February 2013 BCD in Brief

General Assembly is coming to the BCD! Yes, this once-in-lifetime "hometown" GA is still 16 months away, and serious planning and preparation won't start until the fall. But here are some things you should know, and a few things you can do now.

Put the date on your church calendar--June 25-29, 2014-and plan around it.
Get acquainted with the GA website. Bookmark www.uua.org/ga and check it for information about GA 2013 that will give you a good preview of what to expect for GA 2014.
Set some funds aside. The best way your congregation can take advantage of this close-to-home General Assembly is for lots of your congregants to attend, especially congregational leaders. That takes pre-planning and money. So as you plan your 2013-2014 congregational budget, why not put a line in to support attendance at GA? With low travel costs, you'll never get such a good deal again. Registration fees are likely to be similar to this year's--around $330 for adults, $190 for youth, children free.
Consider sending a youth contingent to GA, and plan your youth budget and program accordingly. Participation in Youth Caucus, youth-led and multi-generational worship and learning, and being together with their peers from around the country add up to a powerful experience for high schoolers. Remember that youth attendance requires having a responsible adult sponsor (a parent or another church member) also at GA.
Support your young adults. A nearby GA is also a great opportunity for college students and working young adults, who often would love to go to GA, but can't spare the cost or the time off. And some might need child care assistance. Think about how you can help young adults in your congregation to be part of an incredible UU experience. I've seen that being a part of GA as a youth or young adult can lead to a lifetime UU commitment.
Open your home to other UUs. If you're fairly close to Providence, consider offering home hospitality to GA attendees. Your congregation could take this on as a fundraiser-members charge a fee for bed and breakfast and donate all or part of it to the church. It's a great way to get to know UUs from other parts of the country.
Consider attending GA 2013 in Louisville, Kentucky. If you're not familiar with GA, this will be a good introduction. And if you're there, we'd love to have your help for a couple of hours at the GA 2014 booth in the Exhibit Hall, telling folks why they should come to Providence in 2014.

In March, Beth will present information about volunteering, submitting program ideas, and resource information such as musicians, local speakers, social service organizations willing to accept one day volunteers, etc.

UUA President Peter Morales to Speak in Falmouth February 22

UUs in the Ballou Channing District are invited to attend a talk and discussion with UUA President, Peter Morales on Friday, February 22 at the UU Fellowship of Falmouth, 840 Sandwich Rd, Falmouth, MA. This event is organized by Rev. Robert Murphy, the UU Fellowship of Falmouth minister, in association with the Cape & Islands Leadership Cluster. There will be a light dinner at 6:00, followed at 7:00 by the presentation by President Morales with time for questions. There is no fee for the event, but it would help the organizers to know how many people are attending, so please contact charris@haiadm.com to RSVP.

For additional information contact Rev. Bob Murphy or Lyn Dalzell (508) 563-5948 murphydalzell@aol.com

Upcoming Conferences and Workshops in BCD

Ballou Channing District Music Conference

Saturday, March 2, 2013 9:00AM-3:00 PM (registration opens at 8:30)

Murray UU Church 505 North Main Street, Attleboro, MA

The Annual conference for music and choir directors, choir members, music committees, and all individuals interested in church music. Workshops to include: Social Justice Music, Contemporary Vocal Techniques, Chanting and Sacred Circle Dance, Be Lifted with Music with Nick Page, Keyboard Repertoire for UU Services and the ever popular Choral Rep singing.

Registration: $35 in advance, at door: $40

To register on line with credit card, go to http://bcemusic2013.eventbrite.com or by mail by check enclosed and the below registration form to BCD Office: 325 West Elm Street, Brockton, MA 02301

NAME_______________________________________________

ADDRESS___________________________________________

CITY STATE ZIP______________________________________

PHONE_____________ E MAIL __________________________

CONGREGATION_____________________________________

POSITION___________________________________________

Pastoral Care with Youth

Saturday, March 16th, 2013 1:00 - 5:00 PM

First Unitarian Church of Providence 1 Benevolent St, Providence, RI

An afternoon training designed for religious professionals and lay volunteers -- DRE's, Ministers, Youth Directors, lay Youth Advisors and lay pastoral care teams -- to hone skills to effectively listen to, affirm, and emotionally support youth in congregational settings and at youth ministry events, including but not limited to regular youth group meetings and weekend "cons." Emphasis will be on identifying pastoral needs, creating a healthy and safe atmosphere, crisis response, and nurturing the spiritual resources needed to support individuals and the community.

Registration: $25 per person

To register on line with credit card, go to http://pastoralcarewithyouth.eventbrite.com

Diplomat and Head of UUA United Nations Office to Speak at Spring Conference

Bruce Knotts, the Director of the UU United Nations Office will be the speaker at the 2013 BCD Spring Conference on April 27, 2013 at First Congregational Parish in Kingston, MA.

Bruce has served in the U.S. Diplomatic Service in Washington, D.C. and overseas in Greece, Zambia, India, Pakistan, Kenya, Sudan, Cote d'Ivoire, Guinea, Sierra Leone, Liberia, and Gambia. He also has been on the United Nations NGO Committee on Human Rights. Mr. Knotts has been involved in activities for several years to ensure the United Nations works to respect the rights and dignity of LGBT peoples around the world.

Read more about the work of the UU-UNO at http://www.uua.org/international/un/198551.shtml

The District Annual Meeting will convene immediately following the program.

News from the Larger UU World

UU- United Nations Office Annual Seminar for UU Youth and Adults in April

Every April, youth and adults from around the United States and Canada gather for an exciting and educational Intergenerational Spring Seminar. The UU United Nations Office's (UU-UNO) 2013 Intergenerational Spring Seminar will take place April 4-6, 2013 in New York City. This year's event will focus on stopping violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI). Youth and advisors will come in the evening of April 3 for youth and advisor orientation. Find out more about this unique annual event, scholarships and accommodations, and register at uua.org/justicecalendar/200149.shtml. Early bird registration rates are in effect until March 1; deadline March 15th.

Standing on the Side of Love webinar: "Taking Action Against Anti-Muslim Bigotry

Standing on the Side of Love is partnering with the Shoulder-to-Shoulder campaign for an webinar on Thursday, February 28 at 7:00pm EST about taking action against anti-Muslim bigotry. This webinar, presented by Christina Warner, Director of the Shoulder-to-Shoulder Campaign, will answer the questions "what is anti-Muslim bigotry?" and "how can we counter it?" Registration is at http://bit.ly/anti-muslimbigotrywebinar.

The 2013 Meditation Manual Is Now Available

Falling into the Sky, the 2013 UUA Meditation Manual, edited by Abhi and Abhimanyu Janamanchi, compiles remarkable writings from Unitarian Universalist ministers, leaders, and lay people. These meditations evoke vivid vistas of imagination and reflection, and are available to order now at the UUA Bookstore.

Employment Opportunities

Director of Religious Education, Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Falmouth. Part time
DRE oversee the Religious Education program 40 to 50 children ranging in ages from 2 to
17 years. Compensation based on UUA Fair Compensation guidelines. Full job description available here.

Calendar

Date                Event                                                                                      Time

Feb 22            Cape & Island Leadership Cluster                                      6:00 p

                        Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Falmouth, Falmouth, MA

Feb 22            Meeting with UUA President Peter Morales                      6:00 p

                        Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Falmouth, Falmouth, MA

Feb 26            South Shore Presidents Cluster meeting                             7:00 p

                        First Parish Cohasset, Cohasset, MA

Mar 2              Music Conference                                                                 8:30 a

Murray Unitarian Universalist Church, Attleboro, MA

Mar 3            Senior Hi Con                                                                        TBA

First Parish Church, Brewster, MA

Mar 16          South Shore Presidents Cluster food drive

                        Grocery stores at various locations

Mar 16^@Pastoral Care with Youth                                                    1:00 p - 5:00 p

First Unitarian Church, Providence, RI

Mar 18^{@ #}       BCD Board of Directors meeting                                        TBA

                        Conference call

Mar 22-23New England Region Boards Gathering

Nashua, NH

Apr 6-7          Senior High Con                                                                    TBA

First Parish Duxbury, Duxbury, MA

Apr 6            Navigating Difference in the Beloved Community            8:30 a - 12:30 p

[a Clara Barton/Mass Bay District seminar]

First Parish UU, Northborough, MA

Apr 8^@           South Shore Presidents Cluster meeting                             7:00 p

                        All Souls Church, Braintree, MA

Apr 27            Spring Conference & Annual Meeting                               9:00 a - 1:00 p

First Congregational Parish, Kingston, MA

Apr 28           Rev Paul Langston-Daly installation                                   TBA

First Unitarian Church, New Bedford, MA

May 11          Junior High Con                                                                   TBA

First Parish Duxbury, Duxbury, MA

May 11           Evaluating Congregational Ministry                                  8:30 a - 12:30 p

[a Clara Barton/Mass Bay District seminar]

Location; TBA

May 15^@         South Shore Presidents Cluster meeting                             7:00 p

Location; TBA

May 20           BCD Board of Directors meeting                                        6:30 - 9:00 p

First Parish Brewster, MA

Jun 2               Rev. Sarah Person installation service                                TBA

                        First Unitarian Universalist Society of Middleboro, MA

Jun 8            Creating and Leading Dynamic Lay-Led Worship           8:30 a - 12:30 p

[Clara Barton/Mass Bay District seminar]

Location: TBA

Jun 19-23       General Assembly

Louisville, KY

^#Change of information from last BCD in Brief

^@New from last BCD in Brief