 November 12, 2016 - Save the Date!
Interdependence Day!
Saturday, November 12, 2016.
9:30 - 4: 30; Registration begins at 9:00
$10 covers refreshments and materials. Lunch will be on your own. We will encourage people who are attending to join together and meet someone new.
Clergy and Lay Leaders are invited to a day of deep connection, celebration and learning. Our day will begin with a worship service with a full band, and end with a blessing of the leaders.
The learning will include:
Our Covenantal Faith and Beloved Community: Exploring the Connections
Helping Things Go Right in Your Congregation: An ounce of prevention is still worth a pound of cure, or maybe even more. Much of the conflict in congregations can be avoided by paying attention to these basic things.
Paths to Healing: No matter what steps we take, conflict is inevitable. When responded to in healthy ways, it can be used to create and strengthen relationships and our congregations and help us serve as a beacon to the world.
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 May 6, 2017 - Save the Date!
Dear Friends:
We will gather together on Saturday, May 6, 2017, for the PCD sponsored "UUA Presidential Candidates Forum," as well as the 2017 PCD Annual Meeting. Location TBA.
Please plan to attend this "meet and greet" with our candidates - also note that we may plan some events to take place that Friday afternoon / evening.
You can acquaint yourself with the candidates on their websites:
You can follow the UUA Presidential Search Committee's process at:
A Presidential Candidates Forum took place in the Greater Columbus Convention Center Hall D at General Assembly in Columbus, OH on Saturday, June 25, 2016. You can watch the forum here:
AND you can see much of General Assembly 2016's offerings here:
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POT OF GOLD
TEACHING AS SPIRITUAL PRACTICE
Keynote by Rev. Mark Hicks &
Worship by Rev. Chris Bell
Saturday, October l, 2016
Unitarian Universalist Religious Education Conference
WORKSHOPS INCLUDE:
Teaching Race/ Ethnicity with Mark Hicks. UU History.
Conscious Teaching: How to Manage Challenging Behaviors.
Social Media in Faith Formation. Theatre of Oppression.
Small Group Ministry. And much more!
KEYNOTE SPEAKER:
Mark Hicks is a transformative religious educator for people who want to integrate cultures and create justice-oriented ways of thinking, learning, and being. He is Professor of Religious Education at Meadville Lombard Theological School, the UU Seminary in Chicago. His academic work has appeared in nationally recognized journals, and his curriculum is used by many UU churches. Mark has inspired many across the UUA with his contributions to religious education and warm, welcoming spirit. We are delighted to have him on the Pacific Coast!
THE DETAILS:
$50.00 for individuals
$40.00 per person for teams of 4+
Discounts available
Organized by PCD-Liberal Religious EducatorsAssociation, contact Rev. Alyson Jacks for more info at: [email protected]
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 Elementary School OWL Facilitator Training
For facilitators of the Our Whole Lives sexuality course, grades K-1, 3-4
Friday, August 19 at 5:00 PM - Sunday, August 21 at 3:30 PM
Fee:$250 per participant until July 25, 2015, $300 to August 1 for late registration (Cancelation fees, prior to July 25, 2015: $50, after July 25, 2015: $100)
Trainers: Cindy Beal, Just Peace Consulting (and former Director of Religious Education in Northampton, MA), and TBD.
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 UU Chalice Camp!
August 8-12, 2016
Summer day camp UU-style for children entering 1st-6th grades.
Hours are 9:00 to 5:00 (extended care 8:30-5:30) at Lake Temescal, one of Oakland's beautiful regional parks.
This year's theme: Foundations of Unitarian Universalism. We explore theological turning points in our history that make our religious tradition what it is today.
Chalice Camp is a fun filled week that deepens children's and youth's connection to one another, their understanding of themselves as UUs, and expands their knowledge of Unitarian Universalism and their capacity to be articulate about our faith. The activities during the week include daily worship, group building exercises, games, drama, art, study, and a service project.
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 International Women's Convocation
The Third International Women's Convocation will take place on February 16-19, 2017, Asilomar Conference Center, Monterey Peninsula, California.
For more information on the Convocation, please visit our website, IntlWomensConvo.org. There, you will find a link to our Program Guide with up-to-date news about speakers and the rich variety of workshop and discussion topics, as well as discounts and scholarship opportunities for ministers, young adults, and international participants.
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Pacific Western Region, Regional Lead
PWR-UUA Youth Ministry Specialist
PWR-UUA Congregational Life Staff
PWR-UUA Congregational Life Staff
PWR-UUA Congregational Life Staff
PWR Administration Team
Pacific Western Region - UUA
Oakland CA Office
4100 Redwood Road, #344
Oakland, CA 94619-2363
(510) 530-1437
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 Board Buzz
Steve Burns,
PCD Board President
Greetings!
It is officially Summer now, and we've just passed the halfway point of the year. There's quite a lot to write about, but it has been such a difficult week. In just the last few days we have had many more killings of people of color by police, followed by the sniper attack on officers at a peaceful protest in Dallas. So much sadness and loss, it is hard to know what to say or do. But our faith reminds us that love is the answer, and dialogue with an open heart. No one wants to see this continuing in our communities, nor the senseless loss of lives-each with worth and dignity. Hopefully out of this great unrest we will see the rising of a new consciousness of justice and a more equitable society.
I found it comforting to be with the large gathering of UUs at our General Assembly in Columbus just a short while ago. There we mourned together for the loss of lives in Orlando and elsewhere, and heard stirring preaching about the need for a more just society and world. "A rally for racial justice featured black organizers and faith leaders, as well as a public statement by the leaders of four denominations who pledged unity "in the struggle for justice and compassion."" We also gave tangible financial support to the Black Lives Matter movement and much more (see UU World article for full summary: http://www.uuworld.org/articles/uuaga16-business-summary).
Our last PCD Board meeting just concluded and we finalized our working documents clarifying our Vision for the next 5 years and also the role of our Board. These are:
[The complete Vision document also includes suggestions for measuring the desired outcomes.]
By 2021:
Each congregation of the Pacific Central District has close relationships with at least one other congregation, characterized by shared resources and collaboration in things like purchasing, legal services, software, resources for youth, and shared experiences. This collaboration extends to a common vision around district growth, with support for new congregations that extend Unitarian Universalism.
The congregations' deep knowledge and use of what is offered by the UUA is enhanced by easy access to best practices, transformative experiences, and success stories, available to all regardless of financial ability.
Youth are in full partnership within the District, participating in events like area wide community service and joyful and life changing District Assemblies.
The Board and Congregational Life (CL) Staff work closely together to identify needed staff resources, and insure familiarity with other organizations within the UU eco-system, such as the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee, UU-United Nations, and Partner Church.
The role of the Pacific Central District (PCD) Board is to:
1. As elected representative of PCD congregations, provide governance per the PCD by-laws, including
- "work[ing] with PCD Staff and Committees to develop and implement the policies, goals, plans, and objectives of the District",
- reporting out on these "policies, goals, plans, and objectives" at an "annual meeting",
- a District Assembly "from time to time",
- acting as the fiduciary to steward the financial resources of the PCD, and
- holding at least four board meetings per year.
2. Support Congregational Life (CL) Staff in linking congregations to resources: staff, resources, best practices, training; and when appropriate, collaborating with CL staff to initiate or continue specific programs (e.g.: Beloved Conversations, Chalice Lighters).
3. Serve as an extra set of eyes and ears for CL Staff, as well as holding CL leadership accountable to the Letter of Agreement between the Board and UUA-CL.
4. Facilitate regional collaboration--in all forms that are useful (clusters, congregations working together in Multisite sharing, etc.).
5. Direct and prioritize paid and volunteer district staff.
The final bit of news is that we have just finalized our new grant process to promote more access to assemblies, events, and trainings. These grants are for both youth and adults, and we hope to grow more leadership talent by opening these opportunities to those who may not have been able to attend them previously. The application for grants is on our website, found here: http://www.pcduua.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/Grant-Application.pdf
Blessings,
Steve
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Congregational Highlights
 UU Church in Livermore Seeks Interim Director of Religious Education
The DRE will plan, execute and supervise a comprehensive program of Religious Education for the UUCIL community in accordance with the Unitarian Universalist Church in Livermore principles and purposes.
Important: A key to success in this position is not only running successful RE programs, but taking the lead on building a foundation upon which our RE program may grow and thrive.
We're looking for inspiration as well as administration. The ideal candidate will provide leadership in planning and designing a robust program, with support from our dedicated spiritual community. If you are capable of thinking outside the Sunday-School box and building a strong learning foundation for our children's future, let's talk!
 Mt. Diablo UU Church Hosts Hungarian Dinner and Folk Dancing Benefit!
Please join us at MDUUC on August 20th for a Hungarian dinner and folk dancing fundraising event to support Unitarian village youth on their quest for an academic boarding Unitarian high school education in their big city. There will be delicious Hungarian food and folk dancing led by expert teachers. Good music and learning more about our Transylvania partnership connections guarantee a fun evening for all Unitarians in our SF bay area. Tickets are $35 for adults and reduced prices for youth- highly encouraged- and dance only folks. For more details, see the website at mduuc.org.
 Live Oak UU (Alameda) Seeks Children's Religious EducatorThe Live Oak Unitarian Universalist Fellowship seeks a part- time teacher at 1700 Santa Clara Ave. (at Grand Ave.), in Alameda. Our children's program is currently small in numbers; we seek to expand both the number of children and their involvement in other parts of our congregational life.
 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:
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