Florida District Unitarian Universalist Congregations

Quick Link List

*************************

Witness for Justice Fund

Our annual District Assembly and the annual General Assembly of our Unitarian Universalist Association are focused on issues of multicultural challenge. Among ourselves in the District, we want to learn how both to honor identity boundaries present in our culture, yet see them as gates to understanding rather than walls of alienation. Our Justice GA focuses on the immense challenges the found in controversial immigration matters.

While this is of concern to all Unitarian Universalists, your District Board is aware that our future always rests in the up-coming generations. Recognizing also that youth and  young adults, and, often, traditionally marginalized people face economic barriers to being engaged in our larger ministries, the Board has authorized the establishment of a Witness For Justice Fund.

Learn More

Contribute to the Witness for Justice Fund

*************************

General Assembly 2012

June 20-24, 2012
Phoenix Arizona

General Assembly 2012 will be a gathering with multiple ways of
engaging in justice work for people of all ages. Joining with
the people of Arizona, we will worship, witness, learn and
work together. We will leave General Assembly grounded
in our faith, energized for justice and with resources to
bring this work home to our congregations. Learn more

New GA Resource Blog Available
Cooking Together: Recipes for Immigration Justice Work

*************************

What’s All This Talk About Regionalization?

Our Unitarian Universalist Association Faces This New Age

“New occasions teach new duties,” asserts one of our great hymns.
Our UUA is learning just that in this time of great change.
You perhaps have heard of “regionalization” and a restructuring
of how our Association works with congregations,
particularly around District services.
The Florida District is part of the Southern Region.

To learn more about this, you are invited to hear this presentation by
the Reverend Teresa Cooley, Director of Congregational Life.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R0vIFWyxrY8&feature=player_embedded
It is an engaging and clear articulation of what’s emerging.

Notes & Commentary from Rev. Kenn – May 5, 2012

This is the time of year most of our congregations shift their leadership focus to the next program year. New officers are installed. Planning retreats are held.

It is also a good time to do a thorough review of your ministries. How goes it? What’s happened with worship and educational attendance this year? How does this year’s membership data (demographics as well as numbers) compare with the previous 5 years? Where are we on our 3-5 year plan (oh, you say, “what plan?” – time to get one going!). What are we doing really well and how we can we do more of that? What’s the buzz? How is our morale?

And, perhaps the most important question: Are we more mature in our understanding of religious conviction and more successful living our values in daily life? And: how do you measure that?

Assessing ministry is a subtle and difficult task, so it is often avoided. However, you cannot plan for where you are going without first knowing where you are. And if you are unclear of your purpose (remember all the admonitions to craft a short statement of purpose or mission?), how will you know what matters most as you move ahead? Review and update your Mission statement!

The District can provide leadership with assessment and planning tools. Do ask if you’d like some assistance. Meanwhile, here’s a quick checklist for your leadership retreat:

• What are we doing well and can improve further?
• Are there pinch-points in our work that can be quickly fixed and put off the agenda?
• On a “doing well” vs. “needs work” basis, how would you rate your:

o Community worship.
o Adult education, faith development.
o Children’s faith instruction/development.
o Member to Member caring & support.
o Congregational involvement in the larger community.
o Leadership development.
o Transparency and integrity regarding stewardship & finances.

Good luck, plan well, be well. I hope you have made your plans for Justice GA next month. I’ll see some of you in Phoenix.

All blessings, Kenn

Notes from Rev. Randy – May 5, 2012

GENERAL ASSEMBLY FOR EVERYONE

By now you have probably designated and registered those delegates your congregation will be sending to Phoenix for General Assembly. Are you one of the many congregations who then still have un-used delegate positions? If so, plan to fill those positions with off-site delegates.

Off-site delegates to General Assembly, by reason of last year’s bylaw change, have the same standing as an on-site delegate; their votes will count and they will have full access to participation in the discussion of all business. Connecting via the streaming video of General Assembly business sessions, a special audio connection for those who wish to speak to the Assembly, and a secure voting module, off-site delegates make use of the capabilities of the Internet.

All the information about registration (which has the same deadline as all pre-General Assembly registration) can be found at:
www.uua.org/offsitega

I have a personal goal of 100% participation in General Assembly by the member congregations in our District. Yes, that’s right! Every potential delegate slot used to engage in the democratic process we claim to value. That would be living our values in a real, demonstrative way.

Will your congregation do its part in that vision?

Rev. Randy

Trustee Tidbits

Joan Lund, May, 2012
jlund@uua.org or 813-931-9727

It’s old news by now but I want all of you who attended the District Annual Assembly to know that it was good to be with you. The program was outstanding and was so appropriate for our upcoming Justice GA, 2012. The importance of as many as possible Florida UUs attending General Assembly (GA) this year cannot be emphasized too much and it is not too late for you to register and find lodgings.

Immigration justice will be part of our GA passionate engagement. Stories abound of congregations throughout our faith working on immigration social justice. One comes from Cedar Falls, Iowa about their support of a local immigrant family after a workplace raid that led to the arrest and deportation of more than 300 workers. The raid received national publicity and created widespread outrage and concern as families were separated, children were left parentless, and people were detained without access legal assistance and support. The UU congregation entered into an interfaith partnership with other congregations/organizations to provide support and community for affected families. After helping a Guatemalan family get jobs, work permits, and social security numbers the congregation has expanded to support other immigrant families in the community.

In Northborough, MA after an unfortunate automobile accident involving alcohol and an undocumented Ecuadorean driver killing a man, UUs joined other groups of faith to listen to the Ecuadorian community of Northborough publicly share the indignities and severity of oppression to which they were being subjected. With the help of other allied communities UUs helped organize volunteers and provided transportation for much needed shopping. This action promoted trust between the Ecuadorean population and the “Anglo” allies. Other problems were tackled by the allies and the experience was both rewarding and valuable to everyone involved.

Is your congregation involved with groups in the community who are helping in the work of righting the wrongs of unfair treatment of immigrants in your area? All of us must be true to our UU values and become involved where immigration work is needed. Ideas abound if you “prowl around” www.uua.org/immigration including “Cooking Together: Recipes for Immigration Justice Work”. Please contact me if you have Trustee questions, concerns, ideas etc. jlund@uua.org or phone 813-931-9727. As Frasier Crane of television sitcom fame would say, “I’m listening.”

Unitarian Universalist Association: Top Stories Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations

Archives

Tags