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Metro NY
Minute -- March 2009 |
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News
From the District
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 Register today for 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, will be the keynote speaker. On Friday night,
Exit 43, four talented musicians from the
Unitarian Church in Westport (CT), will entertain and
inspire. Choose from 21
outstanding workshops. Our theme is Turning Outward . .
. Acting on Faith, focusing on how congregations can serve
the broader community, a powerful way to help members grow
spiritually.
Online registration closes April 24.
The UU Leadership Team Institute (UULTI) will be
held at Juniata College on July 26 through August 1. This
year a special track for youth is being included. UULTI is
sponsored jointly by the Joseph Priestly, Metro NY,
Ohio-Meadville, and St. Lawrence districts. Registration
will open soon. Read
more.
The Spring 2009 Chalice Lighters is
underway for the UU
Legislative Ministry of New Jersey, which will
use funds collected to hire part-time staff. For a project
description,
click
here  .
As of February 28, more than $28,000
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
from
Bill Slezak, District Chalice Lighters Coordinator.
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Worth Repeating
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  ..
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
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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
Congregational Bulletin, UUA monthly email
uuworld.org, UUA's online magazine
UU
Service Committee news
Small Talk newsletter for small UU
congregations |
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Creating a Jubilee World
workshop will take place March 13-14 at the UU Congregation
of Central Nassau (Garden City NY). Sponsored by the
District Anti-Racism and Diversity Committee, the workshop
provides a gentle start-up or a refresher opportunity. To
register,
click here. For more information, contact the Jubilee
Team at uuccn21@gmail.com.
Read more .
The 10th Annual
Anti-Racism and Diversity Conclave is scheduled for
May 30 at the Community Church of New York UU (Manhattan).
This year's theme is 100% Organic Anti-Racism: Environmental
Justice and Anti-Oppression. The day-long session is
sponsored by the District Anti-Racism and Diversity
Committee.
Nine UUs from the District
participated in the
2009 UU Living Legacy Civil Rights Pilgrimage on
February 11-18:
Rev.
Harry Green, Minister, UU Congregation of Rockland
County (Pomona NJ); Leah Hart-Landsberg,
Intern Minister, Unitarian Church of Ridgewood (NJ);
Maureen Holder, Community Church of New York UU
(Manhattan); Lehna Huie, Community Church
of New York UU; Rev. Hope Johnson,
Minister, UU Congregation of Central Nassau (Garden City
NY); Janice Marie Johnson, Director of
Lifespan Religious Education, Community Church of New York
UU; Rev. Addae Kraba, Minister, First
Universalist Church of Southold (NY); Rev. Wendy
Pantoja, Minister, UU Congregation of the Palisades
(Englewood NJ); and Jova Vargas, Community
Church of New York UU. |
News From the UUA
 Registration is now open for General Assembly in Salt Lake City UT June 24-28. This year's General Assembly will vote to adopt a new Statement of Conscience on Peacemaking, elect the next UUA President, and welcome the 2009 Ware Lecturer Melissa Harris-Lacewell, Associate Professor of Politics and African American Studies at Princeton University and a frequent media commentator. General Assembly will be highlighted by the addition of UU University, a superb lay leadership training opportunity, as part of GA programming at no additional cost. GA delegate credentials will be mailed to congregations by May 8, including instructions for absentee ballots. Congregations can decide whether and how to instruct their delegates on voting.
Looking for copyright information? Here are some excellent resources available at the UUA website, www.uua.org.
Lay Theological Education Grants are available to congregations for creating programs that focus on spiritual and theological deepening for lay leaders. Funded by Association Sunday 2008, typical grants will be in the range of $2,000-$10,000. The application deadline is October 1, 2009. Details are available at the Association Sunday website, including a blog link and information about how to apply.
Leading Congregations into a Multiracial, Multicultural Future: Now is the Time! will be held April 3-5 at the Post Oak Lodge in Tulsa OK. Keynote Speaker Dr. L. Lee Knefelkamp will focus on building Inclusive Excellence in UU congregations. For a flyer, click here  . To learn more and register, click here.
Prepared in response to the Youth and Young Adult Empowerment Resolution passed by the delegates to the 2008 General Assembly, a survey is available for congregations' participation. Congregations are urged to complete the survey by March 15, even if they do not have youth or young adults. To complete the survey, click here. For a reference copy of the survey, click here .
Renamed the Congregational Bulletin, the Congregational Monthly Mailing is now online and will no longer be mailed to congregations, saving money, going greener, and improving access to this useful information for congregational leaders. Congregations will receive an email notifying them when each new Bulletin is posted online.
News From Congregations
 The
Unitarian Church of Staten Island (NY) held a
service on February 22 for Black History Month exploring
the journey toward racial reconciliation in UU
congregations.
Member Virginia Allen (pictured, right) and the Rev.
Susan Karlson (pictured, left) were in the pulpit. For
more pictures,
click here. The church's
Welcoming Congregation Committee
sponsored a service on February 8 on Freedom to Marry
with New York Senator Diane Savino providing a
legislative update. After the service, the Church held a
Q&A forum on
equal marriage rights presented by Empire State Pride
Agenda with Steve Parelli and his partner, Jose Ortiz.
For pictures,
click here.
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Milestones and Transitions
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. Note
this is a change in the date from previous
announcements.
The Rev. Susan Karlson will be
installed by the Unitarian Church of Staten
Island (NY) on April 26 at 5:00 p.m. |
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The First Unitarian Society of Plainfield (NJ) has been awarded a grant from the New Jersey Historic Trust in an amount up to $446,000.00 in support of the first phase of a proposed preservation plan for the Society's historic buildings. The oldest building is the sanctuary built in 1892; others followed in 1924 and 1958. The grant contemplates matching funds from the Society. The proposed work includes improved storm drainage, rebuilding of a large stained glass window, a new roof on the parish hall, structural repairs, and a new handicapped lift. Work on the construction documents will begin in the very near future.
The Upper Delaware UU Fellowship (Beach Lake PA) is making plans for the 17th annual Bud Rue Walk for Social Justice on October 18. Last year, several dozen participants walked five miles on October 19, 2008, and raised $4,006 for the Wayne PA and Sullivan NY chapters of Habitat for Humanity, the Victims Intervention Program of Wayne County, and the Rape Intervention Service and Education Program of Sullivan County.
Community Church of New York UU (Manhattan) will welcome guest speaker the Rev. Shirley Ranck at the 11:00 am service on March 15, sponsored by the Church group Community Women. Though the Rev. Ranck is best known as the author of the curriculum "Cakes for the Queen of Heaven," her sermon theme will be UU religious educator Sophia Fahs. Rev. Ranck's book on Sophia Fahs will be published in the near future. For a biography of the Rev. Ranck, click here .
The UU Society in Stamford (CT) donated 157 pounds of food to the Food Bank in February -- the largest amount collected in a single month. The Society also held the 5th Annual Chinese New Year Dinner, serving 80 people an authentic, home-cooked Chinese meal. The Society’s Sacred Circle Pagan Group sponsored a session on Candle Magic and Imbolc, led by the renowned witch, Viki Keyes, exploring the pagan festival of Imbolc -- its origins, spirituality, and connection to nature.
Rev. Charlie Ortman, minister at the UU Congregation at Montclair (NJ), will begin a seven-week cross-country bicycle trip on April 13 to raise funds for a local soup kitchen. As part of his sabbatical from congregation duties, Rev. Ortman's trip will span 3021 miles, beginning in Oceanside CA. Those who would like to help sponsor his journey are invited to complete a sponsor form . Read more .
Other Noteworthy Items
 UU Mid-Atlantic Community (UUMAC) 2009 will feature Jim Scott, UU activist and musician, and the Rev. Bob Janis-Dillon (pictured), minister at the First UU Fellowship of Hunterdon County (Baptistown NJ), as Minister of the Week. A week-long family experience, UUMAC will take place July 19-25 on the campus of DeSales University in Center Valley PA. Read more.
The UU Legislative Ministry of New Jersey (UULMNJ) held its annual meeting February 7 at the UU Congregation at Montclair (NJ), electing its first Board of Directors, adopting bylaws, and passing its first budget. Caucuses focused on economic justice, healthcare, the environment, emerging issues, and developing congregation action models. To date, 12 New Jersey congregations have officially affiliated with the UULMNJ. The UULMNJ is currently conducting its Chalice Lighters campaign
by visiting District congregations. Read more.
The New York State Convention of Universalists will hold its 2009 Annual Meeting on October 16-17 at the First Unitarian Church of Rochester in Rochester NY. The keynote speaker will be the Rev. Richard Gilbert, Minister Emeritus, First Unitarian Church of Rochester. All UUs are invited to attend. For a flyer, click here .
Universalist Convocations will hold its Convocation 2009 on May 15-17 in Birmingham AL. Universalist Convocations is an Independent Affiliate Organization of the UUA whose purpose is " . . . to explore and draw from the heritage of Universalist experience and faith to inform Unitarian Universalism today and help light its way toward the future." Universalist Convocations is a membership organization, though membership is not required to attend the Convocation 2009. Membership dues are $5 per year and should be sent to Peggy Jones, PO Box 235, Seven Springs NC 28578.
Meadville Lombard Theological School offers summer courses for lay leaders and seminarians. Courses are led by the Rev. Dr. William F. Schulz, Senior Fellow at the Center for American Progress, former President of the UUA, and former Executive Director of Amnesty International, USA; Dr. Sharon Welch, Provost, and world-renown ethicist and author; Dr. Mark Hicks, Angus MacLean Professor of Religious Education, author of UU religious education curriculum, and lay leader at All Souls in Washington DC; and others. For course descriptions, click here. For more information, contact the Admissions Office at admissions2@meadville.edu or 773-256-3000 ext 250.
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Upcoming Workshops and Meetings
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| Visit the District's Calendar
and Events
page for these and other events: |
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Creating a Jubilee World: March 13-14,
sponsored by the District Anti-Racism and Diversity
Committee, at the UU Congregation of Central Nassau, Garden
City NY. To register,
click here. For more information, contact the Jubilee
Team at uucnn21@gmail.com. |
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Annual
Meeting Planning Con: April 3-4, UU Congregation of
Monmouth County, Lincroft NJ. For more information, contact
Corinne Hallander.
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Youth Con:
May 15-17, Unitarian Church of All Souls, Manhattan. For
more information, contact
Corinne Hallander.
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Anti-Racism and
Diversity Conclave: May 30, Community Church of New
York UU, Manhattan. For more information, contact
Rev. Dr. Michael Tino.
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Youth Con:
June 19-21, UU Congregation of Monmouth County, Lincroft NJ.
For more information, contact
Corinne Hallander.
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