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Metro NY Minute -- February 2009

  
 
News From the District
Make plans now to attend the 2009 District Annual Meeting May 1-2 at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Jersey City NJ! The Rev. Meg Riley, UUA Director of Advocacy and Witness Programs (pictured), will be the keynote speaker. On Friday night, Exit 43, four talented musicians from the Unitarian Church in Westport (CT), will entertain and inspire. Our theme is Turning Outward in Faith, focusing on how congregations can serve the broader community, a powerful way to help members grow spiritually. Registration begins February 15.
Candidates for UUA President will visit the District February 13-15. Meet the Rev. Peter Morales and the Rev. Dr. Laurel Hallman at the Community Church of New York UU (Manhattan) on February 13, at the UU Congregation of Monmouth County (Lincroft NJ) and the Community Unitarian Church (White Plains NY) on February 14, and at the UU Congregation at Shelter Rock (Manhasset NY) on February 15. Attendance is free. To register, click here.
The Spring 2009 Chalice Lighters has begin for the UU Legislative Ministry of New Jersey, which will use funds collected to hire part-time staff. For a project description, click here Acrobat Reader Required. As of February 2, nearly $26,000 has been collected for the Fall 2008 Chalice Lighters recipient, the UU Congregation at Rock Tavern (NY), to help rebuild the congregation's facilities that were destroyed in a devastating fire on September 12, 2006. Read more Acrobat Reader Required from Bill Slezak, District Chalice Lighters Coordinator.
Ministry, Mission & Message: A Webinar Conference for Large and Large Mid-Size Congregations is scheduled for March 7. Sponsored by the NRG -- a collaboration of the Joseph Priestley, Metro NY, Ohio Meadville, and St. Lawrence districts -- and using webinar and conference calling technology, four workshops will be offered on the specific challenges that congregations of 350 or more members face in governance, outreach, multigenerational ministry, and social justice. For more information, click here Acrobat Reader Required. To register, click here.
 		  
Worth Repeating

You are invited to submit a nomination for one or more of four 2009 District Awards and to encourage youth to apply for one of three 2009 District Scholarships. The presentation of awards and scholarship will be a highlight of the 2009 District Annual Meeting. The nomination and application deadline is March 1.

Calling all congregations with buildings 50 years old -- or older! The District has long been hoping to gather together UUs within the District who have historic buildings and would like to learn more effective ways to care for them, raise funds for their preservation, and imagine new ways their sacred places can be thriving community resources. Come to an orientation on February 21 from 1:30 to 4:00 p.m. about the New Dollars/New Partners program of Partners for Sacred Places. For a flyer, click here Acrobat Reader Required. To register, click here. For more information, contact the Rev. Alison Cornish.
Pastoral Care: An Intro for Religious Educators will take place April 2-4 at the Xavier Center. Participants will learn about the philosophy of and theological foundations of pastoral care in UU settings and the unique needs of children, youth, and families of color, among other topics. Though not a Renaissance Module, the training counts toward the UUA Credentialing Program. For a flyer, click here Acrobat Reader Required. To register, click here. For more information, contact John Cavallero.
More Good Stuff to Check Out!

Worship Service Providers available to District congregations

RE-Sources for religious education leaders

Job opportunities around the District

InterConnections for lay leaders

Action Campaigns of the UUA

UUA Monthly Mailing to all congregations

uuworld.org, UUA's online magazine

UU Service Committee news

Small Talk newsletter for small UU congregations
It's a contest! The District is looking for a great ideas for a new logo. Participants at the 2009 District Annual Meeting will vote on the top four submissions. Submit your idea by March 15 to Laurie Golson. Read more Acrobat Reader Required.
News From the UUA
The Ware Lecture at General Assembly 2009 in Salt Lake City UT June 24-28 will be Melissa Harris-Lacewell, author of the award-winning book, Barbershops, Bibles, and BET: Everyday Talk and Black Political Thought. Registration for General Assembly begins March 2. For complete General Assembly details, click here.
 This year, UU University 2009 will be integrated into General Assembly programming. UUU 2009 will offer six tracks of intensive programming designed to promote best practices within congregations. Each track will provide opportunities for reflection and engagement, integration, and experiential learning.
The UUA Board of Trustees voted at its January meeting to "hold the Annual Program Fund Fair Share contribution for fiscal year 2009-2010 at the current rate of $56 per member and hold the percent of budget option for large congregations at the 2008-2009 level" despite a planned increase to $58 per member. Read an explanatory letter Acrobat Reader Required from UUA President the Rev. Bill Sinkford, Moderator Gini Courter, and Financial Advisor Dan Brody.
 There's still time to send a UU Love Letter for Valentine's Day! When you donate to support the UUA’s work in one of three areas – Marriage Equality, Cultural Diversity, and Environmental Justice – you may choose a beautiful card to be sent to the recipient of your choice, complete with a description of the program and an optional personal message from you.
PBS's “Religion and Ethics Newsweekly” produced a short segment on January 23 about religion and Obama's presidential inauguration, including a brief clip of UUA President Bill Sinkford speaking about Obama and faith. The clip begins at 03:22 of the video segment. A transcript of the segment is also available on the site. To view the video segment or read the transcript, click here.
The UUA New Media Resources Project has created new opportunities for UUs and seekers to engage online: UUA Facebook page, featuring videos, photos, news stories and posts by UUs from around the world; UUA Advocacy & Witness Facebook page for sharing information about advocacy and witness programs; UUA Twitter Feed for receiving text messages with headlines and links to the latest UUA news; iTunes podcast for video and audio from the UUA on your iPod; and Top Stories RSS Feed. For more information about how to use new media, contact Shelby Meyerhoff.
 The UUA Committee on Committees is currently accepting applications of those interested in filling an unfinished term on the Funding Panel for UU Social Responsibility, from now through the end of the calendar year. To encourage demographic balance on this committee, applications from clergy, males, and people of color are especially welcome.
News From Congregations

The UU Congregation of the Palisades (Englewood NJ) voted to begin meeting in a new location -- Flat Rock Brook Nature Center -- beginning March 1. Says congregation president Jon King, "This is a wonderful, nurturing space that our congregation can grow in." The congregation has been meeting at the West Side Presbyterian Church in Englewood NJ. Read more Acrobat Reader Required.

The annual meeting of the UU Legislative Ministry of New Jersey (UULMNJ) is February 7 at the UU Congregation at Montclair (NJ). The keynote address, Growing Justice in the Garden State, will be given by the Rev. Richard S. Gilbert, social justice coordinator for the St Lawrence District. Contact Lynne Quito for more information. The UULMNJ is a statewide network of the 21 New Jersey UU congregations, designed to provide a comprehensive structure, network, and resources to empower the moral voice and actions of UU principles and values in the New Jersey public arena. The UULMNJ has been chosen as the Spring 2009 Chalice Lighters Acrobat Reader Required recipient.		  
Milestones and Transitions

The Morristown Unitarian Fellowship is pleased to announce that the Rev. Allen Wells is now the Fellowship's Affiliated Community Minister. The Fellowship celebrated this relationship in a special installation and covenanting ritual January 18.

The Rev. Jef Gamblee was ordained by the Community Unitarian Church at White Plains (NY) on January 25.
 The Rev. Jude Geiger was ordained by the First Congregational Society in Brooklyn (NY) on February 1.
 Skylands UU Fellowship (Hackettstown NJ) will hold a Dedication Service on May 3 at 2:00 p.m. for the Fellowship's new facility. The 126-year-old church is part of the Beattystown NJ Historic District that has both Federal and state landmark recognition.
The Rev. Susan Karlson will be installed by the Unitarian Church of Staten Island (NY) on April 26 at 5:00 p.m.
The Central Unitarian Church (Paramus NJ) is still enjoying the afterglow of its most successful annual Outreach Auction on November 15, raising $37,000 to benefit nine non-profit organizations in Bergen County that fulfill basic needs. Begun in 2000, the Outreach Auction was recognized by the District in awarding Central Unitarian Church the 2007 Mendon W. Smith Award. Read more Acrobat Reader Required.
 The Unitarian Church in Westport (CT) is sponsoring two day-long workshops facilitated by Nonviolent Communication trainer Jerry Koch-Gonzalez of the Institute for Peaceable Communities: Heart to Heart: A Valentine's Day Workshop on Compassionate Communication on February 14 and Building Skills and Consciousness of Nonviolent Communication on March 7. Both workshops include lunch (soup, salads, sides); registration fees are on a sliding scale ($45-$105) and all are welcome regardless of ability to contribute. For more information and to register for the February 14 workshop, click here. For more information and to register for the March 7 workshop, click here. Note: Attendance at a workshop equivalent to the February 14 workshop is required to attend the March 7 workshop.
 The Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Poughkeepsie (NY) held its fourth Friday Meal for the Homeless on January 23. Members prepared trays of macaroni and cheese, salads, fruit, and cookies. The meal was delivered to and served at Hillcrest House by several members, including Fellowship president Bryan Cook and vice president Judith Knauss. The Fellowship has made a commitment to provide a meal every month. Intergenerational and personally rewarding, it has become a popular Fellowship activity.
 The UU Society in Stamford (CT) is gearing up for its Second Annual A.J. Ross Art and Memorabilia Auction on March 28. The Society hopes to raise enough funds to purchase a new sound system for the Society’s sanctuary.
Other Noteworthy Items
 Unitarian Universalists for Jewish Awareness is seeking entries to the Jerry Davidoff Sermon Award. The award is named in honor of Jerry Davidoff (pictured), an early member of this group and a member of the Unitarian Church in Westport (CT). One prize of $500 will be awarded for a sermon preached between January 2008 and December 2008 that best illustrates or exemplifies the contributions of Jewish theology, thought, or culture to our liberal faith tradition. Entries should be submitted by April 9 in Word or RTF document formats to UUJA vice-president Arthur Thexton at athexton@alum.beloit.edu. Read more Acrobat Reader Required.
The Long Island Area Council is holding its Annual Dinner on April 4 at the UU Congregation at Shelter Rock (Manhasset). The keynote speaker is Michael Dowd, author of Thank God for Evolution. Tickets are $15. For a flyer, click here Acrobat Reader Required. For more information or to make reservations, contact Sharon at 516-627-6560 ext 160.
The fourth annual Allies for Racial Equity (ARE) Conference, March 13-15 in Kansas City MO, offers an opportunity for UUs to come together in a multigenerational environment to develop skills in dismantling white privilege and undoing racism in all its forms. All UUs who identify as white and are interested in learning more about their own white privilege in order to be better allies in multicultural communities are encouraged to attend. To register or learn more about the conference, click here.
Star Island Lifespan Religious Education Conference will be held July 11-18, 2009. Come for an inspiring week of spiritual and professional development, UU community and Star Island magic. The theme speaker, the Rev. Meg Barnhouse, will help participants explore “Seeds for Growing a Spirited Life.” What does a spirited life look like? How do we know if we are growing one for ourselves and those who are in relationship with us? For a flyer, click here Acrobat Reader Required .
Interfaith Impact of New York State (IINYS) now offers e-advocacy, a system that lets individuals register online and then, in response to IINYS alerts, send emails to their legislators with a few mouse clicks. IINYS is a statewide coalition of congregations and individuals from UU, Protestant, Reform Jewish, and other faith traditions whose mission is “to work for the common good through progressive religious advocacy.” Read more Acrobat Reader Required.
Unirondack, a UU camp and conference center in the Andirondack Mountains of New York, offers week-long summer programs for children, youth, and families. Registration is now open for summer 2009. Staff positions are also available. Read more Acrobat Reader Required.
An essay by the Rev. Chris Buice, minister of the Tennessee Valley UU Church in Knoxville, is the featured "My Turn" column in the January 19 issue of Newsweek (pg. 14). Buice writes about the July shooting at his church in which several members were killed, and how the congregation has sought to recover from the tragedy through love rather than hate.
The UU Fellowship of North Bay in Napa CA offers Wine Country Excursions in two or three-night packages with lodging in members' homes. All proceeds benefit the Fellowship. The opportunity is available April through October.
Upcoming Workshops and Meetings
Visit the District's Calendar and Events page for these and other events:
 
bullet Young Adults Winter Retreat: February 13-16, 2009, Frost Valley, Claryville NY. To register, click here. For more information, contact Ryan Novosielski.
bullet Conic Book: February 20-22, Unitarian Society of Ridgewood (NJ). To register, click here. To register as an advisor, click here. For a flyer, click here Acrobat Reader Required. For more information contact Corinne Hallander.
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New Dollars/New Partners Orientation: February 21, Community Church of New York UU, Manhattan. For a flyer, click here Acrobat Reader Required. To register, click here. For more information, contact the Rev. Alison Cornish.
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Presidents Roundtable: February 21, Community Church of New York UU, Manhattan. To register, click here. For more information, contact Andrea Lerner.
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Prep for Peacemaking: A Forum to Prepare for GA 2009: February 28, UU Congregation at Shelter Rock, Manhasset NY, sponsored by the UU Congregation at Shelter Rock and the UU Fellowship of Huntington (NY). 
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Ministry, Mission & Message: A Webinar Conference for Large and Large Mid-Size Congregations: March 7. For more information, click here Acrobat Reader Required. To register, click here.
bullet Youth Con: March 6-8, Unitarian Church of Summit (NJ). For more information, contact Corinne Hallander.
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UUMA District Chapter Retreat: March 13-14, Senexet House, Woodstock CT. For more information, contact the Rev. Rebecca Sala.
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Pastoral Care: Intro for Religious Educators: April 2-4, Xavier Center, Morristown NJ. For a flyer, click here Acrobat Reader Required. To register, click here. For more information, contact John Cavallero.
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Bridging Planning Con: April 3-4, location to be announced. For more information, contact Corinne Hallander.
bullet Leading Congregations into a Multiracial, Multicultural Future: April 3-5, Post Oak Lodge, Tulsa OK.
bullet Junior High Con: April 18-19, Unitarian Church in Westport (CT). For a flyer, click here Acrobat Reader Required. For coordinator information, click here Acrobat Reader Required. To register, click here. For more information, contact Peter Green.
bullet 2009 District Annual Meeting: May 1-2, Hyatt Regency Hotel, Jersey City NJ. For more information, contact Laurie Golson.
bullet Youth Con: May 15-17, Unitarian Church of All Souls, Manhattan. For more information, contact Corinne Hallander.
bullet Anti-Racism and Diversity Conclave: May 30, Community Church of New York UU, Manhattan. For more information, contact Rev. Dr. Michael Tino.
 

Guided by our living faith, the Unitarian Universalist District of Metropolitan New York exists to be a source of connection and transformation for our congregations and our larger world.