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| | Florida District Connections
May 21, 2011 |
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 | Notes & Comments From Our District Executive
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I write these words on May 21st, the so-called "Judgement Day," according to a self-described prophet, and announced on billboards in Florida and full page advertisements in major papers. The alleged "end of the world" begins today, they say. If you are reading these words, it apparently was not a cataclysmic end.
It's stuff like this that makes me want to join the "Freedom From Religion" foundation. Fear-based, nonsensical, biblical-proof text superstition, alas, still finds a home in religious media. I guess it is remains true, it is hard to underestimate the intelligence or gullibility of the of the foolish.
Unitarian Universalism holds reason as the solid foundation of genuine faith. As Channing once said, "God gave us a mind and will hold us accountable for its use!" While too often we limit truth to the merely analytic or measurable, I am proud to be part of a faith, to quote our Fort Myers congregation's slogan, "where reason and religion meet."
End-times predictions are the fodder of bogus prophets. Real prophets call people back to faithfulness, working to bring holy love to the world by standing on the side of justice. That's what we should proclaim: All are lovable, all are worthy, all can be saved.
Until we live in love, we already are in end-times. When we live in love for all creation, we are in new times.
May hope, love and reason be your guide. Rev. Kenn |
 | Meditation |
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Meditation/Prayer for Uganda
Sarah Lammert
 Dear God, Dear Love, hold the people of Uganda in your heart.
May you grant courage and safety to our gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender siblings who are in danger this day,
In Kampala and Entebbe, along the shores of Lake Victoria and Lake Kyoga, among the kingdoms of Toro, Ankole, Busoga, Bunyoro, Buganda and Rwenzururu.
May the leaders of Uganda be wise, compassionate,
May all of us find our voice
To demand justice, to love mercy, to walk humbly,
Dear Love, You who hold the suffering close; never turn your face away.
May peace enter our hearts, and take root throughout the nations.
Amen. |
| Tipping the Balance Toward Better Practices |
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Board Retreats
This is the season for Board Retreats. Our first tip: have one! A second tip: get your board to set goals (but not too many - 3 is a good number) and clearly explain them to the membership. Then be sure to apply the SMART-O standard: Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, Timely, and Owned. See FLD website for goal setting model: Leadership Goal Setting: Getting SMART-O About Your Goals |
| Florida District & Southern Region - Resources and Events |
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More Than Money, But Money Matters Workshop
A Workshop on Healthy Congregational Stewardship
May 28, 2011 ~ 10:00am to 3:00pm
Hosted by the UU Church of Ft. Lauderdale
The Reverend Kenneth Gordon Hurto, Presenter
We know that personal, mission-driven stewardship appeals work. Regrettably, most of our District congregations rely on passive and budget-focused appeals with corresponding and dispiriting results year after year. Come learn how to support our ministries more effectively.
· Money as a symptom - of hope or fear.
· Why people give to a ministry.
· Does it have to be hard?
· Money & faith development.
Event Flyer
Online Event Registration (online registration open through May 23, please call or email the office if you are planning to attend and have not yet registered)
Webinar Opportunity- GA as a Leadership Experience
Southern UU Region Spring Webinar Series
(No charge to participate, registration limited to the first 22 registered)
June 1, 2011 ~ 7:00pm ~ 90 minutes
Attending GA can be a transformative experience in and of itself but careful planning can also make it a significant leadership development experience. In this webinar, you'll learn how to structure your GA experience to make the most of the leadership development opportunities. You'll learn how to choose among the myriad workshops to create a comprehensive, in-depth learning curriculum for yourself. In addition, you'll be challenged to observe how to sift through and apply the techniques, rules, and procedures of plenary to hold effective congregational meetings and make better decisions that are inclusive of multi-generational and disparate voices. And you'll be encouraged to think more deeply about how to integrate worship, singing, and reflection into the business of your congregation. By the end of this webinar, you'll be able to create a GA experience that will take you to the next level of leadership in your congregation.
Audience: Congregational leaders, youth, new members who aspire to move into leadership
Presented by Annette Marquis, District Executive and the Rev. Sue Sinnamon, Director of Faith Development, Thomas Jefferson District
Webinar Flyer
Online Webinar Registration
SUULE? What's happened to SUULE?
The Southern Unitarian Universalist Leadership Experience is hale and hearty. It has moved - timewise - however from summer to winter. As our UUA General Assembly is in our region this summer, we've decided to hold SUULE next February 19-25 in Florida (most likely in central Florida). Nominations by congregations for teams to participate will open August 15th. A reminder with nomination procedures will be sent to all our congregations before then. Meanwhile, our regional "Leadership Experience" is making a difference in our congregations. Each year, the "Leadership Experience" has grown. Our western version, the Dwight Brown UULE, is over-subscribed this summer with nearly 80 participants from 20 congregations! We anticipate something similar with SUULE, so congregational leaders, think now who from your congregation should be at SUULE next February.
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Mid-South District UUA - Severe Storm Recovery Efforts |
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 Communities and families in our neighboring Mid-South District UUA were devistated by severe storms and tornados on April 27, 2011. Unitarian Universalist folks in Alabama, Mississippi, Georgia and Tennessee have major property damage and are reeling from the effects of the storms. Tuscaloosa, Alabama, was particularly hard hit, and a number of UU families there are without their homes. Mid-South District has established the 2011 Severe Storm Fund to assist Unitarian Universalist families and their communities as they repair their lives and properties after the tornado-filled storms.
Congregations, individuals and other gatherings may help out by sending contributions to the address below or donating through this web site. Thanks to all for care and support!
Checks should be payable to "Mid-South District," noted: "2011 Severe Storm Fund," and mailed to:
Mid-South District Bookkeeper
4605 Elkins Ave., Nashville, TN 37209
Online Donations may be made by clicking on the 'Donate' button on the front page of the MSD web site at http://www.msduua.org.
For more information on recovery efforts see these recent reports in our uuworld.org e-magazine:
· Severe Storm Fund to Provide Tornado Relief (May 2, 2011)
· Tornado-Struck Towns Begin Recovery (May 9, 2011) |
| Around the Florida District - News and Events to Note |
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Upcoming Events
· May 27 to 29 - BaCON, Beacon Youth Conference - UU Church of Sarasota
· June 5 - Ordination of Jay Wolin - First Unitarian Church of Orlando
· June 11 - Ordination of Brock Leach - UU Church of Sarasota
· June 12 - Ordination of Janet Onnie - UU Congregation of Venice
UUA-HAITI EMERGING CONGREGATION TRIP UPDATE
We wanted to share our excitement with you as the Florida District team prepares to leave for Leogane, Haiti on May 19th.
Led by the Rev. Dr. Bonnie Devlin of the Manatee-Bradenton congregation, the team is scheduled for twelve hour days, spent with host pastor Guy Henry and the church's leaders, exploration of community agencies, churches, and businesses to get a sense of alliances and interfaith opportunities, determining feasibility of establishing an orphanage, and partnering with a UU-Haiti Arts Collective. Rev. Devlin will collaborate with Pastor Henry to conduct a Friday evening bible study, the children's Sunday school, and a shared Sunday worship service, all with a focus on introducing the principles of Unitarian Universalism to the community. The entire team will participate in the fellowship and community meal after church on Sunday.
The team will report back to sponsoring congregations as events unfold. To become part of this this initiative please send your gift to the UUA-Florida District with "Haiti Project" noted on the memo line. The address is 1901 East Robinson Street; Suite 18; Orlando, Florida 32803. Your generosity gives witness to our profession to "... Help Heal the World."
2012 District Women's Retreat - Express interest by June 30th!
Attention, all Florida District women! The Northeast Cluster is inviting all district women to join us in retreat in April 2012.
We must begin planning NOW. We understand that it is difficult to make a commitment today for an event scheduled in 2012, however, we must know how many are planning to come in order to proceed with reserving space. We estimate the cost to be approximately $220 for everything. It is understandable that some unexpected event could make it necessary for you to change your mind, however, we must have a starting place. Email Allie Gore with indigo8062@earthlink.net or phone 352-861-6303.
UU Congregation of Greater Naples - Seeking Interim Director of Religious Education
For more information about our congregation, including the job description and a letter of invitation, please visit our website at www.uunaples.org.
Applications (resume, cover letter and references) and inquiries should be directed to: Office@uunaples.org . Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. |
| Things to Know in Our Extended Unitarian Universalist World |
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Our UUA President Speaks Out
 Fear and hatred are again fueling homophobia in Uganda. The Ugandan Parliament might soon pass the draconian Anti-Homosexuality Bill that will endanger the lives of LGBT citizens of that country. We must not allow this violation of basic human rights to go unopposed.
We at the UUA are coordinating our response to the developing situation with our Unitarian Universalist minister in Kampala. The Unitarian Universalist United Nations Office (UU-UNO) also is pursuing opportunities for coalition work opposing the bill.
I urge you to take action in any way you can. There is further information at Amnesty International, and please consider signing the All Out petition.
And your donation to the UUA/UU-UNO LGBT Uganda Fund will continue to support important LGBT civil rights work in Uganda even if the AHB does not pass - but becomes even more essential if this bill does pass.
As we continue this fight for justice, please hold all LGBT Ugandans in your thoughts and prayers. Right now they are uniquely vulnerable, and quite possibly in physical danger.
The Rev. Peter Morales, President
New Titles from Beacon Press and Skinner House Books
Universalists and Unitarians in America: A Peoples History
 Past UUA president John Buehrens begins his new history, Universalists and Unitarians in America, with the observation that "Religion is people." While previous accounts of Universalism and Unitarianism have focused on a few great men, this history shines a light on the contributions of many women and men, both exalted and obscure, whose stories illustrate the texture of lived religion. Both faiths are chronicled in parallel development through their consolidation in 1961. Beyond presenting Universalist and Unitarian history in America as more than a list of luminaries, Buehrens weaves a historical tapestry rich in color and meaning that will serve to deepen the faith of modern Unitarian Universalists.
Darkening the Doorways
 On one hand, Darkening the Doorways is a tale of systemic paternalism and a prejudicial failure of vision, of squandered opportunities and good intentions turned into tragedy more often than triumph. On the other hand, it is a tale of idealism, courage, intrepid allies, dogged determination and steadfast loyalty in the face of rejection. The life stories and achievements of the African Americans you will discover in these pages are remarkable. Mark Morrison-Reed's collection of profiles and essays, supplemented by archival documents, revives their memory while pointing toward the evolving multicultural future.
Coming Out in Faith
 This collection of poignant testimonials illuminates the lived experience of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Unitarian Universalists. Coming Out in Faith also helps to raise awareness of Unitarian Universalism's active role in promoting a vision of humanity that not only embraces LGBTQ people but actively seeks to learn from the unique strengths they bring to questions of personal faith and organizational vitality.
This book includes a chapter written by our UU Fellowship of Manatee (Bradenton, FL) members Al Usack and Ed Kobee.
Coming Out in Faith is currently in production and will ship on or about June 15, 2011.
Chaos, Wonder and the Spiritual Adventure of Parenting
 This collection of essays from bestselling authors Barbara Kingsolver, Anne Lamott, Barry Lopez, Scott Russell Sanders and others reflects on how parenting challenges, enriches, and magnifies our spiritual selves . Parents will find in these essays moments of joyful recognition and compassionate understanding for the unique spiritual adventure of raising children.
Chaos, Wonder and the Spiritual Adventure of Parenting is currently being printed and will ship on or about May 16, 2011.
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