BCD In-Brief News and Announcements 
April, 2014 - Volume 7, No. 9
In This Issue
BCD Spring Conference and Annual Meeting is May 3
Workshop about Developing Congregational Multigenerational Ministry
General Assembly News
Workshop on Sermon Writing for Lay Preachers
New England Summer Conference Center Activities
Downloadable File for New UUA Logo Available
Calendar
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BCD Spring Conference
and Annual Meeting - May 3

 

There have been three major "great awakenings" in the United States that brought increased religious enthusiasm, a new sense of faith conviction and church growth.  Now is the time for a fourth - a liberal religious Great Awakening in New England.  On May 3 the 2014 Spring Conference will explore the invitation from the Clara Barton and Mass Bay District boards to NewEngland Unitarian Universalists to join together to bring about a Great Awakening of our faith.  The guest co-keynoters who will talk about what this could look like will be Justine Sullivan, president of the Clara Barton District, and Laura Graham, president of the Mass Bay District. Also Jim Key, UUA Moderator, will join the conference via Skype to talk about the reimagining of the Unitarian Universalist Association with its new board, new headquarters and new regional staffing structure.
 
The 2014 Annual Meeting
will follow the presentations to address the business of the district, including election of officers and board members, budget, bylaw amendments and the awarding of grants to congregations.  

 

 The Conference and Meeting will be at First Universalist Society in Franklin, MA.  Registration starts at 9:00 with opening worship and program at 9:30.  The Annual meeting will convene at 11:15.  There is no fee for the Conference and Annual Meeting, but registration is requested by going to http://www.eventbrite.com/e/bcd-spring-conference-and-annual-meeting-tickets-11184770951?aff=es2

 

Immediately after the Annual Meeting the BCD Board of Directors will host a reception for retiring District Executive, Rev. Bill Zelazny.
Workshop About Developing
Congregational Multigenerational Ministry
Thinking Outside the Box:  A Collaborative Approach to Multigenerational Ministry
(previously advertised as Developing Multigenerational Ministry) led by Kim Paquette, the Northern New England District's Director of Multigenerational Ministry, will look at the meaning of multigenerational ministry and how congregations can intentionally develop multigenerational ministry in all aspects of congregational life.  Registration opens at 9:00 a.m. with the program starting at 9:30 a.m. and concluding at 1:15 p.m. Congregations' religious professionals and lay leaders strongly encouraged to register as a team.

 

The workshop will be held at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Falmouth, (www.uuffm.org)840 Sandwich Road, Falmouth, MA.

 

This BCD sponsored workshop is free but registration is required at  

http://www.eventbrite.com/directory?q=thinking%20outside%20the%20 box&loc=Providence%2C%20RI&sort=best&slat=41.82&slng=-71.41&vp_ne_ lat=41.8616&vp_ne_lng=-71.3697&vp_sw_lat=41.7724&vp_sw_lng=-71.4726&   

 

General Assembly News

 

Early discount registration end April 30.  Go to

 

Program information is available at http://www.uua.org/program/14599.shtmlThere are nearly 200 program offerings this year.

 

Housing information is available at http://www.uua.org/ga/travel/index.shtml

Hotel housing through the GA office continues to be limited, but there are many low cost dormitory-style rooms still available at Rhode Island School of Design and Brown University facilities. The dorms are about 3 blocks from the Convention Center.  There are also several home hospitality options available.

 

Davidoff Fund Scholarships applications are being accepted until April 30.  The scholarship covers the cost of GA registration for lay delegates from congregations who have not been represented by lay leaders at GA in the last three years. Information and application at


General GA information is at www.uua.org/ga

Workshop on Sermon Writing for Lay Preachers

 

Sermon Writing for Lay Preachers, a Clara Barton/Mass Bay District sponsored workshop, will be presented at First Parish Weston, MA (http://www.firstparishweston.org/welcome.html) 
The Rev. Sue Phillips will lead a hands-on workshop that will give participants an understanding of what makes good sermons good and how to transform kernels of spiritual wisdom into a worshipful sermon.  Participants will have the opportunity to:

 

  •    Reflect on the structure and content of meaningful, memorable sermons
  •    Learn how to translate an idea into a powerful sermon
  •    Consider presentation and speaking tips

This workshop is open to members of Ballou Channing District congregations.   $50 registration (includes handouts and refreshments  Register at http://www.cbd-mbd-uua.org/drupal/content/sermon-writing-lay-preachers

New England Summer Conference Center Activities

 

There are three Unitarian Universalist allied camps and conference centers in New England offering a wide range of programs for youth, adults individuals and families between June and August.

Program schedules are posted on each center's website.

Downloadable File for New UUA Logo Available
As part of an overall branding initiative a new logo for the Unitarian Universalist Association has been developed.  All UUA associated organizations and congregations are encouraged to incorporate the new logo into their website, Facebook page and other materials.  The logo is now available in various sizes and formats for download at http://www.uua.org/communications/art/uuachalice/index.shtml

 

Calendar

May 3                 BCD Spring Conference and Annual Meeting      9:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

                            First Universalist Society of Franklin

May 3                 Celebration of Rev. Bill Zelazny's 15 years of service

                            to the Ballou Channing District@ 

                            First Universalist Society of Franklin

May 5-7              BCD UUMA Chapter Retreat

                            Glastonbury Abby, Hingham, MA

May 17               Thinking Outside the Box: A Collaborative         9:00 a.m. - 1:15 p.m.     

                            approach to multigenerational ministry#         

                            Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Falmouth, MA   

May 17               Sermon Writing for Lay Preachers@                   8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. 

                            First Parish, Weston, MA 

June 10               BCD Board of Trustees Meeting@                     6:30 - 9:00

                            Location TBA   

June 19               BCD Office closes for summer break  

June 25-29          General Assembly 

                            Providence, RI

 

# Change of information from last BCD in Brief

@ New from last BCD in Brief