SWUUC Newsletter

Summer 2009

Beacon Rainbow Chalice The Southwestern
News from the Southwestern Unitarian Universalist Conference

Summer with SWUUC is fun, fun, fun!

by Jennifer Nichols, District Director of Lifespan Faith Development

Is camp in your future? It should be!

Summer camps at U Bar U and in northeast OK are all the rage. There are a few spots left at U Bar U for children entering 3rd - 6th grade, children entering 7th - 9th grade, and youth entering 9th-12th grade (plus those just graduated). Scholarships are, as always, available.

SWUUSI is camp for everybody! This year's theme is "The Way to Peace is Through UUs" with the Rev. Quiyamah Rahman as the theme speaker. Our own Rev. Jonalu Johnstone will lead the Sunset Talks. Children will have a wonderful time at age appropriate workshops including Harry Potter camp, Coming of Age, and a high school youth program. Adults have a variety of workshop choices. And our new space at Western Hills Resort is really and truly wonderful!

Online registration is available now.

Freely Associating

by the Rev. Susan M. Smith, District Executive

In case you are wondering, the economic downturn is having an effect on congregational fundraising. I've only seen two kinds of congregations this year - ones that are raising more money than they've ever raised before and those that have done half-hearted fundraising and are getting half-hearted results. Most people when asked to support meaningful ministries grounded in their deeply-held values give generously even if it means giving up some of their less personal charitable giving. However, many of our leaders are allowing their own anxieties to alter the way that they are implementing their stewardship programs or dropping them all together. In that way, they fail to hold their congregation's ministries to the test of being relevant, necessary and values-based and; therefore, worthy of our treasure, time and talents.
            Never forget that the principles of personal finance do not apply to congregational finance. If you or I find that we need $10,000, there is little chance we can get it in a raise or through a garage sale. However, the congregation has untold resources for giving and for raising funds. One of my favorite income line items has always been "Sources Not Yet Determined" which is a line that acknowledges that our service to the community has outstripped our expectations but we will rise to the occasion with the joy of a growing community. For those of you who wish to improve your stewardship practices, I'm thrilled to say that Dr. Wayne C. Clark, UUA Director of Congregational Stewardship Services, will be a featured presenter at our Fall Leadership Conference in November.
            Of course, there are people in each of our congregations and countless others in our communities who are suffering real deprivation. We are called to offer help to them, and I see that many of you are. Some of you are even acknowledging that those who may need a hand are within our own congregations. I was appalled to see an AP report listing Louisiana, Arkansas and Texas among the worst five states in the US for child homelessness. A comprehensive list of resources is being compiled by the Ohio Meadville UU District.
            If you find your ministries languishing, I hope you will be inspired to know that others are calling new ministers, hiring new staff and building their first buildings in these same economic times. If you find your ministries prospering, I hope you will remember that we are congregations in covenant and reach out to a neighboring congregation with a resource and a partnership for the journey.

Dwight Brown Leadership Experience

DBLE filled up in record time this year. Jennifer, Susan and Connie Goodbread of Florida and Mid-South Districts are bringing the great DBLE experience to The Mountain this year as well under the name Southland Leadership Experience serving Thomas Jefferson District as well as Florida and Mid-South. Next year's promotions will allow students from all four districts to attend either date and location.

This year our new DBLE Dean Joe Sullivan will add a bonus feature for attendees: follow-up phone calls with their congregational life working groups throughout the year to reinforce learnings and provide peer support.

The buzz around SWUUC...

by Article Author

AWARDS

The SWUUC Annual Meeting 2009 was held at the First Unitarian Church of Memphis where the following awards were presented:

The Rev. Norma Veridan Memorial Lifespan Faith Development Award

Karen Lewis

DRE for Children and Youth, First Unitarian Church of Dallas

The Rev. Russ Lockwood Award for Service to SWUUC by a Minister

The Rev. Craig Roshaven

Minister, First Jefferson Unitarian Universalist Church in Fort Worth, TX

James T. Brown Anti-Racism Award

All Souls Unitarian Universalist Church, Brownsville, TX

Von Stilli Award for Service to SWUUC by a Layperson

Joe Sullivan Thoreau Unitarian Universalist Congregation, Stafford, TX

Youth Advisor Award

Donna Harrison, First Unitarian Universalist Church of San Antonio, TX

NAME CHANGE

Pleasant Valley Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Garland, TX is now the Sacred Journey Fellowship.

IN THE MEDIA

Our Whole Lives, the Unitarian Universalist curriculum covering lifelong sexuality, has made the news again. The adult level was discussed and the Adult OWL Class of First Unitarian Universalist Church of Austin was featured in a cover article on adult sex ed in the June issue of O, The Oprah Magazine.

The Huntsville Unitarian Universalist Fellowship is building their first building AND catching the eye of local press. This pay-as-you-go project has is under roof.

LEADER RESOURCE

Gail and the Rev. Matt Tittle of Bay Area Unitarian Universalist Church co-wrote Harvest the Power, a curriculum now featured in the UUA Tapestry of Faith. Some of you may recognize it as they tested it at the SWUUC Fall Leadership Conference 2007. This will help leaders grow in spirit as well as leadership skills. Tapestry of Faith curricula are all free and online.

AN INVITATION
Community Unitarian Universalist Church of Plano will host the SWUUC Annual Meeting April 23-25, 2010

TRANSITIONS

The Rev. Phil Schulman has been hired to serve Northwest Community Church of Houston on a parttime basis.

The Rev. Aaron White, who is just finishing his consultations on Young Adult and Campus Ministry for SWUUC, has been called to be the Associate Minister at First Unitarian Church of Dallas, TX. the Rev. Dr. Laurel Hallman is departing there after over two decades of distinguished service.

The Rev. Janet Newman has agreed to serve as interim minister for First UU Church of Austin for the coming church year.

CHALICE LIGHTER CALL

Add your small donation to those of many to do big things in the current Chalice Lighter call for the Unitarian Universalist Church of Oak Cliff to support their Memory and Meditation Garden.

IN MEMORIAM

The Rev. James Madison Barr, III
(March 17, 1919 - June 10, 2009)

The Reverend James Madison Barr, III, 90 of Hot Springs Village, AR died Wednesday June 10, 2009 at his home.

Rev. Barr was a graduate of Fork Union Military Academy, the University of Virginia and the University of Virginia School of Law. He practiced law briefly in Charlottesville and served on Charlottesville City Council from 1948 to 1952 before entering the University of California at Berkley School of Ministry and began his 40 year career in Ministry as a Unitarian Universalist Minister. He was instrumental in the building of the "Church of the River" in Memphis, TN and was a life long member of the University of Virginia Alumni Association. Rev. Barr delivered sermons at the Unitarian Universalist Village Church for a few years after moving to Hot Springs Village.