The Ballou Channing District is launching a new service this month - online workshops in which individuals can participate from the comfort of their home or church meeting room.  The first webinar will be offered on February 23 (see following story)

Webinar is short for "Web-based seminar", a presentation, lecture, workshop, conferencing or seminar that is transmitted over the internet. It is generally interactive with participants and the presenter communicating with each other. We have selected a webinar platform, Persony, that is housed on the UUA's website, which allows up to twenty five participants per event.

With a webinar participants sign up and will be given the URL for the conference site and a password to use to sign-in.  Conference participants will also be given a phone number with access code from a conference call service, to have voice access to the conference or may use Skype.  When using a phone, the participant will be charged their standard phone provider's long distance fee.

In a webinar participants will see on their screen the material the presenter posts - documents, videos, powerpoint presentations.  Everyone will see the same thing.  Questions can be asked over the phone or typed into an IM (Instant Message) box that is on the screen. 

To use a webinar the participant must have high-speed internet service and a phone separate from their internet service, unless they are using Skype.

Directions for signing on will be sent before the workshop to participants.

The district is excited to announce the launching a new series of webinars.  BCD Growth Consultant, Peter Bowden, will be leading the first webinar on February 23rd. Registration is  through an on-line service.  There is a $10 registration fee for each webinar.

·         Mobilizing Volunteers in UU Congregations
Tuesday, February 23, 2010 at 7:30 PM
The ministry of our congregations relies heavily on the work of volunteers.  This webinar presentation and discussion will explore successful approaches to inspire and recruit new volunteers, strategies to avoid leadership burnout, and ways to develop a culture of ongoing leadership development.

·         Integrating Social Media for UU Congregations
Tuesday, March 23, 2010 from 7:30 PM
This webinar presentation and Q & A session we will explore ways to integrate social media tools so content is automatically passed from one tool another. Starting with a traditional monthly newsletter content, participants will be shown how announcements can be shared via a blog format (for fee) and be set up to automatically be shared via a Facebook page, sent out as a "tweet" on Twitter, and displayed on a congregation's website.
 
To register for either/both webinars go to http://bcduua.eventbrite.com/

Deer Sullivan, the BCD Religious Education and Youth Ministry Consultant, is  pleased to announce that we have been able to arrange to bring to the district two excellent and highly knowledgeable individuals to present a training workshop for adults who are involved with, or want to support, youth ministry in their congregations.

Date and Time:          Saturday, March 27, 9:00 am - 3:00 pm

Location:                    Unitarian Universalist Society of Fairhaven,

102 Green St. Fairhaven, MA

Registration:              $25 per person or $60 for a team of 4 (lunch included)

The training will cover: youth ministry theory & theology; how-to's & best practices for effective youth ministry; working with a YAC; and how to evaluating the program.

The presenters are: Barb Greve, a life-long Unitarian Universalist, experienced Youth Advisor and workshop facilitator, President of the North Atlantic Regional Liberal Religious Educators Association Chapter who has served as the Director of Lifespan Religious Education, Hamden, CT and is currently in Newton, MA; and  Joe P. Gayeski, who serves as Youth Observer on the Board of Trustees of the Unitarian Universalist Association and is a member of the Unitarian Society of New Haven youth group.

A flier and registration form have been sent to the DRE and Youth Advisor in each congregation and also be found on the BCD website, www.bcduua.org.   Teams are encouraged.

Womensphere Spring Gathering

Unitarian Universalist women in the BCD are invited to come to a "day for women" with Dharma Teacher, Joanne Friday."  Ms Friday is a Buddhist teacher in the tradition of Thich Nhat Hanh. The day's theme is "Listening as a Spiritual Practice, Hearing with the Heart."

Date and Time:          Saturday, March 27, 2010 9:30am - 3:00pm at the

Location:                    Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Falmouth,

840 Sandwich Road, Falmouth MA.

Registration:              $20 includes lunch.

Registration deadline is Friday, March 19. 

Demographic and religious practice is changing in the US and churches may need to change to stay relevant in a new society. The BCD Spring Conference, April 24, 2010 at First Unitarian Church, Providence, will explore the developing trends and possible congregation responses. This year, rather than one presenter we will focus the theme through three sermons embedded in an extended, dynamic, morning worship followed by five conversation workshops.  Our presenters will be: Rev. James Ford, First Unitarian Church minister, Rev. Eric Wikstrom, UUA Director of Worship and Music Resources, and  Rev. Sue Sinnamon, Thomas Jefferson District Director of Faith Development.  Plans are also under development for a community social service project.  A detailed program and registration information will be sent in early March to congregation offices and church leaders.

Mark your calendars and plan to attend this far reaching and though provoking BCD Spring Conference.

Employees of UUA Congregations can enroll in the UUA Long Term Disability, Life Insurance and Dental Plans during an open enrollment period until February 26.

The plans have new benefits -- Long-term Disability, which replaces income for employees unable to work, is now available to employees who work at least 750 hours per year (was 1000 hours.). Life insurance will pay 200% times salary.

More information is at

Two BCD consultants, Jen Shattuck, Young Adult Ministry Consultant, and Peter Bowden, BCD Growth Consultant, publish blogs.  Check them out:

·         About young adults issues and ministry to and with young adults:  

http://www.bcd-ya.blogspot.com/

·         About UU growth issues and activities: http://uugrowth.com/ 

This is what some of our congregations did as part of the UUA's Side of Love Day...Valentine's Day Re-imagined

·         First Parish Cohasset:  conducted a "Standing on the Side of Love" focused service with the theme as "Love's Edge."  

·         First Congregational Parish in Kingston: had a week-long SSL focus, which began with the Sunday service on Feb. 7 with a re-commitment to going beyond the Welcoming Congregation program adopted February 2007.  SSL pins, bumper stickers, and program brochures were available along with a SSL petition, and a welcome to a lesbian UCC minister who was the Guest Minister.

·         UU Congregation of South County: conducted a "Standing on the Side of Love" focused service followed by a marching to into town for a rally. 

·         Unity Church, North Easton:  conducted a "Standing on the Side of Love" focused service and provided postcards for congregation members to send to congressional representatives about immigration reform.

·         Channing Memorial Church, Newport:  conducted an intergenerational service with a Standing on the Side of  Love theme. 

·         First Parish Duxbury:celebrated "Standing On the Side of Love" with a worship service on marriage equality and hung a permanent Rainbow Banner outside the church.

·         UU Society of Fairhaven: made Standing on the Side of Love "the charity-of-the month" giving them half of the non-pledge offering

·         First Parish Brewster: held it 10th annual Gayla Ball is in Hyannis on Saturday 

The FCC has recently affirmed a prior ruling that wireless microphones that operate on frequencies between 698 and 806 MHz cannot be used at all after June 12.  When the government auctioned off the usage rights to the 700 MHz range last year to companies they ruled that private use of these frequencies would be illegal. Violators using microphones in this frequency range after June 12 could be subject to fines or criminal penalties.

If a congregation is unable to budget for the purchase of new  wireless microphones before June 12, they may wish to change to wired microphones until new equipment can be purchased to avoid possible legal difficulties.  If a wireless microphone that broadcasts in this frequency range was recently purchased, contact the manufacturer about a replacement. 
 
A list of the specific microphones affected is available on the  FCC Website.  More information about this subject may be found in the current issue of 

February is an excellent time to start making plans to attend General Assembly, June 23-27, 2010 in Minneapolis.  Although registration for GA will not open until March 1, this is an ideal time to look at air fares and to budget for expenses.

Minneapolis is it a progressive, culturally diverse, LGBT friendly city, rich in cultural arts and a stunning natural environment.  There are 900 lakes and 170 parks in the Twin Cities area, making this GA an excellent family vacation destination. 

There are many housing options at GA this year and at a variety of price points. Four pre-GA tour packages have been developed: Tour #1 visits 3 local UU congregations and Sculpture Gardens; Tour #2 is a narrated boat ride down the Mississippi River.  Tour #3 is an ethnic cook's tour of Minneapolis and St. Paul. Tour #4 is shopping and dinner (on your own) at the Mall of America.  All Tours take place on Tuesday, June 22, 2010.The GA Planning Committee offers some scholarships, and other financial aid is available if you start planning now.

But the biggest draw is General Assembly itself.  Participants will experience wonderful and uplifting worship services with glorious music and inspiring messages; be able to network with UUs from other congregations, attend panel discussions, workshops, lectures and, shop in the Exhibit Hall as well as attend to the business of the Association.  Several important resolutions, including one submitted by the BCD on the Association's environment programs, will be discussed and voted.

As in past years there will be special events

·         the Opening Celebration and Banner Parade on Wednesday night with singer, songwriter, ("Holy Now" and "Blue Boat Home.") Peter Mayer

·         The Ware Lecturer with Minnesotan Winona LaDuke, an internationally renowned Native American (Anishinabe) activist

·         A Public Witness as part of the Twin Cities' Pride Festival & Parade (GA will take place during the city's annual Pride Festival)

Read all about GA 2010 at  www.uua.org/ga.   

The UUA Board of Trustees has started a process to make comprehensive reforms of the governance of the Unitarian Universalist Association. In a resolution adopted February 4, the Board stated its intention to bring before the 2011 and 2012 General Assemblies a bylaw change that would create is a smaller board. Changing the size of the UUA board could also lead to changes in the UUA's district functions since Trustees would not be elected by districts and efforts are underway to study regionalizing some delivery of services to congregations.  At the 2010 General Assembly the board will continue our substantive discussion [with district presidents and UUA President Peter Morales] of the shift toward regionalization.

UU Lobby Day on Wednesday will be on April 28.  The focus will be on legislative action to increase renewable energy use in MA and protect funding for homeless prevention.  Come to this lobbying day to meet our partners and learn about key issues facing MA and connect with fellow UUs.  

UU Mass Action is available to do issue forums for congregations.  Forums are available on the topics of climate change, housing or water.  Contact Nancy Banks at nancy.banks1@verizon.net.