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Clara Barton District Email Newsletter After two summer test issues of the Clara Barton Email Newsletter, welcome to our official premier issue. This monthly newsletter is full of things congregational leaders need to know. It is also a vehicle for congregational members to discover and uncover the wealth of support, resources, and inspiration that connecting with other Unitarian Universalists can bring.
It is deeply important for you to share this newsletter far and wide within your congregation. Please forward it to your church's email list if you have one. Please encourage everyone to join the newsletter mailing list (subscription info is at the very bottom of this newsletter). We are depending on you as leaders in your congregations to help us build this mailing list to include all your church members and friends. |
Important Message from
District Executive, Lynn Thomas
Dear Clara Barton Leaders and Friends,
I have been doing some deep discerning of late, and have come to the decision that it is time for me to retire, effective December 31, 2009.
It has been a privilege, an honor, and a joy to serve as your District Executive and to serve Unitarian Universalism in this way. I have reflected on the work we have accomplished together. Our commitment to, and creating funding for, both a full time Program Consultant for Lifespan Faith Development and for a professional level full time District Administrator are at the top of the list! Their presence serves immeasurably the mission of the district. Our development of several ongoing growth clusters and the recruitment of consultants to mentor them along the way has been another important accomplishment that will continue reaping benefits for the congregations, the District, and for Unitarian Universalism.
Actually, we have gone a long way towards developing a more abundant culture of volunteers bringing their Ministry to enhance the District in so many ways. Our recently reenergized Chalice Lighter Program, your support for Association Sundays, our newly emerging AR/AO/MC (Anti-Racism, Anti-Oppression, Multi-Culturalism) team, and so many other initiatives are all energized and energizing activities in service of our mission.
But now it is time to look forward to new leadership for the District and retirement for me. I have felt myself slowing down in recent months, and I have had to turn increasing attention to my mother who is in declining health. I want you to have renewed energy and vision for the next iteration of the Clara Barton District.
I have every confidence that your District Board of Trustees, ably led by Maris Cornell and supported by Harlan Limpert at the UUA, will move the district through the next months of transition with integrity, deep spititual commitment, and aplomb!
I will forever be grateful for these past 8 1/2 years of serving you. Thank you very much for the opportunity. I will hold you all in my heart as we diverge onto two separate paths within Unitarian Universalism.
In faith and love,
Lynn |
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Association Sunday, October 4, 2009
Join together with thousands of Unitarian Universalists in affirming common bonds and purposes on the third annual Association Sunday! Funds raised by this Sunday's collection will be used by the Unitarian Universalist Association as part of the ongoing effort to Grow Our Faith.
This year's Associate Sunday theme of Growth in Diversity, will bring funding initiatives that can accomplish:
1. the expanding of the Building the World We Dream About curriculum and associated resources and training,
2. the support of congregations that are working to create a Unitarian Universalism that is racially, culturally, and economically diverse; a part of this support will be in the form of grants, and
3. enabling UU congregations and districts to minister effectively to youth and young adults who identify as people of color or multiracial, and to their families, in the areas of spiritual development, racial/cultural identity development, and leadership development.
There are 21 CBD congregations already signed on to participate in Associate Sunday 2009. Consider having your church join as well. There is a wealth of information on the UUA website regarding Association Sunday including the 2009 Sign Up Sheet, Organizing Resources for churches, and a full description of the event. Start at http://www.uua.org/giving/associationsunday/index.shtml. |
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Lifespan Faith Development Programs
There is so much going on this fall!
Collegial Conversations for new Minister/DRE staff teams will take place at the UU Society of Greater Springfield on Wednesday, September 30.
The Leadership Development Conference for youth and their adult allies will be held Friday, October 2 through Sunday, October 4, 2009 at the All Souls UU Congregation in New London, CT.
Curriculum Planning in Congregations, a Renaissance Module, will be at the Genesis Spiritual Life Center in Westfield, MA on Friday, November 13 to Saturday, November 14, 2009.
Detailed information and registration forms for all these programs can be found on the CBD website, www.cbd.uua.org. Sign on, sign up! |
Fally Rally, November 7, 2009
Lessons in Leadership 
Add this to your calendar. Join fellow UUs from across the District at the CBD Fall Rally. Two-part, 4 hour workshops on Lessons in Leadership will fill up our day. There will also be wonderful worship, singing, and celebrating. New this year will be a full children's program, so be prepared to bring your children. Complete details about the Rally will be out early next week in a Fall Rally special edition of this newsletter. Be on the lookout. And be sure to share with the whole congregation. Review the workshops to be offered and decide what most interests you and will benefit your congregation.
- Response to Trauma
- A Home for the Heart: A Spiritual Approach to Conflict Transformation
- Restorative Justice: An Alternative to Retribution and a Focus on Healing Inidviduals, Comunities, and Nations
- Emotional Intelligence
- Creating Lay Pastoral Care Teams
- Seeing Systems - Unlocking the Mysteries of Congregational Life and How all the Pieces Fit Together
- Where Do They Go? Continuing Ministry to our Home-grown UUs
All information and registration will also be available at www.cbd.uua.org. |
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Small Grants for Congregations
The CBD Chalice Lighter Program
The Clara Barton District's Chalice Lighter program is a congregation-to-congregation support program. It is funded through individuals and families in congregations committed to giving $20 or more to the District, twice a year when called on to do so. This is a meaningful and simple way to help our neighbor UUs.
The application for growth-related initiative grants requires congregations to complete the Chalice Lighter application form (by October 15 for the 1st call; February 15 for the 2nd) and submit it to the Chalice Lighter Committee for review. To become a Chalice Lighter yourself, complete the pledge form and forward it to the District Office. Both the application and the pledge form can be found on the CBD website, www.cbd.uua.org. Click on the Chalice Lighter page. Questions? Call the District Office at 978-392-6700 or email clarabartondist@verizon.net. Or get in touch with the co-chairs of the Chalice Lighter Committee:
Rev. Judith Wright,
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We have much to think about and much to feel excited about during these fall months. We are sure that the CBD Board will guide us through the changes to come and continue the dynamic work of our District.
Lynn Thomas
District Executive
Deborah Levering
Program Consultant
Mary Ellen Wilson
District Administrator
Clara Barton District of Unitarian Universalist Congregations | |
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