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| | Florida District Connections
February 21, 2012 |
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District News & Events |
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Witness for Justice Fund
Our annual District Assembly and the annual General Assembly 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 the 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.
Learn More
Contribute to the Witness for Justice Fund
Florida District Awards
February 28th is the deadline to submit nomination for Florida District Awards!
 The Florida District UUA (FLD) Awards Committee requests your nominations to honor members who have made significant contributions to their congregations and communities. Please share this information with your Board or Nominating Committee. Please note, all nominations must include a submission form with a brief statement and supporting documents.
Awards will be presented during our District Assembly in March.
Award Information and Nomination Form
Education Inspiration: UU Religious Education Retreat 2012
March 3, 2012
UU Congregation of Miami
All directors of religious education, teachers, parents and friends are welcome to join us for an evening of inspiration, education and maybe even a few laughs. Facilitators: Reverend Randy Becker and Reverend Wendy Pantoja. RSVP Required. Event Flyer
District Annual Assembly ~ Crossing Borders
March 23-25, 2012
Hosted by the UU Church of Jacksonville
Our theme this year, Crossing Boundaries, challenges us to ask:
- What is our role in facing the challenges of a multi-cultural society?
- What is our responsibility and opportunity to engage issues of human dignity and civil rights regarding historically marginalized people in our region?
- How can identity-boundaries be gates to community rather than walls of fear and distrust?
- What theological considerations frame our approach to engaging spiritual and ethnic diversity?
This District Assembly offers practical learning and a hands-on experience to guide our reflections. Come ready to reach deeper on issues multi-culturalism, ethnicity, racial justice, immigration and human rights. We hope to see you there!
Flyer
Online Registration
Download a Registration Form
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| Notes & Reflections From Our District Executive
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"When you have come to the edge Of all light that you know And are about to drop off into the darkness Of the unknown,
Faith is knowing One of two things will happen: There will be something solid to stand on or You will be taught to fly." ~ Patrick Overton
These are exciting times. There are unsettling times. The seismic shock of change is disorienting. Just as you learn where the economy or technology or culture is going, it shifts. As the ad has it, "that's so 37 seconds ago."
The way we "do church" is similar. Across the religious world, everyone's trying to figure out how to adapt the "church on the green, worship at 11" for those living nearby to an internet-connected, multi-cultural, multi-generational, even multi-dimensional, 24/7 world. The traditional church is so "50 years ago."
This last month, our District's reported membership approached 5,000, up nearly 200 from last year, reversing a 3 year decline. Even so, the very idea of "membership" is less salient - notably to the non-joining younger generations.The truth is, the "spiritual but not religious" population grows as religious affiliation falls precipitously. How do we adapt the ways we "do church" to serve this generation of seekers?
In recent weeks, our UUA President Peter Morales has put forward a "white paper," Congregations and Beyond inviting us to think creatively how to reach the estimated 500,000 - 750,000 people who self-identify as Unitarian Universalists but are not in our congregations (See: http://uua.org/uuagovernance/officers/president/moralespeter/192145.shtml ). Rather than complain that they haven't joined the local congregation, he asks, how can we reach these fellow travelers sharing our values to increase our witness for love and justice?
We know our commitment to personal freedom, human dignity, careful reflection on the religious life, and a commitment to serve others is what today's young adults yearn for. They are hungry for a home for their spiritual questions and for a deep sense of community. Yet, many of our congregations remain rooted in idea of a church where people think alike and look alike. We are challenged to keep hearts and minds open to crossing our boundaries of assumption and comfort if we are to serve the thousands that visit -- but too often do not stay -- our congregations each week.
The Free Church has work to do. Our ministry remains valid, but like a good wine, it needs decanting and perhaps some new bottling. I eagerly await your participation in the District Assembly next month (March 23-25) in Jacksonville where we will engage these questions directly. I also am eager to hear your response to President Morales' essay.
In faith that we are learning to fly or there is something solid before us, Rev. Kenn
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| Notes From Our Lifespan Program Consultant
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 She was speaking to her grandparents. Her father's parents. Her father is serving on a humanitarian mission in Africa and she lives with her mother and sister. Her grandparents were asking her about what she had been doing. As a typical five year old, she recited activities such as kindergarten, playing with friends, going to the beach. And then she added, "and, now we go to church."
The grandparents perked up at that. "Church, Oh, which one?"
Without hesitation, she responded, "The Unitarian Reversible Church." Mommy, listening in from another room just about fell on the floor laughing.
Out of the mouths of babes!
Now I am never quick to discount our Universalist heritage and contemporary message, but sometimes it is good to look beyond the familiar labels in unexpected ways. What would a Unitarian Reversible Church be?
It might be a congregation that affirmed the unity of all existence but was highly flexible on the justifications for that theology.
Or it might be a community of people who were radically open to change, less focused on maintaining rigid positions and more interested in the process of expanding knowledge.
Or it might be a place where people could bring their deepest doubts rather than their deepest faith, believing that where we confront the unknown is where we encounter the profound.
Or it might be a commitment to honoring relationships more than rugged individualism, in which one can be moved to different understandings through ever-changing web of interdependence.
Or it might be the personal spiritual practice of trying to hold in tension one's fiercest beliefs and one's most terrifying disbeliefs without denying either.
All of these possibilities for the Unitarian Reversible Church, and more of your fancy, would probably be good descriptions of what Religious Education is about for us. We engage, at all ages and in all circumstances, to be certain and less-than-certain, informed but not dogmatic, affirmed but still wondering, filled and yet hungry for understanding. There is no point of arrival, no ultimate achievement by which the challenge of life is fulfilled with nothing left to do or be.
When congregations ask me to come and visit with them to talk about programming and Religious Education, I hope I can bring some of the whimsy and the insight of that young girl.
Lots to think about. Or not.
Rev. Randy
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Trustee News | | | |
UUA TRUSTEE TIDBITS
Joan Lund, February 2012
jlund@uua.org or 813-931-9727
The UUA Board of Trustees (BOT) met in New Orleans in January, but since the column must get to newsletter editors before the meeting news of our deliberations and decisions must wait until March. In September, 2011 the BOT was asked by partner organization with whom our UUA is working Arizona to educate UU congregations about the Doctrine of Discover and to ask the 2012 GA delegates to repudiate this Doctrine. This column is a continuation of the January Trustee Tidbits. The UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples was adopted as an annex to the 1948 Declaration of Human Rights in September, 2007. There are forty-six articles in this Declaration that recognize and promote the rights and freedoms of indigenous peoples without discrimination. Indigenous peoples from around the world are asking all religious faiths to repudiate the Doctrine of Discovery and related documents, and to call for the U.S. to fully implement the U.N. Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples without qualifications.
In part the Articles state indigenous peoples have a right to exercise self-determination and autonomy or self-government in matters relating to their internal and local affairs. They have a right to a nationality, to live in freedom, peace and security as distinct peoples and shall not be subjected to any acts of violence, and cannot be subjected to forced assimilation or destruction of their culture or their land. This Declaration indicates the states shall seek to enable the access and/or repatriation of ceremonial objects and human remains through fair, transparent and effective mechanisms developed in conjunction with the indigenous peoples concerned.
Article 14 states the rights of indigenous peoples in regard to educational systems and institutions including teaching in their own languages, appropriate to their cultural methods of teaching and learning. Children, especially have the right to all levels and forms of education of the State without discrimination. Indigenous peoples have the right to participate in decision-making in matters which would affect their rights, through representatives chosen by themselves in accordance with their own procedures, as well as to maintain and develop their own indigenous decision-making institutions. Article 26 deals with indigenous peoples legal rights regarding the control of lands, territories, and resources which they have traditionally owned, occupied/used or acquired regarding conservation and protection of the environment. This includes not permitting storage or disposal of hazardous materials without their informed consent.
One of the last Articles states the rights within the Declaration are the minimum standards for the survival, dignity and well-being of the indigenous peoples of the world. As you can understand there is much, much more in this Declaration worth reading and I commend you to further education via the internet. Please contact me with your UU thoughts and concerns. HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY to each of you. May love of all peoples forever be in our hearts.
Also Available
Trustee Report, January 18-22, 2012, New Orleans, LA
On Sunday, January 15th I flew from Tampa to New Orleans to be a part of a three day work-on-the-Katrina-rebuild effort with about half the UUA Board of Trustees (BOT). We were part of a team working out of the Center for Ethical Living and Social Justice Renewal. The Center grew out of the Hurricane Relief and Social Justice project of the UU Church of Baton Rouge following 2005 hurricane Katrina and is now a secular project of the three New Orleans area congregations following 2005 hurricane Katrina. Working with community partners, the program connects volunteers with opportunities to address the needs of those affected by the hurricane. Our group was housed the volunteer Center in the First UU Church of New Orleans. I had the good fortune to work at four different locations over the three days: The African American Museum, the New Orleans Mission, Second Harvest, and the Center itself. An example of our work: Tuesday afternoon five BOT members along with a junior high school group of girls worked on, and for an effort to bag and box three tons of oranges for senior citizens. The junior-highers took over the conveyor belt and provided a great deal of humor as they worked hard bagging and boxing. I was in a group putting together the boxes. Personally the pre-BOT time was inspiring, spiritual, and fun, and provided me an opportunity to contribute to an effort still in need of many volunteers and much work.
Continue Reading |
| News from our UU Legislative Ministry Florida |
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RESERVE NOW to join UULMF for Legislative Day with the League of Women Voters Feb. 21/22
 Concerned about voter suppression in Florida?
Reserve now at www.uulmf.org to join us February 21/22 for LEGISLATIVE DAY in Tallahassee. This is an important opportunity for the UU Legislative Ministry of Florida to partner with the League of Women Voters to address voter suppression, fair districting, ethics in government, and other issues important to voters.
UUs will carpool from all over Florida to Tallahassee Tuesday, February 21, gather at 5:30 PM for a catered dinner at the Tallahassee UU Church, followed by briefings by a representative from the League of Women Voters. We will stay overnight at the Days Inn at Apalacheee and Capitol Circle, meet with legislators Wednesday morning, and participate in an important meeting sponsored by the League with key legislators and staff in the Governor's Cabinet Room from 12:00-4:00 PM Wednesday afternoon, February 22nd, before returning home. Dinner and motel room for Tuesday, Feb 21st will be paid by UULMF. Assistance with transportation costs may be available if needed, but ask ahead of time. Carpooling is encouraged. Sign up online at www.uulmf.org, "UULD 2012" Sign-up form, or call or email Steve or Kindra, Co-Chairs of UULMF ASAP so we can make the correct number of motel and dinner reservations. Steve can be reached at steve_segner@uulmf.org, 386-788-3039, Kindra at kindra_muntz@uulmf.org, 941.497.1764. This should be a significant educational experience that could benefit Florida voters!
Steve Segner and Kindra Muntz, Co-Chairs, UU Legislative Ministry of Florida, www.uulmf.org . |
| Florida District Packet & UUA Congregational Bulletin |
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The February 2012 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/2012/01/FLD-February-2012-Packet.pdf (2 MB, 24 pages)
New/updated items are noted in bold text. 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
- Allies for Racial Equity Annual Conference flyer, page 2
- Witness for Justice Fund letter, pages 3-4
- District Awards Information & Nomination form, pages 5-6
- District Assembly flyer & registration, pages 7-9
- 2012 General Assembly information, page 10
- Youth Adviser Training Flyer, page 11
- UUF Vero Beach Emerson Center Humanities Series Flyer, page 12
- Florida UU Legislative Days information, pages 13-14
- UUC Brevard Earth Jurisprudence event flyers, page 15-16
- 6th Annual Florida UU Choral Festival flyer & registration, pages 17-18
- NE Cluster Spring Gathering flyer & registration, pages 19-20
- Nature Coast UUs Singing Tree & Women's Day event flyers, pages 21-22
- Workshop in Nonviolent Communication, pages 23-24
- Florida UU Women's Retreat flyer & registration, pages 25-26
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 February 2012 UUA Congregational Bulletin:
http://www.uua.org/communications/bulletin/192190.shtml |
| Around the Florida District - News and Events to Note |
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Cluster, Congregation and Affiliated Organization Events
 February 17-18
Youth Adviser Training, Hosted by UU Church of Tallahassee
February 18
Centennial Celebration, First Unitarian Church of Orlando
February 21-22
Florida UU Legislative Days, Tallahassee, FL
February 25-26
Annual Florida UU Choral Festival, Hosted by First Unitarian Church of Orlando
March 3
Northeast Cluster Spring Gathering, hosted by UU Congregation of Lake County
Please note the change of date for this event.
March 4
Singing Tree: Folk Music with a Classical Twist, Hosted by Nature Coast UUs
Please see the district monthly packet (page 21) for more information
March 8
International Women's Day Celebration, Hosted by Nature Coast UUs
Please see the district monthly packet (page 22) for more information
March 10
Nonviolent Communication Workshop at River of Grass UU Congregation
April 27-29
Florida UU Women's Retreat at DaySpring Retreat Center, Ellenton
Series with Multiple Dates (through April)
Earth Jurisprudence Series at UU Church of Brevard
Florida Humanities Series at The Emerson Center, UU Fellowship of Vero Beach |
| Things to Know in Our Extended Unitarian Universalist World |
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General Assembly 2012 - Justice GA
 June 20-24, 2012 ~ Phoenix, AZ
This is a historic moment.
Be part of the story.
General Assembly 2012 will be a gathering with multiple ways of engaging in justice work for people of all ages. Joining with the people of Arizona, we will worship, witness, learn and work together. We will leave General Assembly grounded in our faith, energized for justice and with resources to bring this work home to our congregations. More information.
Registration and Housing Reservations open on March 1.
Youth & Young Adults - Come to GA!
The General Assembly Accessibility Project for Youth and Young Adults has now been launched! The Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministries teamed up with the General Assembly Planning Committee (GAPC) to provide additional support for youth and young adults who want to make it to Phoenix for Justice GA in June, 2012.
Start here with a fabulous welcome video from this year's Youth Caucus Deans, and please
share it with your colleagues and friends!
The GA Accessibility Project will also include:
- Increased scholarship assistance
- Grants for accessibility projects (e.g. shared meals, transportation)
- Information on youth safety
- Suggestions for affordable housing
- Guidance with fundraising
- Clearinghouse for GA preparation and accessibility efforts (e.g. congregational
- trainings, bus rentals)
As more information becomes available we will post it on the Project website, so check back
regularly! Visit the GA Accessibility Project site at blueboat.blogs.uua.org/ga2012
Vermont Spring Fling Weekend
 Hosted by the UU Church of Rutland, VT, May 25-28, 2012. This weekend offers a wonderful way to get to know Vermont for UU's and referred friends of UU's. You will enjoy UU fellowship, home stays, and guided and unguided outings. Renew your senses with Vermont's cool clear waters/waterfalls, enchanting forests and vistas, refreshing air, great local foods and arts. Learn more .
New Curriculum Available - What We Choose: Ethics for Unitarian Universalists
 New adult curriculum is online! In ten workshops, What We Choose: Ethics for UnitarianUniversalists by Rev. Amber Beland and Rev. Manish Mishra-Marzetti explores how we do and could make choices grounded in our "deed over creed" UU faith. Examine frameworks for ethical decision making, from Kant's categorical imperative to personal experiences one has lived in one's social/political place in the dominant society. Learn more .
Mountain Camp 2012 - A UU Summer Experience
 For more than 30 years, The Mountain has provided enriching youth summer camp programs filled with recreation, adventure, education and creativity. The 4:1 camper to counselor ratio and professionally trained staff creates a safe environment where campers are treated with respect, kindness and consideration, and are celebrated for their individual talents. The Mountain places a strong emphasis on being an inclusive, non-competitive environment where youth can develop a deeper understanding of themselves and form lifelong friendships. Campers learn to communicate needs and resolve conflicts - skills they will use the rest of their lives.
Registration opens March 1. Learn more . |
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