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| | Florida District Connections
November 8, 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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 It has been said that if the only prayer you ever utter is "Thank You!" it will suffice.
It is also said that prayer changes nothing ... except the one who prays; thus, it changes everything.
Thanksgiving is the best of American holy days. No matter how much the marketeers try, Thanksgiving stays focused on family and friends coming together, connecting to and enjoying each other, and just being grateful! Other than turkeys and cranberries, no sales "events" drive how we celebrate.
Originating out of a religious impulse, Thanksgiving is an inclusive holy day for Americans. It is wonderfully not the province of any faith community. This custom allows all to appreciate life's many, many blessings with simple prayers of thanks. And that's enough.
Thanksgiving is a high holy day for Unitarian Universalists. Nearly all our FLD congregations host a shared meal, to be family to one another for those who do not have loved ones close by. Many of us make room at our table for non-family guests, even strangers in need of company. And many others join the national pilgrimage that makes it the most traveled weekend of the year.
Unitarian Universalism is a faith of the heart (as much, maybe even more, than of the head): When we affirm connections through time and diversity, when we acknowledge the truth of our shared network of destiny, and when we love one another and life, we are at our best.
May your Giving of Thanks come from your heart, and remain fully there every day. It will suffice. It will change everything!
Blessings, always and in all ways. Rev. Kenn |
 | Notes From Our Lifespan Program Consultant |
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ACTING LIFESPAN PROGRAM CONSULTANT
Whew, that's a big title! What does it actually mean?
Over the next several electronic communications you receive, I am going to unpack this description of my new role with the District. Come, let's see what we find inside the carton with the big letters ALPC on the outside.
"Acting" - does this mean I will be doing dramatic work for the District? No. It means that my position is one without either tenure or conclusion. Confusing?
Let me put it another way: how long I will serve in this capacity is open.
Your Florida District along with the whole Unitarian Universalist Association is engaged in a process of assessment and discernment about how best to serve the needs of you, the member congregations. Until that process reaches a conclusion about what staff might best suit our needs, my position will mirror the pre-existing model and I will serve in that position.
Does "acting" imply a tentative nature to my work? Definitely not! While our governance structures determine the best way to proceed into the future, we (you and I) can be very definite in the work we do together. Long-term plans can be created and on-going support programs can be created and maintained.
So, in thinking about my work with and for you, drop that "acting" out of the title. I need to remember and honor that it is there, but for all practical purposes let's focus on the rest of my title (and I will unpack more of that in our next installment).
Rev Randy
QUESTIONS for the LIFESPAN PROGRAM CONSULTANT:
Q: How do I know which person to call - you or Kenn?
A: My focus is on program and education, but that is a broad area. If you think your concern is more likely to be about governance and management, contact Kenn. If you think your concern is more likely to be about development of programs of all kinds, contact me. But, if you are in doubt, call either of us - we can easily help you sort out which of us may have the appropriate skills to be of service to you.
Q: You are way down in Key West. How do you connect with us?
A: Yes, I live in Key West, but on average I will be out and about in the whole District at least once a month, trying to assemble as full a calendar of personal interactions as I can during those times. For example, in early December I will be attending several meetings in Orlando, spending Sunday speaking and leading a workshop at one of our congregations on newcomer retention, and then holding a late-afternoon organizing meeting at another congregation on leadership development.
Also, modern communications means that I have been video participating in committee discussions via Skype with one of our northern-most congregations. The programs of support which I will develop held in and aimed at formal and informal clusters of congregations all around the District will be available live through the internet to all the other congregations in the District.
I will be working hard to re-define geography so that distance is more measured in willingness to participate and desire to connect than in miles.
(Got a question for Rev Randy? Send it along to him at rbecker@uua.org ) |
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Trustee News | | |
UUA TRUSTEE TIDBITS
Joan Lund, November 2010
 Just as your congregation has "ministries" to which it is devoted there are ministries found within our Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations. One that is vitally important to all of us, formerly known as Identity-Based Ministries, is now part of a group called Multicultural Growth and Witness (MGW). The MGW staff group is dedicated to partnering with congregations and leaders to promote intentional multicultural growth and ministry, inclusion, and congregation-based public witness and social action.
The vision of MGW includes supporting congregations in their development of comprehensive strategies for diversifying their ministry and membership through the Diversity of Ministry Initiative and programs and initiatives. New programs are being designed to build UU congregations' capacity to welcome, include, lead, and minister effectively in a multicultural world; engaging in a new kind of advocacy using areas where identity based exclusion and oppression intersect, to support congregation-based, issues-focused organizing at the local and state level; continuing to harness the power of love to stop oppression, exclusion and violence through the Standing on the Side of Love campaign; and in collaboration with districts and clusters, offering justice-making consultancy and leadership training services to support member congregations' anti-racism/anti-oppression/multicultural programs.
The MGW Boston-based staff includes consultants in Multicultural Growth, Multicultural Congregations, Lesbian/Gay/Bi-sexual/Transgender Ministries, Witness Ministries, Congregational Advocacy and Witness, Standing on the Side of Love, Environmental Justice, and Justice programs.
Hopefully your congregation takes advantage of the many resources available through Multicultural Growth and Witness. More information is available on our UUA website, and linking to your particular multi-cultural interest, or you can contact idbm@uua.org or Taquiena Boston, Director of Multicultural Growth and Witness (tboston@uua.org). I can be reached at jlund@uua.org or 813-931-9727. I wish each of your congregations and the individuals within, a blessed Thanksgiving. Take care and be thankful for one another. |
| Tipping the Balance Toward Better Practices |
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"Take the high ground" is both a moral and a military strategy. It suggests the need to be above the fray, or what our District Executive calls "getting up in the balcony to watch the dance below." You can improve your meetings if you have a "process observer" do just that.
This person's only job is to watch the meeting unfold, attend to its dynamics -- e.g., how energy flows, who takes "air time," whether the group stays on task, honors its own procedures, and how the members attend to each other - to make notes, and then to report what she or he noticed.
Unless the meeting gets stuck, at which point s/he might ask for a time-out process check, the observer says nothing until the very end of the meeting. Then, as a check-out s/he simply reports what was noticed. No comment is made on the observation. The goal is to help the group be aware of its process, not to judge or to recommend anything.
Over time, any group that routinely has someone do this will notice if there are trends. For instance, if you routinely fail to stay within your time limits, you might want to find a better way to do so or adjust your time expectations. Uniformly, this helps any leadership group improve its functioning.
Want to try it? See our "Church Tools" section on the FLD website for The Role of a Process Observer/Participant, or click here |
| SACRED PLACES: A Spiritual Pilgrimage to India |
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 Join Rev. Abhi Janamanchi and members of Unitarian Universalists of Clearwater on a spiritual pilgrimage to India in Feb. 2011 (Feb. 15-March 7, 2011). We will visit sacred places in southern and northern India (Hindu, Buddhist, Jain, Muslim, Sikh, Christian, and Unitarian) including the Khasi Hills of northeast India and experience India from a native's perspective. This trip promises to be a cultural and spiritual immersion into the heart of India. Anyone that is interested in going on this trip of a lifetime, please contact Barbara Brandt at mbrandt1@tampabay.rr.com or Abhi at abhij@uuclearwater.org. |
| Tampa Church Breaks Ground for New Building |
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 On Sunday, November 7th, the Unitarian Universalist Church of Tampa broke ground on its largest expansion in a quarter century. Ceremonies for the new multi-purpose building and related site improvements will begin at 12:30. The church is located at 11400 Morris Bridge Road, in Tampa, three blocks south of Fowler Avenue and one block West of Interstate 75.
The event featured music, speeches and an official ground breaking by members of the Board, congregation, children's program and the contractor, Reites & Associates, of Odessa, Florida. It will also include public recognition of many others who have helped with the project thus far. Members of the congregation, friends, media and the public are invited to attend.
"This is a gratifying step toward realizing our mission to become a center for liberal religion for people of all ages," said Ara Rogers, co-chair of the Capital Fund Campaign, which has raised more than $ 365,000 for the project to date. Planning and fund raising began more than two years ago. |
| Total Presence Retreat |
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Where the inner work and the outer work meet and merge.
December 17 -19, Gainesville Retreat Center
A weekend retreat combining the wisdom and practice of Zen Buddhism and Nonviolent Communication
From presence flows greater compassion for all beings. In presence, we nourish our spirits so that all life may flourish. This retreat offers guidance and sustenance for your inner work, empowering you to be totally present to the reality of relationships, humanity, and earth. Such presence helps heal our world.
The retreat will introduce:
- the basics of Nonviolent Communication;
- meditation practice in the Zen tradition;
- the mutual interdependence of "inner" work and "outer" relationship work.
Together we will share sitting and walking meditation, floating meditation (there's a heated pool), and nature meditation. Interspersed throughout the weekend will be time for individual reflection and journaling, as well as group learning in both NVC and Zen Buddhism. Learn more |
| November 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 November 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/2010/10/FLD-Nov2010-Packet.pdf (1.29mb)
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
· SW Cluster Fall Meeting flyer, page 2
· Total Presence Retreat flyer, page 3
· SWIM flyer, page 4
· Creating Connections, NE Cluster Women's Retreat flyer, page 5-6
· Choral Festival flyer, page 7-9
· Florida Humanities Series flyer, The Emerson Center/UUFVB, page 10
· Birding and Shelling Tour brochure, page 11-12
· We Are Gonna CrUUise flyer, page 13
· UUA Trustee Report, page 14-16
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.
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 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 November 2010 UUA Congregational Bulletin |
| 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
Other News & Invitations The Emerson Center/UU Fellowship of Vero Beach Presents The Florida Humanities Series 2010-2011 UU Church of Ft. Myers Birding & Shelling Tour December 12-9, Learn moreLearn more
First Unitarian Universalist Congregation of the Palm Beaches Eastern Caribbean CrUUise January 29 - February 5, 2011. Learn more |
| Things to Know in Our Extended Unitarian Universalist World |
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Congregational Help Needed To Keep The Mountain Open
 The Mountain has received a $50,000 challenge gift to aid in its current financial crisis. The Florida UU donors have agreed to consider gifts from all congregations in the Thomas Jefferson, Mid-South and Florida Districts as a single gift for the challenge. Four congregations have already agreed to hold a special plate offering for the Mountain this year; Charlotte and three Atlanta area congregations, UUCA, Gwinnett and Northwest. Please consider joining this effort to keep the Mountain here for our children, youth and congregations for the future! Contact Christy Kelly at Christy.kelly@mountaincenters.org if you are able to help or have questions.
Rev. Dr. William Schulz Named New UUSC President
 The Board of Trustees of the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee
(UUSC) has announced that internationally recognized human-rights activist and leader Rev. Dr. William F. Schulz has been named the new UUSC president and chief executive officer.
An ordained Unitarian Universalist minister, Schulz was president of the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) from 1985 to 1993. He has been a member of the UUSC Board of Trustees, and was executive director of Amnesty International USA for 12 years. He has served as interim president of the UUSC since March.
 "On behalf of everyone at the Unitarian Universalist Association, I send our heartfelt congratulations to Bill and the entire UUSC," said UUA President Rev. Peter Morales. "I look forward to seeing greater collaborative efforts between the UUA and UUSC, as both organizations continue our work for social justice."
The full announcement of Schulz's new role is available on the UUSC website at http://tinyurl.com/NewUUSCPresident
Annual Program Fund Quarterly Newsletter
 The APF Quarterly Newsletter fall issue is now available. Included are
- Donor relations and cultivating generosity columns by Jim Sanders and Laurel Amabile
- Introducing our new APF Representatives serving Thomas Jefferson and Pacific Northwest Districts
- A story of radical hospitality and generosity for all ages by Connie Goodbread, Acting District Executive, St Lawrence District, and Education Director, MidSouth District
- Resources for establishing Stewardship Development Teams and announcing the release of the Congregational Stewardship Services Forward Through the Ages report
- Announcement of the 2011 Stewardship Sermon Award
UUA President Seeks Increase in UUA Fair Share
 In a letter to Association and Congregational Leaders, the Reverend Peter Morales, UUA President, asks for a $2. increase in the Annual Fair Share gift to the Association.
Our UUA, like our congregations, has pulled in its belt, reducing staff significantly and seeking ever greater efficiency in its programs during this time of economic recession. The APF Fair Share has remained unchanged for three years at $56/member.
Says President Morales,
"As we look to the future, there are daunting challenges and breathtaking opportunities. We have several initiatives in place that will help sustain our faith. Our "Standing on the Side of Love" program partners with congregations to create a powerful witness. A new pilot program, "Leap of Faith," is creating learning communities of congregations that are committed to growth. We are working with ministers, religious educators and musicians to prepare them for service in a new multicultural America. We are partnering with the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee to create new opportunities for experiential learning and service. We are entering a new era of collaboration with our international and interfaith partners. Our Association does essential work that can only be done when all our congregations join forces. None of this critical work is possible without your support."
He continues,
After several years of holding the line, we are asking for a modest $2 per member increase in the suggested Fair Share contribution-from $56 to $58-for fiscal year 2011-12. This small increase will help bring us in line with increased costs and sustain our work.
Thank you for your continued support. Together, hand in hand, we can transform lives and help heal our world.
The 2011-2012 fiscal year begins July 1st. President Morales' full letter isposted on our FLD website, here .
[Note: The FLD's honor share request remains at $23/member, also unchanged for the last two years. The FLD fiscal year is July 1 to June 30.] |
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