
January 2012
Dear Unitarian Universalist Leaders,
This is an important year for our faith: we are responding to a call to witness for justice and to explore the opportunities for our ministries in a rapidly changing culture.
Our annual District Assembly (DA) and the annual General Assembly (GA) of our Unitarian Universalist Association are focused on issues of multicultural challenge. Among ourselves in the District, we want to learn how both to honor identity boundaries present in our culture, yet see them as gates to understanding rather than walls of alienation. Our Justice GA focuses on the immense challenges found in controversial immigration matters.
While this is of concern to all Unitarian Universalists, your District Board is aware that our future always rests in the up-coming generations. Recognizing also that youth and young adults, and, often, traditionally marginalized people face economic barriers to being engaged in our larger ministries, the Board has authorized the establishment of a Witness For Justice Fund.
I write today to ask your support, to join me and your Board, by making a special gift to this fund. Our goal is to raise $5,000. Your gift will be used to provide assistance for travel or program registration to youth or young adults from Florida District congregations.
I ask also that you promote the attendance of your congregation to the DA and GA and do what you can to help our youth and young adults feel especially welcome and invited. Please let them know of this program.
In addition to your personal financial gifts, you can assist by promoting a "special gifts offering" at one of your worship services (along with an appropriate theme) and donating air miles or hotel points. If you are traveling to DA, please let the District Office know if you can offer a ride to Jacksonville.
Grants for DA will be awarded March 15th (apply by 3/1); GA grants will be distributed June 1st (apply by 5/15) to member Unitarian Universalists. (Youth: 12-19; Young Adults: 20-30)
With heartfelt thanks for all that you do to nurture our faith,
Rev. Kenn
The Reverend Kenneth Gordon Hurto
Executive for the Unitarian Universalist Association in Florida