Last updated: 05/17/2008

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Metro NY Minute -- July/August  2006

  
 
News from the UU District of Metro NY
 
The Rev. Calvin Dame is now Interim Congregational Services Consultant for the District, serving until June 30, 2007. Welcome, Rev. Dame!  

Denise and Jerry Davidoff, members of the Unitarian Church in Westport (CT), received the UUA Award for Distinguished Service at General Assembly 2006 in St. Louis June 23.

The Rev. Hope Johnson and Janice Marie Johnson Acrobat Reader Required received the UUA President's Award for Volunteer Service at General Assembly 2006 in St. Louis June 23. Hope serves as minister at the UU Congregation of Central Nassau (Garden City NY); Janice is a member of the Community Church of New York UU (Manhattan).

The Rev. Orlanda Brugnola, chaplain at the First Unitarian Congregational Society in Brooklyn (NY), received the 2006 Award of the US Chapter of the International Association for Religious Freedom.

  
More Good Stuff to Check Out!

RE-Sources for religious education leaders

Job opportunities around the District

SmallTalk Acrobat Reader Required for small congregations

Action Alerts from the UUA Washington Office for Advocacy

InterConnections for lay leaders

UUA Monthly Mailing  to all congregations

UUWorld.org, UUA's online magazine

UUA News Clips for newsletter editors (Word document)
 

Do you have an inspiring Sunday service to offer? Are you looking for inspiring ideas? Visit the District's new webpage of Worship Service Providers to submit information about your service, or to see offerings already submitted. Our list is small, but growing! 

The UUA Health Insurance Plan has been approved by the UUA Board of Trustees for congregation, District, and UUA employees working more than 1,000 hours per year, to take effect January 1, 2007. Once 500 people are enrolled, final steps will be taken to implement the plan. Open enrollment runs from May 1 to October 15. Complete information -- including benefits offered, a premium calculator, and an application -- is available at www.uua.org/leaders/insurance. District Compensation Consultant Lynn Dash is available to answer questions, or contact Jim Sargent, UUA Health Plan Communications Coordinator. Packets were mailed to congregations in May.

Delegates to General Assembly 2006 Acrobat Reader Required approved a "Peacemaking" Study/Action Issue, a Statement of Conscience on the Threat of Global Warming/Climate Change, and five Actions of Immediate Witness. Delegates also passed a resolution urging congregations to engage in anti-racism work before General Assembly 2007.

The General Assembly 2007 Planning Committee Acrobat Reader Required will sponsor 15 programs that may not be eligible for District Sponsorship. The deadline to apply for one of these program slots is August 31. You can find an application at www.uua.org/ga/ga07/PC_Featured_App.pdf Acrobat Reader Required. The Planning Committee will judge the applications on the basis of how well the workshop relates to the import work of congregations, the growth of UUism, and the theme "Choices That Matter."

Regional Young Adult and Campus Ministry (YACM) Training is being offered October 13-14 at the UU Congregation at Shelter Rock (Manhasset NY), sponsored by the District. Suitable for students, advisors, religious professionals, and lay leaders, these trainings from the YACM Office are one and a half days and offer both basic and advanced skills for organizing, growing, and sustaining UU Campus Ministry groups. Register online at www.connectuu.com or call the YACM Office at 617-948-6463.

The UU Church at Washington Crossing (Titusville NJ) recently unveiled a banner advocating for the right of same sex couples to marry Acrobat Reader Required.  A photo of the banner appears at the website of the Human Rights Campaign.

The Unitarian Church of Montclair (NJ) has been selected by Garden State Equality as the site for a statewide rally to be held on the evening of the day when the announcement is made of the NJ Supreme Court's ruling on equal marriage rights. Since the date won't be known until that time, check the church website or call the church for the latest information: www.uumontclair.org or 973-744-6276.

The UU Congregation of Princeton (NJ) unanimously passed a resolution in support of marriage equality Acrobat Reader Required at it’s annual meeting in May.

The Unitarian Universalist Church (Middletown NY) passed a resolution against torture -- one vote short of unanimous --at its May 21 congregational meeting. The resolution said, in part, "we . . find the use of torture and the inhuman and degrading treatment of other people to be in violation of our principles and our morality."

The First Unitarian Society of Rockland County (Pomona NY) will hold a Children's Book Fair on November 11 to celebrate the start of National Children's Book Week (as well as raise funds for a new playground). If you are a published children's book author and would like to participate in the event, please contact organizer/author Tracey West for more details at 845-620-9690 or purewest@verizon.net.

All Souls Bethlehem Church (Brooklyn NY) recently participated in the 3rd Annual Children of Abraham Peace Walk from a Brooklyn mosque in Bay Ridge to a synagogue in Park Slope. The Church also sponsored a musical performance by the all-women's singing group, Olympia's Daughters.

The UU Congregation of Monmouth County (Lincroft NJ) received certification as a Green Sanctuary Congregation at the 2006 General Assembly. The Congregation is planning a dedication in the near future of its newly installed solar panels.

The Unitarian Universalist Society of South Suffolk (Bay Shore NY) held a potluck fundraiser on the Earth Day weekend in April raising over $800 for five non-governmental demining and survivor assistance organizations.

June 18 was Todd's Day at Yankee Stadium Acrobat Reader Required, in honor of Todd Ouida, son of Herb Ouida, a member of Central Unitarian Church (Paramas NJ). Todd was killed at the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001, and Herb's family established the Todd Ouida Children's Foundation to help children suffering from anxiety disorders. Herb provides a Sunday service about how his family went about "Transforming Tragedy Into Hope."

The First U Rock and Soul Revue is available to play great rock and soul music at UU Coffeehouses and fundraisers. Based at the First Unitarian Society of Westchester (Hastings-on-Hudson NY), the band is made up of professional and aspiring musicians who will doubtless enliven your event. Please contact Rob Carroll.

Ways to the Spirit '06 Acrobat Reader Required is a weekend spiritual retreat at Murray Grove Retreat and Conference Center, Lanoka Harbor NJ, on July 28-30 led by the Rev. Craig Hirshberg and the Rev. Charles Stephens. All are welcome. For more information contact Craig Hirshberg (908- 832-0219).

Junior High Our Whole Lives (OWL) Acrobat Reader Required will be offered at the Fourth Universalist Society (Manhattan) on Sundays, September 10 - February 11, from 2-4 p.m. in a joint effort with the First Unitarian Society of Rockland County (Pomona NY). Other congregations are invited to participate. For more information or to register, contact Laura Beth Brown, DRE, Fourth Universalist Society (Manhattan), at 212-595-1658 x.52.
 
Milestones and Transitionss
 
Having served as Religious Education Coordinator, Bonnie Mykel is now Director of Religious Education at the UU Congregation at Shelter Rock (Manhasset NY).
 
Having served in an acting capacity, Nancy Torres-Vignola Acrobat Reader Required is now Director of Lifespan Religious Education at the UU Church at Washington Crossing (Titusville NJ).
 
The Rev. Harry Green begins as Consulting Minister at the First Unitarian Society of Rockland County (Pomona NY) in September. Previously, the Rev. Green served the District as Congregational Services Consultant.
 
The Rev. Dr. James H. Macomber has begun service as Interim Minister at the UU Fellowship at Stony Brook (NY).
 
The Rev. Ben Bortin is bringing his 21-year ministry to a close at the Unitarian Church of Staten Island (NY). In appreciation of his service, the congregation named him Minister Emeritus on July 9.
 
The Rev. Kate Lehman was named Minister Emerita on June 4 by the UU Fellowship at Stony Brook (NY), honoring her 18 years of service to the congregation.
 
The Rev. Allen Wells Acrobat Reader Required completed his four-year service as Consulting Minister at the First Unitarian Society of Rockland County (Pomona NY). The Society held a special celebration for him on June 18. The Rev. Wells is available for Sunday preaching at District congregations.
 
Kelly Murphy Mason will be ordinained by the Community Church of New York UU (Manhattan) on September 17 at 4:30 p.m.
 
The Rev. Hope Johnson will be installed by the UU Congregation of Central Nassau (Garden City NY) on December 10 at 4:30 p.m.
 
Upcoming Workshops and Meetings
 
Visit the District's Calendar and Events page for these and other events:
 
bullet Unilead Lay Leadership School: July 30-Augusts 5, at the Kirkridge Retreat and Conference Center, Bangor PA. For information, contact Laura Shemick. 
bullet New Director of Religious Education Workshop: Sponsored by the District, August 1-2, at Murray Grove Retreat and Conference Center, Lanoka Harbor NJ. For a flyer and registration information, click here Acrobat Reader Required or contact Andrea Lerner.
bullet UU Identity Renaissance Module: Sponsored by the District, August 2-4, at Murray Grove Retreat and Conference Center, Lanoka Harbor NJ. For a flyer and registration information, click here Acrobat Reader Required or contact Andrea Lerner. 
bullet Elementary OWL Training: Sponsored by the District, August 4-6, at Murray Grove Retreat and Conference Center, Lanoka Harbor NJ. For a flyer and registration information, click here Acrobat Reader Required or contact Andrea Lerner. 
bullet Junior/Senior OWL Training: Sponsored by the District, August 4-6, at Murray Grove Retreat and Conference Center, Lanoka Harbor NJ. For a flyer and registration information, click here Acrobat Reader Required or contact Andrea Lerner.  
bullet Sophia Fahs Camp: Sponsored for the Long Island Area Council, August 13-18, at Shelter Island NY. For information, contact Bernie Kaplan. 
bullet Junior High Retreat: Sponsored by the District Junior Youth Steering Committee, September 16-17, at Harriman State Park, Bear Mountain NY. For information, contact Peter Green.
bullet
Liberal Religious Educators Association (LREDA) District Chapter Meeting: September 21, at Community Church of New York UU, Manhattan. For information, contact Melaney Mashburn.
bullet Legislative Advocacy and Election Day Acrobat Reader Required: October 6, a Pre-NYSCU Conference event, Albany NY.
bullet New York State Convention of Universalists (NYSCU) Conference: October 6-7, at the First UU Society of Albany (NY). Click here Acrobat Reader Required for a registration brochure. For information, contact Joyce Gilbert. 
bullet Young Adult/Campus Ministry Conference: Sponsored by the District, October 13-14, at the UU Congregation at Shelter Rock, Manhasset NY. For information, contact Andrea Lerner or visit http://www.connectuu.com/.
 

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.