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| | Florida District Connections
November 4, 2011 |
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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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Whew! Are you getting dizzy by the whirlwind of events: The European Zone in crisis, Occupy Wall Street is now Occupy Everywhere, Alabama surpasses Arizona for mindless immigration legislation, and Florida is still near the top when it comes to foreclosures. What's it all mean? Is there any good news?
As Unitarian poet, Wordsworth, summed it up: "The world is too much with us, late and soon." I am bewildered. How do I live my Unitarian Universalist values in this maelstrom of worry? Well, there is good news: I have this community of faith to sustain me, to challenge me, to guide me. Together, truly, we are stronger!
Of late, I am looking to Cooking Together: Recipes for Immigration Justice Work, a project of our UUA (See: http://immigrationjustice.blogs.uua.org/). This page is designed to help us think about justice issues together. Your postings are welcome.
The other day, I came across this faith-filled prayer by the Rev. Parisa Parsa (Milton, MA.), offered at the Unitarian Universalist Vespers service at Occupy Boston on October 16. It lifted my heart. Perhaps it will touch yours. In part, she said:
"It is a thing of beauty to see people coming together across political persuasions and ages and ethnicity and just about everything else in order to say: we are all in the same boat and we are not about to let it sink! This is our world. Let's make it whole together. "We are the 99%" is the slogan of this movement. But our faith calls us to know deep in our bones what it means to be 100%.
100% born from a thread of goodness and hope that is woven through 100% of beings on this planet.
100% able to see and cultivate that goodness in ourselves and each other.
100% the ones in whose hands this world rests.
100% infused with the power of divine love, forgiveness, grace.
100% of us are destined for the arms of a love that knows no limit.
100% of us were born and offered the breath of life from a source we cannot fully name."
The centrifugal forces at work in our society are born of greed and ignorance. They are sustained by fear and indifferent hearts. There is good news: Our faith calls us to be the ones who can love universally and to work so that all, all!, are treated justly and given an equal opportunity to thrive. Human forces created many of the ills that worry our nights. And human hands can work to change that in the hope of our days. This is ministry.
Reverend Parsa concludes:
"100% of us hold the power to turn the ship around, to mend its leaks, and repair its sails to set it right again. We need all our stories, all our hearts, all our spirits, all our anger and frustration, all our hope and laughter to make it new. Let us be together. 100%."
May we be worthy of our faith. Rev. Kenn
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 | Notes from Our Lifespan Program Consultant |
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 TAKING ON THE HOLIDAYS
Every year, about the first week in January, I hear the same thing from people: "Next year I will do the holidays differently."
What are they saying? Well, when asked to explain, they use terms like: hurried, busy, harried, tired, over-whelmed, depressed, angry, disappointed.
"So," I ask them, "whose holidays were you celebrating?" They look puzzled at the question, so I add "What were you expecting, and why?" The puzzlement only grows deeper.
"Then," I continue, "how would you like the holidays to be different? What would you like?"
It is as if I had opened a flood gate! You mean one can shape one's own expectations around the holidays? YES!
Culture, society, family, religion, locality, commercial interests . . . they all want to tell you what the holidays should be for you. But only you know what they can be for you if they are to be meaningful.
So, a simple exercise for each household to do (if you are living single, then you get to talk to yourself!). Involve everyone who will be spending the coming season together.
Take out the calendar of the next 8 weeks and ask "what would I like to have happen in this time?" "What would make this a meaningful time for us?" Listen carefully to what is shared, because in the desires of your household are the keys to a fulfilling holiday season.
And then, unapologetically, take on the holidays of your choosing, making them what you will. And lest you think others will judge you for doing this, when they see you actually enjoying what you are doing, being energized by your choices, and looking forward to doing it again in the future, they will probably wish they had done the same thing.
Happy Holidays!!
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Trustee News | | | |
UUA TRUSTEE TIDBITS
Joan Lund, November 2011
jlund@uua.org or 813-931-9727
 Much is being written and spoken about multiculturalism in UUism and American society. Multiculturalism in our faith is of the utmost importance to our UUA President, Rev. Peter Morales who continues to encourage us to become a multicultural, diverse community. Defining multiculturalism depends greatly upon the context in which it is discussed. Also the concept itself is constantly changing as more people make their voices heard to a continually growing audience. Multiculturalism values the diverse perspectives people develop and maintain through varieties of experience and background stemming from racial, ethnic, gender, sexual orientation and/or class differences in our society.
To Unitarian Universalists multiculturalism means nurturing a religious community where people of all races, ethnicities, and cultures see their cultural identities reflected and affirmed in every aspect of congregational life-worship, fellowship, leadership, governance, religious education, and a social justice. It also means that one cultural identity does not dominate all other identities; that people are able to participate in their faith community without denying or hiding their cultural identities, that the role of cultural identity is part of ministry; and that leaders have the competency to understand how their multiple identities and socialization influence their values, attitudes, beliefs, behaviors, and interactions with others.
We welcome each other into shared community in the many ways that people define, express, and experience their spiritual path. UUs understand and participate in public witness and social justice work as ministry in partnership with communities to make the world more compassionate, equitable, safe, nurturing, supportive, fair and just for all people. Individuals and communities are supported in their search for truth and meaning in their desire to make a positive difference in the world. And hopefully we recognize the many cultural languages in the words symbols and acts that manifest in worship, fellowship, and pastoral care.
Multicultural work in congregations is central to who we are as a faith community. It is not just about changing numbers, it is about changing our cultures. We must ground ourselves in a commitment to welcome all persons not as unfamiliar guests, but embraced with openness and sisters and brothers. This is the vision of Beloved Community toward which we are striving.
Many resources are available at www.uua.org as we continue our work preparing for Justice GA 2012, and involve ourselves in multiculturalism. Please know I am available for conversation and general good will; it is always a pleasure to hear from Florida UUs, and all UUs, as a matter of fact. Blessed and happy Thanksgiving to each one of you
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Also Available:
UUA Trustee Report
Boston, MA October 19-23, 2011
Boston is lovely and always lively at this time of year. Leaves are just beginning to change and the out-of-doors environment continues to be very green; the swans were swimming on the pond, and children in great numbers were playing on the Robert McCloskey "Make Way for Ducklings" sculpture, both in the Public Gardens. What follows will be some of what went on at the pre-meeting and meeting (from my perspective) and other information. As always if you have questions/comments in general, please email/telephone me at jlund@uua.org or 813-931-9727. The April 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://www.uua.org/uuagovernance/manual/index.shtml. As those of you who routinely read the Trustee Report following a UUA Board of Trustees (BOT) meeting already know, the actual BOT meetings are on the Saturday and Sunday time we spend together. Continue Reading |
| District Board Notes |
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Crossing Borders
Our Florida District Assembly is taking place March 23-25 at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Jacksonville.
This is our annual gathering of Florida District Unitarian Universalists, connecting our community of congregations, re-energizing our members, worshiping, learning and playing together.
This year, there is much work being done across the country with regard to Justice, fueled by our UUA commitment to Justice GA, taking place in Phoenix in June 2012. But there are clear justice issues and opportunities for engagement here in Florida. What are the ways in which we, as Unitarian Universalists, can cross borders in our work for justice? How does our theology call us to Justice work?
Social justice work is key to our faith commitment, but in many of our congregations we struggle with how to engage our congregations in this work, and to find a way to be truly involved in this work that is important and calling us in our own communities. This District Assembly will help to give you tools to engage in your home communities, and to include your congregations in that work.
On Sunday of District Assembly, we are all invited to stay for the service at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Jacksonville. We hope that your congregation will be well represented. We ask you to encourage your Minister to participate fully in the Assembly and stay through Sunday afternoon in our celebration together of community, faith and connection. We hope that your church will consider this important work by your minister in our building and growing relationships between our congregations and ultimately building our faith. We would hope that this be considered work on behalf of your own congregation.
We look forward to seeing you in Jacksonville! Put it on your church calendar, your personal calendar, and urge your congregational leaders to attend. March 23-25, 2012.
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| Legislative Ministry News |
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 The UU Legislative Ministry of Florida Steering Committee met October 15th at University UU Society in Orlando for their Annual Face-to-Face meeting. What a marathon it was!
The Steering Committee expanded from eight to ten members. (An opening is still possible in Vero Beach or Miami-let us know if you are interested). UULMF now has two Co-Chairs, Kindra Muntz and Steve Segner, a new volunteer webmaster, Larry Lawhorn, and two new Committee members, Harriet Ha-Sidi of Clearwater and Barbara Sterling of Tallahassee. Welcome to all!
Our continuing Steering Committee members are Rev. Meredith Garmon of Gainesville, Pastor Bud Murphy of Ormond Beach, Rev. Gail Tapscott of Ft. Lauderdale, Gerald Goen of Tarpon Springs, and Milo Vannucci of West Palm Beach. All are shown in the photo except Harriet, who was in transit to Florida, and Rev. Gail, who was traveling.
Our October 15th meeting included instruction on the new website by Larry, and special fundraising training by Bob Johnsen of the UU Funding Program, from which UULMF has received both a regular grant and a challenge grant.
Our core issues for 2011-2012 remain Renewing American Democracy (Campaign Finance Reform, Election Reform, Media Reform), Immigration as a Moral Issue, and Environmental Justice/Climate Change.
We hope all congregations in Florida will want to become Congregational Members of UULMF, and we encourage individual memberships as well. Together we can empower the voice of Unitarian Universalist values in the public arena.
Kindra Muntz and Steve Segner, Co-Chairs
Unitarian Universalist Legislative Ministry of Florida
kindra_muntz@uulmf.org, steve_segner@uulmf.org |
| Tipping the Balance Toward Better Practice |
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Participate in Dream Sabbath
Join more that 50 Unitarian Universalist congregations (so far, only Clearwater, Fort Myers & N.Palm Beaches in the FLD) who have held worship in support of the DREAM (Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors) Act, a bipartisan bill that would allow some immigrant students a chance to earn legal status if they came to the U.S. as children, are long-term U.S. residents, have good moral character, graduate from high school (or obtain a GED), and complete two years of college or military service in good standing. Find out how at: http://www.interfaithimmigration.org/index.php/2011/07/01/dream-sabbath-launch/. |
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Stewardship CAN Be Fun! |
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From Our UUA Congregational Stewardship Blog:
Check out the video preview of skits about financial stewardship from Eno River UU Fellowship in Durham, NC. A good time was had by all.
Oh, and mark your calendar to bring a team to the District's next local workshop on Stewardship, Time, Treasure and Talent: A Stewardship Primer, February 4th, 2012 at the Clearwater congregation. Event flyer and registration details will be available soon! |
| Southeast Unitarian Universalist Leadership Experience |
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Nominations open October 15th
Southern Unitarian Universalist Leadership Experience
February 19 - 24, 2012
Nominations Open October 15th
Holiday Inn Resort Orlando -The Castle Hotel
Orlando, Florida
www.thecastleorlando.com
To learn more about SUULE please visit our website at
http://uusouthland.org/leadershipexperiences/suule.html
You will be able to nominate those you wish to send to Southern Unitarian Universalist Leadership Experience ("SUULE") beginning October 15th. Nominations will close December 15th. The nominating process will be similar to last year. Participants must come in congregational teams of two or more leaders (including ministers, DREs, etc.). Sorry but no solo participants will be accepted. The cost per participant is $695 the same as last year (covers room & board, all meals, and materials except for the two books for required pre-work).
SUULE is an intense and deeply spiritual experience for lay and clergy alike. It will focus on the presence and functioning of the individual leaders and will help to form them into a team who serve Unitarian Universalism as servant leaders to their congregations and elders of the faith. Through small group experiences, case studies, lectures, worship, and theological dialogue, participants will gain practical understanding of healthy congregation concepts and tools, the value of intentional leadership process, and the vital connections between religious leadership, faith development, and the realization of beloved community.
Our goal is to translate the SUULE experience into tangible congregational health and vitality. Factors that appear to make a difference in how SUULE affects congregational health include participants who come well grounded in Unitarian Universalism, participants who serve significant leadership roles in their congregation, participants who come in teams of two or more from a congregation, congregations who send teams of leaders to SUULE for several years in a row, and congregations that have an intentional process for selecting their SUULE registrants and integrating knowledge and skills from the experience into the life of the congregation.
We urge you to begin considering which leaders would help your congregation benefit most from this experience.
Sincerely,
Peter Kandis
SUULE Dean
803-422-3116, PKandis@gmail.com
Nominations open October 15th
To submit nominations please fill out the form found here:
http://fd8.formdesk.com/swuuc1/SUULE12nominate
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| Florida District Packet & UUA Congregational Bulletin |
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The November 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/2011/10/UUA-FLD-November-2011-Packet.pdf (2.4MB, 19 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
- Growing the Smaller Congregation Workshop flyer, page 2
- Southern Region UU Leadership Experience information, page 3-4
- UU Climate Change & Environmental Justice Action Coalition information, page 5
- Earth Justice Seminar flyer, page 6
- emma's revolution concert flyer, page 7
- Move to Amend flyer, page 8
- Mountain Thanksgiving flyer & registration, pages 9-10
- SWIM 2011 flyer, page 11
- UUF Vero Beach Emerson Center Humanities Series Flyer, page 12
- Florida UU Women's Retreat flyer & registration, pages 13-14
- General Assembly 2012, pages 15-16
- GA, Now Accepting Program Proposals, pages 17-18
- Mountain Camp 2012 flyer, page 19
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).
Follow this link to view the November 2011 UUA Congregational Bulletin:
http://www.uua.org/communications/bulletin/189570.shtml |
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Save the Date for these Florida District Events |
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 December 10
Growing the Smaller Congregation Workshop
with Reverend Kenn Hurto, Hosted by UU Congregation of Lake County/Eustis
February 4
Time, Treasure and Talent: A Stewardship Primer Workshop
with Reverend Susan Smith, District Executive, Southwestern UU Conference, Hosted by UUs of Clearwater
February 10-11
District Board Meeting, location tbd
February 19-24
Southern Unitarian Universalist Leadership Experience
Orlando; See: http://uusouthland.org/leadershipexperiences/suule.html
Please note, nominations for SUULE close on December 15th
March 23-25
Crossing Borders, Annual District Assembly
with Reverend Susan Frederick-Gray, Reverend Rev. Jose Ballester and Reverend Patricia Jimenez, Hosted by UU Church of Jacksonville |
| Around the Florida District - News and Events to Note |
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Earth Justice Seminar - November 12 - UU Church of Brevard
The Seventh Principle Earth, Spirit, and Justice
On November 12th the Unitarian Universalist Church of Brevard hosts Patricia Siemen, Director of the Center for Earth Jurisprudence, Barry University School of Law. Join this conversation that moves toward action. In the context of Unitarian Universalist history, our seven principles and our present cultural situation the idea of "respect" calls us to action. Our present legal system and regulatory efforts support an economic system that marches toward self destruction. A call to action must alter the center of this power structure. "Earth Jurisprudence is an emerging theory of law, which proposes that we rethink our legal and political systems to make sure they support, rather than undermine, the integrity and health of the earth." Unitarians Universalists from the North East Cluster and the Florida District learning and acting together.
Giving Thanks Together - November 18 - UUs of Clearwater
The first in a Monthly Multicultural Series, featuring renowned international jazz musician Fred Johnson, Senegalese drummer Papa Malick Faye and his dance troupe, singer Cathy Costa, percussionist Barry Skeete, and others. Free Admission. [A love offering will be gratefully accepted.] Childcare Provided. Refreshments will be served. Learn more
emma's revolution concert - December 3 - UU Church of St. Petersburg
Move To Amend Training - December 4 - UU Church of Brevard
West Central Cluster Annual Holiday Service - December 6 - UU Church of Tarpon Springs
The West Central Cluster of the Florida District, UUA, invites all area UUs to our annual Holiday Service on Tuesday, December 6, 2011 at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Tarpon Springs beginning at 7:00 pm. Celebrate all the winter holidays in UU style with seasonal music, meaningful messages, a touch of UU humor, and good fellowship. Bring a treat to share at the after-service reception!
Southeast Winter Institute in Miami (aka SWIM) - December 26 to January 1 - Homestead
This year we have a spectacular program planned with more workshops for varied interests, new trips, more music, a chaplain with an early SWIM and Florida connection, a food to die for, and an intergenerational Community Day on day one, with unplugged fun for all ages. This will be
the day when we get to know each other better and begin the friendships that last through and past the week.
Annual Florida UU Choral Festival - February 25 & 26 - Hosted by First Unitarian Church of Orlando
Florida Humanities Series - Multiple Dates - The Emerson Center, UU Fellowship of Vero Beach
Florida UU Women's Retreat - April 27 to 29, 2012 - Ellenton |
| Things to Know in Our Extended Unitarian Universalist World |
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Gathered Here Teams Seeks Local Facilitators
 Our UUA's bottom-up envisioning the future of Unitarian Universalism project, Gathered Here, has begun. The Southern Region Leadership team seeks local facilitators. If you would like to lend your skills, be trained in the "Appreciative Inquiry" model, go to: http://www.uua.org/uuagovernance/vision/184428.shtml to complete the application. Questions? Contact DE Kenn Hurto (khurto@uua.org) or our Trustee, Joan Lund (jlund@uua.org).
Blue Boat Launched!
The Blue Boat of Youth and Young Adult Ministries is a new type of resource hosted by the Youth and Young Adult Ministries Office of the Unitarian Universalist Association for youth, young adults, Campus Ministry members, and those who support and serve them.
It is a space to share stories and successes, resources and information for youth, young adult and on-campus groups and individuals as well as the advisors and staff that work with them. We post a range of content, and the views expressed on this site do not necessarily represent those of the UUA, its staff or member congregations.
This blog is designed to evolve and grow with the voices of its readership and we are always looking for ways to better serve our constituents. We encourage you to contact us with your thoughts and suggestions or if you are interested in contributing a blog post.
Multicultural Welcome Resource
Come, Come, Whoever You Are...the doors are open. May we affirm that truth with our acts of hospitality. And, in our midst, may there always be room for one more. - Rev. Alicia Forde
 This theologically grounded and practical resource for greeters from the Multicultural Growth and Witness staff group explores what it means to welcome people of various identities,
embodying true multicultural inclusion to all who come through the doors of our UU congregations. Toward that end, this resource is partly background reading, partly encouragement to action, and partly a workshop which can be held for the greeters in your congregation.
First, we explore together who might be coming to our congregations. Next, we practice greeting them, through suggestions for role play scenarios. Through this experiential learning,
we aim to help greeters to better anticipate the needs and wishes of guests by staying open to hearing them. In addition, we hope to acknowledge our assumptions and become better accustomed to putting those preconceived notions on hold in favor of authentic listening
and acceptance.
For more information please email or call (617) 948-6461.
UU Climate Change & Environmental Justice Action Coalition (CCEJAC)
 You can make a difference. Join a growing number of UUs -including representatives from UU Ministry for Earth (UUMFE), UU Association of Congregations, UU State Advocacy Networks, UU
Service Committee, and UU United Nations Office - committed to working together to address climate change and environmental justice.
We look forward to partnering with the Unitarian Universalist Legislative Ministry of Florida (UULMF) to develop tools to educate and challenge both state and national legislative bodies, seeking to advance a responsible and effective climate agenda. And we want to develop and make available resources to inform Florida UU congregations on this issue, the ramifications, and how to prepare both themselves and their communities to address the future.
Interested? Contact: Robert Keim, UUMFE, at either rbkeim@gmail.com or 352.793.2268
The children of the world and children yet unborn will bless your efforts.
Beyond Belief: New Blog from UUA President Rev. Peter Morales
 The Rev. Peter Morales, President of the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) has launched a new blog, titled Beyond Belief, at http://president.blogs.uua.org/.
To receive notification of new posts, please feel free to sign up for email updates on the blog's home page, and to share these posts with all who may be interested via email, on Facebook, and on Twitter.
Rev. Morales' first post begins:
"Dear friends,
"It is with genuine excitement that I introduce to you my new blog, Beyond Belief. I look forward to using this forum to reach out to readers in a format that is less formal than a sermon or UU World column, yet deeper and more flexible than I would post on Facebook or Twitter.
"My hope is that this blog also will provide an opportunity to connect with those of you who would like to know more about Unitarian Universalism, especially the public witness work that is a vital aspect of our faith."
To read the entire post, visit http://president.blogs.uua.org/.
Deadline Extended for GA 2012 Program Proposals!
 Program proposals for the 2012 UUA General Assembly, a Justice GA, will now be accepted until Wednesday, November 30.
Proposals submitted will be reviewed by the GA Program Development Group (PDG), a diverse team of Unitarian Universalist Association staff and members of the GA Panning Committee. For GA 2012, a Justice GA, the PDG will also include representatives from the Arizona Immigration Ministry (AZIM) and the GA 2012 Accountability Group.
The Program Development Group is charged with identifying excellent General Assembly programming - education and preparation that will build the capacity of Unitarian Universalists to stand in opposition to systemic racism and to witness on immigration, racial and economic justice. The PDG will review all submitted proposals and will select approximately 100 proposed events for inclusion on the General Assembly schedule.
To merit consideration, proposals submitted for the 2012 GA should be related to the issues of migration and borders, and/or racial and economic justice. Workshops and other events that serve to educate and prepare attendees to publicly witness and to perform service, both in Arizona and at home, are especially sought.
All proposals must be submitted by Wednesday, November 30. Click here for more information. |
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