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| | Florida District Connections
October 1, 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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As our congregations move into fall programming, I thought it might be good to share with you Seven Principles of Vital Unitarian Universalist Congregations. These ideas arose from the UUA Growth Consultation, held last spring among leaders of our fastest growing congregations:
- The Congregation has a clear and powerful Purpose and Mission.
- The Congregation is aware of & responsive to the world around it [community presence, engagement].
- There is vital worship and a vital Sunday experience for all ages.
- Church is done well [this principle is in reference to administration and leadership, governance].
- The Congregation cultivates religious community [be a religious alternative not an alternative to religion].
- The Congregation builds skills to lead and nurtures gifts to serve [equip members to live our faith, in daily & congregational life].
- Strong ministerial leadership [when present] supports the fulfillment of the previous six principles.
How would you rate your congregation on these points? The most important of these seven is having a clear, committed sense of purpose and direction. All else follows from that.
I do know across the District, nearly all our congregations could do a better job on #1. Far too often, congregational leaders stare blankly when I ask them about this - or guiltily run to find it written down somewhere, suggesting it is not alive in their work together. As I said to one group recently, "If you don't know where you are going, any path will take you there."
Remember: a good Mission is clear, short, memorable, has zing! Does yours?
May your clarion call be clear and grow stronger as fall unfolds! All Blessings, Rev. Kenn |
 | Meet Our New Acting Lifespan Program Consultant |
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 Let me introduce myself as your new Florida District Acting Lifespan Program Consultant (I'm the new "Connie.") The long version is the Rev. Dr. Randolph W.B. Becker, but Randy will do just fine. The Universalist Unitarian congregation in Utica, New York is my home church, where I encountered the Beacon Religious Education Series (both old and new) as a student, taught as a Sunday School teacher, preached my first sermon, and kept the public signboard up to date. My college years at Brandeis included a degree in physics and sociology and deep involvement in the First Parish of Waltham (Universalist Unitarian). In the midst of all of that I realized in a powerful way that I was getting and giving the best of myself in the context of liberal religion, a realization some would name a "call to ministry."
I followed that call to Meadville/Lombard Theological School, where I earned a Doctor of Ministry degree, later supplemented with Ph.D. work in Religious Education at New York University. I was fellowshipped and ordained to our ministry in 1972, and my first settlement at First Unitarian Church in Providence, Rhode Island included responsibility for all educational
programming. I have never looked back! From 1980 to 1995, I was Religious Education and Program Consultant to the Long Island (NY) Area Council of UU Societies, developing the prototype for the very position I am now starting in service of all of you.
By credentials, I am both a Minister of Religious Education and a Parish Minister. By temperament, I am an open and exploring spirit, believing in creating alternative points of entry into our movement, striving to connect all of us in new and meaningful ways. By experience and training, I am versed in modern communications, comfortable with helping us all explore new models of delivery for our message. By call, I am here to serve the larger cause of the free religious tradition, cooperatively supporting the excellent work that is carried out in our local congregations. If you want to know more about me in depth, http://www.uufkw.org/minister-meet.html will probably tell you more than you want to know!
I reside in Key West, and I serve the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Key West as their minister, work I will continue to do. Now I proudly and humbly add all of the Florida District to my care and concern.
In the next month, I will be reaching out to all of our congregations so we might know each other better. I look forward to meeting all of you soon in some context, either physical or in cyberspace, and hearing about the successes and challenges of your congregations. However, if in the meantime you have need of me, please be in touch.
phone: (305) 407-7956. |
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Trustee News | | |
UUA TRUSTEE TIDBITS
Joan Lund, October 2010
Early in my tenure as a Trustee I wrote about the Unitarian Universalist Partner Church Council (UUPCC) but I have not written about becoming a partnership congregation and the benefits of doing so. There has not been a more important time in human history to engage in international understanding and encourage global connections. These positive connections with UU congregations around the world can be a bridge that connects us, create boundaries of collaboration, provide opportunities for pilgrimage, hospitality, learning, and service, and challenge us theologically to open ourselves to changed values and behaviors. Our Sixth Principle calls for member congregations to affirm and promote the goal of world community with peace, liberty, and justice for all. Being a partner offers an opportunity to connect directly with those in cultures different from our own and to learn together to build sustaining global communities for a healthy world.
There are economic guidelines to insure the relationship between partners address as explicitly as possible which include working to preserve and protect the long-term health and sustainability of the relationship, ensure reciprocity and equal commitment between the partners, use continuous and multiple means of communication, and to make certain economic relationships do not dominate and overwhelm the other more important manifestations of the partnership. If money is to be involved it must be used to build relationship.
In building the partnership foundation it is important to have conversations about what each seeks in the relationship; what are the theological underpinnings of the partnership? Both partners need to be aware of differences in how they may view the relationship.
Most partnerships exist between Transylvanian churches and our UUA congregations and Transylvanians more often want true friendship that is real community individual by individual. Assumptions must not be made that partner church's cultures are similar; a partnership is one of understanding and acceptance to theology and customs. It is wise for the partnership to develop an ongoing vision which includes a written covenant that describes how the congregations agree to be together.
Much more information is available at http://www.uupcc.org/handbook.html or by contacting the Unitarian Universalist Partner Church Council at www.uupcc.org. Becoming a partner church could be a vital means to enrich your congregational life in untold ways. I hope you will consider this important endeavor. Please know you may contact me for questions and conversation at 813-931-0727 or jlund@uua.org. |
| Tipping the Balance Toward Better Practices |
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Announcements! We all love announcements - NOT! Do people really come to church for commercials? While telling/reminding each other of congregational life news & events is important, does it merit time or being the first thing in our worship?
Here's a better idea: If you must, simply have the worship leader call attention to the announcements noted in your worship bulletin when you welcome guests. If spoken announcements are needed, place them after the postlude. You will soon learn many are simply not interested and this placement at least does not interfere with their worship nor treat them as a captive audience. |
| Florida District Congregational Giving |
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UUA Annual Program Fund 2009-2010
The Florida District is well known for our generosity. This year we came through once again and were granted $27,404 for use at the district level. A detailed report is included in the October District Packet. I thank you from the UUA in hopes that all 44 congregations in our district will commit to being Fair Share (FS) this year. For the third year in a row, the FS has stayed at $56.00 per member in consideration of the economic constraints that many congregations have operated under. Perhaps the figure quoted as your congregation's FS seems impossible at this time, I ask you to commit to some figure within your grasp and when the financial picture improves to give with all your heart to further the work of our UU faith!
PLEASE CALL ON ME WITH ANY QUESTIONS, OBSERVATIONS AND/OR INPUT YOU MAY HAVE ABOUT THE ANNUAL PROGRAM FUND (APF) OR FAIR SHARE.
With many thanks for your continued generosity and commitment, I am,
Bertha L. Perez,
Florida District Annual Program Fund Representative
bperezfl@bellsouth.net
Learn more about our Annual Program Fund and Fair Share Giving |
| October District Packet & UUA Congregational Bulletin |
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 The Florida District (FLD) Monthly Packet contains flyers for district, cluster and congregation events. Information on non-FLD events of widespread interest are also included.
The October 2010 district 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/2010/09/FLD-UUA-October-2010-Packet.pdf (3.57mb)
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
· Compassionate Communication Workshop flyer, page 2
· SE Cluster Special Meeting flyer , Our UU Future, page 3-4
· UUA Association Sunday flyer, page 5
· WC Cluster Fall Picnic flyer, page 6
· NE Cluster Fall Gathering flyer, Drawing the Larger Circle, page 7-8
· UU Zen in the Pines flyer, page 9
· Beacon Youth Ministry Advisor Training flyer, page 10
· SW Cluster Fall Meeting flyer, page 11
· Creating Connections, NE Cluster Women's Retreat flyer, page 12-13
· UUA Annual Program Fund, Florida District Congregational Giving 2009-2010, page 14
· UUSC, Florida District Congregational Giving 2009-2010, page 15-16
· UUSC Hope in Crops letter, page 17-20
· Beacon Press news flyer, page 21
· UUA Common Read - The Death of Josseline: Immigration Stories from the Arizona-Mexico Borderlands flyer, page 22
· Catalyst, Newsletter from UUA Multicultural Growth & Witness, pages 23-24
· UUA Leap of Faith Growth Initiative information, page 25
· We Are Gonna CrUUise flyer, page 26
· Birding and Shelling Tour brochure, page 27-28
· Florida Humanities Series flyer, The Emerson Center/UUFVB, page 29
· Iris, Movie showing and open discussion flyer, page 30
Looking for a single event flyer? District event flyers are linked to the "Events Calendar" page on the District website (see http://www.floridadistrict.org/?page_id=1419). 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 events 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 large document/multi-page download and may take a few minutes to open if you are working with a dial-up connection and/or older computer.
 The UUA Monthly Bulletin for Congregations is a collection of announcements and updates from the staff groups and committees of the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) of Congregations, and from the Church of the Larger Fellowship (CLF).
Click here to view the October 2010 UUA Congregational Bulletin |
| Around the Florida District - News and Events to Note |
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 1st UU Congregation of the Palm Beaches invites you to join them on a 7-Night Eastern Caribbean Cruise Aboard Celebrity Eclipse,January 29 - February 5, 2011. Congregation contact - Judy Bonner, judybonner@bellsouth.net . CrUUise Flyer
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| Things to Know in Our Extended Unitarian Universalist World |
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Recent UUA Video Releases
 "A Religion for Our Time" highlights inspiring work in Unitarian Universalist congregations, including innovative projects relating to worship, social justice, membership, and fellowship.
- Episode Nine, "Deepening Faith through Service," shows how the social justice program at the Neighborhood Unitarian Universalist Church in Pasadena, California, engages the congregation in a range of projects and facilitates participants' spiritual growth.
- Episode Ten, "Multicultural Ministry," shares insights from the fifteen-year journey of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Annapolis (UUCA), Maryland, toward becoming a more diverse congregation.
To learn more and find links to all "A Religion for Our Time" videos, click here .
Congregational Stewardship Blog
 There's a new Congregational Stewardship blog post written by UUA consultant, Kay Crider. Read the blog post here to find out what her conclusions are based on a study that finds that differing methods of fundraising at churches and synagogues raise similar amounts.
The Church of the Larger Fellowship Seeks
New Penpals for CLF Prisoner-Members
 The CLF program is well-structured with on-going support available to all participants. Our prisoner-members mail their letters through the CLF office for forwarding, and they're told only the first name of their UU penpal, to minimize the chances of any unwanted contact.
Currently about 150 UUs all around the country corresponding with our prisoner-members, and we'd love to get some new applications. More info is available at www.clfuu.org/prisonministry, with an online form to request an info/application packet.
Note: the CLF only accept applications from folks who've been members of any UU congregation for at least several months, so this is not a program for visitors or brand-new members. Anyone with questions is welcome to contact Rev. Patty Franz PrisMin@clfuu.org.
The Mountain Retreat & Learning Center Events
 "Inspiring Ourselves to Save the Planet" is a Mountain Institute for Social Change Program led by author, naturalist, activistand Georgia native, Janisse Ray. The 3-day workshop takes place October 21-24.Defending our planet can be overwhelming and stressful if you don't have the tools and energy to make changes in your community. This dynamic workshop will encourage personal discovery and collective brainstorming through dialogue, deep listening and creativity. It is designed for those new to environmental activism, as well as the veterans of the movement. For more information, please click here .
"Harvesting Gratitude" is this year's Thanksgiving program. One of our most popular programs at The Mountain, this year's activities include a run/walk, Harvest Festival, guided meditation,activities in Highlands and more! It is a wonderful time to reflect with family and friends in the mountains of western North Carolina. We are currently offering $25 off a 3 or 4 day package rate for those who sign up on or before October 15. Please find the flyer attached. For more information, click here . We would love to see lots of Florida congregations join us this year!
Allies for Racial Equity Events
 "Transforming Our Whiteness" Workshop
Allies for Racial Equity is offering a program entitled "Transforming Our Whiteness" for members of Unitarian Universalist congregations and organizations. This program is sponsored by the Joseph Priestly District and will be held at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Annapolis On Friday night, October 29 and Saturday October 30. To register contact the Joseph Priestley District at jillian@jpduua.org.
The Rev. Melissa Carvill-Ziemer and The Rev. Bill Gardiner will be leading the program. "We intend to deepen our understanding of white identity and our own personal racial identity journey," said Rev. Gardiner. "We will reflect on the history of white supremacy in the United States and how this story has impacted on the history of Unitarian Universalism."
Allies for Racial Equity Annual Conference
SAVE THE DATE - MARCH 25-27, 2011. The annual Allies for Racial Equity Conference will be held March 25-27 at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Ft. Myers in Ft. Myers, FL.
Our programming will be designed to help us develop skills, build connections and strengthen our anti-racist, anti-oppressive identities and practices. We are planning to focus at least a portion of our conference work on immigration and are working now to identify excellent speakers, workshops and experiential activities - more details will follow soon. We hope you will be able to join us!
Proposing a Program for the 2011 UUA General Assembly
 New this year, there is a unified process to propose a program for the 2011 General Assembly. GA program proposals may now be submitted by way of an online proposal form:
2011 General Assembly Program Proposal Form
Proposals submitted via the 2011 General Assembly Program Proposal Form will be reviewed by the GA Program Development Group (PDG), a diverse team of UUA staff and GA Planning Committee representatives committed to providing excellent General Assembly programs that are aligned with the vision and mission of the UUA and its member congregations. The PDG will review program proposals with the goal of filling over 100 program slots. The GA Planning Committee will also review proposals seeking innovative programs and distinguished speakers that will appeal to many UUs attending GA. All program proposals must be received by November 1. Learn more .
LIVING LEGACY PILGRIMAGE
 Make plans now to join the Living Legacy Project team, the Rev. Gordon Gibson, the Rev. Hope Johnson, Annette Marquis, Janice Marie Johnson, and Donna Sequeira, for the 2011 Living Legacy Pilgrimage, April 16-23, 2011. Our journey will begin and end in Birmingham, AL. This year's theme will be "Story, Song and Spirit." We will be joined by Civil Rights Movement veterans and talented musicians who will help us to engage the stories and music of the Movement. Registration will open October 15, 2010.
The Living Legacy Pilgrimage is a program of the Living Legacy Project whose mission is to re-imagine social possibility in the world today by experiencing the depth of human spirit in the Civil Rights Movement. For more information, contact Donna Sequeira, Social Justice Coordinator of the Thomas Jefferson District of the UUA. E-mail: dsequeira@uua.org or visit www.uulivinglegacy.org. |
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UU Church of Ft. Myers is offering a Bird/Shelling Tour through their Bed & Breakfast program December 9, 2010 to December 12, 2010.
Florida District UUA
