Metro NY Minute -- December 2004

Metro NY Minute -- December 2004

Upcoming Workshops, Lectures, and Meetings

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

JrSr OWL Training: Sponsored by the Metro NY District, December 10-12, at the UU Congregation of Princeton (NJ).

Guatemala Activism: Sponsored by the Community Church of NY UU, January 8, 7:00 p.m. Charlie Clemens, Executive Director of the UU Service Committee, and activist Dominga Sic will speak.

YRUU Spirituality Development Con: Sponsored by the Central Unitarian Church, January 14-16, at the Central Unitarian Church in Paramus (NJ). For information, contact Anna Henschel.

RE Philosophy Renaissance Module: Sponsored by the Metro NY District, January 21-22, at the Fourth Universalist Society in Manhattan. For information, contact Andrea Lerner.

LREDA Professional Day: Sponsored by the Metro NY District Chapter of LREDA, February 3, at the Community Unitarian Church UU in Manhattan. For information, contact Britt Cryer.

YRUU Con: Sponsored by the Unitarian Church in Summit, February 4-6, at the Unitarian Church in Summit( NJ). For information, contact Anna Henschel.

Anti-Racism and Diversity Conclave: Growing an Anti-Racist UU Identity: Sponsored by the Metro NY District Anti-Racism and Diversity Committee, February 12, at the Unitarian Church of All Souls in Manhattan. For information, contact Inez Miller at 212-734-0307.

6th National Conference for Large Congregations: Congregations in Good Company: Sponsored by the UUA, February 17-20, in Boston MA.

Meadville Lombard Winter Institute: Sponsored by the Institute with support from the UUA, February 17-20, in Madison WI.

Involve (Learning Differences) Training: Sponsored by the Metro NY District with funding from the Veatch Program and LREDA 21st Century Fund, February 23-25, at the Xavier Center in Convent Station NJ

Resistance and Rebirth: Urban Justice Ministries: Sponsored by the Urban Disciples and the UUA, March 5, at the First UU Church of Essex County in Orange NJ. For information, contact the Rev. Tony Johnson.

President's Roundtable: Sponsored by the Metro NY District, March 12, at the Community Church of New York UU in Manhattan, featuring UUA Moderator Gini Courter. For information, contact Lynda Bluestein.

YRUU Social Action Con: Sponsored by the UU Congregation of Central Nassau, March 18-20, at the UU Congregation of Central Nassau in Garden City NY. For information, contact Anna Henschel.

Growth Conclave: Sponsored by the Metro NY District Growth & Extension Committee, March 19, at the Community Church of New York UU in Manhattan. For information, contact the Rev. Rosemary Bray McNatt.

Junior High Con: Sponsored by the UU Congregation of Monmouth County, April 2-3, at the UU Congregation of Monmouth County in Lincroft NJ. For information, contact Peter Green.

UU UNO Annual Intergenerational Seminar: HIV/AIDS -- Defusing a Biological Time Bomb: April 13-16, in New York City.

2005 District Annual Meeting: Sponsored by the Metro NY District, April 29-30, at the Marriott Hotel in Stamford CT.

Did You Know . . . ?

. . . Achieving Change Together is the theme for the 2005 District Annual Meeting, April 29-30, at the Marriott Hotel in Stamford CT. Highlights of the event include keynote speaker Tom Stites and the first-ever all-congregation choir. Read more!

. . . Gini Courter, UUA Moderator, will be the guest speaker at the Spring President's Roundtable, March 12.

. . . The Unitarian Church in Westport (CT) and the the UU Fellowship of Bellport (NY) will present workshops sponsored by the District at General Assembly 2005.

. . . The South Nassau Unitarian Universalist Congregation (Freeport NY) received on November 13 a citation from County Executive Thomas R. Suozzi for dedicated and exemplary service.

. . . The Giving Network of the UU Congregation of Somerset Hills (North Branch NJ) received this years Somerset County Diversity Coalition Diversity Award on November 18.

. . . UU Women's Association Fall Weekend Renewal on November 12-14 was "one to remember".

. . . The UUA Bookstore and the Church of the Larger Fellowship offer some terrific gift ideas for this holiday season.

. . . For General Assembly 2005, early bird registration is no longer offered, but congregation presidents will still have their registration fee paid by the UUA.

. . . UUA online membership certification is open and ready for business! The deadline for certifying congregation membership numbers is February 1, 2005. Those congregations completing the certification are entitled to delegates at General Assembly.

. . . The IRS has released new mileage rates for business and charitable use of automobiles. Beginning January 1, 2005, the charitable rate is unchanged at 14 cents/mile; the business rate is raised to 37 cents/mile.

More Good Stuff to Check Out!

From District President Lynda Bluestein

From RE Program Consultant Andrea Lerner

Job opportunities around the District

Adjunct Consultant Services available from the District

SmallTalk for small congregations

UUA Monthly Mailing to all congregations

It Bears Repeating!

The District Board has established the Award for Excellence in Religious Education, to be presented annually to an outstanding religious educator in the District.

The time is now! to nominate worthy UU individuals and congregations for the 2005 District Awards, or deserving students for the 2005 District Scholarships.

The Fall 2004 Chalice Lighters Call will help the Fourth Universalist Society (Manhattan) make significant accessibility renovations to their facility. Read a special message from the Society's board president.

The 2004-05 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'd like a copy.

Transitions and Milestones

Mary Collins, Director of Religious Education at the UU Congregation of Danbury (CT), was honored at the congregation's November 21 services for her completion of five Renaissance Modules. Andrea Lerner, District Program Consultant for Religious Education, presented Mary with the UUA's certificate and pin for her achievement.

Carolyn Freud has been named the permanent Director of Religious Education at the UU Fellowship of Huntington (NY).

The Unitarian Society, A UU Congregation (East Brunswick NJ) has officially begun its search in calling a settled minister for September 2005.Though a little behind in the process, the congregation is energized and enthusiastic!