BCD In-Brief News and Announcements 
January, 2014 - Volume 7, No. 6
In This Issue
District Executive Announces Departure
BCD Workshop about Membership
Forum for Small Congregation Leaders
Workshop on UU Spirituality
Time for Congregation Membership Certification
UU Organization Retirement Plan Changes
2014 Social Justice Award Nominations Being Accepted
UU UNO Intergenerational Seminar
UUs for Jewish Awareness Annual Conference
Calendar
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District Executive Announces Departure

 

District Executive, Rev. Bill Zelazny, recently announced his retirement from his position with the Ballou Channing District, effective June 30, 2014, following the Providence General Assembly.  In a letter to the BCD Board of Directors he noted the many changes and improvements to operations and programs provided by the district to congregations during his 15 years tenure and expressed great appreciation for the hard work done by so many district and congregational leaders over the years.  When asked about his future plans Rev. Zelazny said he expects to continue to live in Providence and will be looking at other ministry opportunities including interim or consulting positions, chaplaincy, organizational consulting or community service work.

 

District President, Janet Richardi and other board members will be working with Regional Lead Rev Sue Phillips to plan for the transition and I assume there is much more to do to prepare for the change in staffing arrangements.
BCD Workshop About Membership

 

"Let's Talk About Membership" is a half-day workshop on Saturday, January 25
,that will look at outreach and membership-related topics.  There will be a panel of representatives from congregations that have experienced good growth statistics over the past few years, case study discussion to look at some of the issues congregations face with the cultural and demographic changes happening in our society, and time to share ideas about out-reach and new member integration.

Location:   Second Parish in Hingham, 685 Main St, Hingham

http://www.secondparish.org/

Time:         9:30 a.m. - 12:00

Register:    No fee, but registration is required at http://letstalkmembership.eventbrite.com

 
Forum for Small Congregation Leaders - January 16

 

How can small UU congregations, often with members who are growing older and with limited resources, help one another in today's changing world?  What mission is appropriate for our churches to serve as a spiritual beacon in our communities?  How can we share resources and creativity with one another to foster the voices of our faith?  These questions and more are on the table for discussion at a forum for lay and ordained church leaders sponsored by the Universalist Unitarian Church of Brockton, 325 West Elm Street, Brockton, Thursday, January 16th   7:00 - 9:00 p.m.  For further information contact: Rev. Dr. Robert RN Ross, rrnross@post.harvard.edu or 508-339-5639

 

Workshop on Unitarian Universalist Spirituality

 

"UU Spirituality: A Wellspring for Lay Leaders and Religious Professionals"will be
a sustained, daylong experience for participants to explore their own Unitarian Universalist spirituality with the Rev. Jen Crow, Minister of Program Life at the First Universalist Church of Minneapolis,as the leader.

            Lay Leaders

Saturday, February 1, 2014                         9:30am - 5:00pm

First Parish of Sudbury

Registration:  $75        Deadline - January 27, 2014

 https://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/eventReg? oeidk=a07e8e8mbwdf4783cd8&oseq=&c=&ch=

 

Religious Professionals

Friday, January 31, 2014                             9:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m. 

Harvard (MA) Unitarian Universalist Church

 
Time for Congregation Membership Certification

 

The online system for the annual congregation certification of membership is now open.  Congregations can log in to their online accounts and submit the report.  The deadline for filing the report  is Monday, February 3, 5:00 p.m. Pacific Standard Time.  (8:00 EST).  The information from the annual filing will determine the number of delegates a congregation may have at the 2014 General Assembly and 2014 BCD Annual Meeting and the Annual Program Fund fair share contribution level.  It is also used to help our UUA staff prepare the annual congregation directory and do research about Associational growth and finances.

 

Learn more about the certification process at www.uua.org/directory/data or contact data_services@uua.org with questions about use of the online system.  

UU Organization Retirement Plan Changes

Changes have been made to the UU Organization Retirement Plan.  Participating congregations will need to complete a new agreement form among other changes.  It is important that the individuals at the congregation, including participating ministers, who are involved in the congregation's contribution payments know about the changes.  For information go to www.uua.org/careers/compensation/retirement/index.shtm or contact the Office of Church Staff Finance, ocsf@uua.org with any questions. 

2014 Social Justice Award Nominations Being Accepted

 

Nominations are being accepted for the Bennett Award, Holmes-Weatherly Award, Skinner Sermon Award, and the Social Witness Sermon Contest.  Nomination deadline is March 1.  Go to www.uua.org/action/awards/index.shtml for more information.

UU UNO Intergenerational Seminar

 

The UU United Nations Office annual Intergenerational Spring Seminar will be April 3 - 5 (with youth arriving April 2) in New York City.  The 2014 seminar will be on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and environmental justice. Keynote speakers are Reverend Peter Morales, the Unitarian Universalist Association President and Vyda Ng, the Executive Director of the Canadian Unitarian Council with other presenters to be announced soon.
 
The Intergenerational Seminar is organized to allow youth and adults from around the United States and Canada gain a deep understanding on topics of global concern.   Information and registration is at http://www.uua.org/international/events/seminar/index.shtml .  Early registration discount ends March 7.   Information about scholarship or financial assistance can be obtained by contacting the office at  unitednations@uua.org, 
Unitarian Universalists for Jewish Awareness Annual Conference

 

A national gathering of Unitarian Universalists for Jewish Awareness (UUJA) will be held March 14-16, 2014 at the Morristown Unitarian Fellowship in Morristown, New Jersey. The theme is "Jewish Voices in Unitarian Universalism". It will feature the editors and contributors to the upcoming book by the same name (Skinner House Jan.2014) in conversation about Jewish identity, Judaism as a source tradition, Tikkun Olam and social justice, and the pluses and challenges of this hyphenated status in UU communities.

 

Beginning Friday evening March 14 through midday Sunday March 16, the weekend will also include small havarot or spirituality groups, worship, a Purim celebration, special foods and fellowship. To register and/or to find out about the sliding scale cost, nearby hotels, transportation options and limited home hospitality, go to www.uuja.org. There is some scholarship assistance available.

Calendar

 

Jan 15             Forum for Small Church Leaders@                            7:00 p..m. - 9:00 p.m.                             Universalist Unitarian Church of Brockton, MA
 

 

Jan 25             Let's Talk About Membership                                     9:30a.m.-12:00 noon

Second Parish Church, Hingham

Jan 31            Unitarian Universalist Spirituality: A Wellspring for Religious                                               Professionals

Harvard (MA) Unitarian Universalist Church              9:300 a.m.-5:00 p.m.

[a Clara Barton-Mass Bay Districts workshop]                                 

 

Feb 1              Unitarian Universalist Spirituality: A Wellspring for Lay Leaders

First Parish of Sudbury, MA

[a Clara Barton-Mass Bay Districts workshop]                                 

Feb 3              Deadline for Congregation Membership Certification

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

Mar 14-16      UUs for Jewish Awareness Conference@

Morristown Unitarian Fellowship in Morristown, New Jersey.

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, Installation3:00 pm

                        First Parish Unitarian Universalist Church Scituate, Scituate, MA

May 3             BCD   Spring Conference and Annual Meeting

First Universalist Society of Franklin

Jun 19             BCD Office closes for summer break@

Jun 25-29       General Assembly

Providence, RI

 

 

#Change of information from last BCD in Brief
@New from last BCD in Brief