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Florida District Connections
March 4, 2010 | |
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Notes from our District Executive
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 Question: Were Unitarian Universalism outlawed, would there be enough evidence to convict you of your convictions?
Previously, in this space, I spoke of numerical growth: paying attention to how many people we actually serve. In our last issue, I asked how we might measure spiritual growth, suggesting that asking if one were becoming more religiously mature as one measure. In this note, I turn to incarnational growth or how we embody our faith.
In his great sermon, The Transient & Permanent in Christianity, (1841), the great abolitionist and Unitarian preacher Theodore Parker argued that the enduring quality of religion is found not in the creeds or liturgical practices, but in how we actually live. He saw the religion of Jesus to be healing human lives. He taught us that religion is a matter of ethics far more than an orthodoxy of belief.
Today, Unitarian Universalists broadly "walk the talk." Our people see this as elemental to being part of our community. It is good to note many others share that idea. Three weeks after the tragic earthquake in Haiti, my local paper reported well over $1 million had been raised in our county for relief efforts; most of that came from faith communities.
(By the way, the joint UUSC/UUA Earthquake Relief Fund has exceeded $1.423,638 as of February 26th. See the "What you can do" at http://www.uusc.org/actforhaiti if you would like to contribute to this effort.)
A primary ministry teaches people how to witness as Unitarian Universalists. Our ministry says we should be known not just for our convictions but also for their ethical implications, even obligations. How lives are touched is what people treasure in their congregation. This shows up in how deeply we care for each other. It shows up too when we put our bodies on the line. To the extent we intentionally concern ourselves with moral living, individually and as a faith community, we are engaged in incarnational growth.
Over the years, it has become ever clearer to me that congregations need to show people how to walk the talk. Show people where they can volunteer what precious time they have. Guide people with how to give wisely their precious monetary gifts. Tell them where their unique talents are needed. That's what a church should do.
Our members come wanting to incarnate their values; they expect the congregation to help by naming the need and showing how to serve. Here in the FLD, many congregations encourage members to volunteer in community projects. Others receive and distribute special gifts collections each month or totally give away their Sunday offerings to like-hearted, like-minded groups. Others actively commit annually to a congregational service project. Those that make faith real in these ways are usually our strongest.
Here's a practical study project: ask your members how many hours they volunteer each month in some non-church activity. After a year, calculate the average. Then set a goal to increase those hours, say 5% in the next year. That would be incarnational growth!
A last question: What % of your congregation's income from all sources (pledges, special gifts, etc.) currently goes to meet human need outside of the congregation? 1%? 5%? 10%? More? That should be an easy number to measure. May I be bold to suggest our congregations ought to give back to the community at least a tithe: 10%.
Embody-ing or witnessing to our values with time, talent, and treasure is incarnational growth. This is how others know we have a faith in the first place. Let the light of our faith shine, let it shine!
Blessings,
Rev. Kenn |
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Notes from our Lifespan Program Consultant |
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Upcoming Events - Mark your calendars
This is the district calendar link:
Webinars - change of date!
This is a reminder, watch your email for invitations to the webinars that both Kenn and I are doing. This is an easy way to get information and get your questions answered. There is no travel involved and you can pull a group together so that a rich discussion happens afterwards. We both hope to see more and more people on line.
My next one is on March 4h - the topic is, Building a Strong Committee. Here is the description:
How do we build a strong committee? How we recruit volunteers is important. Who we recruit as volunteers is important. Not over functioning is important. Sharing the ministry and the vision is important. Understanding that we work for the good of Unitarian Universalism and our faith community is important.
Please join the following meeting.
Telephone: 712-775-7300 Attendee code: 766584#
Password:
Date: Thursday March 04, 2010 7:30 pm Eastern Standard Time
Everyone is welcome.
Florida District Annual Assembly and Professional Days
With Gini Courter!
April 8-9 Religious Professionals Meeting (UUMA, LREDA, UUMN, AUUA)
April 9-11 Florida District Assembly and Annual Meeting
Do not miss this opportunity to be with our UUA Moderator Gini Courter. Please look for the email reminders and check the FLD UUA Website for registration and information.
Adult Advisor Training for Congregational Youth Groups
April 24, 2010 - Ft. Myers
We all want strong congregational youth groups. This workshop will explore roles and responsibilities of adult advisors. We will talk about how to build and maintain strong support, who and what we serve and how to grow a great youth group. No one style fits all congregations, however, there are realities and issues that we all have in common.
The workshop will begin at 10: 00 and end by 4:00. We will provide lunch and childcare. It will cost $25.00 and registration will be open until March 15th. Look for the flyer and registration on the Florida District Website.
Plan now to join us for next year's Southland Unitarian Universalist
Leadership Experience
Now is the time to budget for Southland Unitarian Universalist Leadership Experience. This is an opportunity for current and future leaders to deepen their understanding of congregational leadership and to develop their abilities with other Unitarian Universalist leaders. This five-day program will be held August 8-12, 2010, at The Mountain Retreat and Learning Centers. The Thomas Jefferson, Mid-South and Florida Districts and Southwestern Conference organize this experience. SUULE offers participants an opportunity to combine practical leadership tools with spiritual and theological grounding to maximize their congregational leadership potential. We are asking that congregations send teams of leaders who will learn and develop together. If your congregation is small, please develop a relationship with other Unitarian Universalist congregations in your cluster so that you can still send a team. This team approach helps individuals to deepen their experience, get support and advice from other leaders who have the same knowledge and helps them to keep their focus on the reality that this is congregational leadership. For more information visit http://www.uusouthland.org/A very warm welcome to our new SUULE Dean, Peter Kandis. Peter is a Past President of the Thomas Jefferson District and brings to the leadership team many gifts. It is wonderful to have him on board we have begun working together and it is a great joy.
Connie Goodbread
Lifespan Program Consultant
Florida District UUA
Nurture your spirit. Help heal our world. |
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Trustee News |
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UUA TRUSTEE TIDBITS
Joan Lund, March 2010
 It's always rewarding and invigorating to know information written in this column is being read. Thanks to UUA Florida friends who are writing and calling me. Some folks are not agreeing with the UUA Board's decision to become a policy governance Board and others are saying they like the changes we are instituting. First, some background on why we are pursuing certain paths regarding our Board work. This year Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations will celebrate its 50th Anniversary, with essentially the same governance structure that was put in place during the merger. During these past almost-fifty years several task forces have studied our UUA governance and came to much the same determination: our governance is too complex and is not effective. Our leaders are not authorized to do the jobs they were elected to do, the UUA Board is too big to be effective, and GA is too expensive, especially considering many delegates are not accountable in any way to their respective congregations. The UUA Board and other leaders in our faith are continuing the conversation started with the District President's Association on the shift toward regionalization during GA 2010, and we are making certain we include the voices of traditionally marginalized groups in our discussions.
As you know from last month's column it is my intention to continue writing about the Board's commitment to link with one of our Sources (congregations). During the months of February and March each Board member will be contacting four to six congregations and asking for a sit-down-together conversation or a telephone conference call to talk with leadership and ministers about healthy relationships, specifically maintenance of healthy relationships with our member congregations. In each district congregations were selected "randomly" considering several factors: district geographical size, number of congregations in the district, and size of membership within a congregation. Three to eight congregations will be contacted within each district. Seven Florida congregations have been chosen; the congregations have been contacted and we are well on our way to scheduling our time together. I will be talking with leadership in four Florida District congregations, and have asked the president of the congregation to determine the participants. Once the Board has processed all the information received from our linkage congregations, we will make it available to all congregations.
Note: I hope those of you who are interested in the work of the Fifth Principle Task Force to go to our UUA web site and link on to that report. Some of what is recommended is being considered in a motion the Board is putting forth at GA. Next month I plan to write about our June 2010 GA to be held in Minneapolis. Each year this is an exciting, exhilarating time in which there is "something for all UUs", plus there is important business to be determined. Hopefully many of you are planning to attend. Information can be found at www.uua.org. In the mean time contact me with your thoughts, suggestions, and questions: jlund@uua.org or 813-931-9727. And right now I say...bring on some warmer weather. |
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UUA/UUSC Joint Relief in Haiti - How You Can Help |
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Volunteer at Temporary Protected Status (TPS) Legal Clinics
 On January 15, 2010, the Obama administration announced that Haitians in the United States prior to the earthquake may apply for Temporary Protected Status (TPS), which would allow them to legally live and work in the United States for the next 18 months without fear of deportation. It is estimated that this program will help 100,000 to 200,000 Haitians currently in the United States.
 UUA and UUSC are setting up and supporting legal clinics for TPS applicants in select regions of the country. At these clinics, volunteers will help provide information, advice, and assistance in filling out the necessary forms, as well as help in completing the employment authorization and TPS fee-waiver applications. Volunteers need NOT be attorneys in order to participate. All volunteers will receive training, and each TPS legal clinic will be supervised by immigration attorneys. There will also be a need for child-care services and French and Creole translators at these events.
Attend one of the following TPS Legal Clinic Training Webinars:
- Wednesday, March 3: 7-8:30 p.m. EST.
- Wednesday, March 10: 7-8:30 p.m. EST.
For more information and to register see http://www.uusc.org/resource/tps_training
Once participants have attended the training, UUSC will help connect them with a clinic in their area. Partner organizations include the Haitian Coalition and Greater Boston Legal Services in Massachusetts, Cabrini Immigrant Services in New York, and the Florida Immigrant Advocacy Center. Partner organizations in other areas with Haitian populations will be announced soon. Trained volunteers may also check the American Immigration Lawyers Association site for where clinics are being held.
Contact Nichole Cirillo, UUSC Campaign Manager at ncirillo@uusc.org or (617) 301-4336. |
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The Smart Church #37 |
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 While it is easy to say that we understand systems theory and its application to human emotional systems, it is really hard to think systems. We try something new and get all kinds of grief from people. We don't understand why. We say something that we think is helpful and people get angry or upset. We don't know why. Even though there has been complete turnover of people in the congregation we repeat old patterns. Why? The more things change and more they stay the same. - French Proverb I have had several conversations with congregational leaders recently who have been explaining an issue that is going onin their congregation. Because I have known these congregations for a long time, I point out that this is not a new situation, but rather a repeated pattern. I reminded them of the last time this issue came up and each of them said back to me, "But none of the people who were here when that happened are here now. Well, except for me and a few others. We have a lot of new people. I don't think the past issues have anything to do with this."
System Thinking is not a tool. It is a way of thinking. It is a lens through which we see the Universe, our world, lives and relationships. We live in systems, physical systems (the Universe, galaxy, solar system, planet). We also live in human systems; the world community, countries, cities, congregations and families.
Systems thinking involves shifting attention
from the parts to the whole,
from objects to relationships,
from structures to processes,
from hierarchies to networks,
from the rational to the intuitive,
from analysis to synthesis,
from linear to non-linear thinking.
-Fritjof Capra
When we are really capable of thinking systems we understand that the way the system was formed (and for our purposes we are talking about congregations), the values that were set into place and the norms that were created all come into play when issues arise. The culture of the congregation was developed long before the new member joins. Each of us is coming into the middle of a story. The long history that brought us to 1961 when the Unitarians and the Universalists consolidated affects us - now, today. The consolidation itself affects us - now, today. The circumstances around the birth of each of our congregations affect us - now, today. The way we treated ministers in the past affects us - now, today.
Our relationship with the larger faith, the community we serve or don't serve and how we have treated individual members affects us - now, today. Whether or not we think there are secrets in our past affects us - now, today.
It does not matter that no one who was part of the congregation now lived through the big ugly fight that split us off from the other congregation - that is how the congregation was born. It is in the DNA. Leaders have to understand the
congregational history, the narrative (You might remember that last month's Smart Church article was about narratives). We have to own it, the good and the bad, so that we can begin to take responsibility for the part we play in keeping things the same -and we do play our parts. It is sometimes very hard to admit that our over functioning, our "helping," is part of the problem and is keeping the congregation stuck. Once we own our stuff, then and only then can we begin to deliberately plan to make changes that will lead to cultural change. It is not that the parts cannot change the system. It's that it's not easy and the system does not support change, so leaders must have staying power. Staying power is much easier when we understand the principle we are standing on to make the change that is for the common good. |
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Meet our New Compensation Consultant |
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Greetings!
 I am pleased to have this opportunity to introduce myself and tell you something about my background. My name is Jane Gross and I am the new District Compensation Consultant in the Florida District.
I am a life-long Unitarian Universalist (well, from age 3) and have been a member of congregations in Grosse Pointe (MI), Salt Lake City (UT), Knoxville (TN), and Louisville (KY). My husband and I relocated to Orlando 14 years ago and joined the First Unitarian Church of Orlando where I have served as Treasurer and as a member of the Finance Committee, Personnel Committee, and the Endowment Board.
My professional background is in Human Resources/ Compensation, with 25 years of experience as an internal compensation consultant,.most recently working for SunTrust Banks. I retired two years ago. I have a BA from the University of Michigan and a MBA from Bellarmine College.
As you know, a compensation consultant's role is to support the implementation of the compensation guidelines adopted by the General Assembly and the UUA Board of Trustees. The consultant works in educating congregations and promoting the UUA's compensation guidelines, including working with search committees and Boards to assist them in proposing responsible compensation packages for recently hired or settled professional staff.
I look forward to meeting you and to applying all I have learned to help you solve your compensation challenges.
Jane Gross
407-363-9222 JaneGross@earthlink.net |
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Coalition of Immokalee Workers "Farmworker Freedom March" |
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Tampa to Lakeland, Florida, April 16-18, 2010
Interfaith Action of Southwest Florida* invites you to save the dates for the Coalition of Immokalee Worker (CIW)'s "Farmworker Freedom March" from April 16-18, 2010!
As an act of social witness, many of our congregations statewide have visited managers at Publix stores, delivered letters, sent hundreds of postcards, all asking Publix to come the the Coalition of Immokalee Workers' table and talk about the tomatoes they buy. Publix is still buying tomatoes from two growers who have had documented cases of slavery in their fields. So, after all our pressure, after an action in Lakeland, what is next?
The CIW will march from Tampa to Publix's hometown of Lakeland, Florida, to call for "Freedom from forced labor; Freedom from abuse; Freedom from poverty and degradation."
The CIW has also announced a mobile "Modern-day Slavery Museum" that will tour Florida in the lead-up to the Farmworker Freedom March. This traveling museum about agricultural slavery will be in the form of a box-truck outfitted as a replica of the trucks involved in the latest farmworker slavery prosecution and will contain multiple educational displays about modern-day slavery in Florida agriculture, its history, its roots, its causes, and its solutions. If you are interested in hosting the museum in your community or congregation, contact Interfaith Action of Southwest Florida at info@interfaithact.org.
*Interfaith Action of Southwest Florida is the faith-based organizing group that serves as an ally to and supporter of the Coalition's worker-driven leadership.
Rev. Allison Farnum
Minister, Unitarian Universalist Church of Fort Myers Board member of Interfaith Action of Southwest Florida* |
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March District Packet |
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 The March 2010 monthly packet has been posted to the District website and may be viewed at the following link:
http://www.floridadistrict.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/FLD-UUA-March-2010-Packet.pdf
Please share the information contained in the monthly packet with individuals in your congregation. This edition of the District packet contains the following items:
· District Calendar, page 1
· Third Tuesday Webinar series flyer, page 2
· Building the World We Dream About Workshop flyer, page 3 & 4
· Florida District Annual Assembly flyer, pages 5-10
· Southwest Cluster Focus on Children Workshop & Spring Meeting flyer, page 11
· West Central Cluster Workshop - Making Ethical Decisions flyer, page 12
· Adult Advisor Training for Congregational Youth Groups flyer, page 13
· 2010 General Assembly in Minneapolis - Frequently Asked Questions, page 14
· Information on Encouraged Special Offering Sunday for our UU Legislative Ministry, page 15 & 16
· Florida District Award Nomination information, page 17 & 18
· Church of the Larger Fellowship flyers, page 19 & 20
Looking for a single event flyer? District event flyers are linked to the calendar page on the District website (see http://www.floridadistrict.org/?page_id=87). Simply click the event listed on the calendar and the flyer will open. UUA, Congregation, Cluster, and Affiliated Organization event listings are linked to those entities websites whenever possible.
The complete packet is also linked to the website calendar (go to the calendar link at www.floridadistrict.org and click the "entire monthly packet" notation above the calendar). Please note this is a multi-page download and may take a few minutes to open if you are working with a dial-up connection and/or older computer. |
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Around the Florida District - News and Events to Note |
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Upcoming Florida District Events - Save these Dates
Third Tuesday Webinar Series - March 16 on Appreciative Inquiry, April 20 on Risk Management, May 18 on Youth Ministry
Faith Development Webinar - March 4 - Building a Strong RE Committee To join this webinar read details in Connie's column above. All are welcome.
Adult Advisor Training for Congregational Youth Groups - April 24 - UU Church of Ft. Myers ~ Register Online
Cluster, Congregation & Affiliated Organization Events
West Central Cluster Workshop - March 27 - UU Church of Tampa ~ Making Ethical Decisions, Dr. Robert Tucker
Nominations For Florida District Awards Are Now being Accepted
 The Florida District Awards Committee requests your nominations to honor members who have made significant contributions to their congregations and communities. Nominations must be submitted electronically via email attachment and received no later than March 15. Awards will be presented at our District Assembly in April 2010.
District Award Information Flyer and Nomination Form
Request for Congregation Photographs
 Brag to your fellow Unitarian Universalists: Our UUA is putting together a display of our congregations. Have you a good photo of your congregation, most particularly in worship or a good shot of your meeting place/campus/building. If so, please send to FloridaDistrictUUA@cfl.rr.com in an e-mail/web friendly resolution. If you have more than a 2 or 3 photos to share, please snail mail them to us on a CD. Thanks!
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Things to Know in Our Extended Unitarian Universalist World |
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General Assembly 2010
 June 23-27, The Annual Meeting of the Unitarian Universalist Association, Minneapolis, MN
Registration and housing reservations are now open.
Learn more:
http://www.uua.org/events/generalassembly/index.shtml
General Assembly Video Project
Do you have a short video that you've posted on your congregation's website, the Internet or sent out to welcome visitors, educate or inspire members, or evangelize? Do you want to create one? Your fellow Unitarian Universalists want to see it! We will choose a handful of the best videos to showcase during Plenary.
Learn more:
http://uugrowth.files.wordpress.com/2010/02/general-assembly-video-project-flyer.pdf
Additional Event News
March 11-14, Dr. Ysaye Barnwell to lead the 2nd Mountain Institute for Social Change, Highlands, NC
Learn more:
http://www.mountaincenters.org/2010_Institute_YsayeBarnwell.pdf
March 19-20, Allies For Racial Equity Annual Conference, Long Beach, CA
Learn more:
http://www.uuallies.org/
April 30 - May 2, Building a Humanist and Secular Coalition, Sarasota, FL
Learn more:
http://www.floridahumanist.org/membercms/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=52:event-information&catid=36:newevents&Itemid=64
May 14-16, Universalist Convocation 2010 with The Rev. Dr. Mark Morrison-Reed, Rochester, NY
Learn more:
http://nmuc.org/Convo/2010Convo.htm
May 23, Margaret Fuller's 200th Birthday
A wide variety of events in association with this bicentennial celebration start in April.
Learn more:
http://www.lauriejames.net/
New Tapestry of Faith Resources
 What Moves Us: Unitarian Universalist Theology
by the Rev. Dr. Thandeka
Now online! This unique program provides a framework for Unitarian Universalists to engage in theological reflection as a process of meaning-making that equips one for living in the world as a Unitarian Universalist person of faith.
Read more: http://www.uua.org/religiouseducation/curricula/tapestryfaith/whatmoves/index.shtml
Sharing the Journey: Small Group Ministry for Youth
by Jessica York and Helen Zidowecki
Are you looking for new models for youth ministry? Have you tried small group
ministry?
Sharing the Journey: Small Group Ministry for Youth, by Jessica York and Helen
Zidowecki, is a new Tapestry of Faith resource available online, at no cost.
Read more:
http://www.uua.org/religiouseducation/curricula/tapestryfaith/sharingjourney/index.shtml
Additional Resources
 A People So Bold: Social Justice Ministries & Theologies
Resources for congregations to deepen work for social justice
In January 2009, thirty-two leading UU theologians, ministers, and activists gathered to reflect on how congregations might be beacons of UU values for the larger world. How do we understand suffering, oppression, injustice in the light of our faith?
Out of those conversations came A People So Bold, a DVD and online curriculum materials designed for congregational use as well as individual viewing and reflection.
Learn more:
http://www.uua.org/leaders/justice/peoplebold/
Unitarian Universalist Association - Email Lists for Leaders
Did you know that there are over 300 Unitarian Universalists e-mail lists? From Addictions Ministry to UU Theology and lots in between.
Learn more:
http://www.uua.org/socialmedia/emaillists/
New UU Parenting Blog
Join Author, parent and religious educator Michelle Richards for a lively weekly discussion on the unique joys and challenges of being a Unitarian Universalist parent.
Learn more:
http://blogs.uuworld.org/parenting/
UUA Bookstore - New Titles and Winter Sale
New Titles available include Universalism 101: An Introduction for Leaders of Unitarian Universalist Congregations and Tending the Flame: The Art of Unitarian Universalist Parenting. Additionally, selected inspirational and social justice titles are available at sale prices for a limited time.
Learn more:
http://www.uuabookstore.org/
UUA March 2010 Congregational Bulletin
The complete March bulletin is available at this link:
http://www.uua.org/leaders/announcements/congregationalmonthly/158658.shtml
Giving and Generosity Update
March 2 issue is available at this link:
http://www.kintera.org/htmlcontent.asp?cid=98866
Other News to Note
The UU Historical Society is seeking Original Historical Essays by Youth.
The deadline has been extended to April 1.
Learn more:
http://www25.uua.org/uuhs/Reference/2010YouthHist_Prize.pdf
UU Women's Federation Grant Funds Available
The application deadline is March 15.
Learn more:
http://www.uuwf.org/fundingprograms.html |
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