BCD In-Brief News and Announcements 
November 2013, Volume 7, No. 4
In This Issue
District Metrics
Relief Collection for Philippines
Keep Informed About GA 2014 in Providence
November BCD Blog Posted
BCD Facebook Membership Growing
Workshops Offered In Region
UUA Common Read Discussion Guide Now Available
CLF Store Now on Amazon Site
Position Available
Calendar
Join Our Mailing List!
Like us on FacebookQuick Links
BCD Website
BCD Facebook Page
District Metrics

Each fall, district executives submit a metrics report to the Congregation Life Staff Group office which is used for various other Associational reports.   These are some of the metrics for the BCD.

 

Number of congregations     45

Total adult membership        5133

RE Registration                    1782

Ave. weekly attendance       3318

Smallest / Largest                 6 / 478

(non-federated) 

 

Size

Small 1 (99 & less)        25

Small 2 (100-249)         17

Medium 1 (250-399)     2

Medium 2 (400-549      1

Large (550 +)                0

Change in size (as of Feb 1)

 Increase                         16

 Decrease                        16

 No change                      13

Ministers

 Multiple                          2

 One full-time                   26

 One part-time                 12

 Lay led                            5
Relief Collection for Philippines

The UU Service Committee (UUSC) has launched with the UUA a joint special appeal for Philippine relief efforts. The UUSC, as it does in all natural disaster relief initiatives will work directly with established partners in the areas most affected by the typhoon. The focus for fund distribution will be on those survivors most likely to fall through the cracks of traditional rescue and relief efforts because of geography, ethnicity, religion, or other factors that create barriers to accessing help.

 

Donations can be made on line at

 

Keep Informed About GA 2014 in Providence

 

TheBCD GA Blast is published and distributed monthly by the BCD Office.  It provides updated information about the upcoming General Assembly in Providence, RI, June 25-29, 2014.  Contact the BCD office at BallouChanning@verizon.net to have your name placed on the distribution roster. 
 
November BCD Blog Posted
On the 1st of each month, District Executive, the Rev. Bill Zelazny, posts a blog article addressing some aspect of church life and leadership.  Go to www.bcduuablog.org to read and download the blog.
 
BCD Facebook Membership Growing

Each month new people join the BCD Facebook page.  The BCD Facebook page is one way to keep posted on events happening in the BCD and other information about Unitarian Universalism and our UUA.  Go to http://www.bcduua.org/ and "Like" us.

 

Workshops Offered in Region
  • Beyond Fuss and Beg: Building on Strengths to Create a Culture of Generosity

     This workshop, presented by Dr Wayne Clark, Director of our UUA Congregational Stewardship Network,  is        designed for teams of three or more congregational lay and professional leaders who seek to: Focus on generosity      to better fund your congregational ministries; Learn to speak appreciatively about your congregation; Move                beyond the 'fuss and beg' of annual budget drives; Develop a year-round stewardship program 

http://origin.library.constantcontact.com/download/get/file/1102801309558-539/Beyond+Fuss+and+Beg_WClark+.pdf

Saturday, November 23, 2013                                  9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m

First Unitarian Universalist Society of Exeter  12 Elm St., Exeter, NH

Registration:  Approximately $200 will be shared equally by the participating congregations plus $12 per person for lunch. The NNED office will invoice your congregation after the event.

NNED-UUA@comcast.net to request registration material

  • Transforming Congregational Conflict

Done well, conflict can lead to progress, done poorly, conflict damages people, relationships, congregations, and the potential of our religious movement. This workshop with Dr. Eben Weitzman, Chair of the Department of Conflict Resolution at the McCormack Graduate School at UMass Boston, will offer new ways of understanding congregational conflict - at the structural, process, and interpersonal level. http://www.cbd-mbd-uua.org/drupal/content/transforming-congregational-conflict-essential-leadership-skills 

             Saturday, December 7, 2013                                    8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

UCC Conference Center, Framingham, MA             

http://www.macucc.org/pages/detail/2405

             Registration:  $50.     Deadline - December 2, 2013

 https://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/eventReg?oeidk=a07e81rfberdfd3931b&oseq=&c=&ch=

 

  • Growing Better Religion

A half day summit that will explore individual and institutional roles in growing better religion in our Unitarian Universalist context.  The Rev. Tandi Rogers, UUA Growth Strategies Specialist, will facilitate conversations about Unitarian Universalist identity in New England and the role of Unitarian Universalism in the public square throughout history and in the present.http://www.cbd-mbd-uua.org/drupal/content/growing-better-religion 

Saturday, January 11, 2013                         8:30 a.m. - 12>30 p.m.

UU Church of Worcester         http://www.uucworcester.org/content/directions-map 

Registration:  $50      Deadline - January 6, 2014

   

UUA Common Read Discussion Guide Now Available
A discussion guide for the 2013 UUA Common Read selection, Behind the Kitchen Door by Saru Jayaraman, is now available to download at no charge. Lead a single session or a three-session workshop to share responses to the stories Jayaraman has collected of economically vulnerable restaurant workers. The guide includes suggestions and guidance for taking action against economic injustice in the food service industry. 

 

 

 

 

Church of the Larger Fellowship (CLF) Store Moved to Amazon Site
Thinking about giving a chalice pendant, lapel pin or notecards for as Christmas gift?  Look at the Church of the Larger Fellowship products that are now on Amazon.com.  Type CLFUU in the search field.
 
Proceeds from the sale of items support many of the CLF ministries such as Questformeaning.org, CLFuu.org and DailyCompass.org.

Position Available
  • Youth Advisor - part-time
First Parish Church Duxbury, a vibrant 300 member congregation on Boston's South Shore, is seeking applicants for Youth Advisor, a new part-time paid position working with 9th through 12th grade youth. Plan, organize, and participate in activities. Between 12 and 20 hours per month. $300 stipend per month during the church year (10 months). Candidate should be at least 25, able to relate to youth in a meaningful way, familiar with and supportive of UU Principles. To apply submit resume and letter of interest to uuduxburyhiring@gmail.com
 
Calendar

November

Nov 23             Beyond Fuss and Beg Stewardship Workshop@               9:00 a.m.- 3:00 p.m.

 First Unitarian Universalist Society of Exeter , NH

Nov 27-28#     BCD Office closed for Thanksgiving

 

December

Dec 7               Transforming Congregational Conflict@                            8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

                   UUC Conference Center Framingham, MA

 [Clara Barton-Mass Bay Districts workshop]

Dec 15              Ordination of Constance St. Hilaire@                                    4:00 p.m.

 Unitarian Church of Barnstable

Dec 24-Jan 1   BCD Office closed for holidays

 

 

2014 Dates

 

Jan 11             BCD Board of Directors Winter Retreat@                          9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.

                        Unitarian Church of Sharon, Sharon, MA

Jan 11             Growing Better Religion@                                                     8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

                        UU Church of Worcester, Worcester, MA

[Clara Barton-Mass Bay Districts workshop]

Mar 8              BCD/New England Music Conference@                             9:00 a.m. - 3:00 pm

                        Murray UU Church, Attleboro, MA

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

Apr 6              Rev. Pamela Barz, Scituate Minister, Installation@             3:00 pm

                        First Parish Unitarian Universalist Church Scituate, Scituate, MA

May 3            BCD Spring Conference and Annual Meeting

First Universalist Society of Franklin

Jun 25-29       General Assembly

Providence, RI

 

 

# Change of information from last BCD in Brief

@ New from last BCD in Brief