|
|
 |
|
| | Florida District Connections
February 4, 2011 |
|
PLEASE SHARE THIS EMAIL
WITH OTHER MEMBERS OF YOUR CONGREGATION! |
|
 | District President News |
| |  |
 Printable version of this report
As your District President, I work with all the Presidents of our nineteen districts from across the country. Over a year ago, the District Presidents Association met with members of our UUA Board of Trustees and discussed issues of governance, organization structure, accountability, and human resources.
We talked about our UUA developing a vision of Unitarian Universalism and asking their staff to work to implement this vision. And the fact that each of our Districts has a vision of Unitarian Universalism within the district, and we ask our District staff to work to implement that vision. But some of these staff members work for both our UUA and the District. Our District Executive, Rev. Kenn Hurto, is co-employed by our District and our UUA. So he is faced with trying to implement and report on two similar but different visions, and still serve our Congregations effectively.
We talked about our faith growing out of the Cambridge Platform of 1648, a document from the early Congregationalists that emphasizes polity: congregations being independently governed, and yet in covenant with each other, in a relationship to call each other back into covenant when a congregation breaks with the expectations of the faith. Our Unitarian Universalist culture is strongly independent, fiercely independent, and we strongly defend our independent congregations. But we often find that we have not developed the other part of polity as effectively: we are not well connected to other congregations within our faith, not in relationship, not in a position to call each other back into covenant when needed.
We talked about the human resources that could be developed, recruited, trained and put into service to our faith, to provide guidance, support and resources to our congregations. We talked about the value of connecting two or three congregations to each other in friendship, mutual support, mutual resource, sounding board, and in worship. We talked about the formation of geographic Regions, which has enhanced the growing cooperation of our District staff.
As a result of this work, Districts across the country have been meeting and exploring ways to increase cooperation across Districts, improve service delivery, joint use of resources, common planning, and coordinated service to our congregations. Further, there have been ongoing discussions within our UUA Board of Trustees, UUA staff, and within the District Presidents Association.
In December, our Florida District UUA Board of Trustees met with the boards of the Mid-South District, the Southwest Conference, and the Thomas Jefferson District, which together make up the Southland Region. Together we created a document, The Orlando Platform, which summarizes the work we did. We offer this as a gift, a statement of our work, and perhaps one more step in the work of redefining who we are called to be in our Unitarian Universalist Association. Clarifying who we are called to be together, and how we might move forward as a faith.
As a group of four districts we agreed that
· Our faith is at a crossroads, is not growing, and has little influence in the community and the culture at large
· We need to re-affirm the Cambridge Platform of 1648 that congregations cooperate with and be accountable to one another
· While each of our Districts work on vision and policy for our districts, we were each able to agree that the UUA vision is an appropriate broad vision for our faith. We need only one policy board, the UUA Board of Trustees.
· We must move from co-employment of district staff to UUA employment.
· We shall work together as district boards going forward in defining district roles
· We will work to strengthen clusters
· Elders, leaders in our faith of all ages, could be called on to be witnesses to the faith, augment shared ministry with district and UUA staff, and help hold congregations accountable to our covenantal polity
Consequently, at our January meeting of the Florida District UUA Board of Trustees, we worked in part to take steps in this transformation. We agreed to
· Suspend our district governing policies for a trial period of two years and adopt as our own the UUA Board of Trustees Global Ends.
· Suspend our district governing policies for a trial period of two years and defer the supervision of our co-employed staff to the UUA as the singular employer.
What are our next steps? We are transforming ourselves and the world, making a change, making a difference through increasing the reach, witness and vitality of Unitarian Universalism in Florida. We will do this work by:
· Strengthening the bonds of community and covenant across our movement
· Promoting faith development
· Empowering youth and young adults
· Reaching beyond our doors for the greater good
· Growing the faith
· Encouraging inclusiveness; Celebrating and encouraging intentional multi-racial, multi-cultural congregations
· Encouraging accountability - to each other, to the future; lateral and vertical
· Developing leadership; cultivating Elders
· Honoring both professional and lay leadership
· Responding to a changing world - being flexible enough to address issues that arise
· Teaching, training, instructing and providing consultation
· Cultivating excellence (not perfection) in ministry
· Remembering this is religious work - no us and them
In the course of this work we will need to determine the role of our district board without governance as a priority. We envision that our work will be to serve in partnership with Kenn in service to our district and to our congregations. We will continue to call our District Executive into accountability about this service. We will be a sounding board and a separate voice to shine a bright light on things that are important. We will work to represent our Florida District in the work that is done within the district. We will develop a covenant with our UUA to clarify our new relationship and to assure that we have good communication regarding prioritizing the resources and the work, and considers our needs and specific district issues.
Our UUA Moderator Gini Courter said to those gathered in Orlando, "We don't have 10-20 years to get this right. Let's not put people passionate about Unitarian Universalism on the board but put them in outreach and as a witness to the faith. What is your dream? ... What if we gave you money to do amazing things? (To) get in touch with what makes your heart sing? What ministry are you called to? And what would it take to have that kind of amazement and energy and ministry? What is better - what we do now or what we could do then? This is the conversation."
I hope you join us in the conversation.
Rachel Christensen rchristensen@uua.org |
 | Notes & Comments From Our District Executive
|
| | |
"I do not pretend to understand the moral universe; the arc is a long one, my eye reaches but little ways; I cannot calculate the curve and complete the figure by the experience of sight; I can divine it by conscience. And from what I see I am sure it bends towards justice."
Theodore Parker, Justice and the Conscience, 1853
Parker's words sprung to mind in recent weeks. The seismic shifts in Tunisia and Egypt bear witness that injustice will not be long tolerated. The moral arc always bends toward freedom. That is the universal lesson of history.
Dr King made Parker's words part of our national understanding. King understood the impatience felt during the civil rights struggle to overcome the shameful legacies of slavery. While the conscience may divine a just outcome in time, those living with injustice cannot bear it long. And they should not!
In Egypt and elsewhere we are assured anew that oppression cannot hold people in check forever. Chains or tanks will thwart the desire, but cannot do so forever. It is our nature to be free.
Dr. King was asked how long before people will be free. He replied, "Not long, because no lie can live forever. How long? Not long, because you shall reap what you sow.... How long? Not long, because the arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice."
In these heady days of transformation, it helps to remember this is a cardinal ambition of our ministry: To affirm the worth and dignity of all souls, to be in the struggle for justice, to set the people free! May your ministry be a blessing along the arc.
Rev. Kenn |
|
Trustee News | | | |
 UUA TRUSTEE TIDBITS
Joan Lund, February 2011
jlund@uua.org or 813-931-9727
Recently I received an email from the Program manager of our UUA Congregational Stewardship Services Program alerting me to the Green Sanctuary blog posting which featured our Odessa, Florida Spirit of Life Unitarian Universalists, who rather than adding on to their building or embarking on new construction, are repairing and finding ways to better maintain their existing structure . The Green Sanctuary Program (GSP) was originally nurtured and managed by the UU Ministry for Earth and designed to envision and create a world in which all humans care with gratitude our Earth. Originally the GSP was an outgrowth of the Seventh Principle Project, a UUA affiliate environmental organization created in 1989.
The GSP provides framework for congregations to begin specific projects and activities that lead to recognition as a GS through candidacy and then accreditation. The GSP asks congregations to explore what it means to live today on our earth within a religious community and it's a way for all UUs to join our efforts in becoming stewards of our earth. Once a congregation has received recognition for completing the GSP it continues its commitment by creating sustainable lifestyles for its members as individuals and as a faith community. The congregation continues to be committed towards creating their religious community's dedication to harmony with the earth. As of last December there were 148 accredited Green Sanctuary congregations, which included eight Florida congregations.
The GSP provides a path for congregational study, reflection, and action in response to environmental challenges. The building blocks and focus area of the GSP include worship and celebration, religious education, environmental justice, and sustainable living. When a congregation decides to become a participant in GSP and has completed the initial self-assessment, they examine their current practices in each of the focus areas. In addition to these areas of focus or goals congregations may choose to set one or more of their own goals which reflect their particular specific interest or issue. Participating in the GSP can be an exciting and rewarding process for a congregation and a well-thought-out environmental program can strengthen and bring the congregation together is various ways including attracting new members a congregation, As the congregation the impact of the collective imprint on our earth will be lessened.
Information about the GSP can be found on our UUA website (uua.org) and linking to Green Sanctuary, where you will also be able to look at the Green Sanctuary Manual. In the Manual many success stories can be found as well as the steps to getting started, conducting an environmental assessment, creating an action plan, becoming a candidate, and achieving and maintaining accreditation.
As always I look forward to hearing from you and wish all Florida UUs a happy ♥ day.
*************************
UUA Trustee Report
Tucson/Phoenix AZ, January 19 -23, 2011
As the Florida District Trustee my report does not necessarily speak for our Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) Board of Trustees (BOT). What follows will be some of what went on at the meeting (from my perspective) and other information (in this case writing of the pre-Board trip to Tucson, Nogales, and over the Mexican border and the Board's interest and work in the planning of General Assembly 2012, to be held in Phoenix). This will be the first time in the history of GA's the BOT is bound by a Resolution from the delegates stating what direction our Association should take at our GA 2012. Because of its "different nature" this report, more than others, has been challenging for me to organize and write. As always if you have questions or comments in general, please email/telephone me at jlund@uua.org or 813-931-9727. The January Board of Trustees Packet was posted before the meeting and can be found at www.uua.org through the BOT link. The UUA Governance Manual can be found at http://uua.org/aboutus/governance/policy/index.shtml.
I traveled to Phoenix on Sunday, January 16th to be part of a group who journeyed on to Tucson for two and one-half days. Our focus was to learn about and witness "removal" of immigrants at the U.S./Mexican border in Nogales, AZ, and to actually walk (with no difficulty) across the border into Mexico, which we did on January 17th. In 2010, 111,000 immigrants were removed to Mexico. The undocumented are first are welcomed in Mexico at the Commodore, a soup kitchen started a number of years ago by Jesuit priests and nuns. There, meals are served and the undocumented receive blankets and afforded the opportunity to make phone calls. We were informed many times throughout our visit in Mexico, Tucson, and Phoenix that when the undocumented Mexicans are removed all of their personal effects are confiscated; their jobs and money are lost, and they have a criminal record in the U.S. Continue Reading |
| Tipping the Balance Toward Better Practices |
| | |
Announcements
Announcements are both loved and loathed among our congregations. They are important community builders, say those in favor. They distract, often detract from the ideals of worship, say others.
One balancing move is to put them at the end of the worship. Then there is this unique qualifier from our congregation in Tallahassee:
ALL announcements must further the Mission of the Church.
However interesting, if an announcement does not do this, it does not get shared. Of course, you first must have a clear Mission - but that's a tip for another day. |
| January District Packet & UUA Congregational Bulletin |
| | |
 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 February 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/2011/02/FLD-February-2011-Packet.pdf (1.46 MB, 20 pages)
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
· District Assembly Flyer, page 2
· District Award Nominations flyer, page 3-4
· Unitarian Universalist Faces a New Age-Yet Again!, page 5
· Empowering Lay Ministry flyer, page 6
· Choral Festival flyer, page 7-9
· Parenting Beyond Belief, page 10
· Arizona is Our Town, page 11
· Here Comes The CON, page 12
· It's all About Us! NE Cluster, page 13-14
· Let Us Be Counted, page 15
· East Coast Regional Gathering of UU people of Color flyer, page 16
· Allies for Racial Equity 2011 Conference information, page 17-20
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 February 2011 UUA Congregational Bulletin |
|
Unitarian Universalist Legislative Ministry Florida |
| | |
 The exciting news from UULMF is the coming statewide Florida media reform tour March 24th-April 5th. Nine of the thirteen UU congregations listed on the tour have already confirmed participation. We are hoping that all will want to be part of this timely and informative tour. This is a series of "documentary and discussion" nights to screen the media reform documentary Broadcast Blues with the filmmaker Sue Wilson present.
Sue Wilson is an Emmy winning TV producer and AP (Associated Press) and RTNDA (Radio Television News Directors Association) award winning Radio personality who examines how U.S. policy changes in broadcasting -especially in radio - have distorted the national discourse and threatens lives and our democracy. She made the 2009 award winning film on this topic, "Broadcast Blues," and is a frequent contributor to Huffington Post on Talk Radio issues. She will be flying in from California for this 13-day driving tour, which we hope to host at UU congregations around the state.
Each congregation is asked to host a "movie night" to show the 75 minute DVD and allow time for discussion afterwards. No special reception is needed. No honorarium is requested, however home hospitality for one night if possible would be welcome by Sue and her husband. Promotional materials and a press release will be provided once we firm up all congregations on the tour. See Sue's blog, maps of the transformation of America by conservative talk radio, a clip from Bill Moyers' Journal, and outtakes from the film Broadcast Blues at www.suewilsonreports.com.
The UU congregations we hope to include, range from east to west coast:
Thursday, March 24th: Miami
Friday, March 25th: Ft. Lauderdale
Saturday, March 26th--North Palm Beach
Sunday, March 27th--free
Monday, March 28th--Melbourne
Tuesday, March 29th-Orlando (First UU)
Wednesday, March 30th-Ormond Beach
Thursday, March 31st-Jacksonville (UU Church)
Friday, April 1-St. Augustine
Saturday, April 2--Gainesville
Sunday, April 3--Clearwater
Monday, April 4-Venice
Tuesday, April 5-Ft. Myers
The benefits to your congregation are these:
· Increase your congregation's visibility in the community
· Attract visitors to your congregation
· Highlight your social justice efforts on the timely and critical issue of the media's effect in escalating anger and distorting the national discourse
· Show how UU congregations in Florida collaborate on an important project
Please call Kindra Muntz at 941-497-1764 or email her at kindramuntz@verizon.net to confirm participation of your congregation in this tour if you haven't already done so. Thank you!! |
| Planning Ahead - Florida District Sponsored Events |
| | |
Power from the Pews - Flyer Link
Influencing and Shaping Congregational Leaders (aka Empowering Lay Leadership)
East Coast: March 5; West Coast: March 12
The term "Follower" has a bad reputation, implying that people who support leaders are passive drones who take orders. The childhood game, "Follow the Leader," reinforces the stereotype. This outdated notion can be replaced by the image of a powerful people courageously taking on the role of influencing and shaping their leaders. It is that idea we explore in the workshop Power from the Pews: Influencing and Shaping Congregational Leaders. This model rests on trust and courageous truth-telling as people fulfill our ministries.
The Reverend Kenn Hurto, District Executive, and Janet Onnie, District Program Associate, will describe the motivations, characteristics, and values of people who shape our congregational leaders. Participants will discern their "influencer" type. The workshop presents five types of influencers, then matches them with four kinds of leaders to show how to develop optimum working relationships and how to detect, empower, and reward our congregational influencers. We'll draw on the experiences and insights of participants to draw an image of an exemplary Unitarian Universalist influencer and shaper of congregational leaders.
The East Coast workshop is Saturday, March 5 at the River of Grass Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Davie. A West Coast workshop follows the next Saturday, March 12, 2011 at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Sarasota. Both workshops will begin at 10am and end at 2pm. The cost is $15 per person or $35 for a 3-person congregational team, which includes lunch. Advanced registration is required and may be made at the links listed below. Questions? Call the District Office at 407-894-2119.
March 5, 10am, River of Grass Unitarian Universalist Congregation - Online Registration
March 12, 10am, Unitarian Universalist Church of Sarasota - Online Registration
In Honor of our UUA's 50th Anniversary:
"Unitarian Universalists Face a New Age - Yet Again"
Two panels exploring what we have learned and the opportunities ahead.
February 26 (with co-sponsor, Southwest Cluster), Unitarian Universalist Church of Charlotte County - Event Flyer
May 14, Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Vero Beach (Event flyer will be available soon)
Annual Conference Allies for Racial Equity
March 25-27, Unitarian Universalist Church of Fort Myers
Details: http://www.uuallies.org/
District Annual Assembly - Announcement Link
Where do we come from? Who are we? Where are we going?
An Experiential Encounter with Music, Justice & Multi-Culturalism
The Florida District Board of Directors cordially invites you to our Annual Assembly. April 8 - 10, 2011 at The 1U - the oldest Unitarian church in Florida
Event flyer and registration will be available February 15th
Now Accepting Nominations for Florida District Awards
 The Florida District Awards Committee requests your nominations to honor members who have made significant contributions to their congregations and communities. Nominations must be received no later than March 1, 2011. Awards will be presented at our District Assembly in April 2011.
District Award Information Flyer and Nomination Form
|
|
Southland Unitarian Universalist Regional Offerings |
| | |
 THE NEW Multicultural Renaissance Module and Multicultural Competencies Leadership Training
Multicultural leadership is a way of thinking. It is a way of welcoming everyone's stories that is inclusive and leads to caring and taking action to make our society and our congregations more just and humane. Multicultural leadership has implications for all parts of our congregations. It is a philosophy that encompasses the entire congregation all of the time. It includes race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, disabilities and socioeconomic status. It prepares our children to live in this rapidly changing and diverse world. It prepares our congregations to open their doors to this changing world and welcome the views and perspectives of many different people.
It requires that we all educate ourselves to live together in a world that values respect, justice and equity.
THE NEW MULTICULTURAL RENAISSANCE UNIT is designed for people who work in the programmatic parts of our congregational life that includes faith development, membership, social justice and worship.
The second unit, MULTICULTURAL COMPETENCIES FOR LEADERSHIP is for people primarily in leadership positions. It is for board members, nominating/leadership development committee members, and those who serve on committees on ministry, finance and facilities.
Bring a team from your congregation!
When? March 11-13, 2011
Where? The Summit Conference Center, Haw River State Park, Brown Summit, NC (near Greensboro)
Cost? $300 (double occupancy; a single room is $50 extra, if available)
To register: GO TO TJDISTRICT.ORG UNDER EVENTS
Questions? Call Sue Sinnamon, 757-254-6389, or ssinnamon@uua.org. |
| Around the Florida District - News and Events to Note |
| | |
Cluster, Congregation & Affiliated Organization Events
February 13 - Coalition of Immokalee Workers Museum Van Exhibit - UU Fellowship of Charlotte County
February 18 - Installation of Reverend Scott Alexander - UU Fellowship of Vero Beach
February 19 - Parenting Beyond Belief Workshop - UU Congregation of Miami
On Saturday, February 19 at 9 AM the Religious Education department of the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Miami department will be hosting a guest speaker, Dale McGowan, author/editor of Parenting Beyond Belief and Raising Freethinkers. The program is FREE and will be held in the Sanctuary with FREE childcare included. We have received many rave reviews about Dale speaking at other UU congregations all over the country and we look forward to welcoming him in South Florida. Please save the date as this will be a very special event for all parents, educators and anyone interested in the notion of "raising freethinkers." RSVP required at 305-667-3697 or mrizzodre@gmail.com. UUCM 7701 SW 76th Ave. Miami, FL 33143
February 20 - Installation of Reverend Pam Allen-Thompson - UU Fellowship of Charlotte County
February 20 - Arizona Is Our Town, An Immigration Skit - UU Church of St. Petersburg
February 26 & 27 - 5th Annual Florida District Choral Festival - UU Fellowship of Gainesville
FLORIDA DISTRICT UU CHORAL FESTIVAL ALMOST HERE!
The fifth annual Florida District UU Choral Festival is almost here! The date is the last weekend of February 2011: February 26-27 at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Gainesville. Our theme this year is African-American Spirituals: Speaking Through the Centuries. If singers from your congregation are planning to attend, please be sure they all register by the deadline. Please see attachment for complete information about repertoire, registration, accommodations, the Saturday variety show, and the Sunday service.
These deadlines are fast approaching:
February 11 Deadline to request home hospitality
February 18 Deadline for festival registration
For questions about registration, contact Norma Zabel, at nzabel@cox.net.
For general questions about the Choral Festival, contact Ruth Lewis, UUFG Minister of Music, at music@uuf.org.
March 11 to 13 - Here Comes the CON, Beacon Youth Conference, University UU Society
March 26 - Northeast Cluster Spring Gathering - UU Fellowship of Vero Beach
March 26 - Do Human Rights Have a Future? Lecture with Rev. Dr. Bill Schulz, President and CEO of UUSC - UU Fellowship of Vero Beach
Other News & Invitations
Peace Initiative Speakers Series, UU Fellowship of Charlotte County , various dates January - May, information flyer is in the FLD January packet
The Florida Humanities Series 2010-2011,The Emerson Center/UU Fellowship of Vero Beach, various dates through April
Job Opportunities
UU Congregation of Greater Naples is seeking an Acting Director of Religious Education
UU Church of Roanoke, VA is seeking a Director of Lifespan Faith Development
Click here to go the FLD Job Opportunities webpage |
| Things to Know in Our Extended Unitarian Universalist World |
| | |
Help Stop Violence Against LGBT People in Uganda
 After a local front-page magazine article called for the hangings of LGBT people in Uganda, several citizens in Kampala, Uganda, including members of our own faith community, were threatened and assaulted in their homes. David Kato, a Ugandan gay rights activist mentioned in the article, was brutally beaten to death Jan. 26 at his home in Kampala.
In response to the violence and oppression against LGBT people in Uganda, the UUA, in partnership with the UU-United Nations Organization (UU-UNO), has launched the UUA / UU-UNO LGBT Uganda Fund. The fund will help LGBT human rights activists, including members of the UU Church in Uganda, protect people whose safety is threatened and fight for social justice and LGBT rights in Uganda. Watch UUA President Peter Morales' video appeal and read his call to action.
Please make a gift today.
Upcoming Webinar Series on Congregational Governance
Throughout the month of February, Unity Church-Unitarian is offering four workshops in a webinar track on congregational governance. Although you can attend any of the four you choose, and each webinar stands alone effectively, taken together they build a complete package of congregational governance skills for any congregation, operating under any governance system:
- Principles of Good Governance. Monday February 7, 2011 7:00 - 8:15 p.m. Central Time.
- The Foundation of Good Governance: The Nested Bowls of Values, Mission and Ends. Wednesday February 16 7:00 to 8:15 p.m. Central Time.
- The Foundation of Good Governance: Role Clarity for Visionary and Operational Leadership. Thursday February 24, 2011, 7:00 to 8:15 p.m. Central Time.
- The Leadership Cycle in the Mission-Focused Congregation. Thursday March 3, 7:00 to 8:15 p.m. Central Time.
Click here for more information and to register!
Small Talk, the Newsletter for Small Congregations
Small Talk is a newsletter dedicated to supporting and strengthening the small Unitarian Universalist congregation. It is edited by the Rev. Jane Dwinell and designed by Dana Dwinell-Yardley. Small Talk is published monthly, 10 issues a year, with a summer break in July and August.
Subscribe to Small Talk! Click here to receive the Small Talk newsletter as a PDF once a month. You will not be sent any other mailings or be subjected to any e-mail list chatter.
If conversation is what you're looking for, sign up for the "smalltalk" discussion list for small congregations - click here.
UU History Contest
The Unitarian Universalist Historical Society would like to remind all UU congregations of the opportunity to win a UU History prize. Information on the prizes - available in several categories - can be found at the UUHS website here .
Please check it out!
We hope many people will take an interest in submitting an entry! |
|
Quick Links
|
| |
Calendars:
Websites:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
