 District Assembly 2016
April 22-24, 2016
Dear Friends:
Rooms are limited, and you must make your reservation by March 28th - do not delay!
Registration and program information is now posted - keep an eye on the PCD website for all of the information. Adult registration is $170 and includes all three meals on Saturday. Children & Youth registration is $85, and includes Saturday's meals.
Come gather again for worship, workshops, and friends, old and new - we hope to see you there!
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 Winter 2016 Chalice Lighter Call - Donate Today!
In September they dedicated a beautifully renovated and expanded sanctuary building. The project required moving to a rented Congregational church for services and RE for 13 months. Since returning home, attendance at worship and RE has grown again and is now above 300 on most Sundays, higher than before the project began. The number of newcomers has increased as well. The congregation has many new programs and activities, and the energy is high!
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 Call for Nominations - PCD Awards!
Every year at District Assembly, the PCD recognizes the achievements of individuals and congregations in areas including social justice, community service, religious education, youth ministry, website design, generosity and growth.
How do we determine the recipients of these awards? We depend on you!
Nominations can be made by anyone familiar with the work of the individual or congregation.
To review the details of the nomination process, please visit this link:
http://www.pcduua.org/about-the-district/policies-procedures/pcd-awards-process
Please submit your nominations with specific details of the accomplishments and characteristics (no more than 1000 words) to: [email protected].
The PCD Awards will be presented at the Award Luncheon at District Assembly 2016.
A list of those who received awards at District Assembly 2015 is at this link:
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 Coming of Age Needs Your Help!
Greetings UU's and Friends in PCD!
The Coming of Age program in the Pacific Central District (PCD) is a game changer. This amazing enterprise, comprised of three life-altering retreats, engages middle school youth from across the district in spiritually transformative experiences, community building, and leadership development. It is sincerely a benchmark event for our youth!
The final retreat in the yearly series is an outdoor experience with two large, community-sized tents that we've purchased to save costs on renting and create a covered space for the undertaking. These tents need a dry home throughout the year when it is not in use.
The tents are large - they take 4 fairly able-bodied people to move them. They could fit into a space maybe 4' or 5' by 6' or 7' but the poles range in size from 6' to 8' long. They would have to be in a space with reasonable access, too, with a wide door. Maneuvering through a narrow entry would be difficult at best.
Do you have space in a barn or shed that we could utilize? Is there storage at your church that could hold a tent of this size? We are looking for a covered space that doesn't cost us significantly (Currently, the tent is in monthly paid storage).
If you have ideas or suggestions, please contact our Coming of Age Coordinator, Adam Zittel at [email protected]. Thanks for the support and guidance!
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 Regional Economic Justice Summit
Save the Date! Saturday,
June 4th
This summit will be of special interest to social activists in UU Bay Area congregations.
Emphases will include: affordable housing for working families with incomes below the top 25% of income, increased worker organizing (unionizing), and political mobilization. There will also be a focus on organizing a statewide campaign organized to change Prop 13.
Please save the date; we will send out more details as they are arranged!
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Contact us:
PWR Regional Lead
PWR-UUA Congregational Life Staff
PWR-UUA Congregational Life Staff
PCD District Administrator Pacific Central District - UUA
4100 Redwood Road, #344
Oakland, CA 94619-2363
(510) 530-1437
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 Board Buzz
Steve Burns,
PCD Board President
Happy Spring! Though it may not be officially Spring, the rains are back in our neck of the woods and Daylight Savings Time is upon us in a few days time. It appears that our blossoms emerge earlier each year--but that might open up an entirely new discussion.
And as Spring rolls around, our District activities shift into high gear for our Annual Assembly. This year it promises to be a good one, with diverse speakers from coast to coast, and a number of excellent workshops. When I have trouble deciding which to attend, I know it's a good selection. If you haven't registered yet, please do so. It is easy and I believe you will find it an enriching experience.
For most of our churches this is also the time of year for budgets and planning for the next year. I recently visited the UU Fellowship in Chico, and heard their stewardship message. Their service was called Creating the Dream, and recounted much of their proud history. The worship associate gave a testimonial to the importance of the church to her, and stated her commitment to continue increasing her pledge to the church each year. She said she was only at 4.5% of her income presently, but hoped to eventually reach the tithing level. This was impressive and it also shows why they have been able to build a new sanctuary building (completed in 2012) and now for the first time they have the resources to hire a full-time minister--for a congregation of 80 members. Similar good stories are heard in churches in Davis, Sacramento and Berkeley. All of these churches have recently completed either major building or renovation projects, yet all are also increasing their budgets this year--generally 8 to 10%. Why? To increase their capacity, either adding new ministers or staff or addressing other chronic areas of need.
Some friends have asked me why does the church always seem to need more money? How much is enough? And I have thought about this a long time. While I don't have the definitive answer, my thoughts are these: How many youth, young adults, and adults should be offered OWL training? How many youth should be supported in exploring their religious identity? How much support should we give for Social, Economic and Environmental Justice? How much brokenness is there in the world, and how much can we do to help reduce it? The problems can seem daunting, but if we believe in ourselves, our message and our ability to make change in the world then how much change is enough?
Steve
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 LBGTI Refugees Resettled in SF Bay Area
One of the marginalized groups overlooked in the refugee crisis is LGBTI men and women. UU San Francisco has been assisting such individuals for the past 3 years.
"Subhi Nahas remembers the exact day when he knew he'd have to leave Syria. It was the Spring of 2012. He was twenty-four, on a bus, going to university take a final exam. It was the last exam he needed to graduate."
- KALW Radio Crosscurrents
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Congregational Highlights
 UU Church of Davis Seeks Assistant Minister for Congregational Life
The Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Davis (UUCD) is a faith community of over 300 members in Davis, California, located 12 miles west of Sacramento and 72 miles northeast of San Francisco. It is committed to shared ministry, with professional ministers and congregational volunteers working together. The church looks to its ministers for spiritual guidance, for assistance in articulating its mission and purpose, and for creative, collaborative, professional leadership in all aspects of ministry.
 UU Community of Lake County Seeks Sunday Pulpit Supply and Worship Consultant
is seeking a part-time Minister to preach one Sunday each month and consult with the Worship Committee.
10 months per year. The minister will provide one Sunday worship service per month, and attend the monthly meeting of the Worship Committee. (meeting will be scheduled for same week-end as service.)
Submit letter of introduction and Ministerial Record to:
 The Napa Valley Unitarian Universalists seek Assistant Minister
Deliver one Sunday service per month; work collaboratively with Rev. Bonnie in all areas of congregational life, with particular attention to supporting Religious Education for all ages and congregational social justice work.
Interested parties should e-mail Ministerial Search Committee co-chairs David Lindsay, at [email protected] and Mary Lu Kennelly, at [email protected] to receive application instructions and receive access to our Congregational Survey and Congregational Record.
UU Church of Fresno
The UU Church of Fresno seeks an Assistant Minister of Education and Family Ministries (AMEFM) to direct a vibrant and inviting Lifespan Religious Education Ministry; coordinate multi-age social justice activities; provide pastoral care to teachers, families, and other congregants; and lead worship for monthly Children's Chapel, as well as adult and multi-generational services.
The AMEFM, the Minister and the Director of Operations will form a Ministry Team responsible for meeting the pastoral, educational, operational, social justice, and worship needs of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Fresno. The Assistant Minister provides management and development in the areas of LRE programming, multi-age social justice activities, worship and pastoral care.
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 UU Justice Ministry of CA
Regional Trainings
Saturday, March 19
10 am to 4 pm.
Saturday, April 9th
10am to 4pm
Are you passionate about social justice? Have you been wondering how to get started working on issues you care about? Want to learn what other UUs are working on?
Join UUs from around our region at Regional Justice Training on Saturday, March 19th at the UU Church of Palo Alto. There will be time to get to know other UUs passionate about a variety of issues, a legislative briefing and updates on issues such as economic justice, environmental justice, immigrant justice and racial justice, and skill building around relationship-based organizing.
There is another training being offered by the UUJM-CA in Stockton on Saturday, April 9th!
This event is sponsored by the UU Justice Ministry of California to support justice leaders and congregations in our area. Please take advantage of this free opportunity.
To find out more and to register, visit:
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 Pacific School of Religion
Explore - Experience - Discover
If you're considering seminary or theological education, this conference is for you! You'll meet our administration and faculty, dine with current students, be introduced to PSR's academic programs and campus, and worship in a creative environment. Small group discussion will invite your reflection on call and discernment with other prospective students. Registration is free. Questions? Call 510/849-8931 or [email protected].
Ally Vertigan
Prospective Student Event Coordinator
Office of Recruitment, Admissions, & Financial Aid
1798 Scenic Avenue, Berkeley, CA 94709
800/999-0528 toll-free 510/849-8931 phone
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