BCD In-Brief News and Announcements 
October 2013, Volume 7, No. 3
In This Issue
Congregation Grant Recipients Named
New DRE Grant for Growth Announced
2014 Providence General Assembly Newsletter Launched
The BCD Blog is re-launched
Fall Cranberry Cluster Gathering on October 21
Upcoming Workshops for Religious Educators
Grace Notes: UU Musicians Network Newsletter
Select Sermons and Lectures from 2013 GA Available
Calendar
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 Congregation Grant Recipients Named

 

In June the BCD Board of Directors awarded the Sandwich Fund, Olney Fund and Woonsocket Fund grants to BCD congregations.  The money for the grants comes from the three memorial funds established in the name of Unitarian or Universalist congregations that have closed since the early part of the 20th century.  The Board also decided to reallocate some reserve funds to make a one-time supplement to the funds available from the established grants. The Board received 12 application totaling $17,900 and was able to make grants in the total amount of $6,600.  The recipients are:
  • Westminster Unitarian Church - support for a youth service trip to New York city to work with the homeless through Youth Service Opportunities Program www.ysop.org
  • UU  Society of Martha's Vineyard - seed money to employ a part-time Director of Religious Education
  • Bell Street Chapel - fund a new outreach program in the Providence West End
  • First Parish Taunton, First Unitarian Church New Bedford, Foxborough Universalist Church, First UU Society of Middleboro - support a joint youth ministry program

The BCD Board has established a task force to study the district's grant programs and make recommendations on selection criteria, the grant cycle, and the possibility of continued supplemental funding.

New DRE Grant For Growth Announced

The BCD Board has established a new grant program to be awarded in Spring 2014 for distribution in FY2015 to support increased hours for religious educator professional to become involved in outreach activities.  The grant is a pilot project which will provide funding to increase paid hours for a congregation's part-time religious education director by 20% in order to engage in outreach activities such as accompanying families to sport events or concerts where they will be able to meet and talk with community members they will meet through the hosting family about Unitarian Universalism and the congregation's religious education program. The maximum amount of the grant will be $2000. Congregation will be required to match the grant.  Grant policy information and the application form are available by contacting the BCD office at www.ballouchanning@verizon.net. Applications will be due in March 2014. 

 

2014 Providence General Assembly Newsletter Launched

A new e-newsletter, BCD GA Blast, is being published by the BCD office to present news and information specifically about the 2014 Providence General Assembly.  It will be sent around the first of the month.  The newsletter is currently being distributed to all individuals who receive the BCD in Brief, but everyone is invited to have their name added to the distribution roster.  Contact the BCD Office - ballouchanning@verizon.net -- to have a name added to the roster.   

The BCD Blog is re-launched
The BCD Blog, a monthly article focusing on a congregation leadership issue, was re-launched on October 1.  It is now available for viewing and download. A new blog article will be posted on the first of the month.  The blog site can be accessed at www.bcduuablog.org
Fall Cranberry Cluster Gathering on October 21

 

The Cranberry Cluster will hold its fall gathering on Monday, October 21, 6:30 pm, at First Parish Plymouth in Kendall Hall. The Cranberry Cluster gathering is an opportunity for UUs living in the South Shore to meet for informal conversation over dinner and a program. The October 21 program is an evening with Niles Brandon, "Solo Piano Improv and More." Mr. Brandon will present classical, jazz, and Latin music. The evening begins at 6:30 with wine and cheese and includes a delicious dinner of Chicken Maribella. $8 per person. For questions and reservations, please call the Church Office at 508-747-1606 or email at fpplymouth@comcast.net

Upcoming Workshops for Religious Educators

 

  • Faith Formation Workshops. 
    Three Clara Barton/Mass Bay Districts developed workshops to help religious professional develop skills to meet 21st century church beyond the non-boomer generation.
     
    • Social Media Ministry: Webinar --
       
      This webinar will explore how popular   social media can serve congregations - and beyond. We will introduce ways to support faith formation, justice ministry and pastoral care online and begin to imagine your going beyond its walls.

Your computer

Monday, October 28   7:00 - 9:00 p.m.

Registration at https://events.constantcontact.com/register/eventReg?oeidk=a07e81rjeym3f1256a1&oseq=&c=&ch=

    • Renaissance Module: Adult Faith Development and Programming
      - This module explores faith development and programming for adult Unitarian   Universalists.

The Walker Center, Newton, MA

http://walkerctr.org/home

Wednesday, October 30, 9:00 a.m --Thursday, October, 31, 3:00 p.m.

Registration at https://events.constantcontact.com/register/eventReg?oeidk=a07e815kiky7b3755b9&oseq=&c=&ch=

    •  What Comes Next?  Implementing Faith Formation - Translating Faith  Formation materials into practice and vibrant ministries.

First Parish Northborough, Northborough, MA

http://www.firstparishnorthboro.org/directions.shtml

Wednesday, November 13     9:30 AM - 3:00 PM

Registration at https://events.constantcontact.com/register/eventReg?oeidk=a07e815kiky7b3755b9&oseq=&c=&ch

 

 

Grace Notes: UU Musicians Network Newsletter
"Grace Notes" from the UU Musician's Network is a newsletter that is a useful e-newsletter to all congregation leaders, not just music directors. For example, the September 2013, issue contains information about the UUMN 2014 Conference in San Diego, Theme-based Repertoire List; and Hymn Accompaniment Tracks.  To join or for more information go to: http://www.uumn.org.
Select Sermons and Lectures from the 2013 General Assembly Available

The major presentations of the 2013 Unitarian Universalist Association General Assembly (GA) are now available electronically. The collection includes the Berry Street Essay by Rev. Donald E. Robinson and the response by Rev. Art McDonald, the Ware Lecture by Eboo Patel, and sermons from the Service of the Living Tradition (Rev. Vanessa Rush Southern) and the Sunday morning worship service with the sermon by the Rev. William F. Schulz.

Available as an eBook in the Amazon Kindle Store ( www.amazon.com/Assembled-Unitarian-Universalist-Association ) and on Google Play. (https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Donald_E_Robinson_Assembled_2013?id=hffiAAAAQBAJ&utm_source=One+%26+One+eNews&utm_campaign=a3354a2708-One_One_11_28_2012&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_fab8a1852c-a3354a2708-19940697)

Calendar

October

 

Oct 28             BCD Board of Directors Meeting                               6:30 -9:00 pm

UU Congregation of South County, Pease Dale, RI                                      

Oct 30-31        Renaissance Module:

Adult Faith Development and Programming

[Clara Barton/Mass Bay sponsored event]

Location:  Walker Center, Newton, MA

November

Nov 13            What Comes Next?  Implementing Faith Formation  9:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

First Parish Northborough, Northborough, MA

[Clara Barton/Mass Bay sponsored event]

Nov 16            Cape & Island Cluster Meeting

Location: TBA

Nov 20-21       BCD Office closed for Thanksgiving

 

December

Dec 24-Jan 1  BCD Office closed for holidays

 

2014 Dates

 Mar 14-16     Allies for Racial Equity 2014 Conference

Rocky River, OH

Apr 2-5           UU-United Nations Office Intergenerational Spring Seminar

on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples

New York City, NY

May 3             BCD Spring Conference and Annual Meeting

First Universalist Society of Franklin

Jun 25-29       General Assembly

Providence, RI