March 2012 BCD In Brief

Based on the most recent Congregation Certification process, and assuming no change in membership of the four congregations that did not submit certification this year, there are 5144 Unitarian Universalists in our 45 congregations. The 2011 membership number was 5231. The certification report also shows 1795 children are enrolled in our religious education programs.

On a national level, based in the information provided the number of congregations increased, but membership growth, religious education registration, and average weekly attendance declined, continuing a recent trend.

Number of congregations increased from 1,046 to 1,054, a net change of +8 or 0.8%.
Membership decreased from 162,796 to 161,502, a net change of -1,294 or -0.8%.
Religious education registration decreased from 54,671 to 53,776, a net change of -895 or -1.6%.
Average weekly attendance decreased from 100,693 to 98,483, a net change of -2,210 or -2.2%.

Going back to 2003

Number of congregations increased from 1,038 to 1,054, a net change of +16 or 1.5%.
Membership increased from 156,675 to 161,502, a net change of +4,827 or 3.1%.
Religious education registration decreased from 60,540 to 53,776, a net change of -6,764 or -11.2%.
Attendance data began being collected in 2006.

Upcoming Workshops in the BCD

New Neighbors Next Door

Date/Time: March 31, 2012 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Location: Universalist Unitarian Church of Brockton, 325 West Elm St

(corner of West Elm and Belmont Ave)

Registration: Call 508-559-6650 or email BallouChanning@verizon.net to register

$10 registration fee to cover the cost of the meal is payable at the door

As part of the work being done by the BCD to inform people about the immigration issues facing our country, including New England, as a prelude to the 2012 Justice GA, the Rev. Robert Thayer has organized a workshop to give immigration issues a face for UUs. Rev Thayer is the minister of our UU Church in Brockton that hosts several immigrant congregations. Haitians and East African immigrants will talk about how they are affected by US immigration policy and the INS. In addition to the conversation, participants will be able to share in a sample of worship services conducted by the immigrant faith communities. A light lunch will be served.

Pathways to Legacy: Developing Planned Giving

Date/Time: March 24, 2012 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Location: All Souls Church, Braintree, MA

Registration: Call 508-559-6650 or email BallouChanning@verizon.net to register giving name, congregation and contact information. [One person may register for a congregation team, but provide the names and contact

information for all individuals attending from the congregation]

Liz McClain, Legacy Gifts Manager at the UUA will present a workshop addressing topics such as charitable bequests, gift annuities, umbrella giving, and wills to help congregations in talking with members about different ways of giving. The workshop is free, but registration is requested

Appeal for District's "Bring Justice Home Scholarship Fund"

In the February issue the formation of the "Bring Justice Home Scholarship Fund" was announced. The scholarship fund has been established by the District for the BCD Justice GA Task Force with the goal of raising $6500 to provide 20 scholarships to cover the $325 registration fee. Priority for the scholarships are young adults and first-time attendees. The District has put in $1300 it had budgeted for GA scholarships.

The BCD Justice GA Task Force is asking individuals who are going and believe others should also go, or who are not able to go but support the goals of this General Assembly to make a donation to help others attends this special General Assembly. Congregations are also encouraged to send a donation. All amounts are welcome - $10, $20, $50, $100, $325. Individual donations are tax deductable. Send the check to BCD Office 325 West Elm Street, Brockton, MA 02301 with "GA Scholarship" on the memo line

Financial Assistance for General Assembly

There are several sources for financial assistance to attend the 2012 Justice General Assembly in Phoenix.

Ballou Channing District.

The scholarship application is available on the BCD website - www.bcduua.org

- the go to the Justice GA page. Young adults and first-time attendees to a General Assembly are the priority recipients. Note there has been a slight change in the application process to align it

with UUA scholarship procedures -- register for GA after receipt of scholarship.

Unitarian Universalist General Assembly Planning Committee

The scholarships are open to all, but priority is given to applicants who will represent their congregation at GA as delegates or congregations that have not (or not recently) sent representation to GA. Applications will be accepted between March 1 and March 31. For details go to http://www.uua.org/ga/registration/financialaid/15005.shtml

Davidoff Fund Scholarship

The scholarships priority are lay leaders from congregations who have not been represented by lay leaders at General Assembly in the last three years. For details go to http://www.uua.org/documents/stew-dev/davidoff_application.pdf

General Assembly Office Volunteer Opportunities.

Individuals contribute 24 hours volunteer work in segments and in exchange registration fees will be waived. Applications will be received between March 1 and March 31. For details to go http://www.uua.org/ga/registration/financialaid/14930.shtml

May 5 District Spring Conference to Explore Aspects of Being a Mission-Driven Church

The conference theme is a mission-focused church: living into the community. The keynote speaker is the Rev. Ron Robinson, minister of A Third Place in Turley, OK, a unique, mission-driven congregation whose focus and purpose is on service to the community rather than just traditional worship and programs. Workshops will look at various aspects of being mission-focused as a congregation. Participants will also have an opportunity to participate in the UUA's Gathered Here initiative - an appreciative inquiry based group conversation that will look at participant's experiences with and aspirations for Unitarian Universalism. Conference details and registration information will be forthcoming in late March.

The BCD Spring Conference and Annual Meeting will be held at the Unitarian Universalist Society of Fairhaven, MA, 102 Green Street, Fairhaven from 9:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Annual Meeting information and delegate cards will be mailed to congregation offices on April 12, 2012

Newport Congregation Sponsoring LGBTQ Ball

"Born This Way" Spring Prom is being sponsored by the Channing Memorial Church, Newport, RI. The prom will be on Friday, April 13, 8pm, at the FOP Lodge, Middletown, RI. This is a multi-generational, non-alcoholic, straight allies & LGBTQ event to benefit Youth Pride Inc and Channing Church. $10 with a current student ID; $20 regular admission. The dance is open to high school ages and up. For information search Born this way Prom 2012 on Facebook or contact Interwearve@ChanningChurch.org or call 401-846-5565.

Change in BCD Scholarship Application Requirements

To align the BCD's scholarship application process with the UUA's process the application process has been adjusted slightly.

Old: show proof of registration for GA when submitting application

New: apply after receiving grant, but show proof of registrationbefore receiving money

BCD scholarship application to cover costs of GA registration is available on the BCD website http://bcduua.org/Home/JusticeGA/ tabid/134/Default.aspx

Ask the Right Question*

Leaders do not need to have all the answers.
Leaders need to be able to ask the right questions

Princeton Theological Seminary names three questions around which they seek to have students think. These are also useful questions for a congregation seeking to make itself more spiritually vibrant.

How do people come to our faith?
How do people grown in their faith?
How do people live out our faith in daily life?

*Adapted from Lewis Center "Leading Ideas" e-newsletter

News from the Larger UU World

Off-site delegates to GA 2012 in Phoenix!

Even if they cannot be present physically at GA this year, congregational delegates, ministers, and credentialed directors of religious education can participate in the business of GA in Phoenix by serving as off-site delegates.

Off-site delegates can:

Watch live streaming video of all Plenary Sessions online.
Vote online and speak during debate in General Assembly business sessions from home, office, or congregation, or as part of a congregational cluster.
Listen to discussion and vote during business mini-assemblies.

Off-site delegates participate in GA using a telephone and a computer with high-speed access to the Internet. For more information about this year's off-site delegate process and to apply for your congregation to have off-site delegates go to http://www.uua.org/offsitega

UUUNO 2012 Spring Seminar

Registration is open for "Beyond Borders: Breaking Barriers of Race and Immigration," the Unitarian Universalist United Nations Office annual Intergenerational Spring Seminar

April 12-14, 2012 in New York City. Topics include: Barriers and Bridges to Educational Success, Race and Immigration in the Arts and Media, Religious Views on Racism and Immigration, Trafficking and the Vulnerable, Women and Migration - Herstory. Questions about the conference to springseminar@uu-uno.org. More information at http://www.uu-uno.org/events/spring-seminar/2012-spring-seminar.

UU History Comes to Life on DVD

The third installment of Long Strange Trip: The UU History Film Series is now available on DVD from the UUA Bookstore This disc will take you on a fascinating journey through UU history, covering American Unitarianism between 1620 and 1860. It is full of information on the Transcendentalists, including Margaret Fuller, Theodore Parker, and Ralph Waldo Emerson, and also explores the Joseph Priestley's emigration to America from England. A trailer of this third installment is on http://www.uuabookstore.org/productdetails.cfm?PC=1580.

Long Strange Trip Part 1 and Long Strange Trip Part 2, which cover the origins of our faith through the year 1620 is also available. These films are perfect for religious educators or anyone who wants a deeper understanding of Unitarian Universalism.

Order on-line at: http://www.uuabookstore.org/productdetails.cfm?

Skinner House Books Looking for Arthur for Book of Weddings

Skinner House Books has issues a request for proposals for an author or authors for a new book about wedding services. The ideal submission will propose a book that includes sample wedding services, a description of how a couple can go about planning their wedding, sample readings related to marriage, legal and paperwork issues, and special attention to non-traditional weddings-including gay and lesbian weddings, services of union, and interfaith weddings. The book will ideally have a Unitarian Universalist orientation, but be easily useable to a wider audience. For information about submitting a proposal go to: http://www.uua.org/publications/skinnerhouse/6094.shtml.

Calendar

Mar 24 Pathway to Legacy: Developing Planned Giving* 9:00 a - 12:00 n

All Souls Church, Braintree

Mar 31 Immigration Seminar -- New Neighbors Next Door:

Now is the Time to Know Our Immigrants 10:00 a - 2:00 p

Universalist Unitarian Church, Brockton, MA

Apr 9 BCD Board Meeting* 6:00 - 9:00 p

First Unitarian Church, Providence, RI

(Originally scheduled Mar 26)

May 5 Spring Conference and Annual Meeting 9:00 a - 3:00 p

Unitarian Universalist Society of Fairhaven, MA

May 7-9 BCD UUMA Chapter Retreat

Glastonbury Abbey, Hingham, MA

May 19 Youth advisor / youth leader training TBA

Location TBA

May 21 BCD Board of Directors Meeting 6:00 - 9:00 p

First Congregational Parish in Kingston, MA

Jun 10 Westminster Unitarian Church Building Dedication TBA

Westminster Unitarian Church, East Greenwich, RI

Jun 20-24 General Assembly

Phoenix, AZ

Cartoon courtesy Leadership Journal

March Cartoon