Last updated: 05/17/2008

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Metro NY Minute -- October 2007

  
 
News from the UU District of Metro NY
 
In an unprecedented partnership with Time magazine, the UUA has launched its first national marketing campaign in 50 years. A full-page ad Acrobat Reader Required for Unitarian Universalism appears in the October 15 issue of Time magazine, on newsstands now. Additional ads will hit the newsstands on October 26 (cover date November 5), November 23 (cover date December 3), and December 21 (Person of the Year Edition, cover date December 31). Two of the issues' ads will be two-page-spread "advertorials." Time magazine has a weekly readership of 21 million people. Supporting the national marketing campaign are hospitality and belonging resources and advertising resources prepared for congregations. Read UUA President Rev. Bill Sinkford's Pastoral Letter on Welcoming and Hospitality (October 3).
  

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

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
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 October 1, 33 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.
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.
Presentation of the 2008 District Awards and 2008 District Scholarships will be a highlight of the 2008 District Annual Meeting. You are invited to submit a nomination for one or more of four awards, and to encourage youth to apply for a scholarship. The nomination and application deadline is March 1, 2008. 
The Spring 2007 Chalice Lighters Call has raised just over $18,000 for the First Unitarian Society of Plainfield. The Fall 2008 Call will focus on Association Sunday, part of the Now is the Time campaign of the UUA. Congregations are asked to activity support Association Sunday. Congregations that were not able to participate in the Spring 2007 Call for Plainfield may do so this fall. Read more Acrobat Reader Required from Bill Slezak, District Chalice Lighters Coordinator.
The 2007-08 District Directory, part of the District's online Contact Information System, is now available at a password-protected website. Contact your congregation's Minister, Board President, Director of Religious Education, or Administrator if you would like a copy of the Directory. The Contact Information System includes the Directory and a variety of other resources, including email lists and mailing labels.
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.
The Rev. Bill Sinkford, UUA President, is headed to Capitol Hill on October 10 with the Rev. John H. Thomas, the United Church of Christ's General Minister and President, to tell congressman to end the war in Iraq. The Rev. Sinkford will bring a petition with more than 25,000 signatures. Read more.  
The UUA has produced a 10-minute DVD  titled "Voices of a Liberal Faith—Unitarian Universalists" sharing important background information and inspirational messages about our religion, including our history, theology, worship experience, religious education, social justice, and inclusiveness. Each congregation has received multiple copies and is invited to order more. The DVD is especially suitable for visitor orientation and/or new member classes, among many other uses. Read more. Watch the video on YouTube.
The District Young Adult Steering Committee (YASC) has been engaged in various activities to expand and enrich the Unitarian Universalist young adult community in the District. YASC organized a two-day Social Justice Retreat at the Murray Grove Conference Center held  August 3-4, 2007. YASC is actively working on developing a comprehensive Vision and Mission Statement for the young adult community. YASC has also planned a District-wide, one-day Vision Conference. The conference is scheduled to take place at Community Church New York on October 13, 2007.
 The Lifespan Faith Development Staff Group of the UUA has announced the online publication of "Spirit of Life," a nine-workshop curriculum for adults written by renowned minister and author Barbara Hamilton-Holway. The nine workshops of "Spirit of Life" explore spirituality for UUs, using the lyrics of Carolyn McDade's song "Spirit of Life" as a starting point and framework. Read more Acrobat Reader Required.
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.
 Background checks at substantially reduced prices are available to congregations who are insured by Church Mutual through a special arrangement with ScreenNow. Read more.
 The Thyme for Change Cafe premiered on October 5 at the Lakeland UU Fellowship (Wayne NJ) with a performance by GaiaWolf. The Thyme for Change Cafe will be held the first Friday of each month. Organic foods are offered, and a "peace and justice store" is in the works. All proceeds benefit the Fellowship.
 The UU Fellowship of Poughkeepsie (NY) ministerial aspirant, Sally Anderson, has set out to design appropriate uses for the Fellowship's "back 40".  Calling it "The Big Back Yard Project," Sally is heading a team of gallant landscapers and earth movers as they design and install a relaxation area, play area, labyrinth, memorial garden beautify the Fellowship's "Big Back Yard."
The Ouida family have been active members of Central Unitarian Church (Paramus NJ)  for many years. Read the story of how they have worked to transform the loss of their son Todd on September 11 from tragedy to hope.
 The UU Fellowship of Poughkeepsie has recently added to its musical spectrum a Hymnbook Choir, under the leadership of Lois Olson. Rehearsing before the Sunday services, the choir uses rotating accompanists and sing from the new supplement, Singing the Journey as well as from Rise Up Singing. The Fellowship continues to use Singing the Living Tradition for congregational singing.
The Unitarian Society of Ridgewood religious education program sponsors the Sienna Project to build schools in mountain villages of Guatemala, honoring the Rev. Martin Lavanhar's three-old daughter, Sienna, who died unexpectedly last May. The Rev. Lavanhar was a member of the Ridgewood congregation prior to entering divinity school. Read more Acrobat Reader Required.
The Unitarian Church in Westport (CT) welcomes Perry Montrose as Director of Religious Education and Jason Kiska as Youth Program Director. Perry comes from All Souls UU Congregation (New London CT) where he built a strong religious education program. Jason has worked with youth for over 10 years and brings a Master's Degree in Teaching and Foundations plus study in Marriage and Family Therapy to his new position. Jamie Forbes, the former Director of Religious Education for eight years will remain with our RE program as Director of Youth Outreach, focusing on Coming of Age and Youth Group Social Justice.
Mickey Kranz, member of the UU Congregation of Central Nassau (Garden City NY), recently received recognition in New Orleans by the Supreme Court of Louisiana and the Louisiana State Bar Association for her work as a volunteer attorney in the Gulf Coast area damaged by Katrina.  
The Rev. Forrest Church, Minister of Public Theology at the Unitarian Church of All Souls (Manhattan), is the author of So Help Me God: The Founding Fathers and the First Great Battle Over Church and State, recently published by Harcourt. According to Publishers Weekly, "Those who think that the past holds clear and reassuring lessons for today will be hard put to find them here. In this beautifully crafted and timely work, Church (author or editor of 22 books) takes us through the complex thoughts and actions of the nation's founders in a way that will give pause to most readers . . . This is an important work that delights and informs."   
Are you a subscriber to UUA-l, the UUA's news and information announce-only email list? This email list currently has nearly 2,000 subscribers and is the UUA's largest. It is a low-volume list carrying important UUA news and information. For information on subscribing to UUA-l, visit lists.uua.org/mailman/listinfo/uua-l. If you have news that you believe should be sent out to UUA-l subscribers, contact Deborah Weiner at 617-948-6104.
 
Milestones and Transitionss
 
The Rev. Bob Janis-Dillon was ordained by the Universalist Church of West Hartford (CT) on September 23. Rev. Janis-Dillon 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.
 
Michael Tino will be ordained by and installed as Minister by the UU Fellowship of Northern Westchester (Mount Kisco NY) on November 4 at 4:00 p.m. The ceremony will take place at Mount Kisco Presbyterian Church, 605 Millwood Rd (Route 133), Mount Kisco NY. Note this is a change in time from previous announcements.
 
The Rev. Dr. Patrick O'Neill will be installed as Senior Minister at the First Unitarian Congregational Society in Brooklyn (NY) on November 18 at 5:00 p.m. Note this is a change in date from previous announcements.
 
Upcoming Workshops and Meetings
 
Visit the District's Calendar and Events page for these and other events:
 
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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). Click here Acrobat Reader Required for a flyer. Click here to register. For more information, contact Mallory Davies.  
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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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Colleague Conversations: October 25, Fourth Universalist Society (Manhattan). 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, UU Fellowship of Huntington (NY). 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.
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Long Island Leadership Institute: January 12, location to be announced. For more information, contact Reba Siniscalchi.
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YRUU CON: January 18-20, UU Congregation of Monmouth County (Lincroft NJ). For more information, contact Corinne Hallander.  
 

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.