Florida District UUA http://www.floridadistrict.org PO Box 560246, Orlando, Florida 32856, Phone: (407) 894-2119, Fax: (877) 663-9566, E-mail: uuafld@gmail.com Tue, 15 May 2012 15:46:54 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 Notes & Commentary from Rev. Kenn – May 5, 2012 http://www.floridadistrict.org/?p=2935 http://www.floridadistrict.org/?p=2935#comments Sat, 05 May 2012 18:50:31 +0000 jessica http://www.floridadistrict.org/?p=2935 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

]]> http://www.floridadistrict.org/?feed=rss2&p=2935 0 Notes from Rev. Randy – May 5, 2012 http://www.floridadistrict.org/?p=2929 http://www.floridadistrict.org/?p=2929#comments Sat, 05 May 2012 18:50:17 +0000 jessica http://www.floridadistrict.org/?p=2929 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

]]> http://www.floridadistrict.org/?feed=rss2&p=2929 0 Trustee Tidbits http://www.floridadistrict.org/?p=2924 http://www.floridadistrict.org/?p=2924#comments Thu, 03 May 2012 15:03:34 +0000 jessica http://www.floridadistrict.org/?p=2924 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.”

]]> http://www.floridadistrict.org/?feed=rss2&p=2924 0 Trustee Report http://www.floridadistrict.org/?p=2919 http://www.floridadistrict.org/?p=2919#comments Thu, 03 May 2012 14:55:50 +0000 jessica http://www.floridadistrict.org/?p=2919 Joan Lund
Boston, MA, April 19—22, 2012

It has become a “new custom” for those of us who arrive early to UUA Board of Trustee (BOT) meetings to spend some time linking with area congregations or a significant UU group. On Thursday morning I, along with most of the BOT visited the nearly 200 year-old Unitarian Universalist Urban Ministry in Roxbury, MA. UUUM’s mission is to unite communities and transform individuals through education, service, and advocacy. They engage communities and congregations in social action and change with programs that empower youth and adults to realize their full potential. Their work includes: Roxbury Youth Programs After school academic support and enrichment for middle/high-schoolers, weekend exploration/learning activities for elementary-school-age children, summer employment and camp for children and youth), Renewal House (Domestic violence shelter/support/outreach), and United Souls (Support for men in transition). The Board soon realized that a small staff is super involved in the community of Roxbury and manages to sustain their work and location with tremendous help from supporting congregations and volunteers.

What follows will be some of what went on at the meeting (from my perspective) and other information. As always if you have questions/comments in general, or would like further information about the meeting please email/telephone me at jlund@uua.org or 813-931-9727. The April Trustees Packet was posted before the meeting and can be found at www.uua.org through the BOT link. The UUA Governance Manual can be found at http://uua.org/aboutus/governance/policy/index.shtml. As those of you who routinely read the Trustee Report following a UUA Board of Trustees (BOT) meeting already know, the actual BOT meetings are on Saturday and Sunday we spend together. Board committees, working groups, and workshops are held on Thursday and Friday. The tone and spirit of the Board’s time together with the Administration was positive and there was significant agreement on items of importance for the Association. There was much mutual support and collaboration; much was accomplished.

UUA Beacon Hill Real Estate
In an historic decision the BOT authorized the sale of our UUA’s Beacon Hill real estate. Of course at this time there is nothing on the horizon because 25 Beacon has not been put on the market and no suitable location for UUA headquarter offices has been found. But because of BOT authorization a solution to better work and meeting space along with a financial agreement is has been accomplished. Even though traditionalists may fear a loss of heritage the other factors in our need for a new location compelled the BOT to move in that direction.

Governance
The BOT moved and passed a UUA Governance Policy to establish a seven-member Appointments Committee (AC) and one BOT appointed Trustee to do the work of the BOT Committee on Committees, in appointing members to national committees and panels. When considering possible reappointments of committee members, the AC will take into account the goal that committee membership reflects the full diversity of the Association, as well as the need for each committee to have the full range of skills and experience necessary for its work. The AC will consult with groups and organizations, including those traditionally underrepresented in UU leadership, to help inform the appointment process. This Committee will collaborate with the Nominating Committee to develop systems and processes for recruiting, selecting, and training appointees and candidates. The AC may recommend a reappointment resulting in more than eight years of service when failure to allow a term extension would have significant negative impact on a committee’s ability to function.
The BOT accepted President Morales’ Global Ends monitoring report, with a request to continue work on the Operational Definitions for many of the ENDS statements. The BOT will not look again at an ENDS monitoring report until January 2013.

Linkage
The Gathered Here joint initiative of the BOT and UUA Administration has already had conversations in over 100 congregations—capturing meaningful moments, times of growth, and positive developments. The BOT and Staff will reflect on how these positive experiences are relevant to our larger faith and how they might be applied to our collective future. So far almost 120 people have volunteered to conduct these Community Conversations and it is hoped that 200 or more congregations and communities become involved before the initiative is over in October, 2012. It is important to note these conversations may occur wherever UUs—and potential UUs—are gathered and attempts are being made to include them in the process.

UUA President, Rev. Peter Morales
Rev. Morales sent the BOT forty-six page written report prior to the meeting of which highlights will be included. The report introduction outlined the administration’s priorities as defined during the 2011 GA and further detailed in a UU World article which included: getting religion, growing leaders, and crossing borders. In part he stated, “It is through the practice of our religion that we create community, that we strengthen the bonds that sustain us, and that we build compassionate connection to the wider world.” Growing leaders is about learning to trust and empower one another. Vital, healthy communities identify, nurture, mentor, and empower leaders. President Morales believes our spiritual challenge is to learn to reach beyond the confines of our personal social and cultural experience, “cross borders”, particularly the borders of race, culture, and social class. He again reiterated that our faith offers an alternative to traditional mainstream denominations that are losing followers and the evangelical faiths that offer simplified solutions to the complexity of humanity.
In looking ahead Rev. Morales stated our UUA will be solidifying its regional staff group structures to become more economically sustainable, agile, and responsive to congregational needs. Programming will shift even more in the direction of creating learning communities between and among our congregations. A set of strategies is to be developed to connect with UUs beyond our congregational walls. Please contact me if you would like to receive a copy of Rev. Morales’ written report.

General Assembly
Justice GA 2012 is on target to bring an estimated 3400 UUs of all ages to Phoenix where there will be engagement in immigration, racial, and economic justice. Joining with Arizonians folks will worship, witness, learn, and work together. Attendees will leave GA grounded in our faith, energized for justice, and with resources to bring this work to our home congregations. The prime objective for GA will be raising the capacity of all our congregations to engage with community-based partners to do effective advocacy and witness. Over 100 workshops and presentations will focus on justice issues, including topics such as the spiritual foundations of justice work and the theology of justice. There will also be focus on tactical organizing. All participants will have the opportunity to experience social justice through service, witness, and reflection with hands-on projects working directly with Arizona partner organizations. This will include voter registration and direct human services.
BOT passed motion, future GAs: Columbus, Ohio (2016) and Kansas City, MO (2018).

Additional Information
From UUA Secretary as voted and passed by the BOT: Candidates for President or Moderator who have been nominated in accordance with the UUA bylaws will be entitled to be reimbursed by the Association for reasonable expenses for registration, travel, meals, and lodging to attending GAs held one year prior to the election and in the year of the election, and for regular meetings of the BOT held during the period between the two GAs. Each candidate will be provided a single booth space in the Exhibit Hall at GAs held one year prior to the election and in the year of the election.

Award for Distinguished Service to the Cause of Unitarian Universalism: BOT named the Rev. Marjorie Bowens-Wheatley recipient of this award, given posthumously. Rev. Bowens-Wheatley served in our District at the UU Church of Tampa as minister from 2003 to 2006.

Investment Committee: The BOT voted and passed a lengthy a motion authorizing our UUA Treasurer in consultation with counsel to adopt an operating agreement and file a certificate of organization in Massachusetts. There are new details about setting up a new organization to administer the UU Common Endowment Fund. Please contact me if you wish further information.

Alternate Scenarios: The BOT is developing alternate “scenarios” of the long-range environment of UUism for about fifty years in the future, and how our faith might be responding to changing circumstances. The scenarios are one source of information for the BOT to get into reconsideration of the ENDS statements for our UUA. The BOT expects to have revised ENDS by the time the term of this BOT is complete in June, 2013, and pass on to the newly structured BOT useable data/information for its continued work on determining future UUA focus.

Youth and Young Adults (YaYA): Carey McDonald, Director of the YaYA Ministries Office joined the BOT for a brief introduction of what is happening in this Office. A strategic plan was completed in October, 2011. About half of YaYA’s work is related to institutional development, improvement, and interconnection in the youth and young adult ministry area; the other half is focused on entrepreneurial-style projects that focus on promoting dynamic youth and young adult ministry. The YaYA Ministries Offices recognizes the need to content delivered in a variety of ways because our young people consume information through multiple venues. This Office recognizes that youth ministry must be grounded in congregations that support youth and embrace multigenerational leadership, employing best practices and creating online resources.

]]> http://www.floridadistrict.org/?feed=rss2&p=2919 0 http://www.floridadistrict.org/?p=471 http://www.floridadistrict.org/?p=471#comments Fri, 27 Apr 2012 16:00:11 +0000 jessica http://www.floridadistrict.org/?p=471 Florida District Unitarian Universalist Congregations

Quick Link List

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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

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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

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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.

]]> http://www.floridadistrict.org/?feed=rss2&p=471 0 http://www.floridadistrict.org/?p=209 http://www.floridadistrict.org/?p=209#comments Fri, 27 Apr 2012 16:00:07 +0000 jessica http://www.floridadistrict.org/?p=209 May 5, 2012 Florida District Connections E-Newsletter

May 2012 Florida District Packet (1.9 mb, 19 pages)

April 9, 2012 Florida District Connections E-Newsletter

April 2012 Florida District Packet (1.4 mb, 12 pages)

March 8, 2012 Florida District Connections

March 2012 Florida District Monthly Packet (2.7mb, 23 pages)

February 21, 2012 Florida District Connections E-Newsletter

February 9, 2012 – Special Edition E-Newsletter – An Update from Your UUA Florida District Board of Directors

February 2012 Florida District Monthly Packet   (2.6mb, 24 pages)

January 17, 2012 – Special Edition E-Newsletter - Witness for Justice Fund & District Assembly

January 9, 2012 Florida District Connections E-Newsletter

January 2012 Florida District Monthly Packet

December 20, 2011 Holiday Greetings E-Newsletter

December 3, 2011 Florida District Connections E-Newsletter

December 2011 Florida District Monthly Packet

November 4, 2011 Florida District Connections E-Newsletter

November 2011 Florida District Monthly Packet

October 17, 2011 Florida District Connections E-Newsletter

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October 2011 Florida District Monthly Packet

September 14, 2011 Florida District Connections E-Newsletter

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August 13, 2011 Florida District Connections E-Newsletter

August 2011 Florida District Monthly Packet

July 15, 2011 Florida District Connections E-Newsletter

June 9, 2011 Florida District Connections E-Newsletter

June 2011 Florida District Monthly Packet

May 21, 2011 Florida District Connections E-Newsletter

May 6, 2011 Florida District Connections E-Newsletter

May 2011 Florida District Monthly Packet

April 20, 2011 Florida District Connections E-Newsletter

April 2011 Florida District Monthly Packet

March 21, 2011 Florida District Connections E-Newsletter

March 8, 2011 Florida District Connections E-Newsletter

March 2011 Florida District Monthly Packet

February 18, 2011 Florida District Connections E-Newsletter

February 4, 2011 Florida District Connections E-Newsletter

February 2011 Florida District Monthly Packet

January 8, 2011 Florida District Connections E-Newsletter

January 2011 Florida District Monthly Packet

December 21, 2010 Florida District Connections E-Newsletter

December 8, 2010 Florida District Connections E-Newsletter

December 2010 Florida District Monthly Packet

November 8, 2010 Florida District Connections E-Newsletter

November 2010 Florida District Monthly Packet

October 22,2010 Florida District Connections E-Newsletter

October 1, 2010 Florida District Connections E-Newsletter

October 2010 Florida District Monthly Packet

September 17, 2010 Florida District Connections E-Newsletter

September 2010 Florida District Monthly Packet

August 19, 2010 Florida District Connections E-Newsletter

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August 2010 Florida District Monthly Packet

July 3, 2010 Florida District Connections E-Newsletter

June 5, 2010 Florida District Connections E-Newsletter

June 2010 Florida District Monthly Packet

May 10, 2010 Florida District Connections E-Newsletter

May 2010 Florida District Monthly Packet

April 23, 2010 Florida District Connections E-Newsletter

April 5, 2010 Florida District Connections E-Newsletter

April 2010 Florida District Monthly Packet

March 20, 2010 Florida District Connections E-Newsletter

March 4, 2010 Florida District Connections E-Newsletter

March 2010 Florida District Monthly Packet

February 5, 2010 Florida District Connections E-Newsletter

February 2010 Florida District Monthly Packet

January 6, 2010 Florida District Connections

January 2010 Florida District Monthly Packet

December 16, 2009 Florida District Connections E-News

December 2009 District Monthly Packet

November 20, 2009 Florida District Connections E-News

November 5, 2009 Florida District Connections E-News

November 2009 District Monthly Packet

October 21, 2009 Florida District Connections E-News

October 6, 2009 Florida District Connections E-News

October 2009 District Monthly Packet

September 5, 2009 Florida District Connections E-News

September 2009 District Monthly Packet

August 19, 2009 Florida District Connections E-News

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

]]> http://www.floridadistrict.org/?feed=rss2&p=209 0 Notes from Rev. Kenn – April 2012 http://www.floridadistrict.org/?p=2797 http://www.floridadistrict.org/?p=2797#comments Mon, 09 Apr 2012 14:01:26 +0000 jessica http://www.floridadistrict.org/?p=2797 Crossing Boundaries to Stand on the Side of Love

Our 2012 District Assembly was a resounding success, with a good turnout, a challenging program, a unique service-project opportunity, and exciting worship. We thank host congregation, the Unitarian Universalist Church of Jacksonville for their gracious hospitality. We were generously received and well-nurtured. I personally nominate them for next year’s “above and beyond the call” DA award for their model-setting renovation of their building to make it accessible to all. Considerable expense and devoted labor ensured no one would encounter barriers to their full participation.

The learning-model we put forth has had immediate application as our members were invited to cross a boundary upon learning of the tragic murder of Trayvon Martin in Sanford. The clergy offered a resolution to be distributed to the public and to officials. Then, many of our delegates added their names to a companion resolution as well. Click here to read this resolution. Subsequent to the DA, many Unitarian Universalists went to Sanford to participate in the public rally calling for justice. Several of our congregations also participated in social witness events the following week.

So often, congregational life can be a challenge amidst our many and truly diverse aspirations. However, a tragic moment helps us to focus anew. Young Mr. Martin’s death is, sadly, among too many young black men being killed or harmed in our society, still captive as it is to the legacy of slavery and bigotry. There is freedom work for us to do! Remember this the next time you’re in worship or helping out with a church committee, teaching the kids or hosting a guest. We are called ever to the public square to work for love and justice!

The church finally has two enduring purposes, ably summarized a few years ago thus: “To nurture the soul and To heal the world.”

Reflecting this Good Friday as I write, symbol of ancient oppression, I hear the hymn echoing its refrain, “We begin again … in love …!” May it be so.

Rev. Kenn

]]> http://www.floridadistrict.org/?feed=rss2&p=2797 0 Notes from Rev. Randy – April 2012 http://www.floridadistrict.org/?p=2794 http://www.floridadistrict.org/?p=2794#comments Mon, 09 Apr 2012 14:01:08 +0000 jessica http://www.floridadistrict.org/?p=2794 Somewhere along the way I got tagged as a “technology maven.” So it is that I am often asked by congregations about technology. Some of it is very specific (“what model of LCD projector would you recommend?”), but most of it is much more general.

Those general questions take the form of “what technology would you recommend for congregational growth?” or “what technology can we afford as part of our growth plans?”

Since the asked questions probably are only the tip of the iceberg, let me tell you all what I tell those who ask.

The most important technology you can employ in growing your congregation is free.

The simplest is comprised of a system of intertwined reactive elements powered by a connected internal power source: a smile. Newcomers notice quickly if people already involved in a congregation look happy, pleased to see each other, and welcoming of newcomers into that joy.

The software most recommended is also free, but may need some installation or training: active listening. People coming through our doors want to feel that their questions, their lives, their dreams will have a place in the congregation. They detect this by how well we listen to them.

The best gaming program I have seen in congregations: getting involved. Newcomers don’t want to sign up for a year’s worth of committees nor be recruited for the next round of grudge rehearsal, but they are usually eager to be part of a team that will put on a dinner, install a playground, plan a social witness event. They want to see where an hour of their time connected with an appreciated use of their energy and insight can make a difference. They want to fit in AND make a contribution.

Without doubt, the most outstanding financial program for congregations: vision. People do not give to need, they give to vision. Newcomers want to understand that what they give to the congregation will help to transform the world.

A visionary, engaging congregation filled with smiles and open hearts, minds, and ears is inviting.

No audio/video package, no podcasts, no social media, no management software can even approach what those simple human technologies can offer.

So smile, listen, invite, and dream . . . and you will see that newcomers will get hooked on those qualities as well, because your congregation will be the kind of place that they . . . and you . . . will want to be.

Rev. Randy

]]> http://www.floridadistrict.org/?feed=rss2&p=2794 0 Trustee Tidbits – April 2012 http://www.floridadistrict.org/?p=2780 http://www.floridadistrict.org/?p=2780#comments Mon, 02 Apr 2012 19:27:52 +0000 jessica http://www.floridadistrict.org/?p=2780 Joan Lund
jlund@uua.org or 813-931-9727

As far as I am aware, I am totally of European descent; I have no American Indian heritage. I know the American history I was taught in school was fraught with inaccuracies and I am never able to completely understand the anguish experienced by Indigenous Peoples. I am also a faithful UU who is called to support the appeal of Indigenous Peoples, which means supporting the implementation of the repudiation of the Doctrine of Discovery. I believe when we respond to our Indigenous Peoples’ we embrace our UU Principles, exemplifying the words of Theodore Parker: “I do not pretend to understand the moral universe; the arc is a long one, my eye reaches but little ways; I cannot calculate the curve and complete the figure by the experience of sight; I can divine it by conscience. And from what I see I am sure it bends towards justice.” (1853)

Two pieces of information you need to know: 1) Delegates to GA 2010 charged the BOT with accountability to partner organizations in Arizona, 2) Those partner organizations asked that we work on the issue of the Doctrine of Discovery. Our partners in Arizona have asked us to learn, bear witness in the Phoenix community, provide assistance through specific service opportunities, worship and grow together. We will leave Arizona ready to partner and work together for human rights in our own communities.

Please study the 2012 Justice General Assembly UUA materials when they arrive in your congregation. There will be over 100 workshops, lectures, panel presentations, film screenings, and worship services. The UUA website states, “These programs will educate and prepare participants to build the capacity of UUs to stand in opposition to systemic racism and to witness on immigration, racial and economic justice.” In addition National Public Radio’s Maria Hinojosa, Mexican/American broadcast journalist will deliver the Ware lecture; and Rev. Karen Tse, human rights defender, international human rights attorney, and UU minister will deliver the Service of the Living Tradition sermon.

According to my colleague Rev. Michael Tino, we need to, “Answer the call of accountability to people whose history, color and first language dehumanize and silence them in our nation”. We need to answer the call to BE the faith response to the symptom in a national illness of racism that needs to be countered with faith and love. I look forward to joining my Florida UU colleagues in Phoenix. As I said after GA 2011, I hope more Florida UUs will be part GA 2012 than ever before in the history of our District.

]]> http://www.floridadistrict.org/?feed=rss2&p=2780 0 Notes from Rev. Kenn http://www.floridadistrict.org/?p=2744 http://www.floridadistrict.org/?p=2744#comments Fri, 09 Mar 2012 02:34:07 +0000 jessica http://www.floridadistrict.org/?p=2744 March 8, 2012

The 2012 Annual Assembly of Congregations in the Florida District meets in just a few weeks, March 23-25, at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Jacksonville. This special edition of Florida District Connections gives you the latest updates, including our detailed schedule.

This Assembly takes on a new shape as we literally follow our theme – Crossing Boundaries – by going into the local community to become partners in service to justice. Learning how to partner intentionally with others in the cause of justice is the ambition of this Assembly.

This “ministry of inclusion” requires an open mind and an open heart, plus a willingness to stand on the side of love in new ways. Our encounters will be multi-cultural as we cross theological and social boundaries.

I look forward to learning with you and coming away transformed by this time together. See you in Jacksonville!

Rev Kenn

PS: Check out the video invitation from our host minister, Rev. Ron Hersom. Click here to view the YouTube video.

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