Metro NY Minute -- May 2005

Metro NY Minute -- May 2005

Upcoming Workshops, Lectures, and Meetings

Visit the District's Calendar and Events page for these and other events:

Junior High Advisor Workshop: Sponsored by the Metro NY District, May 14, at the Community Church of New York UU in Manhattan. For information, contact Vera Knapp.

Smaller Congregations Workshop: Sponsored by the Metro NY District, May 21, at the Community Church of New York UU in Manhattan. Register online!

Peter Seeger Concert: Sponsored by the UU Service Committee, May 21, at the Community Church of New York UU in Manhattan. Flyer available.

YRUU Con: Sponsored by Community Unitarian Church at White Plains, June 3-5, at the Community Unitarian Church at White Plains (NY). For information, contact Anna Henschel.

General Assembly: Sponsored by the UUA, June 23-27, in Fort Worth TX. The printed program is now available online. Registration reimbursement from the UUA is available to all congregational presidents serving as delegates.

YRUU Summer Con: Sponsored by the Unitarian Church in Westport, July 8-10, at the Unitarian Church in Westport (CT). For information, contact Genna Ayers.

Ways to the Spirit: Sponsored by the Rev. Craig Hirshberg and the Rev. Charles Stephens, July 8-10, at Murray Grove, Lanoka Harbar NJ

Ferry Beach RE Week: July 16-22, Saco ME.

Star Island RE Week: July 16-23, New Hampshire.

Unilead Lay Leadership School: July 17-23, Kirkridge Retreat and Conference Center, Bangor PA.

UU Mid-Atlantic Community (UUMAC) 2005: July 17-23, De Sales University, Center Valley PA

The Mountain School for Congregational Leadership: July 25-31, in Highlands NC.

New DRE Workshop: Sponsored by the Metro NY District, August 9-10, at Murray Grove, Lanoka Harbor NJ. For information, contact Andrea Lerner.

Administration Renaissance Module: Sponsored by the Metro NY District, August 10-12, at Murray Grove, Lanoka Harbor NJ. For more information, contact Andrea Lerner.

Sophia Fahs Camp: Sponsored by the Long Island Area Council, August 14-19, on Shelter Island

Junior High Retreat: Sponsored by the District Junior High Steering Committee, September 17-18, Harriman State Park, Bear Mountain, New York. To register, contact Eric Hallander. For information, contact Peter Green.

Did You Know . . . ?

. . . A record-setting 310 people, including 26 youth, attended the District 2005 Annual Meeting April 29-30 in Stamford CT. Tom Stites, Editor and Publisher of the UU World magazine, delivered the keynote address. Other highlights included the first-ever District Choir singing at the Saturday morning worship service, an inspiring Friday evening bridging ceremony, and 27 workshops covering a range of topics. Thanks to all who helped make the annual meeting a resounding success!

. . . District award and scholarship recipients were honored at the District's 2005 Annual Meeting luncheon on April 30. Congragulations to the UU Congregation of Somerset Hills (North Branch NJ), Rori Kanter, Janice Marie Johnson, Nino Luciano, the Rev. Forrest Church, the Rev. Carol Haag, Emily Stevens, Emily Conger, and Anna Henschel.

More Good Stuff to Check Out!

RE-Sources for religious education leaders

Job opportunities around the District

SmallTalk for or small congregations

UUA Monthly Mailing to all congregations

. . . The Spring 2005 Chalice Lighters Call for the UU Church of Flushing (NY) is well underway! So far, more than $19,000 has been contributed, from 27 of the District's 52 congregations. For 2005-06, the Fourth Unitarian Society of Weschester County (Mohegan Lake NY) and the UU Congregation of Central Nassau (Garden City NY) have been chosen for Chalice Lighters Calls. Congratulations!

. . . Small is Beautiful! -- a District-sponsored, day-long workshop on May 21 -- is designed especially for leaders of small congregations. Register online, and join workshop leaders Jane Dwinell, Small Congregation Specialist from the Northeast District, and Cindy Spring, RE Consultant from the New Hampshire/Vermont District. Owing to recent technical difficulties, please call Andrea Lerner at 484-951-8060 right away to confirm your previous online registration.

. . . Revised District Bylaws were approved by delegates to the Business Meeting portion of the District 2005 Annual Meeting on April 30. Changes were made to make the bylaws consistent with policy governance, administratively feasible, and more democratic in the election of the District UUA Trustee

. . . All Souls Bethlehem Church (Brooklyn NY) is a culturally and theologically diverse District congregation merging three deonminations: Unitarian Universalism, the United Church of Christ, and the Desciples of Christ. Read more about "the other All Souls" and how it works to cultivate a welcoming faith community open to all.

. . . UUA 2006 Salary Recommendations are now available. District Compensation Consultant Lynn Dash offers sound advice about the recommendations.

. . . The UUA Worship Web is growing! An online collection of original writings for worship, all ministers, DREs, and worship leaders are invited to contribute their writing to the Worship Web.

. . . The UUA is accepting applications from congregations who want to be part of the JUUST Change Anti-Oppression Consultancy process for 2005-06.

. . . Singing the Journey, a new supplement to Singing the Living Tradition, is now available at the UUA Bookstore. The supplement includes 74 music pieces and will debut at General Assemby.

. . . The UUA's 2006 Mid-Size Congregations Conference is set for March 2-5, 2006, at the Hyatt Regency in Phoenix AZ for congregations of 150-550 adult members. Costs will be in the range of $440 per person double occupancy and $590 single occupancy, which includes rrom, meals, and program. Watch for additional information or contact Tracey Robinson-Harris or Diane Martin at UUA's Congregational Services.

. . . Friends of the UUA is conducting its annual "phonathon" fundraising effort from May 9 through the middle of June. Questions can be directed to Cynthia Salloway toll-free at 888-792-5885.

Milestones and Transitions

The Rev. Craig Hirshberg, Minister of the UU Congregation of Somerset Hills (North Branch NJ), received the annual humanitarian award of the Raritan Valley Community College Rotaract Club on April 29. Rev. Hirshberg is active in the Club's Interfaith Program, which hosts discussions by religious leadersa and an annual prayer vigil to commemorate 9/11.

The UU Congregation of the South Fork will dedicate its new facility on September 25 or October 2, not on June 12 as originally announced. An official announcement will be made soon.