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 | Spring Conference Tackles Question: How UUism Can Stay Relevant |
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If UUism is to remain relevant in light of demographic, cultural, and religious changes that are developing in our country, congregation leaders and members need to start to talk about how we may need to do church differently. The 2010 BCD Spring Conference will give participants an opportunity through presentations and discussion-centered workshops to look at and discuss the sweeping changes our society is facing and how we may want to respond.
"Faith Forward"
April 24, 9:00 - 1:00 (registration opens at 8:15)
First Unitarian Church,.
1 Benevolent Street, Providence, RI
(Corner of Benefit and Benevolent Streets)
Google map http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&tab=wl
Registration: $22 adults $7 youth.
Participants will also have an opportunity to meet with the UUA Committee on Ministry to discuss what the CoM should study over the next two years regarding ministry.
Register on-line with credit card, or download hard copy registration form to mail with check, by going to http://bcdfaithforward.eventbrite.com/.
The Conference brochure with program details has been sent to congregation offices.
Attendees are strongly encouraged to car pool or consider taking the morning MBTA commuter train to the Providence station, which is just a short taxi ride away from the church, to reduce parking needs. Parking is primarily on the streets in the neighborhood.
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| BCD Annual Meeting |
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The 2010 Annual Meeting will convene at 1:15 p.m. at the First Unitarian Church, 1 Benevolent Street, Providence, RI. The annual meeting agenda includes: election of District officers and directors, approval of the FY2011 budget, receiving district operations reports, honoring new and departing ministers, religious educators and district honor societies. Annual Meeting delegate materials have been sent to congregation offices.
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| Workshops and Congregation Events |
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The Almost Church Revitalized - A Conversation with Michael Durall
Tuesday, April 20, 2010 7:30 p.m.
A webinar conversation on the health, growth and future of Unitarian Universalism with church consultant and author, Michael Durall, hosted by BCD Growth Consultant, Peter Bowden. Mike is the author of The Almost Church, The Almost Church Revitalized, Creating Congregations of Generous People, Beyond the Collection Plate: Overcoming Obstacles to Faithful Giving. Register at http://durall1bcd.eventbrite.com/ (only credit card payment available)
(Webinars utilize both a telephone conference call (LD charges paid by the participant) and the UUA's Persony webinar website (free). Sign-in information will be emailed to registered participants 24 hours before the webinar.)
Ordination of Jill Ardith Cowie
May 2, 2010 4:00 p.m.
First Universalist Society, 262 Chestnut Street, Franklin, MA
Second Parish in Hingham Art Show
May 6 - 16(Weekdays: 10:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. Sunday: noon - 4 p.m) 685 Main Street (Route 228) Hingham, MA
Sale of fine art and crafts
Ball in the House Show
May 8 3:00 p.m.
Second Parish in Hingham, 685 Main St (route 228) Hingham, MA
A fund raiser in conjunction with the Second Parish Art Show with the five man vocal pop band, Ball in the House, http://www.ballinthehouse.com/ Tickets: $20. On-line sales at www.bownpapertickets.com
"Come as You Are" Spring LGBTQ and Allies Prom
May 8th 7:00 p.m.
Fraternal Order of Police Hall, 464 Mitchells Ln, Middletown, RI
Channing Memorial Church's (Newport, RI) Interweave Group and
Marriage Equity for Rhode Island are hosting a prom for LGBTQ and
Allies. Cash bar, music and raffles. Tickets $20 online ($2.50 handling
fee), $30 at the door (Please bring your receipt for admission, tickets
will not be mailed.). details and tickets at:
Building Dedication
Unitarian Church of Sharon
May 16 Service: 2:00 p.m.; Reception with tours 3:30 - 5:00 p.m. |
| General Assembly News |
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Registration
Conference Registration and Housing Reservations continues. Go to www.uua.org/GA for links to the forms and to get more information about GA and Minneapolis.
Pre-GA tour
Four pre-GA tour packages are available: 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. Go to
http://www.uua.org/events/generalassembly/venuetravel/130188.shtml for information and registration forms. Registrations need to be received by April 30.
Scholarships for Presidents
Five $300 scholarships are available as of the publication date of this newsletter from the BCD. One grant per congregation to either the president/parish committee chair or president/chair-elect nominee is available. Grants will be awarded as applications are received until the funds are exhausted. BCD General Assembly Grants are contingent upon the recipient's congregation providing a meaningful match financial assistance. For questions contact the district office - 508-559-6650 / ballouchanning@verizon.net.
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| Sandwich Fund Grants for 2010 |
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Each year the District awards one or more grants from the interest earned on the Sandwich Trust Fund. Massachusetts congregations in the BCD are eligible to apply. Grants are to support congregations' initiatives for the development and extension of Unitarian Universalist purposes and principles. Projects such as, but not limited to, special media ventures, outreach projects, special community ministries, programs to educate a community about Unitarian Universalism, etc. are the types of program/projects eligible for funding. Grant application forms will be sent to congregation offices the week of April 19.
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| Association Sunday 2010 |
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UUs congregations across the county will join together on October 3, 2010 for Association Sunday. The theme of Association Sunday 2010 is Celebrating 50 Years and the Future of Our Faith!
In Spring 2010, the UUA will embark on an in-depth strategic review of leadership and growth to develop an action plan to strengthen our faith community which will lead to a concrete action plan. Though details are still being developed, funds raised through this year's Association Sunday will carry this plan into action, support growth pilot projects, and ensure that our faith thrives for generations to come.
For information about the 2010 Association Sunday and to register your congregation, go to:
http://www.uua.org/giving/associationsunday/index.shtml.
For the 2009 Association Sunday nearly 550 congregations participated, raising a total of $337,291.55. First Parish Brewster and Murray UU Church were among the 38 congregations named as Empowering Congregations for their exceptional level of giving. |
| Green Sanctuary Certification for BCD Congregation |
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The UU Society of Fairhaven has received its certification as a Green Sanctuary congregation. Their work to increase "greening" of their congregation included an alternative Christmas gift fair, converting to ceramic mugs for coffee hour, installing recycle and compost bins, publishing a monthly eco-justice movie night, planting an organic garden on the church grounds, participation in the Adopt a Shore Line environmental justice project, making several building improvements including replacement of the heating system, changing to environmentally safer cleaning products and presenting special environment-focused programs.
To date there are four Accredited and four Candidate congregations in the District.
Green Sanctuary candidacy, accreditation, and re-accreditation applications are accepted year-round. More information at:
http://www.uua.org/leaders/environment/greensanctuary/
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| New UUA Staff Appointments |
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Taquiena Boston has been appointed to lead the new staff group, Multicultural Growth & Witness, being created out of the merger of Advocacy & Witness and Identity-Based Ministry staff groups.
The Rev. Meg A. Riley, currently the UUA's Director for Advocacy & Witness, has been named Senior Minister of the Church of the Larger Fellowship. |
| Church of the Larger Fellowship Offers Online Courses |
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The Church of the Larger Fellowship's Online Learning Center provides courses designed to serve both the newcomers to Unitarian Universalism who want to learn more about our liberal faith to long-time members who are hoping to deepen their spiritual and ethical lives. Some courses are free and others have a small tuition fee. Three up-coming course are:
* Unitarian Universalist History and Identity: Meet the Universalists (5/9 - 6/20)
* Theology and Faith Development: Theology of James Luther Adams (6/28 - 9/20)
* Ethics and Social Justice: Ethical Eating - Eating as if the Earth Matters (9/6 - 10/18)
Go to
http://clf.uua.org/learn/ for more information and to register
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| Calendar |
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Apr 20 A Conversation with Michael Durall Webinar 7:30pm
Participant's Home or office computer
Apr 21 Cranberry Cluster Gathering 6:30pm
First UU Society, Middleboro, MA
Apr 24 BCD Spring Conference 9:00am - 1:00pm First Unitarian Church, Providence, RI Apr 24 BCD Annual Meeting 1:15 - 3:30pm First Unitarian Church, Providence, RI May 2 Ordination: Jill Ardith Cowie * 4:00pm
First Universalist Society in Franklin
May 3-5 BCD UUMA Chapter Retreat
Friendly Crossways Youth Hostel /Retreat Center, Harvard, MA
May 6-16 Second Parish Art Show*
Second Parish in Hingham
May 8 Ball in the House Show *
Second Parish in Hingham
May 8 Channing Memorial Church Come as You Are 7:00pm
Spring LGBTQ and Allies Prom *
Fraternal Order of Police Hall,464 Mitchells Ln, Middletown, RI
May 14-16 Universalist Convocation
First Universalist Society of Rochester, NY
May 16 Unitarian Church of Sharon Building Dedication 2:00pm *
Unitarian Church of Sharon, MA
Jun 23-27 General Assembly
Minneapolis, MN
Jul 18-24 Southeast Unitarian Universalist Summer Institute
Radford University, Radford, Virginia
Oct 8 -10 Unitarian Universalist History & Heritage Convocation
Espousal Center, Walthan, MA
* New since Calendar last published
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