November 2009

Metro NY Minute -- November 2009

News From the District

More than 200 congregation leaders attended Leadership Day: Defying Gravity at the UU Congregation at Shelter Rock (Manhasset NY) on November 7. The featured speaker was the Rev. Laurel Hallman, addressing how leaders can uncover the links between leadership and spiritual growth. Twelve workshop tracks

were offered, tailored specifically for various leadership roles.

The Spring 2009 Chalice Lighters call for the UU Legislative Ministry of New Jersey (UULMNJ) is extending through the fall. For a project description, click here

. The UULMNJ was formed to advocate for social justice in the public arena based on UU principles.

Roots of Rebellion, a play written and directed by Laurie James, co-chair of the District Women and Religion Committee, and co-sponsored by the Committee, will be performed on November 22 at Community Church of New York UU (Manhattan) as a fundraiser for the UUA Margaret Fuller Bicentennial Committee. Read more

. For a flyer, click here

News From the UUA

The General Assembly Planning Committee has revised the process for submitting proposals to sponsor an event at General Assembly. Individuals and groups now apply directly to the newly created General Assembly Program Development Group. Proposals are due no later than November 16. The Program Development Group encourages proposals that focus on these mission areas: Growing the Congregations We Want to Be, New Ministries for New Times, Building Justice. Read the article in uuworld.org. For more information, click here.

Worth Repeating

Are you interested in presenting a workshop at the 2010 District Annual Meeting? The Annual Meeting planners would like to hear from you! The 2010 District Annual Meeting will be held April 30-May 1, 2010, at the Hyatt Morristown (NJ). To enter your workshop proposal, click here.

Presentation of the 2010 District Awards and 2010 District Scholarships will be a highlight of the 2010 District Annual Meeting. You are invited to submit a nomination for one or more of four awards, and to encourage youth to apply for a scholarship. The nomination and application deadline is March 1, 2010.

Information and resources for designed specifically for congregations during the flu season are available at the District website at http://uumetrony.org/flu.htm.

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

Rev. William Sinkford is the 2009 recipient of the Angus H. MacLean Award for Excellent in Religious Education. Judith Frediani, UUA Director of Lifespan Faith Development, presented the award to Rev. Sinkford, former UUA president, on October 25 at the annual conference of the Liberal Religious Educators Association in Providence RI. Read more.

Sermons to be considered for the annual Stewardship Sermon Award are now being accepted. The deadline is February 16, 2010. Created in 1984, the award recognizes the sermon judged most effective in promoting financial support of the UUA and is sponsored by the Annual Program Fund, the UU Ministers Association, and the Liberal Religious Educators Association.

The Margaret Fuller Bicentennial Committee is sponsoring a hymn competition

to honor Margaret Fuller's 200th birthday on May 23. The deadline is January 10, 2010. The winning hymn will be distributed to congregations in time for services on May 23.

More than 1500 people marched under the Standing on the Side of Love banner at the National Equality March on October 11 in Washington DC. Watch the video and view the slideshow. On October 29, Washington DC Clergy United for Marriage Equality, supported by the Standing on the Side of Love campaign, held a service at Asbury United Methodist Church. Watch the video. For a quick update on Standing on the Side of Love merchandise, key dates, grants, and Friday calls, click here

The Addictions Ministry offers resources and information to help those with addictions, their families, and their communities along the path to recovery. The Addictions Ministry Team "is called to walk together with congregations and religious professionals to educate individuals, families, congregations, and communities about the suffering caused by addition. Our purpose in doing this ministry is to transform cultures of misuse and abuse into cultures of healing, wholeness, and health."

The UUA Health Plan Open Enrollment Period runs throughout the month of November. Staff of UU congregations who work at least 750 hours per year are eligible to join the plan effective January 1, 2010. Self-employed community ministers are eligible to join if they work in a ministerial capacity at least 750 hours per year. Read more.

News From Congregations

The Unitarian Church of Staten Island (NY) held a Standing on the Side of Love service on October 11. Signatures were gathered for the Standing on the Side of Love petition urging representatives to enact federal legislation guaranteeing equal rights for all lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people. Later, five church members attended a Standing on the Side of Love service at the Murray Grove Retreat and Conference Center in Lanoka Harbor NJ.

Milestones and Transitions
The Rev. Virginia Jarocha-Ernst was installed by the UU Congregation of Monmouth County (Lincroft NJ) on November 1.

The UU Congregation of Monmouth County (Lincroft) and the congregation's new minister, the Rev. Virginia Jarocha-Ernst, are featured in an October 15 article in the Independent online newspaper. Read the article. Members and friends of the UU Congregation of the Palisades (Englewood NY) worshipped together with the UU Congregation at Montclair (NJ) (UUCM) on October 18 in celebration of Association Sunday. Eddie Hadden, president of the Palisades congregation, thanked the Rev. Charlie Ortman, minister at Montclair, for their hospitality and for "the wonderful legacy that UUCM has provided to our denomination and to the world." A pancake breakfast followed the service. The UU Fellowship of Briarcliff, Croton, and Ossining (Croton-on-Hudson NY) held a service on October 25 to focus on 350.org's international campaign to create an equitable global climate treaty that lowers carbon dioxide below 350 parts per million. October 24 was 350.org's International Day of Climate Action. More than 100 UU congregations nationwide participated. Read more. Skylands UU Fellowship (Hackettstown NJ) is hosting a panel discussion on transgender issues on November 15 from 10:15-11:30 am as part of the Fellowship's Welcoming Congregation project. Panelists include Terri Fasano, formerly on the speakers bureau of the Gay Activist Alliance of Morris County, social worker Rik Fire, and Jullian Weiss, law and society professor and researcher on transgender workplace issues. For directions to the Fellowship, click here. MaryAnn Woods-Murphy, member of the Central Unitarian Church (Paramus NJ), was named Teacher of the Year by the New Jersey Department of Education in October. MaryAnn teaches Spanish at Northern Highlands Regional High School in Allendale NJ. Congratulations! Read more. The Unitarian Church in Westport (CT) welcomed 10 members of their partner church in Transylvania, the Unitarian Church in Alsoboldogfalva, for a recent 10-day visit. Pictured are Randy Burnham (left), vice-president of the Westport church, the Rev. Frank Hall, senior minister, and Gagyi Istvan, president of the Alsoboldogfalva church. The two churches have been partner churches for 20 years. Read more. The UU Congregation of Queens (Flushing NY) is presenting this fall a series on Abrahamic religions. Coming topics include "The Message of Jesus for Our Generation," "The Origins and Message of Islam," "Jihad in the Qur'an and the Hope of Peace," and "Women of Islam." The series reflects a Universalist approach and aims to help interfaith dialogue. Read more The UU Society in Stamford (CT) hosted its second annual Pro-Am Charity Chili Cook-Off on October 24 and collected 600 pounds of donated food for the Food Bank of Lower Fairfield County. More than 200 people voted in the contest. "We couldn't have been happier with the turnout," said Joe Gonzalez, society president. Read more. Rev. Debra Haffner, Community Minister at the Unitarian Church in Westport (CT), is featured in a Westport News article describing Rev. Haffner's work as co-founder and executive director of the Religious Institute, "a multifaith organization dedicated to advocating for sexual health, education and justice in faith communities and society." Read the article.
Other Noteworthy Items The UU United Nations Office (UU-UNO) invites you to register for the First Annual Envoy Social Justice Training on November 21 from 10:00 am-4:00 pm at the First Unitarian Congregational Society in Brooklyn. Learn about initiatives on United Nations Sunday, UN Religious Curriculum, Actions for Darfur, LGBT Human Rights, Climate Change, and more. Participants will also have the opportunity to learn from each other and share stories about best practices in their congregations. To register, click here. The UU-UNO is also offering the Youth Envoy Coordinator Internship to qualified youth and young adults. Help the UU-UNO represent the diverse voices of UUism at the United Nations by promoting the envoy program in District congregations. Applications are being reviewed on a rolling basis. For more information about this opportunity, click here. The UU Mid-Atlantic Community (UUMAC) for 2010 will feature Bruce Knotts, Director of the UU United Nations Office, speaking on "Global Citizenship: UUs and the United Nations." UUMAC is a week-long summer multi-generational camp held each year at DeSales University in Center Valley PA. For a flyer, click here . Murray Grove Retreat and Conference Center in Lanoka Harbor NJ is hosting monthly services and potluck dinners to welcome and support GLBTQQI (gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, queer, and questioning) people and their families. Scheduled for November 15 is Transgender Day of Remembrance and for December 6 is Families and Loved Ones of GLBTQQI. Dates will vary; service at 5:00 pm, potluck at 6:00 pm. RSVP 609-693-5558 or murraygrove@murraygrove.org.
Upcoming Workshops and Meetings
Visit the District's Calendar and Events page for these and other events:

	UU Women's Association and District Women and Religion Committee Weekend Renewal: November 13-15, St. Josephat's Retreat House, Glen Cove, Long Island NY. For a flyer and registration form, click here . For more information, contact Reena Kondo..
	*Roots of Rebellion*: November 22, Community Church of New York UU (Manhattan NY), co-sponsored by the District Women and Religion Committee. For more information, click here . For a flyer, click here .
	Elementary OWL Training: December 4-6, Unitarian Church in Westport (CT). For a flyer, click here . To register, click here. For more information, contact Andrea Lerner.
	Social Action Con: December 18-20, location to be announced. For more information, contact Katie Parker.
	Long Island Leadership Institute Session 4: January 23, UU Fellowship of Huntington (NY). For more information, contact Doug Zelinski.
	LREDA Chapter Retreat: January 31-Feb 3, 2010, Murray Grove Retreat and Conference Center, Lanoka Harbor. For more information, contact Chris Buja.
	Youth Social Con: February 12-24, 2010. Location to be announced. For more information, contact Katie Parker.
	LREDA Professional Day: February 25, 2010, Community Church of New York UU (Manhattan). For more information, contact Kim Mason.
	Long Island Leadership Institute Session 5: February 27, 2010, UU Congregation of Central Nassau (Garden City NY). For more information, contact Doug Zelinski.