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| | Florida District Connections
October 22, 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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Win some, lose some?
We are blessed in this nation to take our elections for granted. Win or lose, we agree that this is the way to choose our leaders. Far better than the violent way used in too many places around the world. Accepting a vote's outcome, win or lose, is rather amazing when you think of it.
Our Unitarian Universalist principles commit our congregations to the democratic process. Mostly that's how it goes, a rather taken for granted kind of thing.
I am startled how often, though, we don't trust the process. We just don't take votes on things that matter to us. Perhaps it is we're a peaceable people; we don't come to church for contention. Shouldn't we all just agree?
It is desirable for us to approach our common goals in an agreeable manner. But it can tie us up in knots. I once worked with a board committed to a consensus approach. They refused to vote on anything. They would spend hours, sometimes months proving to themselves they all agreed before a decision could be made.
Consensus decision making often works well - when little is at stake. Regrettably, it does not help when we have real differences. Seeking consensus leaves a congregation or board vulnerable to a few who won't agree. It leads to a rule by the minority.
Willful bullying is another way we avoid the democratic process. Unwilling to have an open conflict, congregational leaders cave into the squeakiest and most persistent voices. Resentfully giving in, saying, "Oh, alright, we'll do it your way" may buy tranquility, but it does not yield decisions for the good of all. It, too, is rule by the minority.
There will be times when we will not see eye to eye. Democratic process says we resolve differences by taking a vote which means someone loses, someone wins. It may be painful to lose, but, in a real, beloved, community, that's how it is. You win some, you lose some.
Democracy demands the majority rule with respect for the rights of the minority. It also requires the minority to let the majority lead. Withholding support, demanding "my way or the highway," disregarding a Board's decision, or demanding that an issue be revisited over and again are but some forms of anti-democratic behavior.
So, good people, live our 5th principle. Be a good citizen in our society and in your congregation. Take a vote!
All blessings, always, Rev. Kenn |
 | Unitarian Universalist Legislative Ministry, Florida |
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 On November 2, six proposed amendments to the Florida constitution will be on the ballot.
The Steering Committee of our Unitarian Universalist Legislative Ministry of Florida (UULMF) has taken a position on the six proposed amendments.
By unanimous votes on October 20, the Steering Committee endorses the following votes:
Amendment 1. Article VI, Section 7. Repeal of public campaign financing requirement
UULMF recommends: NO
Amendment 2. Article VII, Section 3; Article XII, Section 31. Homestead ad valorem tax credit for deployed military personnel
UULMF recommends: YES
Amendment 4. Article II, Section. Referenda required for adoption and amendment of local government comprehensive land use plans
UULMF recommends: YES
Amendment 5. Article III, Section 21. Standards for legislature to follow in legislative redistricting
UULMF recommends: YES
Amendment 6. Article III, Section 20. Standards for legislature to follow in congressional redistricting
UULMF recommends: YES
Amendment 8. Article IX, Section 1. Article XII, Section 31. Revision of the class size requirements for public schools
UULMF recommends: NO
The UULMF Steering Committee, since 2007, directs the UULMF, a statewide justice ministry that serves to empower the moral voice of Unitarian Universalist values in the public arena. The 2010-11 Steering Committee consists of Steve Segner, chair (Ormond Beach), Rev. Meredith Garmon (Gainesville), Gerald Goen (Tarpon Springs), Brian Lee (Tallahassee), Kindra Muntz (Venice), Rev. Bud Murphy (Ormond Beach), Rev. Gail Tapscott (Ft. Lauderdale), and Milo Vannucci (North Palm Beach). |
| Tipping the Balance Toward Better Practices |
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"Guest Hosts"
The very qualities that make belonging to a congregation feel like a warm-fuzzy can be scary to our newcomers. When you don't know anyone, the buzzing camaraderie among us can feel like cold-pricklies to a guest.
You can ease the newcomer's fears by providing "guest hosts," members who simply accompany a guest after they've stopped at the welcome table. It requires nothing more than a "Hi, my name is ..., may I show you around?" or, "May I sit with you during worship?" This is far less intimidating than asking guests to stand in the service to introduce themselves. It is also more personal. After the service, the guest-host might say, "Come with me to our social hour; I'll show you around." And along the way, the host should introduce the guest to others.
The art of hospitality is central to being and becoming a beloved community of faith. Try being a host now and then, you'll like it. |
| Association Sunday Update |
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1 Sunday, 500 Congregations, 100,000 Memories
 On Sunday, Oct. 3, more than 500 Unitarian Universalist (UU) congregations representing over 100,000 UUs all over the country worshiped and celebrated our common bonds and connections. Thank you.
Proceeds from this year's Association Sunday special collection will go to ensuring that our faith thrives for generations to come through special initiatives like Leap of Faith, a pilot project that will develop a learning community of mentoring relationships between congregations with demonstrated growth success and those poised to grow.
If you are a congregation that participated in Association Sunday and are looking to mail in your gifts, please fill out the Gift Information Form and follow these instructions. Also send your Association Sunday pictures, videos, sermons, and stories to associationsunday@uua.org to share with the rest of our Association.
Did you miss your Association Sunday service? Make a secure, tax-deductible gift online now and credit your gift to your congregation's total!
And congregations are still encouraged to sign up to hold an Association Sunday service when their schedule allows.
Thank You Florida District Congregations!
We lift up our appreciation to these congregations who participated in the 4th Annual Association Sunday earlier this month:
Manatee UU Fellowship
UU Church in the Pines
Nature Coast UUs
UUs of Clearwater
River of Grass UU Congregation
First UU Church of West Volusia
UU Congregation of Lake County
UU Church of Fort Lauderdale
UU Church of Fort Myers
UU Fellowship of Gainesville
UU Church of Jacksonville
Buckman Bridge UU Society
UU Fellowship of Key West
UU Congregation of Lakeland
UU Congregation of Miami
UU Congregation of Greater Naples
Community UU Congregation
First UU Congregation of the Palm Beaches
Mosaic Unitarian Universalist
First Unitarian Church of Orlando
UU Fellowship of Charlotte County
UU Church of Sarasota
UU Fellowship of St. Croix
UU Church of St. Petersburg
Treasure Coast UU Society
UU Fellowship of Marion County
UU Fellowship of Sun City Center
UU Church of Tallahassee
UU Church of Tampa
UU Church of Valdosta
UU Fellowship of Vero Beach
If your congregation is planning to observe Association Sunday at a later time this year, please let us know so we can add you to our thank you list! |
| Mosaic Unitarian Universalists Hosting Community Forum |
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Gay and Transgender Rights are Human Rights:
A Community Forum
 The Mosaic Unitarian Universalist Congregation will sponsor a public forum on issues related to the status of the rights of gay and transgender people on
Wednesday, October 27, from 7-9pm
at the Mosaic Center, 425 S. Volusia Avenue,
Orange City.
A panel of experts will explain the challenges and the effects of current legislative and social restrictions on the lives of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people - children, youth, and adults. There will be an opportunity for attendees to ask questions and to take home written information.
Panelists for the forum include:
Larry Glinzman is the Director of Communications and Campaign for Community Legal Services of Central Florida. He serves on the board of the Center for the Visually Impaired of Central Florida, and, among many other volunteer positions, is the chairperson of Volusia Equality, a community project committed to passing an all-inclusive Human Rights Ordinance in Volusia County.
Nicole B. Turner is a nationally recognized trainer and consultant in fair housing, customer service and property management. She is a former HUD official and served as the senior vice president of the largest real estate development trust in the U.S. She is the recipient of the HUD Fair Housing Award and has produced a video on fair housing for Volunteers to America - a video which is mandatory viewing for all new employees.
Rev. Karen Curtis-Weakley is ordained in the United Church of Christ and has been serving as a minister in various arenas since 1994. She is currently a chaplain for Halifax Health Hospice of Volusia/Flagler on the West Nursing Home Team and serves as minister to New Hope UCC in DeLand. Rev. Curtis-Weakley also serves on the Board of Directors for Local Church Ministries at the national setting of the United Church of Christ.
Joanna McKenney teaches at the new University High School in Orange City and serves as the faculty sponsor for the Gay-Straight Alliance at the school. In the past three months the newly formed organization has grown to 9 members. Ms. McKenney has been an activist for gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people, particularly youth, for many years and is passionate about equality for everyone.
Over the past year, the Mosaic Unitarian Universalist Congregation has been working through a series of workshops from the Unitarian Universalist Office of Bisexual, Gay, Lesbian, and Transgender Concerns' curriculum, "Welcoming Congregations." The study began with a congregational assessment of attitudes, and has continued with topics such as, "What We Know and How We Learned It," "The Common Elements of Oppression," "Religion and Homosexuality," and "How Homophobia Hurts Us All." The purpose of the course is to uncover hidden bias, to understand the effects of homophobia on people of all sexual orientations, and to help our congregation become more welcoming to gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people and their families. |
| Around the Florida District - News and Events to Note |
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Upcoming Florida District Events - Save these Dates
January 21 & 22 - Florida District Board Meeting - Parrish
Cluster, Congregation & Affiliated Organization Events
October 22 to 24 - Beacon Youth Ministry Advisor Training - UU Church of Sarasota
November 6 - Southwest Cluster Fall Meeting and Workshop - UU Congregation of Venice
Other News & Invitations
Iris - Movie and Open Discussion of Alzheimer's Disease
The Emerson Center/UU Fellowship of Vero Beach Presents The Florida Humanities Series 2010-2011 Learn more
UU Church of Ft. Myers Bird/Shelling Tour
 UU Church of Ft. Myers is offering a Bird/Shelling Tour through their Bed & Breakfast program December 9, 2010 to December 12, 2010. To view the tour brochure click here . First Unitarian Universalist Congregation of the Palm Beaches CrUUise
 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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Unitarian Universalist Common Read
 The Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) is offering a Common Read project this year with Margaret Regan's The Death of Josseline: Immigration Stories from the Arizona-Mexico Borderlands (Beacon Press, 2010).
A Common Read invites participants to read and discuss the same book in a given period of time. A Common Read can build community within congregations and among Unitarian Universalists by giving diverse people a shared experience, a shared language, and a basis for deep and meaningful conversations.
You can purchase the hardcover now from the UUA Bookstore or preorder the paperback which will be available on October 12. The book is also available in hardcover in public libraries.
Update from The Mountain Trustees
 As you may have heard, The Mountain trustees have recently made a major decision to restructure The Mountain for the future to achieve financial viability. While this has been and continues to be a challenging process over an extended time, we embrace the future with a renewed commitment to the mission of The Mountain. Responses from the greater Mountain community reflect shared enthusiasm about the prospects for the future. Continue Reading
The Membership Journey - New Revised Edition
 Our UUA has updated The Membership Journey, a guide to growing our faith and our members. This, free, on line, guide provides you with ideas to make our congregations more inclusive and toward ensuring new members understand what they're getting into. This new edition has a section especially devoted to our smaller congregations. It also has tips for using social media, like Facebook, and toward examining our process through a multi-cultural and anti-oppressive lens. Download link.
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