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Metro NY
Minute -- May 2009 |
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News
From the District
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 More than 280 District
UUs participated in the 2009 District Annual Meeting
in Jersey City NJ May 1-2. Highlighting the meeting
was the election of a new District President, Ted
Fetter (pictured left), member of the UU
Congregation of Princeton (NJ). Jerry Muntz
(pictured right), member of the Unitarian Church in Summit
(NJ), served as District President from 2005-09. Newly
elected to the board of trustees are Jennifer
Stevens (First Unitarian Congregation Society in
Brooklyn (NY)) and Ron Roel (UU
Congregation at Shelter Rock (Manhasset NY)). Newly elected
to the Nominating Committee are Claudia Cohen
(Unitarian Church in Summit (NJ)) and Chelsea Vaughn
(Unitarian Church of All Souls (Manhattan). For
pictures of the Annual Meeting,
click here.
Seven
District awards and three District
scholarships were presented
at the Annual Meeting. Congratulations
to all!
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Unitarian Church in
Summit (NJ) -- Mendon W. Smith Award |
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UU Congregation at
Shelter Rock (Manhasset NY) -- O. Eugene Pickett
Award |
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Arnie Herman
(South Nassau UU Congregation (Freeport NY)) -- Unsung
UU Award |
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Linda Volkersz (UU
Fellowship at Stony Brook (NY)) -- Award for Excellence
in Religious Education |
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Martin Lavanhar and
Derek Lavanhar (Unitarian Society of Ridgewood (NJ))
-- Winifred Latimer Norman Award |
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Inez Miller
(Unitarian Church of All Souls (Manhattan) -- June Z.
Gillespie Award |
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Rev. Carol Haag and
Carl Haag (UU Congregation of Princeton (NJ)) --
Jerry Davidoff Award for Lifetime Achievement |
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Travis Compton
(South Nassau UU Congregation (Freeport NY)), Ned
Heckman (First Unitarian Society of Westchester
(Hastings-on-Hudson NY), and Anneliese Morris (UU
Fellowship of Stony Brook (NY)) -- Scholarships |
 The
District has a new logo! Annual Meeting
participants voted for
one of four possibilities. The winning logo (pictured
left) was designed by David Snedden
(Morristown (NJ) Unitarian Fellowship). David's design
allows for rich variations in color (example pictured
below). The new logo will be incorporated into a new
District banner for General Assembly 2009 in Salt Lake City
UT June 24-28. Jim Sanders, Annual Program
Fund District Representative, is designing the new banner.
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Worth Repeating
Registration is open for the
UU Leadership Team Institute
(UULTI) to
be held at Juniata College July 26 through August 1.
UULTI is
a remarkable week-long residential learning
experience that seeks to renew faith, embrace
congregational growth and change, welcome and
nurture all, and fulfill the promise of Unitarian
Universalism in the wider world. All congregational
leaders are encouraged to attend.
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. For a flyer,
click here  . To
register,
click here.
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. For a flyer,
click
here .
For a schedule and description of workshops,
click here
.
To register,
click here.
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.
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
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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
Social Action of the Month 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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 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  .
The District Women and Religion
Committee is sponsoring a
staging of Roots of Rebellion
on May 31 at the Community Church of New
York UU (Manhattan).
The original docu-drama by Laurie James,
Committee co-chair, features women out
of history, involves lively audience
participation, and serves as a
fundraiser for the Margaret Fuller
Bicentennial Committee. For
more information,
click here . |
News From the UUA
 Registration is now open for General Assembly (GA) in Salt Lake
City UT June 24-28. Watch a
video invitation to General Assembly 2009 (Windows Media) (QuickTime)
from President William G. Sinkford. This year's GA 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.
UU
University, a superb lay leadership training opportunity, as now part of
GA programming at no additional cost.
GA delegate credentials have been mailed to congregations and include
instructions for absentee ballots. Congregations can decide whether and how
to instruct their delegates on voting. For more information about the
election, click here .
Three fascinating tours of the Salt Lake City area are
available to those attending General Assembly: Salt Lake City -- The Story
Behind the Scenery on June 23, Great Salt Lake and Antelope Island -- Birds,
Bison and More on June 24, and Little Cottonwood Canyon and Snowbird Tram
Ride on June 24. For information to post,
click here .
For a registration form,
click here .
Five states have now passed legislation granting full marriage
rights to same-sex couples: Connecticut, Iowa, Maine,
Massachusetts, and Vermont. The UUA supports this social justice work
through the
President's Freedom to Marry Fund. Since its inception in 2004, the Fund
has supported 37 grants to UU congregations and groups working on marriage
equality. To make a donation to the Fund,
click here.
The UUA is a little bit greener:
The Congregational
Bulletin, previously mailed monthly to each congregation, is
now only available online. Each month, a notice about the new edition is
emailed to congregations.
Two highly-anticipated reports, which together address the future of
UU ministries to young people, are now available. The
Youth Ministry
Working Group Report and the
Mosaic Project Report each provide concrete steps to build
multigenerational, multicultural faith communities. The Youth Ministry
Working Group Report offers a comprehensive set of recommendations to create
a youth ministry that is spiritually deepening, inclusive, and
anti-oppressive. The Mosaic report is the outcome of a two-year assessment
of the ministry needs of UU youth and young adults of color.
UU
membership professionals and lay membership leaders are invited
to "The Ministry of Membership," a day of learning and sharing on June
24 at the
Hilton Salt
Lake City Center
in
Salt Lake City
UT, before the banner parade kicks off General
Assembly. Organized in part by the Rev. Ben Bortin,
Volunteer Membership Coordinator at the UU Congregation at Shelter (Manhasset
NY), the program features the Rev. Peter Morales
and the Rev. Laurel Hallman, candidates for UUA President, as keynote
speakers. For a flyer and registration form,
click here .
The third
annual Association Sunday is scheduled for October 4. The theme is
Growing Our Diversity, and funds raised will be used in ways determined in
part by a survey to which more than 1000 UUs responded: expanding the
Building the World We Dream About curriculum and associated
resources, supporting congregations who are working to create a Unitarian
Universalism that is racially, culturally, and economically diverse,
and enabling congregations and districts to minister effectively to youth
and young adults who identify as people of color or multiracial. So far, 15
District congregations have signed up to participate. To sign up,
click here,
email associationsunday@uua.org,
or call 917-948-6544.
An online discussion series on the theme of Stewardship
Strategies for Congregations in Challenging Economic Times is
available to congregation and district leaders. The first discussion in the
series was held May 13, and future dates will be scheduled. Register as a
participant and send your questions in advance via email to
apfdirector@uua.org. There is no cost
to participate, and all are welcome. Registrants log on to the Giving and
Generosity Q&A site at http://www.uua.org/giving/qa/. Once at the website, participants follow
along as the panel of responding experts is introduced and questions and
answers are posted one at a time.
Check out these new publications from Skinner House Books:
Earth Day:
An Alphabet Book by Gary Kowalski, illustrated by Rocco Baviera, an
alphabet book that celebrates life on earth, ages 3 and up, $12; Heart
to Heart: Fourteen Gatherings for Reflection and Sharing, by Christine
Robinson and Alicia Hawkins, resources for 14 small group ministry-style
gatherings on topics such as forgiveness, loss, nature, money, and
friendship, $14.
Resources for dealing with the Swine Flu Virus (H1N1 Virus)
and other public health threats are available at
www.uua.org/leaders/leaderslibrary/crisisplanning/index.shtml, including
planning tools and concrete suggestions. Other helpful publications are Swine
Flu Key Facts published by the Center for Disease Control, Faith-Based
& Community Organizations Pandemic Influenza Preparedness Checklist
published by the Center for Disease Control, and Flu:
What You Can Do
published
by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.
News From Congregations
The
UU Congregation at Rock Tavern (NY) unanimously
voted on April 26 to accept a $1.2 million construction
bid and secure a mortgage for the congregation's
new spiritual home. The congregation's original
facilities were lost to fire in September 2006. The Fall
2008 Chalice Lighters call raised more than $30,000 to
help the congregation re-build.
Read more.
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Milestones and Transitions
 The
UU Congregation of Monmouth County
(Lincroft NJ) is pleased to announce that the
congregation has called the Rev. Virginia
Jarocha-Ernst to serve as settled minister.
Rev. Jarocha-Ernst comes from the Main Line
Unitarian Church in Devon PA, where she served as
Family Minister. As the congregation welcomes their
new minister August 1, they will bid farewell with
much appreciation to the Rev. Evan Keely, interim
minister for the past two years. Rev. Jarocha-Ernst
will be installed on November 1.
The Rev. Susan Karlson was
installed by the Unitarian Church of Staten
Island (NY) on April 26. |
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John Hawkins of the First Unitarian Society of Plainfield (NJ) will be performing his song Wade On, Dr. Mason for the 50th anniversary commemoration of the historic wade-in at Biloxi Beach in Biloxi MS. Dr. Gilbert Mason, Sr., led the first public protest against Jim Crow laws in Mississippi, breaking the color barrier at Biloxi’s beaches by going for a swim in May 1959. Dr. Mason also led the effort to desegregate public schools in Biloxi, which is how John came to meet his friend Gilbert Mason, Jr.
The Unitarian Church in Summit co-sponsored with the American Civil Liberties Union of New Jersey a viewing of the Oscar winning film Taxi to the Dark Side on March 2, attended by 160 people who also heard a presentation and Q&A by the film's director, Alex Gibney. On April 12-18, 34 members of the church participated in a service trip to New Orleans to help rebuild houses, as part of the church's ongoing Centennial Celebration.
Bill Slezak, District Chalice Lighters Coordinator, and the Rev. Charlie Ortman, minister at the UU Congregation at Montclair (NJ), are having an excellent adventure! Charlie and Bill began a seven-week, 3021-mile cross-country bicycle trip on April 13 to raise funds for a local soup kitchen. Read Bill's blog.
Other Noteworthy Items
 Denny Davidoff, former UUA moderator and member of the Unitarian Church in Westport (CT), will be presented an honorary degree by the Meadville Lombard Theological School at its commencement ceremonies on May 17. A past member of the school’s board of trustees, Denny now serves the school as Senior Consultant for Development.
The UU Service Committee (UUSC) invites congregations to begin their Guest at Your Table programs on November 22, a meaningful and simple way to incorporate faith in action. The suggested duration is six to eight weeks. Planning resources will be available online and mailed to all congregations by September 1. You can save paper and UUSC’s limited resources by accessing all Guest at Your Table resources online. Email volunteerservices@uusc.org to opt out of receiving resources by mail. March 28, 2010, is the UUSC's suggested date for the next Justice Sunday, with a focus on economic justice.
The Ohio Meadville District Summer Institute invites everyone to help celebrate 30 years of summer family fun July 12-18 at Kenyon College in Gambier OH. Summer Institute is a week-long institute with programming for adults, young adults, youth, and children, and is a family-friendly camp. This year's theme speaker is Thandeka, professor at Meadville Lombard Theological School.
The Asian/Pacific Islander (A/PI) Caucus of Diverse and Revolutionary UU Multicultural Ministries (DRUUMM) was organized in 2003 and "endeavors to build a safe and sacred community among UU members who identify as Asian and Pacific Islander, Hapas or Asian Adoptees." The A/PI Caucus held its 8th annual conference on April 24-26 in Minneapolis MN, and Hot Rice , the A/PI Caucus newsletter, is available online.
In one evening in February, the UU Fellowship of Vero Beach, Florida, raised $45,000 to help Greg Mortenson, author of the book Three Cups of Tea, build schools in Pakistan and Afghanistan through his Central Asia Institute. On the same night the fellowship raised $20,000 to help restore the Florida home of poet Laura Riding Jackson. And it raised $30,000 for itself. That’s a healthy evening’s work for a 170-member fellowship. How did they do it? It’s all about the building -- and a corps of committed volunteers. Read more.
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Upcoming Workshops and Meetings
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and Events
page for these and other events: |
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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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