Last updated: 05/17/2008

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Metro NY Minute -- September 2007

  
 
News from the UU District of Metro NY
 
The Metro NY District Board of Trustees is pleased to announce that Douglas Zelinski has accepted the role of Acting Program Consultant for Growth and Leadership Development for the 2007-2008 fiscal year. Doug will join the staff on September 16.  Read more Acrobat Reader Required from Jerry Muntz, District President, and Harlan Limpert, UUA Director of District Services.
Are you interested in presenting a workshop at the 2008 District Annual Meeting? The Annual Meeting planners would like to hear from you. The 2008 District Annual Meeting will be held May 2-3, 2008, at the Marriott Hotel in Stamford CT. Workshops should fit the theme of "empowerment," one of the systems in Larry Peer's analysis of congregations. To quote Larry: "The empowering system finds ways to help each person discover his or her spiritual gifts and passions; it supports people in using them for the benefit of the entire congregation." In this way, our vision of  "shared ministry" becomes real, with ordained and lay persons working together to build and sustain our communities. Click here to enter your workshop proposal.
 

More Good Stuff to Check Out!

Worship Service Providers available to District congregations

RE-Sources for religious education leaders

Job opportunities around the District

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
A highlight of the 2008 District Annual Meeting will be the presentation of the 2008 Annual Awards Acrobat Reader Required, and you are invited to submit a nomination for one or more of four awards. The nomination deadline is March 1, 2008. 
Sixteen District congregations welcome new staff this year. Acrobat Reader Required A total of 24 new ministerial, religious education, music, administrative, membership, and social justice professionals begin service. Congratulations!
The deadline for applying for the Spring 2008 Chalice Lighters Call has been extended until October 1, 2007. Click here Acrobat Reader Required for an application form.
Showcase your congregation at General Assembly 2008 in Fort Lauderdale June 25-29, 2008! The District can sponsor up to two Congregation Showcase events and is now soliciting proposals. The deadline is November 15. Click here to submit a proposal. The GA Planning Committee also is soliciting proposals for featured presentations, workshops, worships, lectures, presentations, and performances. All applications must be received by October 15. Click here Acrobat Reader Required for application guidelines.
October 14 is the first Association Sunday, a UUA initiative created "to recognize and support, both in spirit and financially, the national work of the Association." Congregations are asked to take a special collection on that day, and to register with the UUA Stewardship and Development Office by emailing associationsunday@uua.org or calling Cherisse Haakonsen at 617-948-6544. As of September 4, 22 District congregations Acrobat Reader Required have registered so far. Association Sunday is part of "Now is the Time!", a five-year comprehensive fundraising campaign to generate $20 million in immediate resources and $30 million in legacy covenants.
The UU Leadership Team Institute was a tremendous success! A collaborate initiative of the Metro NY, Joseph Priestley, Ohio-Meadville, and St. Lawrence districts and Murray Grove, the week-long Institute July 28-August 3 was attended by more than 100 UUs. The Community Church of New York UU (Manhattan) sent one of the largest teams of leaders, including Winifred Zubin, president, and Janice Marie Johnson, Director of Lifespan Religious Education. Read first-person accounts Acrobat Reader Required of Community Church participants' experiences.
Weekend Renewal, sponsored by the UU Women's Association and the District Women and Religion Committee, November 9-11 at St. Josephat's Retreat House, Glen Cove, Long Island, will feature Danielle Gioseffi, winner of the 1990 American Book Award for her compendium Women on War, International Voices. The weekend's theme is "Women Making Peace." Laurie James will lead a round-the-table reading of Lysistrata. For more information, contact Reena Kondo at 212-724-0438 or reenakondo@verizon.net.
The Long Island Leadership Institute -- a training opportunity for members of Long Island congregations -- spans six Saturday from October through April. If interested in attending, contact your congregation president or minister.
Need help with worship? Here are some excellent websites to visit.
bullet Worship Service Providers: Speakers available to District Congregations.
bullet Worship Web: chalice lightings, opening words, meditations and prayers, readings, responsive readings, rituals, hymns, sermons, closing words, quotations from the Wayside Pulpit, and more.
bullet Best of UU blog: prayers, reflections, and sermons.
bullet Covenant of UU Pagans website: rites, rituals, and readings from the pagan tradition. 
bullet UU Young Adult Network and Campus Ministries website: tips for contemporary worship. 
bullet UU Intergenerational website: resources for intergenerational services. 
bullet Sample script Acrobat Reader Required: a complete guide for lay-led services. 
bullet Recommended hymns: From both Singing the Living Tradition and Singing the Journey; especially appropriate for congregations without professional leadership or accompaniment.
The UUA announced a major change in policy toward Independent Affiliates Organizations, resulting in only four of the roughly 50 Independent Affiliates Organizations having their status renewed:  CU2C2 (Council of UU Camps and Conferences), DRUUMM (Diverse & Revolutionary UU Multicultural Ministries), Universalist Convocations, and UU Urban Ministries. Read more about the policy from UUA Secretary Paul Richter.
 The UU United Nations Office has announced that Sumon Vangchuay-Berse will serve as Acting Executive Director of the UU-UNO while the Search Committee finds and selects a new Executive Director to replace Jim Nelson.
 The 2008 UUA Bookstore catalog Acrobat Reader Required is now available. This is a great resource for finding titles of interest from the UUA, Skinner House, Beacon Press, and other publishers. If you would like one or more copies sent to you, contact the bookstore at bookstore@uua.org.
Subscribe to UUA-L email list and stay up-to-date with UUA news and information. This announce-only list currently has 2,000 subscribers, the UUA's largest email list. Click here to subscribe to UUA-L. For a complete list of UUA email lists, click here.
 The Unitarian Universalist Congregation at Rock Tavern (NY) has contracted with Alfandre Architects of New Paltz to begin designs for the Congregation's new building on the site in Orange County where the old building burned down. The Congregation is planning a capital campaign this fall and is grateful for all the help the Congregation has received. Read more Acrobat Reader Required.
The First Unitarian Society of Westchester (Hastings-on-Hudson NY) continues efforts to recover from significant damage suffered in a nor'easter storm last April. Donations to the Society's Storm Damage Recovery Fund can be mailed to the First Unitarian Society of Westchester, 25 Old Jackson Ave, Hastings-on-Hudson NY 10706. Read more Acrobat Reader Required from Susan Greenberg, Society president.
The UU Congregation of Queens (Flushing NY) is sponsoring Awakening the Spirit, a UU Revival on September 28-30. The weekend's activities include preaching, youth programming, and a BBQ. Preachers include the Rev. Hope Johnson, the Rev. Lilia Cuervo, Ian White Maher, and Tom Stites, former UUA Director of Communications.
The Lakeland Unitarian Universalist Fellowship (Wayne NJ) is undergoing a revitalization. On the verge of closing in early 2006, the Fellowship has hired a new minister, the Rev. Ann Benedetto, grown its congregation, and put up its first web site at www.luuf.org. Over the summer, members spruced up the grounds and 80-year-old meeting house in time for regular Sunday services after Labor Day. Read more Acrobat Reader Required.
Music and UUs are a natural combination! Take the opportunity to visit one of these UU music venues: Grounds and Sounds Cafe, UU Fellowship at Stony Brook (NY); Common Ground Coffee House, First Unitarian Society of Westchester (Hastings-on-Hudson NY); Garden Stage, UU Congregation of Central Nassau (Garden City NY).
The First Unitarian Congregation Society in Brooklyn (NY) created the volunteer position of Ceremonies Coordinator, and Becky Huffman loves her work!  Read more Acrobat Reader Required from Becky.
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, appeared on "The O'Reilly Factor" television program on July 19, speaking out in favor of sex education in the elementary grades. Watch the YouTube video. Read Acrobat Reader Required the Rev. Haffner's description of her appearance. Read the uuworld.org article.
All Souls Church UU in West Brattleboro VT sponsors fundraising B&Bs for those who would like to spend a weekend this October enjoying the area. Click here Acrobat Reader Required for a flyer and more information.
Facilities of the UU Church of the Blanchard Valley in Findlay, Ohio, were heavily damaged by recent floods. Part of the Ohio-Meadville District of the UUA, the congregation lost their piano, sound system, chairs, curriculum, books, and supplies. Donation checks for the recovery effort can be made payable to the UU Church of Blanchard Valley and mailed to the Rev. Beth Marshall, 400 Hillcrest Ave, Findlay OH 45840. Read more Acrobat Reader Required.
The current issue of Agenda for Change, a publication of Dick Gilbert, Social Justice Coordinator of the St. Lawrence UU District, is now available. Click here Acrobat Reader Required.
 
Milestones and Transitionss
 
The Reverend William Feinberg ended his call with the UU Society of South Suffolk (Bay Shore NY) on August 31. He continues to minister as a chaplain/pastoral care provider with Hospice Care Network in Woodbury NY.
 
Bob Janis-Dillon will be ordained by the Universalist Church of West Hartford (CT) on September 23. Bob is currently serving as Acting Minister at the First UU Fellowship of Hunterdon County (Baptistown NJ).
 
The Rev. Julie Newhall will be installed as Minister at the UU Congregation of Somerset Hills (North Branch NJ), on October 14 at 4:00 p.m.
 
The Rev. Galen Guengerich will be installed as Senior Minister at the Unitarian Church of All Souls (Manhattan) on October 28 at 5:00 p.m.
 
Linda Goonewardene will be ordained by the First Unitarian Society of Plainfield (NJ) on November 4 at 4:00 p.m.
 
The Rev. Dr. Patrick O'Neill will be installed as Senior Minister at the First Unitarian Congregational Society in Brooklyn (NY) on November 4 at 4:00 p.m.
 
Michael Tino will be ordained and installed as Minister by the UU Fellowship of Northern Westchester (Mount Kisco NY) on November 4 at 4:00 p.m.
 
Upcoming Workshops and Meetings
 
Visit the District's Calendar and Events page for these and other events:
 
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Junior High Retreat: September 15-16, Harriman State Park, Bear Mountain NY. Click here Acrobat Reader Required for a flyer. Click here to register. For more information, contact Peter Green.
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Liberal Religious Educators Association (LREDA) District Chapter Meeting: September 20, Fourth Universalist Society (Manhattan). Click here Acrobat Reader Required for flyer. Click here to register. For more information, contact Melaney Mashburn.
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Youth Advisor Workshop, September 22, UU Church of Washington Crossing (Titusville NY). Click here Acrobat Reader Required for a flyer. Click here to register. For more information, contact Andrea Lerner.
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Homecoming 2007: Rebooting the Human Heart: September 29, Murray Grove Retreat and Conference Center, Lanoka Harbor NJ.
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Awakening the Spirit, A UU Revival: September 28-30, UU Congregation of Queens (Flushing NY). 
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YRUU I Think I CON: October 5-7, UU Fellowship at Stony Brook (NY). Click here Acrobat Reader Required for a flyer. Click here for more information. Click here to register. Or visit the Metro NY YRUU website: www.metroyac.org.  
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Leadership Development Day: October 6, UU Congregation at Shelter Rock (Manhasset NY). Click here Acrobat Reader Required for registration flyer.
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New York State Convention of Universalists Annual Meeting: October 12-13, UU Society of Oneonta, Oneonta NY. Click here Acrobat Reader Required for a flyer.
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Adult and Young Adult Programs OWL Training: October 19-21, Morristown (NJ) Unitarian Fellowship. Click here Acrobat Reader Required for a flyer. Click here to register. For more information, contact Andrea Lerner. 
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YRUU Leadership Development CON: October 19-21, Fourth Unitarian Society of Westchester (Mohegan Lake NY). For more information, contact Corinne Hallander.  
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Presidents Roundtable: October 20, Community Unitarian Church at White Plains (NY). For more information, contact Andrea Lerner.
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Elementary Grades OWL Training: November 2-4, UU Congregation at Shelter Rock (Manhasset NY). Click here Acrobat Reader Required for a flyer. Click here to register. For more information, contact Andrea Lerner.
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Junior/Senior High OWL Training: November 2-4, UU Congregation at Shelter Rock (Manhasset NY). Click here Acrobat Reader Required for a flyer. Click here to register. For more information, contact Andrea Lerner.
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Long Island Leadership Institute: November 3, location to be announced. For more information, contact Reba Siniscalchi.
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UU Women's Association/District Women and Religion Committee Weekend Renewal: November 9-11, St. Josephat's Retreat House, Glen Cove, Long Island NY. For more information, contact Reena Kondo at 212-724-0438 or reenakondo@verizon.net.
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Annual Conference and Interfaith Service for Peace: November 11, Princeton University Chapel, Princeton NJ. UUA President Rev. Bill Sinkford will preach. Sponsored by the Coalition for Peace Action.
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Youth Advisor Workshop, November 17, Unitarian Church in Westport (CT). Click here Acrobat Reader Required for a flyer. Click here to register. For more information, contact Andrea Lerner.
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YRUU Working CON: November 30-December 2 (tentative), Unitarian Church of All Souls (Manhattan). For more information, contact Corinne Hallander.  
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YRUU Rock and Run for Justice: December 28-30, First Unitarian Society of Westchester (Hastings-on-Hudson NY). For more information, contact Kasey Neiss.
 

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.