading scholars. Read more.
The UUA Board of Trustees voted unanimously to place the Commission on Appraisal's proposed changes to Article II -- Purposes and Principles -- on the agenda for the delegate vote at General Assembly 2009 in Salt Lake City June 24-28. To read the proposal approved by the board, click here .
The Office of Religious Education Credentialing is accepting applications to participate in the re-visioned Religious Education Credentialing Program , a more accessible and flexible program which recognizes the experience of long-term practitioners in the field. This re-visioned program, a major overhauling of the credentialing program five years after its inception, incorporates feedback received from a variety of sources, including the Liberal Religious Educators Association (LREDA).
Copyright Issues Related to Worship are addressed online by the Office of Worship and Music Resources, covering the most frequently asked questions and helping to give a solid foundation for understanding the basic legal and ethical considerations of copyright law as they apply to worship.
A transcript of Stewardship Strategies for Congregations in Challenging Economic Times is now available. The online discussion moderated by Laurel Amabile, Director of the Annual Program Fund, on May 13 covered topics such as why some congregations are increasing their generosity right now, how children and youth might be engaged in stewardship, what to do if the canvass falls short of its goals, a guideline for financial reserves, and resources available to support congregational leaders.
The District Services Staff Group will be renamed the Congregational Growth and Vitality Staff Group, effective July 1, to more accurately reflect its enhanced work and structure in serving and supporting congregations. Previously part of the Congregational Services Staff Group, the staff of Congregational Stewardship Services, Services to Large Congregations, and Growth Services will all be part of the Congregational Growth and Vitality Staff Group. The Rev. Dr. Tracey Robinson-Harris is resigning as Director of Congregational Services effective June 30, and proposed that the work currently done in Congregational Services be done in other staff groups.
The Committee on Committees is accepting applications for a seat on the Audit Committee. The Audit Committee oversees the annual audit of financial statements by a public accounting firm and monitors the review, establishment and implementation of accounting policies and internal controls. For further information about the Audit Committee and the online Committee on Committees application form, click here and look under "Board Appointed Committees." The deadline for applications is June 17.
News From Congregations
 Bill Slezak (pictured left) and the Rev. Charlie Ortman (pictured right) raised nearly $14,000 for Toni's Kitchen, a food ministry in Montclair NJ, by riding cross-country on bicycles. Bill and Charlie began their 3000-mile journey in mid-April and received a warm welcome home on May 30. Bill is the District Chalice Lighters Coordinator and member of the First UU Church of Essex County (Orange NJ). Charlie is minister at the UU Congregation at Montclair (NJ). Read more.
The UU Congregation at Rock Tavern (NY) held a ground-breaking ceremony on May 31 symbolizing the initiation of new facilities construction. Several dignitaries were present along with congregation leadership. The congregation's original facilities were lost to fire in September 2006. The Fall 2008 Chalice Lighters call raised more than $30,000 to help the congregation re-build. | | | Milestones and Transitions Linda Volkersz was awarded the status of Credentialed Religious Educator – Associate Level by the UUA Religious Education Credentialing Committee at their May 29 meeting. Retiring after 35 years as Director or Religious Education at the UU Fellowship at Stony Brook (NY), Linda will be recognized at the Liberal Religious Educators Association Fall Conference in October 2009. The District presented Linda with the Award for Excellence in Religious Education at the 2009 District Annual Meeting.
Rev. Susan Veronica Rak was awarded the degree of Doctor of Ministry by the Meadville Lombard Theological School on May 17 in Chicago. She presented her paper, What’s God Got to Do with It? Living and Loving the Tension of Unitarian Universalist Theological Pluralism, at a colloquium the preceding day. Rev. Dr. Rak is minister at the Unitarian Society, a Unitarian Universalist Congregation (East Brunswick NJ).
Peggy Clarke begins serving as Director of Religious Education on July 1 at the UU Fellowship of Briarcliff, Croton, and Ossining (Croton-on-Hudson NY). Peggy is currently Ministerial Intern at the UU Fellowship of Poughkeepsie (NY). |
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Community Church of New York UU (Manhattan) sponsored a Jubilee 1 anti-racism training May 15-16 facilitated by Josh Pawelek and the Rev. Hope Johnson. The event was covered in a Garden City News article.
Rev. Michael Tino, minister at the UU Fellowship of Northern Westchester (Mount Kisco NY), was profiled in the Mount Kisco Examiner on June 10 in an article titled "Reverend Michael Tino Takes Pride in the Doctrine of Tolerance and Community Building." As Rev. Tino told the Examiner, "We believe it's more important to come together as a community than it is to believe the same thing." Read more.
The Unitarian Church in Summit (NJ) was pleased to have been presented with the Mendon W. Smith Award at this year’s District Annual meeting in Jersey City, which is presented to a congregation that has demonstrated outstanding dedication to UU purposes and principles and to strengthening our liberal religious faith. Of special mention was the Church's Centennial Fund, which supports partnerships with community organizations to make the world a better place, especially for children in need.
The Unitarian Society in Stamford (CT) hosted a National Alliance on Mental Illness–Connecticut event on May 20. The National Alliance on Mental Illness is the nation's leading organization dedicated to improving the lives of people with serious mental illnesses and their families. The Society also offered a Pastoral Care Lay Ministry session with Community Minister the Rev. ReBecca Ames Sala. The focus of the class was to provide participants with referral resources rather than with counseling training.
Other Noteworthy Items
 President Barack Obama proclaimed June 2009 as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Pride Month.
In his official proclamation, President Obama said "During LGBT Pride Month, I call upon the LGBT community, the Congress, and the American people to work together to promote equal rights for all, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity." Read the proclamation.
Murray Grove Retreat and Conference Center in Lanoka Harbor NJ invites you to enjoy a family mid-week "mini-vacation" on the site where Universalism began: comfortable and affordable, with pool, athletic fields, nature walks, barbeques, fire circle; near beaches, boardwalks, Six Flags, canoeing, restaurants and parks. And on August 14-16, the 2nd Annual Drum and Dance Retreat. Workshops on Afro-Brazilian, Latin, and West African drumming and African dance. $250 per person includes meals. Or register for the Saturday afternoon and evening session for $75.
Starr King's on-line courses are open to students at non-UU schools as well as at Starr King and Meadville Lombard. Lay people, ministers, social justice activists, and people of all faiths are welcome, and find the courses an exciting way to deepen their theological education. Read more. | | |
| | | Upcoming Workshops and Meetings
| | | Visit the District's Calendar and Events page for these and other events: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |  | | | | | Young Adult/Adult OWL Training: August 14-15, Community Church of New York UU, Manhattan. For a flyer, click here . To register, click here. For more information, contact Andrea Lerner. | | | | Liberal Religious Educators Association Chapter Meeting: September 24, Community Church of New York UU, Manhattan. For more information, contact Chris Buja. | | Saturday Afternoon at the Sacred Cow Barbeque: September 26, Unitarian Church of Staten Island (NY). With Gini Courter, UUA Moderator. For a flyer, click here . To register, click here. For more information, contact Rev. Susan Karlson. | | Long Island Leadership Institute: September 26 (Session 1), UU Fellowship at Stony Brook (NY). For more information, contact Doug Zelinski. | | Junior Youth Retreat: September 26-27, Camp Ma-Kee-Ya, Harriman State Park, NY. For a flyer, click here . For a letter to DREs or RE chairs, click here . To register, click here. For more information, contact Peter Green. |
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