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| | Florida District Connections
August 19, 2010 |
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PLEASE SHARE THIS EMAIL
WITH OTHER MEMBERS OF YOUR CONGREGATION! |
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 | Notes & Comments From Our District Executive
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We are a "Faith Beyond Belief," notes UUA President Peter Morales.
I welcome this reminder that Unitarian Universalism -- although begun in theological dispute -- is much more than trying to craft a "right belief." Indeed, as I visit with congregational leaders, our leading cause of congregational heart-burn stems from some trying to enforce a creedal purity, even to the point of censoring what words we use to express our highest hopes and deepest aspirations.
Were I to wave the magic wand for our District congregations, it would be to put an end to the word wars that so often divide, even hurt our sense of beloved community. Not having such power, I call your attention to our origins: Our congregations were born in the mid-17th century ambition to be a community of inquiry, as noted in the 1629 Salem Covenant: We bind ourselves together "to walk together in all God's ways, ... as he is pleased to reveal himself to us in his Blessed word of truth."
A less archaic version updates that ideal:
"We covenant with one another - and do bind ourselves together in the presence of this religious community to express our deepest and most cherished convictions, as they are borne by each person, to find a common vision for a better world, to seek the life of the spirit, as it is known by each person, choosing with reverence its name, and to walk together in the way of truth and love, as it is shown to us and to all people, in word and deed."
At our best, we Unitarian Universalists show respect for each other's worth and dignity by engaging in an on-going dialogue toward mutual spiritual growth. At our less than best, we sometimes try to clone one another spiritually.
As we move toward the annual fall up-charging of our ministries, I pray you will keep in mind we are one heart and one ambition -- to nurture the soul & heal the world -- amidst all our diversity of faith conviction and expression. Our faith is a way of life, far more than it is a way of belief. May we walk well together, my friends.
Rev. Kenn |
 | Tipping Toward Better Practices |
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Welcoming our Guests
All congregations say they are friendly and welcoming. And some truly are. We Unitarian Universalists have as many guests each week as we have members. Yet, many never return. Here's a tip to increase the chance your guests will want to come back:
Greeters welcome guests (with a smile!), give them the usual welcome materials, including a name tag. The Greeter than hands the guest off to a member: "May I introduce you to our member, NAME? NAME, this is GUEST." The Member then says, "May I show you around?" As worship is about to begin, the member says, "May I sit with you through worship?" If no, just show the guest where to go. If yes, join them through worship. After worship, invite them to the social hour and introduce the guest to two or three others. Conclude by saying, "Hope to see you again, GUEST. Thanks for joining us today."
We all want to be welcomed and recognized when we come to church for the first time. Likewise, most do not want to feel fawned over or pressured. This hand-off/sit/introduce model is a beginning step to finding a good balance.
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Got a Tip? Send it to the FLD office for possible inclusion in a future "Tipping" feature. |
| Around the Florida District - News and Events to Note |
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September 27-30, Florida UU Ministers Association Retreat, Mt. Dora
October 9, Northeast Cluster Fall Gathering, UU Society of the Daytona Beach Area
October 17, Installation of Reverend Kathryn Schmitz, First Unitarian Church of Orlando
October 22-24, UU Zen in the Pines, Brooksville
Other News to Note
From 1st UU Congregation of the Palm Beaches - We Are Gonna CrUUise! January 29 - February 5, 2011, Eastern Caribbean aboard the Celebrity Eclipse. Contact Judy Bonner for more information (judybonner@bellsouth.net) or see the information flyer in our upcoming FLD September packet.
Florida District Directory - Congregational Updates
A request has recently gone out to Congregation Presidents and Administrators to review congregation information on the my.UUA.org data entry pages. Once that information is up to date we are asking you to complete a very short survey to input a few additional details for the district directory revision. If you have not yet completed this for your congregation, please do so as soon as possible. Many thanks to all who have already responded to this request. Please contact the district office if you have any questions concerning this update. |
| Association Sunday 2010 |
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 This is a unique year for Unitarian Universalists (UUs) everywhere: we are kicking off festivities for the 50th anniversary of our Association! Join thousands of UUs on October 3, 2010, for Association Sunday, a special service and collection that will celebrate the past 50 years of UUism and the future of our faith.
Proceeds from this year's Association Sunday special collection will go to ensuring that our faith thrives for generations to come. Beginning in spring 2010, the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) will embark on an in-depth strategic review of leadership and growth in order to develop an action plan to strengthen our community for future generations.
Worship and organizing resources to assist your congregation in putting together a fulfilling and effective Association Sunday service are now available. Learn more
The list of FLD congregations planning to participate in Association 2010 is growing:
Manatee UU Fellowship
UUs of Clearwater
River of Grass UU Congregation
First UU Church of West Volusia
UU Church of Fort Lauderdale
UU Church of Fort Myers
UU Fellowship of Gainesville
Buckman Bridge UU Society
UU Fellowship of Key West
UU Congregation of Lakeland
UU Congregation of Miami
UU Congregation of Greater Naples
Community UU Church
First UU Congregation of the Palm Beaches
Mosaic UU
First Unitarian Church of Orlando
UU Fellowship of Charlotte County
UU Fellowship of St Croix
UU Church of Sarasota
UU Church of Saint Petersburg
Treasure Coast UU Society
UU Fellowship of Marion County
UU Fellowship of Sun City Center
UU Church of Tallahassee
UU Church of Tampa
Unitarian Fellowship of Valdosta GA
UU Congregation of Venice
UU Fellowship of Vero Beach
This year, all congregations that sign up for Association Sunday will be entered into a raffle to win an Association Sunday service with President Peter Morales! Come celebrate with us and sign up today! |
| Fair Districts Florida Information |
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From UU Legislative Ministry of Florida
Here is an opportunity for UU Congregations Across Florida
Fair Districts Florida is calling for house parties all over the state on August 28th in support of redistricting reform to encourage people to pass Amendments 5 and 6 this November to help end gerrymandering of electoral districts. One of our Southwest Cluster churches decided to host a FairDistrictsFlorida party at their church instead of at someone's home. What a great idea! You just need a point person, publicity, a tech person to show the 10-15 minute video (DVD), and a few people to provide some refreshments.
If you hold it at your church,
1) it will be easier for everyone, rather than having an individual host a party at their house.
2) it will REALLY help the FairDistricts effort
3) it will give your congregation more visibility in the community
4) it falls within the IRS guidelines of nonpartisan issue advocacy per "The Real Rules" at uua.org
5) You will have a chance to screen a 10-15 minute preview of the movie "Gerrymandering" to further your discussion. Hosts will be provided "exclusive outtakes from the movie "Gerrymandering", to be released in October.
6) it should make your members proud of your congregation's Social Justice and Adult Education effort for this good cause
7) it may attract visitors and members to your congregation.
If you plan it now, you may be able to get advance publicity in your local newspapers as well as internal publicity in your congregation via your weekly e-newsletter and Sunday Orders of Service for Sunday, August 22nd.
Please be sure to sign up at the www.fairdistrictsflorida.org website, and feel free to give Nathalie Shortal a jingle with any questions: 786-376-8274. She will provide you with all materials needed.
Thanks in advance for your support on this important issue.
Kindra Muntz |
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Things to Know in Our Extended Unitarian Universalist World | | |
First Ever UU History and Heritage Convocation
"Connecting Our Diverse Histories to Our Living Heritages"
 Sponsored by Partners in UU History and Heritage (PUUHH) and UU Collegium Thursday October 7 - Sunday October 10, 2010
Espousal Center, Waltham, MA
Additional Events: October 7: Research at Andover Harvard Library
October 11 - 16: Universalist Heritage Tour
Reasonable Registration Rates: Scholarship Assistance available on first-come, first served basis.
For more information about Registration, Program Events and Schedule, Lodging at Espousal Center, Local Transportation, and more, click here
Any questions, contact:
Rev. Barbara Coeyman, revbarbarac@comcast.net
Rev. Helen Zidowecki, uuwhs@uuwhs.org
UU Womenspirit Retreat
Embracing Gaia: Reclaiming Our Heritage of Peace
 September 15 - 19, 2010 at The Mountain
During the Institute portion of the event, we will study the recently-revised Cakes for the Queen of Heaven curriculum, facilitated and specially adapted by long-time Womenspirit members Barbara and Geneva Green. This program seeks to raise awareness of the stories and symbols of the ancient world where females were respected and celebrated. Through worship services and the Gathering workshops, we will continue our exploration of Gaia and other goddesses whose myths of strength, perseverance and peace continue to empower us today. Please join us. For more information, please go to: www.UUWomenspirit.org or contact Alice Carnes at 704-453-4175, or Margaret Schmidt 864-342-1642. You will see that the earlybird reduced rates are no longer applicable, but as a special to women who are new to UUWomenspirit, we are so excited to share this opportunity with you and are waiving the late fee.
Recent Electronic Newsletters
 Unitarian Universalist Women's Federation
Newsletter - Summer 2010 issue
 Unitarian Universalist Justice Action Inspired Faith, Effective Action
Weekly E-Newsletter Subscribe here
 Unitarian Universalist Association Giving and Generosity Update
Current issue includes articles on our UUA President's Arrest in Phoenix, What is a UU?, and Association Sunday. Read here
Subscribe here
View Archives here
 Recent Video Releases
Gini Courter, UUA Moderator, at the jailhouse vigil in Phoenix - view here
Reverend Peter Morales, UUA President, with other UU leaders on Standing on the Side of Love - view here
The UUA has just released the eighth short video in the "A Religion for Our Time" series. "Cluster on the Cutting Edge," profiles four enthusiastic Unitarian Universalist congregations in upstate New York that are determined to grow by working together. Their Capital Region Unitarian Universalists of New York cluster is producing remarkable results, including a brand new congregation! View here |
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Florida District UUA
