December 2006 Packet - download entire Packet - District Executive - Rev. Dr. Richard Speck's Page This month Richard discusses a disturbing trend of hate crimes that are affecting our churches. He also gives suggestions on how to respond effectively in combating it. - Director of Lifespan Faith Development – Rev. Carol Ann Taylor’s Page Carol has rediscovered an old resource written in 1980 by the Reverend Alexander Meek, Jr. It is called Building Family Religion At Home. Starr Williams was the editor. In preparation for writing this booklet, “Scotty” interviewed nearly 100 individual families from Manitoba, Canada to California to Maine and Florida during a three-month period while on sabbatical. Carol has included some of the philosophy of the writer as well as listed some of the family activity suggestions listed in the booklet. May your holidays be blessed with family and friends. - Director for Growth & Extension – Pat Infante’s Page Pat considers the importance of connections at the holidays and throughout the year. - Director for Young Adult & Campus Ministry – Lyn Cox’s Page Lyn Cox reflects on gathering at the Winter Solstice and year-round for UU students and Young Adults. - Coordinator of Youth Activities – Jan Taddeo’s Page As we enter the season of celebration and remembrance, Jan encourages religious professionals, mentors and parents to engage young people in conversations about religious beliefs. How do Unitarian Universalists fit in the stories of the season? Mark your calendar for WinterCon, send in your Adult Advisor Applications early, and plan now to attend the JPD Spring Conference. - Development Director – Joan Priest’s Page The holiday season triggers a round of fundraising requests, and we are faced with many choices. Our household has chosen to support our local congregation and Chalice Keepers, the JPD Endowment Fund for Growth, in end of the year giving and also by including them in our wills. There are other planned giving options that afford tax advantages and many can provide income during your lifetime. For taxpayers over 70 ½ it is an especially good time to make a gift directly from your IRA and avoid paying taxes on the gift up to $100,000 a year in 2006 and 2007. If you have questions, please contact Joan Priest at joan.priest@fundraiser9.com. - The JPD Board Page Submitted by Rev. Robert F. Renjilian. The JPD Board operates differently from others I have experienced, and is focused much more on connection. Connection to our vision is important, and having local representatives at our meals helps that happen. - The Liveright/Gabriel Fair Compensation and Personnel Newsletter The Liveright/Gabriel Letter this month includes items about “The Church as an Employer” workshop last month, the UUA Board of Trustees approval of the UUA Health Insurance Plan effective January 1, 2007, and UUA recommended cost of living increases for Ministers and church staff in 2007. - District Calendar A listing of upcoming events in and around the Joseph Priestley District. - Announcements This month’s announcements include two position available announcements: one from the UU Fellowship of Lower Bucks and another from the UUs of Gettysburg. - JPD Youth Social Justice WinterCon, January 19-21, UU Congregation of Frederick - Call for Workshop Proposals The theme for the JPD Youth WinterCon is CONservation: an inCONvenient trUUth. We are looking for workshops relevant to environmental issues and global warming concerns. Off-site and service workshops are encouraged. All workshops should be highly participative. More details are in the Workshop Proposal Form. - WinterCon Registration Packet Register early for the best price! Start gathering youth and advisors early – don’t wait until the last week, or it will be TOO late! All registrations must be received no later than January 12, but advisors must send in their JPD Adult Advisor Applications by January 4 – and with the holidays upon us, sending them in by December 15 would be a BIG help!! No registrations postmarked after January 12 will be accepted, and no advisor applications sent after January 5 will be accepted – no exceptions! Register now! Adult Advisor Application. - Planning for Growth and Vitality for Small Congregations A weekend workshop for congregations with membership under 150. The workshop will be held on January 26-28, 2007 at the UU Society of Mill Creek, Newark, DE. Please see flier for more information. - Building Healthy Congregations A series of five workshops for teams from congregations. Each series will be held in the northern and the southern part of the district. See flier for dates, information and registration form. - Volunteer Recruiting: Invite – Don’t Beg! A JPD sponsored day of learning and relationship building lead by Rev. Carol Ann Taylor. To be held at the JPD Offices, Community Service Building Conference Room #105, Wilmington, DE on February 17, 2007. See flier for more details. - Deepening Our Faith: Building Vital Adult Religious Education An intentional Adult RE Program is an essential in healthy UU congregations. The workshop will be led by Rev. Carol Ann Taylor on March 3, 2007 at the JPD Offices, Community Service Building Conference Room #105, Wilmington, DE. See flier for more details. - UUMAC (Unitarian Universalist Mid-Atlantic Community) The 26th Annual UUMAC Summer Institute will be held on July 22-28, 2007 at DeSales University in Center Valley, PA. Theme: The Power of Family Values in Liberal Religious Communities. See flier and www.uumac.org for more information. - Unitarian Universalist Leadership Team Institute A collaborative initiative of The Murray Grove Association and the Joseph Priestley, Metro New York, Ohio-Meadville and St. Lawrence Districts of the UUA. Mark your calendars and spread the word: July 28-August 3, 2007 at Juniata College in Huntingdon, PA. See flier and www.murraygrove.org for more information. - JPD Spring Conference Workshop Proposal The 2007 JPD Spring Conference will be held on April 27-29, 2007 at the Hilton Harrisburg, PA. Now is the time to submit a workshop proposal for one of the four workshop slots available on Friday through Sunday. The deadline for submitting proposals is Friday, December 15th.
November 2006 Packet - download the entire JPD Packet here - Director of Lifespan Faith Development – Rev. Carol Ann Taylor’s Page In November, the Director for Lifespan Faith Development has focused on “building family religion at home” believing, as she does, that parents are the first theologians that children experience. Parents have a unique opportunity to make a significant difference in how their child(ren) views self in relationship to their inner beings, the community around them, and with the universe [or as some would name it – God, the Ultimate Being, Goddess, etc.]
- Director for Growth & Extension – Pat Infante’s Page Pat reflects on the value of having a plan to achieve our highest dreams.
- Director for Young Adult & Campus Ministry – Lyn Cox’s Page In the Young Adult & Campus Ministry column, Lyn reflects on gratitude as an invitation for surprising change. She refers to leadership training, such as the “Growing UU Young Adult Communities” event on November 11 as an opportunity for congregations to pass the gift of UUism on to a rising generation.
- Coordinator of Youth Activities – Jan Taddeo’s Page Jan Taddeo, Coordinator of Youth Activities, provides dates for upcoming events and two ways to energize your youth ministry program.
- Development Director – Joan Priest’s Page Where there’s a will, there’s a way…to live out our Unitarian Universalist values. Making sure that your will is up to date is a thoughtful way to take care of loved ones and perpetuate Unitarian Universalism. A recent survey showed that 60% of Americans lack even a simple will, and the problem isn’t limited to those who have few resources to leave to their heirs. More than 33% of Americans with investment portfolios of $10 million or more don’t have wills. Make sure that your final wishes will be carried out as you would have them done.
- The JPD Board Page This month’s page is a listing of current JPD Board members, along with their contact information.
- UUA Trustee – Rev. Linda Olson Peebles’ Page Rev. Linda Olson Peebles, UUA Trustee from the JPD, reports on highlights from the most recent meeting October 18-22 at the Board of Trustees in Boston.
- District Calendar A listing of upcoming events in and around the Joseph Priestley District.
- Announcements This month’s announcements include an invitation to the Minister Emerita Ordination and 100th Birthday Celebration of Muriel A. Davies; information on a Young Adult Groundwork Anti-Racism Training on January 12-14; and a job posting from the UU Fellowship of Lower Bucks.
- Do-It-Yourself Mission Workshop for an Empowered Youth Group After an overwhelming number of requests for this energizing workshop for youth, Jan Taddeo developed a “DIY” manual so you can facilitate this in your own congregation. When you use this manual, it is greatly appreciated to let Jan know by sending her a copy of your mission statement and objectives! - Mission Workshop Flipcharts - Mission Workshop Participant Journal - Choices: Coming To Terms with the Moral and Spiritual Dimension of Global Warming
Join the Social Action Committee of the PWGT on Nov. 11 for a morning of worship, discussion and action on the vitally important topic of “Global Warming.” - The 2006 Bettoney Lecture
At the First Unitarian Church of Wilmington on November 13 at 7:00 pm. The guest lecturer will be Rev. Katherine Jesch. Please see flier for details. - Religion, Politics and the Liberal Tradition – Dr. E.J. Dionne, Jr. Saturday, November 18, 2006, 2 pm, at the - Building Healthy Congregations A series of five workshops for teams from congregations. Each series will be held in the northern and the southern part of the district. See flier for dates, information and registration form. *********************************************************************
October 2006 Packet - download the entire JPD Packet here Late additions: - A Culture of Endless War? Who is Profiting? Presentation and discussion with G. Simon Harak, S. J. at the BuxMont UU Fellowship in Warrington, PA. To be held on November 4th from 3-5 pm. Please see flier for more details. - The 2006 Bettoney Lecture At the First Unitarian Church of Wilmington on November 13 at 7:00 pm. The guest lecturer will be Rev. Katherine Jesch. Please see flier for details. *************
- District Executive - Rev. Dr. Richard Speck's Page Rev. Dr. Richard Speck talks about two exciting events happening in our district. The first is the Racial Justice Conference of the JPD, Tools for the Journey, on October 21st and the second is the October celebration of the 20th anniversary of our Chalice Lighters program. - Director of Lifespan Faith Development – Rev. Carol Ann Taylor’s Page Carol has focused her October article on the relationship between the qualities of strong families and various religious orientations using Dr. John DeFrain and Professor Kelley M. L. Brigman as her sources. - Director for Growth & Extension – Pat Infante’s Page Pat reflects on the impact and importance of the Chalice Lighters Program as it celebrates 20 years in the Joseph Priestley District. - Director for Young Adult & Campus Ministry – Lyn Cox’s Page Lyn Cox marvels at the many forms of Young Adult & Campus Ministry and announces a Young Adult leadership event on November 11. - Coordinator of Youth Activities – Jan Taddeo’s Page Jan Taddeo, Coordinator of Youth Activities, answers some frequently asked questions about youth groups, clusters and Cons. - JPD Middle and High School Cluster Structure Here’s the current structure for high school and middle school clusters…take a look at who’s in your cluster! Contact Jan Taddeo if you are interested in serving on a Cluster Planning Team at either the high school or middle school level. Don’t wait to be invited to contact a church near you and create an event together! - Development Director – Joan Priest’s Page Special Endowment Workshop on October 14 at the First UU Church of Berks County, Reading, PA. It’s not too late to sign up for the workshop, Endowments 1-2-3 on Saturday, October 14 from 10:00 am – noon. Please bring your questions and any materials that you currently use to promote your endowment or heritage fund. If you are considering starting an endowment fund, the workshop will be a good primer; if you already have an endowment, we will cover best practices and how to promote its growth. You are encouraged to bring as many participants from your congregation as you like for a single registration fee. Please see the enclosed flier for more information and for registration instructions. - The JPD Board Page This month's page is written by Rev. Daniel Schatz. - District Calendar A listing of upcoming events in and around the Joseph Priestley District. - Announcements This month’s we have an announcement from the Neighbourhood UU Congregation in Toronto related to an upcoming trip to Santa Fe, NM. - Exploring World Religions: Part 1 This series is the first new effort in pursuing a new UU congregation in central Delaware. A 4-part free series presented by Rev. Greg Chute of the UU Fellowship of Newark, DE. Please see flier for dates, times and more information. - Building a More Effective Staff Team This workshop will be held on four different dates, one in each of the regions in JPD. See flier for more details and for registration information. - Endowments 1-2-3 This workshop will demonstrate how you can get started and will stimulate ideas to help you promote and grow your existing endowment fund. The workshop will be held Saturday, October 14 from 10:00 am – noon. You are encouraged to bring as many participants from your congregation as you like for a single $10.00 registration fee. Please see flier for registration instructions. - 2nd Annual Racial Justice Conference – Tools for the Journey This event will be held on October 21, 2006 at the Main Line Unitarian Church in Devon, PA. The 2006 JPD Racial Justice Conference will feature workshops about specific approaches that have worked at the national level and in individual congregations. Please see flier for more details and registration information. - Media Relations for Congregations: A Workshop for Communicators and Social Justice Advocates To be held on October 28th at the UU Church of Silver Spring. Presented by the Baltimore Washington Area Growth Committee team for Public Outreach. - Sacred Harvest: Ritual and Spirit in the Season of Ancestors The Unitarian Universalist Congregation of York is sponsoring a fall retreat called Sacred Harvest: Ritual and Spirit in the Season of Ancestors on Saturday, October 28, 2006 from 9 am-3 pm. This retreat will focus on incorporating ritual into our everyday lives. Please see flier for more details and for registration information. - The Church as an Employer “Everything you always needed to know, but didn’t know you needed to ask.” A workshop on November 11th at the Towson UU Church to help develop sound, legal and productive personnel programs for your congregation. See flier for more information and to register. - Growing Our UU Young Adult Communities UUs ages 18-35 who are looking for ways to strengthen your ties to our religious community: if you want to lend a hand, if you want to initiate some action, or even if you are already a leadership veteran, friends, this is your conference. This workshop will be held on November 11th at the First Unitarian Church of Baltimore. - Choices: Coming To Terms with the Moral and Spiritual Dimension of Global Warming Join us on November 11th, at the UU Church of Delaware County, Media, PA, for a morning of worship, discussion and action. The Keynote Speaker will be Dr. Chad Tolman. Please see flier for more details. - Hope for the Future Join the congregations of the northern Joseph Priestley District in reading our next book selection, The Last Hours of Ancient Sunlight, by Thom Hartmann. This book was selected to coincide with the Social Action Committee’s focus on Global Warming.
September 2006 Packet - download the entire Packet - District Executive - Rev. Dr. Richard Speck's Page Rev. Dr. Richard Speck welcomes the new ministers into the district. He discusses change theory and the role of leaders in helping change happen in a system. - Director of Lifespan Faith Development – Rev. Carol Ann Taylor’s Page Your Director of Lifespan Faith Development speaks to the importance of maintaining a healthy balance (personally and professionally) during this high demand program start-up time. She lists two important dates and the names of new people in the JPD Lifespan world. - Director for Growth & Extension – Pat Infante’s Page Pat shares her “Fall Checklist for Growth,” highlighting five proven strategies congregations can employ to maximize growth, along with a short list of resources that congregations of any size will find useful. - Director for Young Adult & Campus Ministry – Lyn Cox’s Page In this month’s column, Lyn reflects on the gifts of Young Adult and Campus Ministry outreach. - Coordinator of Youth Activities – Jan Taddeo’s Page Progress continues in developing high school and middle school cluster planning teams. Please contact Jan if you are interested in serving on a cluster planning team. - Development Director – Joan Priest’s Page Please see the flier, located in this packet, for the Endowments 1-2-3 workshop. If you have questions about fundraising, planned giving, or Chalice Keepers, the JPD Endowment for Growth, please contact Joan Priest at joan.priest@fundraiser9.com. -The JPD Board Page - District Calendar A listing of upcoming events in and around the Joseph Priestley District. - Announcements This month’s announcements include two job postings: UU Church in Cherry Hill seeks an Interim Director of Religious Education and UU Congregation of Columbia seeks a Youth Director. - UU University Youth Con (UUUKON) September 29 – October 1 at the First Unitarian Church of Baltimore. Registration packet now available. New! Optional “Saturday-Only” registration. Saturday night Keynote Event: Inspired Faith, Effective Action presented by the UUA Washington Office of Advocacy. A wide variety of inspiring, fun and interesting workshops are offered that will benefit your congregation! - Building a More Effective Staff Team This workshop will be held on four different dates, one in each of the regions in JPD. See flier for more details and for registration information. - First Regional Gathering of UU Maryland and DC Churches September 30th at the UU Church of Rockville. Celebrate Unitarian Universalism! Make connections with other area UUs! Learn from each other! Build our faith’s future! - A Liberal Religious Revival September 30th at the UU Congregation of Fairfax. Join fellow UUs of the nine Northern Virginia congregations for a day of celebrating our wider UU community and taking steps together to put our faith into action. Enjoy fellowship, children’s activities, teen programs, workshops and intergenerational worship. - Our Whole Lives (OWL) Combined Teacher Training: Grades 7-9 & 10-12 Offered on October 6-8, 2006 at the Temenos Retreat & Conference Center, West Chester, PA. See flier for more details. Registration form is included. - Endowments 1-2-3 This workshop will demonstrate how you can get started and will stimulate ideas to help you promote and grow your existing endowment fund. The workshop will be held Saturday, October 14 from 10:00 am – noon. You are encouraged to bring as many participants from your congregation as you like for a single $10.00 registration fee. Please see flier for registration instructions. - 2nd Annual Racial Justice Conference – Tools for the Journey This event will be held on October 21, 2006 at the Main Line Unitarian Church in Devon, PA. The 2006 JPD Racial Justice Conference will feature workshops about specific approaches that have worked at the national level and in individual congregations. Please see flier for more details and registration information. - Media Relations for Congregations: A Workshop for Communicators and Social Justice Advocates To be held on October 28th at the UU Church of Silver Spring. Presented by the Baltimore Washington Area Growth Committee team for Public Outreach. - Sacred Harvest: Ritual and Spirit in the Season of Ancestors The Unitarian Universalist Congregation of York is sponsoring a fall retreat called Sacred Harvest: Ritual and Spirit in the Season of Ancestors on Saturday, October 28, 2006 from 9 am-3 pm. This retreat will focus on incorporating ritual into our everyday lives. Please see flier for more details and for registration information. *************************************************************************** August 2006 Packet - download the entire Packet - District Executive - Rev. Dr. Richard Speck's Page Richard Speck discusses getting ready for church shoppers in August. He tells of upcoming resources for congregations coming from the UUA this fall. The JPD strategic plan is being implemented. He closes with information on “Tools for the Journey” Anti-Racism Congregation planned for October, 2006. - Director of Lifespan Faith Development – Rev. Carol Ann Taylor’s Page Carol Taylor highlights two upcoming program offerings: “Deepening Our Faith” scheduled for Saturday, August 26th and “OWL Training for 7th-9th and 10th-12th Grades scheduled for October 6th-8th. She has included a piece called “Sisters.” - Director for Growth & Extension – Pat Infante’s Page - Director for Young Adult & Campus Ministry – Lyn Cox’s Page In her first column for the JPD packet, Lyn reflects on the spiritual opportunity for a whole community when a youth Bridges into young adulthood. - Coordinator of Youth Activities – Jan Taddeo’s Page Jan offers and requests bibliography materials to create a comprehensive resource list for youth and adult leaders working with youth. The JPD Youth Activities Calendar is included as well. - Development Director – Joan Priest’s Page Chalice Keepers Continue to Grow: Over 70 individuals and families representing 92 people have pledged support for Chalice Keepers, the JPD Endowment Fund for Growth. Read the names of recent donors who are helping the District to create a revolving loan fund to assist congregations with major capital expenses for land and buildings and make grants for innovative programs promoting growth in the District. -The JPD Board Page The JPD has one of the strongest growth programs in the UUA. As a result, the JPD accounts for a large percentage of the UUA annual growth. Although the JPD growth did not reach the expected level last year, a number of JPD congregations did have a high level of growth. - The Liveright-Gabriel Fair Compensation and Personnel Letter Live Our Values: Now is a time for all good Unitarian Universalists to put their money where their mouth is. Supporting the UU Health Insurance Plan is a matter of justice and equity. Truly a way to uphold the UU Principles; the health plan is our declaration of Healthcare independence. In order for the plan to be viable, it will be necessary for congregations and individual UUs to enroll at least 500 ministers and staff members by October of this year. So far about 300 members are in the plan. Support the plan so that we can reach our required minimum and offer health care coverage to the more than 400 UU employees who have none! Read further for highlights of the plan, ways to determine costs and how to enroll. - District Calendar A listing of upcoming events in and around the Joseph Priestley District. - Announcements This month’s announcements include information on a Northern Virginia Revival and a position available announcement at All Souls. - Deepening Our Faith: Building Vital Adult Religious Education Scheduled for August 26, 2006 from 10 am-4 pm at the JPD offices in Wilmington, DE. Cost is $30 per person and the registration deadline is August 18th. - JPD Adult Advisor Training: September 16, Baltimore; October 7, Gettysburg The Adult Advisor Training is being revamped to better meet the needs of developing youth groups and well-established groups, and to provide a greater focus on youth ministry. These training events will focus on Team Leadership. Special pricing for bringing advisors and youth leaders from the same congregation. Registration Form - Building a More Effective Staff Team This workshop will be held on four different dates, one in each of the regions in JPD. See flier for more details and for registration information. - UUUKON: UU University Youth Conference Workshop Proposal UUKON, September 29-October 1, First Unitarian Church of Baltimore. The deadline to receive Workshop Proposals for UUUKON has been extended through Monday, August 14. Ministers, Seminarians, Religious Educators, Lay Leaders and Youth Leaders are strongly encouraged to offer workshops on Unitarian Universalism, Leadership, Social Justice and Spirituality. Registration forms will be published in the September Packet, and available on the JPD-YSC website (www.jpdysc.org) after August 24. The Con will be open to “one-day” registrants to participate in the Saturday workshops to accommodate youth who are unable to commit to attending a whole weekend event. Mark the date for this amazing new Con offered by the JPD Youth Steering Committee. - Our Whole Lives (OWL) Combined Teacher Training: Grades 7-9 & 10-12 Offered on October 6-8, 2006 at the Temenos Retreat & Conference Center, West Chester, PA. See flier for more details. Registration form is included. - 2nd Annual Racial Justice Conference – Tools for the Journey Save the date! This event will be held on October 21, 2006 at the Main Line Unitarian Church in Devon, PA. The 2006 JPD Racial Justice Conference will feature workshops about specific approaches that have worked at the national level and in individual congregations. |