Last updated: 07/30/2009

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Metro NY Minute -- April 2008

  
 
News From the District
Just 19 days remain to register in advance for the 2008 District Annual Meeting, May 2-3 at the Marriott Hotel in Stamford CT. Online registration ends April 25, or postmarked by April 22. You won't want to miss the keynote address by the Rev. Dr. Tracey Robinson-Harrison, UUA Director for Congregational Services, or folksinger Geoff Kaufman in concert. Plus outstanding workshops, the Metro NY District Choir, worship opportunities, the UU Network Mall, and more!
Registration is now open for UULTI 2008! Last year's acclaimed program returns for 2008. The UU Leadership Team Institute (UULTI) is a week-long training opportunity sponsored by the Metro NY, Joseph Priestly, Ohio-Meadville, and St. Lawrence districts, July 28-August 3, Juniata College, Huntingdon PA. Read first-person accounts of UULTI 2007 Acrobat Reader Required. For a flyer to post, click here Acrobat Reader Required.
The Metro NY District Board of Trustees is pleased to announce that Douglas Zelinski will continue in the role of Program Consultant for Leadership Development. Doug joined the District staff last September in an acting capacity. Read more Acrobat Reader Required from Jerry Muntz, District President, and Harlan Limpert, UUA Director of District Services.
The 2008 Anti-Racism and Diversity Conclave, sponsored by the District Anti-Racism and Diversity Committee, is scheduled for May 31 at the Community Church of New York UU (Manhattan). The Rev. Bill Sinkford, UUA President, will be the keynote speaker. For more information, contact Carl Heath or the Rev. Hope Johnson.
Become a Youth Ministry Trainer Extraordinaire! The District will send two youth (ages 14-18), one adult (age 25+), and one District staff person to a Training of Trainers hosted by the Pacific Northwest District's GoldMine Youth Leadership School. The Metro NY District team, along with other teams from our region, will gain skills and tools for replicating the school as a Youth Ministry Learning Track at the 2009 UU Leadership Team Institute (UULTI), our region's annual summer leadership school. The Training of Trainers is August 9-13, 2008, in Seabeck WA. Apply for the training by May 1. For more information and an application, click here Acrobat Reader Required.		  
Worth Repeating

The Spring 2008 Chalice Lighters Call will be for the First Unitarian Society of Rockland County (Pomona NY), helping the Society employ a part-time Director of Religious Education, a critical component of efforts to increase membership. Read more Acrobat Reader Required.

This spring, all congregations in the District will be asked to participate in a survey conducted by the UUA Office of Church Staff Finances. Data from the survey will be used to develop the 2009 salary recommendations. Questions? Contact Doug Ford, District Compensation Consultant, at dougbar@aol.com or at 973-543-6415.
Ministers and lay UUs with electrical, plumbing, and other construction skills needed to form TUUL-Belt Ministry, a new UU ministry supported by the District and designed to respond rapidly to disasters, provide spiritual care to relief workers and victims, and coordinate long-term reconstruction relief. Contact the Rev. Scott Sammler-Michael at emichael@uuma.org or 443-807-2899.
More Good Stuff to Check Out!

Worship Service Providers available to District congregations

RE-Sources for religious education leaders

Job opportunities around the District

SmallTalk Acrobat Reader Required for small congregations

InterConnections for lay leaders

Action Campaigns of the UUA

UUA Monthly Mailing to all congregations

UUWorld.org, UUA's online magazine
Partners for Sacred Spaces and the District are teaming up for a workshop and architect's tour at the Fourth Universalist Society (Manhattan) on June 21 from 10:00 a.m to 1:00 p.m. The workshop and tour are designed as an exploratory session for congregations who may want to participate in the New Dollars/New Partners Acrobat Reader Required training program. To register for the workshop and tour, click here. For more information, contact Andrea Lerner.

Host a Youth Con in 2008-2009! It's time to plan the District Youth Event Calendar for 2008-2009. In an effort to make sure the events are scattered over the course of the year, and geographically around the district, the District Youth Adult Committee (YAC) has responsibility for setting this calendar. Apply to be a host by June 10. For more information about hosting a Con and to apply as a host for next year, click here Acrobat Reader Required.
The District Leadership Training Scholarship Fund is available to help worthy individuals who are otherwise unable to attend workshops and other training opportunities. If you're registering for the 2008 District Annual Meeting, you'll have a chance to contribute to the Fund on your registration form. If you aren't registering for the meeting but still want to contribute to the Fund, click here. To apply for a scholarship, contact Andrea Lerner.
News From the UUA
The UUA has begun a second phase of national advertising with a full-page ad in the April 14 edition (on newsstands April 4) of TIME magazine. The ad features the headline "When in Doubt, Pray. When in Prayer, Doubt." The May 12 issue of TIME magazine (available on newsstands May 2) -- the popular “TIME 100” issue -- will carry a UUA ad with the provocative headline, "My God is Better Than Your God." Both ads include an offer for a free copy of the DVD "Voices of a Liberal Faith" introducing Unitarian Universalism to newcomers. Read more.
 Ministry in the Borderlands, the theme of UU University 2008, addresses the challenges and rewards of working across religious identities. The keynote speaker, the Rev. Nick Carter, President of Andover University, is actively engaged in interfaith and inter-religious cooperation for action. His keynote will focus on ways to bring UU gifts to healing religious strife in the world. UU University takes place June 24-25, just prior to General Assembly, in Fort Lauderdale FL.
The Washington Office for Advocacy is updating its Guidelines on Advocacy, Lobbying, and Elections, an important document for congregations who want to have a voice in the public policy arena without jeopardizing their tax exempt status with the IRS. The updated document will be available within the week of April 7.
 The UUA Office of Young Adult and Campus Ministry is sponsoring a training and meeting event June 12-15, 2008, at the UU Church at Washington Crossing (Titusville NJ), for current and prospective volunteer young adult group leaders, campus ministry leaders, and District young adult and campus ministry staff and consultants. The training and meeting for volunteers is June 14, on a sliding scale cost of $50-75. For more information and a registration form, click here Acrobat Reader Required.
The 2008 Stewardship Sermon Award, sponsored by the Annual Program Fund, the UU Ministers Association, and the Liberal Religious Educators Association, honors the Rev. Peter Friedrichs of UU Church of Delaware County for his sermon titled Everything is Possible.
 News From Congregations

The UU Fellowship of Huntington (NY) made an outstanding effort for Association Sunday 2007, thanks especially to the work of Lois Ann Sepez and Reba Siniscalchi. Read more.

The Unitarian Church of Staten Island (NY) is very pleased to announce that after a fascinating and joyful search process, the Church has its final candidate for settled ministry. She is the Rev. Susan Karlson from Wilmington NC and will be candidating from April 25 to May 4.
 The UU Congregation at Montclair (NJ) voted overwhelming to become a sponsoring congregation of the New Sanctuary Movement, a faith-based coalition fighting for immigrant rights. The Congregation will partner with a family facing deportation and plan events to raise awareness about the issue of immigrant rights. The UUA endorsed the New Sanctuary Movement in May 2007. Read more Acrobat Reader Required.
The UU Society in Stamford (CT) on March 29 sponsored From Page to Stage, a full-day workshop presented by Faith Vicinanza, a published poet, photographer, and workshop facilitator. Participants learned simple rules for getting creative work published and performed and received one-on-one coaching, including critiques of their prose and poetry.
  
Milestones and Transitions

The Rev. Alison Cornish was installed as Minister at the UU Congregation of the South Fork (Bridgehampton NY) on April 6.

Amy Strano will be ordained by the Unitarian Church of All Souls (Manhattan) and by the Fourth Universalist Society (Manhattan) at the Unitarian Church of All Souls on April 13 at 5:00 p.m. (Note the change in time from previous announcements.)
Ian Maher will be ordained by the UU Congregation of Queens (Flushing NY) on April 27 at 5:00 p.m.
The Rev. Bob Janis Dillon will be installed as Minister at the First UU Fellowship of Hunterdon County (Baptistown NJ) on May 18 at 3:00 p.m.
Wendy Pantoja will be ordained by the First Unitarian Society of Plainfield (NJ) and the UU Congregation at Montclair (NJ) on June 1 at 4:00 p.m. The service will take place at the UU Congregation at Montclair.
Elizabeth Anne Putnam will be ordained by the Fourth Universalist Society (Manhattan) on June 8 at 4:00 p.m.
Rosemarie Newberry will be ordained by the UU Congregation of Monmouth County (Lincroft NJ) on October 26 at 5:00 p.m.
Other Noteworthy Items
 The UU United Nations Office (UUUNO) welcomed to New York City an intergenerational seminar largely developed and presented by young people. Titled Picking Up the Pieces: Building a Culture of Peace, the April 3-5 seminar attracted some 150 persons of all ages from throughout the United States and Canada. Read more Acrobat Reader Required.
The UU Legislative Ministry in New Jersey (UULMNJ) held its first conference in January, creating a UULMNJ Steering Committee which met in East Brunswick in February and March and will continue on a monthly basis. Lynne Quinto of the UU Church at Washington Crossing (Titusville NJ) and Rohn Hein of the UU Church in Cherry Hill (NJ) were approved as Co-chairs and organizational decisions about the network have begun. Read more Acrobat Reader Required.
 The UU Small Group Ministry Network Institute, sponsored by the Small Group Ministry Network, will be held August 17-22 at The Mountain Retreat and Learning Center in Highlands NC. The annual Institute is an opportunity to learn about and practice Small Group Ministry with experienced practitioners and leaders.
Ways to the Spirit Acrobat Reader Required, a weekend of spiritual practice for UUs and co-led by the Rev. Craig Hirshberg, a member of the District board, will be held July 11-13 at Murray Grove Retreat and Conference Center, Lanoka Harbor NJ.
The Rev. Debra Haffner, Community Minister at the Unitarian Church in Westport (CT) and Director of the Religious Institute on Sexual Morality, Justice, and Healing, is author of the newly released What Every 21-st Century Parent Needs to Know: Facing Today's Challenges with Wisdom and Heart, a provocative book that debunks the myths, validates the concerns, and advises parents on how to keep their children safe and healthy in a world so different from the one in which they grew up.
Upcoming Workshops and Meetings
Visit the District's Calendar and Events page for these and other events:
 
bullet Long Island Leadership Institute: April 12, location to be announced. For more information, contact Reba Siniscalchi.
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Junior Youth Con: April 12-13, UU Congregation of Monmouth County (Lincroft NJ). For a flyer, click here Acrobat Reader Required. To register, click here. For more information, contact Peter Green.  
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UU Ministers Association District Chapter Annual Meeting: May 1-2, Marriott Hotel, Stamford CT. For more information, contact the Rev. Anthony (Tony) Johnson.
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District Annual Meeting: May 2-3, Marriott Hotel, Stamford CT.
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Anti-Racism and Diversity Conclave: May 31, Community Church of New York UU, Manhattan. Sponsored by the Metro NY District. The Rev. Bill Sinkford, UUA President, will be the keynote speaker. For more information, contact Carl Heath or the Rev. Hope Johnson.
bullet Youth Con: June 6-8, UU Congregation at Shelter Rock, Manhasset NY. For more information, contact Corinne Hallander. 
bullet Young Adult and Campus Ministry Training: June 14, UU Church at Washington Crossing, Titusville NY. For more information and a registration form, click here Acrobat Reader Required.
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UU University: June 24-25, Fort Lauderdale FL.
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General Assembly: June 25-29, Fort Lauderdale FL.
bullet Youth Con: July 11-13, Unitarian Church in Westport (CT). For more information, contact Corinne Hallander. 
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UU Mid-Atlantic Community (UUMAC): July 20-26, DeSales University, Center Valley, PA. For more information, contact Abby Crowley or Ira Lerner.
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UU Leadership Team Institute: July 28-August 3, Juniata College, Huntingdon PA. For more information, contact Doug Zelinski.
 

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.