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| | Florida District Connections
August 13, 2011 |
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PLEASE SHARE THIS EMAIL
WITH OTHER MEMBERS OF YOUR CONGREGATION! |
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 | New Contact Information for UUA Florida District |
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Our contact information has recently changed!
Please update your address books
(congregational & personal)
with this new information:
New Mailing Address:
UUA Florida District
P.O. Box 560246
Orlando, FL 32856-0246
New Email Address:
New Fax Number:
877-663-9566
Telephone (no change):
407-894-2119
Website (no change):
Direct contact information for Rev. Kenn Hurto (khurto@uua.org) and Rev. Randy Becker (rbecker@uua.org) has not changed. Please contact the office if you need their telephone number or mailing address. |
 | Notes & Comments From Our District Executive
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"May you live in interesting times," is a well-know curse - poignantly asserting that when times go interesting they are also trying.
The last few weeks, fights over national finances have roiled our confidence in both our economy and our political process. I ask: What role might a Unitarian Universalist community serve in these far too interesting times?
First, to be aware that our people are not exempt from the national anxiety. We might create learning and sharing circles where we might coach each other in handling our finances, being attuned to members who may suddenly be in need, or to ask how our faith might address the social justice implications. It is important that we help each other not feel helpless or victimized and to discover anew our power in our powerlessness.
[As an aside, leaders may also be alert for how this increased anxiety spills into other arenas of congregational life. This is a time for compassionate listening and tending to our relational covenants.]
We are also in the seasonal moment of schools re-opening and seekers of all ages trying on new faith communities. In our busy-ness on Sunday mornings, it is easy to forget the need for every member to offer genuine hospitality. The Minister and/or Board Host should greet people at the front door as people arrive for worship. Your Greeters ought to have a name tag for both members and guests. Be sure to introduce new guests to other members.
Remember this important lesson: New arrivals want to be noticed but not singled out! Welcome, welcome by name, introduce people to individuals (no mass greetings which are just embarrassing to the tentative and shy). If you say you're friendly, be so. If you are welcoming, welcome. If love is a core teaching, love your guests.
Anxious times are when we most notice the need for a beloved community. Somehow amid our own anxiety, we need to find the grace to minister. It's easier if we all practice the humble art of hospitality. Exercise our faith, hold one another gently and speak truth to power.
May your ministry make a difference. Rev. Kenn
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Trustee News | | | |
 UUA TRUSTEE TIDBITS
Joan Lund, August 2011
jlund@uua.org or 813-931-9727
It was good to see many of you in June at GA. Hope you experienced a rewarding, challenging, and fun time in Charlotte. There is a Trustee-written GA June, 2011 report sent to the District office earlier this week, my reflections of important happenings at GA; and of course much information may be found at UUA.org, linking to GA 2011. I made a pledge to myself, and now to you that I plan to devote Trustee Tidbits columns from now until next March or April to our Justice GA 2012 to be held in Phoenix next year. I think it will be one of our most important gatherings in our over fifty year history. Please make plans to attend.
 What I know about GA 2012: Rev. Susan Frederick-Gray, minister of the UU congregation of Phoenix, has accepted a key leadership role in the Arizona immigration effort. Rev. Harlan Limpert, Vice-President for Ministries and Congregational Support, and Susan, with input from Rev. Ken Brown and others, are in the process of finalizing specific roles, responsibilities of those involved. Rev. Frederick-Gray is widely respected as a minister, and outstanding spokesperson on justice issues and partner with Arizona congregations and other Arizona immigration groups and their leaders, with whom the UUA is already working, and will continue to do so in the coming months.
Many relationships have been formed, maintained, and expanded in recent years between UUA Staff, lay and professional leaders in Arizona congregations, and individuals and organizations in Arizona committed to immigration reform and human rights issues. These relationships are critically important to any work that occurs during the coming year, during GA2012, and in the months and years following Justice GA. Our UUA has committed $150,000 towards an Arizona immigration for fiscal year 7/1/11 to 6/30/12. There was a collection at the GA in Charlotte specifically for this fund and the GA Planning Committee has contributed to it. There is commitment to ensuring that the 2012 Justice GA impacts the justice work of our UUA for many years to come.
We know numerous other states are contemplating, or have passed, laws as oppressive as those passed in Arizona that have impacted the work and ministry we do together. Training and education throughout the year will be provided; hopefully this will have a big impact on justice work in congregations. The best place to find information valuable to your congregation will be at our UUA website. Bottom line: The very fact that GA will take place in Phoenix in 2012 is positive. It creates opportunity for making a difference in ways seldom seen. |
| Florida District Packet & UUA Congregational Bulletin |
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 The August 2011 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/2011/07/FLD-August-2011-Packet.pdf (2.3MB, 17 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
- Leaders Roundtable flyer, page 2
- Southern Region UU Leadership Experience information, page 3
- Multicultural Leadership School for UU Youth and Young Adults of Color, page 4
- Small Group Ministry Institute flyer & registration, pages 5 & 6
- Beacon Youth Adviser Training flyer, page 7
- Northeast Fall Gathering flyer & registration, pages 8-10
- Do Human Rights Have a Future? lecture flyer, page 11
- Restorative Circles Workshop, page 12
- Florida UU Women's Retreat flyer & registration, pages 13-14
- General Assembly 2012, pages 15-16
- UUA Association Sunday, page 17
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.
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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 August 2011 UUA Congregational Bulletin |
| Around the Florida District - News and Events to Note |
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Florida District Sponsored Events
Annual Leaders Roundtable
September 17 - Hosted by UU Fellowship of Boca Raton
September 24 - Hosted by UU Congregation of Lakeland
 Designing a Transformative, Vital, Healthy Unitarian Universalist Congregation
The Florida District invites: Congregational Presidents, Vice Presidents, an Emerging Leader, & the Minister (others are welcome) to our annual Roundtable conversation about faith & leadership.
The purpose of this meeting is to reflect on the opportunities of congregational leadership and to support each other around shared challenges.
The format includes theory, case study and the sharing of your wisdom.
This year, together we will discern some defining characteristics of a Life-Transforming, Socially-Powerful and Loving Unitarian Universalist Congregation.
Additionally, we'll share a variety of resources to make congregational leadership more rewarding.
Facilitated by Rev. Kenn Hurto
Download Flyer
Register On-line for September 17, Boca Raton
Register on-line for September 24, Lakeland
District Board Meeting - October 14 & 15 - Oviedo
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Cluster, Congregation and Affiliated Organization Events
Beacon Adviser Training - August 26, 27, 28 - UU Fellowship of Gainesville
Adviser Training Flyer & Registration
Northeast Cluster Fall Gathering - September 10 - University UU Society (Orlando)
CPR for Unitarian Universalism with Rev. Susanne Nazian
Cluster Gathering Flyer & Registration
10th Annual Ericksen Lecture - September 24 - UU Fellowship of Gainesville
Dr. William Schulz - Do Human Rights Have a Future?
Learn more
Restorative Circles Conflict Transformation Workshop - September 30, October 1, 2 - Rising Tide International, Sarasota
Learn more
Florida UU Women's Retreat - April 27 to 29, 2012 - Ellenton, FL
Flyer & Registration
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Other News
 Did you know UUA Florida District is on Facebook? Check it out here: http://www.facebook.com/UUAFloridaDistrict . We invite you to "like" us, and we will do the same with most UU related organizations requesting to be added to our list!
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UU United Fellowship Youth Group Honord |
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With sincere apologies, this congratulation article from our July e-newsletter identified incorrect award recipients. Here is the correct information.
 The UU United Fellowship Youth Group (located in St. Petersburg, FL), was a recent recipient of the Mary-Ella Holst Youth Activist Award. This award recognizes and honors the achievements of an individual or group of youth who is/are advancing human rights and social justice through activism and leadership in collaboration with UUSC. Click here to learn more about the United Fellowships youth group's work with Hope in Crops.
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Unitarian Universalist Legislative Ministry Florida |
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UUs and Allies Nationwide Community Radio Network
UUs have a once in a lifetime opportunity to acquire part of the coming available Low Power FM broadcast spectrum, start a community radio station in their area, and join the new UUs and Allies Nationwide Community Radio Network. The spectrum will be gone by mid-2012, and likely to the radical right, if we don't get it. The FCC will open LPFM to urban areas as well as rural, but they need individuals and groups to show interest by Aug. 29th (no commitment required.)
See http://uugrowth.com/uuradio/for the official announcement. To see why radio is important, look at the maps and charts at www.suewilsonreports.com and see excerpt from Broadcast Blues at: http://www.youtube.com/embed/lWJ4G-VPTqc 1 min 45 sec.
The benefits to UUs and partner organizations in their communities could be immense:
- bring civil discourse to the airwaves and advance issues of social justice and peace
- promote local community efforts our congregations support with hands on work
- maximize our Unitarian Universalist presence in our communities and across the nation
Here is the form to use to send your comment to the FCC: http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/ecfs/upload/display?z=9nzmd
Here is a short sample letter to the FCC:
Our local communities should have an opportunity to get on the air. We will offer a different voice from what is heard now. Democracy means diversity.
Please preserve channels for LPFM in urban areas. Our community needs to hear its own voices - and a variety of voices - on the airwaves.
Fill out this email petition tool and your letter will go to Congress as well. http://bit.ly/LCRadio
Contact Mary Francis at mary.francis111@gmail.com or info@prometheusradio.org for more information.
DEADLINE FOR COMMENTS TO THE FCC IS AUGUST 29!
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| Things to Know in Our Extended Unitarian Universalist World |
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UUSC Launches Relief Fund for East Africa Famine
 The United Nations has declared a famine in southern Somalia that is expected to spread in the next two months. With 3.2 million people - half of the Somali population - needing immediate lifesaving assistance, this is the world's worst food security crisis in the last 20 years.
In light of this dire crisis, Unitarian Universalist Service Committee (UUSC) has opened the Somalia and East Africa Relief Fund.
To address the crisis and support survivors, UUSC will put a three-pronged response into action. First, working with partners on the ground, UUSC will provide immediate relief for Somalis affected by the famine. UUSC will also support communities in Ethiopia and Kenya that are hosting Somali refugees, to prevent their falling into famine conditions. Finally, UUSC will assist existing grassroots partners in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda in mitigating the effects of the disastrous lack of rain and extreme strain on food sources.
Those wishing to support the UUSC Somalia and East Africa Relief Fund may contribute online at http://tinyurl.com/3qejfez.
For more information about UUSC's relief work, visit http://tinyurl.com/3bk9wt5.
Work with the UU-UNO - Youth Envoy Coordinator Position
 The UU-UNO is seeking a Youth Envoy Coordinator to manage high school aged youth engagement with the envoy program and the UU-UNO. This position runs August - December 2011 with the possibility of extension depending on funding. Read more here!
Since the UU-UNO was founded in 1962, UU envoys of all ages have been working to ensure that their UU congregation's voices are represented at the United Nations. Through their work with the UU-UNO, UU envoys have been tremendously successful at influencing UN policy to promote global justice and international awareness in their congregations.
This is full time fellowship for a $2,000/month Stipend.
UU-UNO is accepting applications now.
UUA Gathered Here Initiative
 Over 75 ministers participated in a UUMA Ministry Days "Collegial Conversation" to learn about Gathered Here. In a session led by the Rev. Gary Smith, the Rev. Nate Walker and internationally recognized author and consultant Amanda Trosten-Bloom, they learned about and had a brief experience of Gathered Here.
Gathered Here is a joint initiative of the UUA Board of Trustees and Administration inviting all Unitarian Universalists to contribute to a compelling shared vision for the Association through one-on-one, small group, or larger group conversations held across the country beginning this fall through October 2012.
These conversations will benefit UU communities, congregations and you by unearthing best practices for our worship and work together, unleashing energy and commitment for leadership, and forging new relationships for collaboration.
You have an important role to play in shaping the future of our faith.
Visit www.uua.org/gatheredhere. Learn more. Sign up. Get involved. Be a part of the conversation! |
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