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 | Spring Conference Follow-up |
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Over 100 Unitarian Universalists from 24 congregations left the BCD Spring Conference held on Saturday, April 24, stimulated by the keynote addresses and workshops that explored the questions of what do we need to do to remain relevant and attract people in the light of changes in demographics and religious participation and what might the practice of Unitarian Universalism look like in the years ahead. At the request of participants the three keynote sermons and an essay about the demographic and religious trends that will influence congregational life have been posted on the BCD website - www.bcduua.org |
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New BCD Officers and Board Directors Elected at Annual Meeting |
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The delegates at the 2010 annual meeting elected the following individuals to serve on the BCD board.
Rev. Paul Sprecher President
Susan Fisher Vice-President
Mary Alice Smith Secretary
Charlotte Harris Treasurer
Rosemary Donahoe Director
Louise Marcoux Director
Trish Tummino Director
The delegates also elected Lisa Benoit and Carol Rosine to the Nominating Committee. |
| Budget Approved with Same
Congregation Contribution Rate for FY 2011 |
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Delegates to the 2010 Annual Meeting approved a budget of $138,600 for Fiscal Year 2011. The Congregation Contribution rate will remain at $19 per member. The fiscal year begins July 1, 2010.
The district receives revenue from four primary sources:
Congregation Contributions, which make up approximately 50% of the revenue. The FY11 rate used for this budget is $19 per member. Investment Income comes from the Conservation Restriction endowment. Approximately $1.5 million is invested in Certificates of Deposit at rates between 2.9% and 5.07%., which will give an estimated return of $53,000. The Annual Program Fund Give-back Grant is the third largest revenue source. The grant is calculated from the total amount of APF contributions from congregations and the number of congregations that make full payment (full Fair Share). Conference Revenue, which comes from registration fees.
Budgeted expenditures are primarily for providing services to congregations -- 72% of the expenditures are for congregation-related services, programs and activities. Even administrative expenses, for the most part, are for the "behind-the-scenes" costs for activities that support congregation services.
The expenditure side of the budget covers seven program areas:
Administration/ Operations -- Expenses for various operating costs including office rent, utilities, copying, insurance, postage, internet services and IT support, audit services and the district's administrator. Young Adult - compensation for thepart-time Young Adult Ministry Consultant and programs. Religious Education and Youth - compensation for the 1/3 time Religious Education and Youth Ministry, funds to the RE Gathering's and money for professional development scholarship for religious educators and for youth to attend GA. Board/Committee/Other Organization -- expenses pertaining to board training and development, GA expenses for the district president, district committee expenditures and dues or contributions to various organizations. Leadership Development - funding for scholarships for lay leaders to attend GA and training programs and supports leader network gatherings. Congregation Programs - programs and related support services such as congregation consultants, including a small church consultant this year, social justice/anti-racism programming and resources such as books and videos. Conferences/Workshops - costs pertaining to conferences and workshops including subsidies to reduce registration fees and compensation for the Program Associate who arranges conference logistics.
More detailed budget information is available in the Annual Report that will be mailed to congregation offices by the end of May. |
| Religious Education Program Assistance
from Church of the Larger Fellowship |
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RE Express, a service of the Church of the Larger Fellowship, has several resources to assist programs of all sizes -- a comprehensive UU curriculum for multi-aged children groups, a kid-friendly curriculum for families and small groups, a monthly children's worship/holiday celebration, an Index of RE Resources that can provide DREs with a searchable index of activities and information to fill in a variety of gaps in a program. The KidTalk site also provides supplemental resources on everything from holidays of the month to a historical Unitarian and/or Universalist, and makes a perfect way for parents to share the RE experience at home. Subscription for one-year costs $129. Contact bmurray@clfuu.org or 617-948-6150 for more information. |
| General Assembly News |
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There is still time to register for General Assembly to he held in Minneapolis. Go to www.uua.org/GA for links to the forms and to get more information about GA and Minneapolis.
A few $300 scholarships for congregation president/parish committee chair or president/chair-elect remain as of the publication date of this newsletter from the BCD. Grants are 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 |
| Fall and Winter Workshops and Conferences |
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The BCD staff have started to plan the fall and winter workshop schedule. More information will be provided in the June BCD in Brief and with a mailing to congregation offices. |
| BCD Office Summer Schedule |
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The BCD office will be closed for the summer vacation starting on June 21 and will reopen August 17. Mail, email and phone messages will be checked weekly by the Administrator during the summer. The district executive will be working at his home office 401-353-5334 / zelaz@aol.com - throughout the summer, but will be away for a vacation break in mid-August. |
| Invitation to Retrace Steps of the U.S. Civil Rights Movement |
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Unitarian Universalists are invited to join UU Service Committee staff on the annual UUSC Civil Rights Journey, July 10-17 to retrace the steps of the U.S. civil-rights movement through Atlanta,Tuskegee, Montgomery, Selma, and Birmingham. Participants will meet and hear directly from some of the courageous people who worked to desegregate schools, register new voters, and bring an end to racial discrimination in the United States. The cost for this intergenerational trip (age 14 and older) is $800, which includes hotel, meals, museum admissions, workshops, and local transportation. Participants are responsible for providing their own transportation to and from Atlanta, Ga. For more information, including a flier and application that you can download, please visit: http://www.uusc.org/content/freedom_summer_civil_rights_journey_2010 or contact Kara Smith at 617-301-4392 of the Experiential Learning team with any questions. |
| BCD Minister Publishes First Novel |
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The Rev. Judith Campbell has just published her first novel, A Deadly Mission the first of the Olympia Brown Mystery stories.Rev. Campbell says the novel is about, "When College Chaplain, Olympia Brown, learns a homesick freshman is being recruited by a shadowy religious cult, she and Father Jim Sawicki, join forces to rescue the girl before she is lost forever." The book is scheduled for release on July 15. Learn more at: www.judithcampbell-holymysteries.com |
| Positions Available in BCD Congregations |
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Director of Religious Education First Parish Scituate is seeking a Part-time Director of Religious Education (15 hours per week) to manage a program with approximately 50 children and youth. Interested individuals should send a cover letter and resume (with "DRE Search" in the subject line) to firstparishscituate@verizon.net. Contact First Parish at 781-545-3324 for more information and full job description.
Music Director
First Congregational Parish in Kingston, MA (120 members) is looking for a Music Director to lead a dynamic music ministry in a church with a passion for music. The position is 1/4 time (8-10 hours/wk.). Salary range: $9,750 - 11,000. Contact Tim Augello at taugello@gmail.com or leave a message at (781) 582-1640 for more information |
| DRE Conference Call Gathering Being Planned |
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A conference call gathering for DRE's who are unable to attend the monthly RE Gathering at Fairhaven is scheduled for Thursday May 27, 2010 7:00-8:30 pm The purpose of this call is to provide you with an opportunity to: · Check in and introduce yourself · Get to know some of your colleagues in the district · Share highlights - what's going well - and challenges in your programs · Receive support · Connect with each other and new resources · Ask questions Also, the RE Consultant will discuss DRE Self Care and provide information about the district's RE Committee. This call will also give the RE Consultant a better sense to best support religious educators and their programs. Regular conference call gatherings can be planned if participants find this form of networking to be helpful. There is no charge for the conference call other than the participants long distance phone charges.
To register by email or call the RE Consultant deersplace@yahoo.com / 508 237 8297 by May 20.
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| District Facebook Page Launched |
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The district has launched its Facebook page -- Ballou Channing District of the UUA. Information about events, workshops and conferences, district programs and other activities will be posted on the page.
To get this up-to-date information just become a fanof "Ballou Channing District of the UUA" This is how -
To receive these updates visit "Ballou Channing District of the UUA" (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Ballou-Channing-District-of-the-UUA/114461965261710) and click the Like Button at the top of the page.
We know that not everyone is on Facebook so all district announcements will continue to be shared via our website www.bcduua.org and e-newsletters such as BCD in Brief. You may also visit our Facebook page at any time without being a user, all information is public. See link above.
To link to this page in your congregation's publications you may use the shorter web address http://tinyurl.com/bcduuafanpage |
| Association Sunday 2010 News |
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To date, nine BCD congregations have signed up to participate in Association Sunday 2010 -- All Souls UU Church, Braintree, UU Meeting House, Chatham, First Parish Church UU Duxbury, UU Society of Fairhaven, UU Fellowship of Falmouth, First Parish in Hingham Old Ship Church, First Congregational Parish in Kingston, Unity Church of North Easton.
Association Sunday is scheduled for October 3, 2010, but congregations may hold the event on any Sunday that fits their schedule into early 2011. The theme of Association Sunday 2010 is Celebrating 50 Years and the Future of Our Faith! Funds raised through this year's Association Sunday will carry leadership development and growth plans that are currently being developed as part of a major strategic plan initiative.
For information about the 2010 Association Sunday and to register your congregation, go tohttp://www.uua.org/giving/associationsunday/index.shtml. |
| Annual District Directory Questionnaire
on the Way to Congregation Offices |
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Each year the district office sends to church offices a questionnaire to update information about officers, ministers, staff, and other data which is used to prepare the annual District Directory and database. The questionnaire will be sent electronically by June 1. A timely reply will enable district staff to complete the directory by early September. |
| Calendar |
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May 22 Cape & Islands Meeting for Social
Justice Committees 10:00 a.m. First Parish Brewster
May 24 BCD Board Meeting 6:30 p.m.
First UU Society, Middleboro, MA
Jun 12 Cape & Island Presidents Council 10:00 a.m.
Unitarian Church of Barnstable
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, Waltham, MA
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