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December 2020 - In This Newsletter
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- Southern Region and UUA Communications - In Loving Memory of Reverend Doctor Hope Johnson
- Southern Region Events - Toolbox Webinars and Presidents' Gatherings continue
- News – What’s Your Vision for Unitarian Universalism?, UUA General Assembly 2021, New Day Rising Conference, Support from the UUA Office of Church Staff Finances, UU Congregation of the Low Country Faithify Campaign, What Brings Us Together: Reflecting on the First Six Months of the Article II Study Commission, Claiming Our Spiritual Leadership, Congratulations and Celebrations, inSpirit Holiday Gift Guide, UUA Publications Update
- Calendar Listing of Events, Occasions, and Connection Opportunities
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Southern Region and UUA Communications
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 In Loving Memory of
Reverend Doctor Hope Johnson
It is with heavy hearts that we write these words: Rev. Dr. Hope Johnson passed away this past weekend from respiratory complications. Hope’s spirit and wisdom live on in the depth and breadth of the work she accomplished and the hearts and souls she touched. Her influence was profound. Hope graced the Southern Region Team with her wisdom, humor, elegance, and love. The Southern Region Staff Team will miss her every day. If you are struggling with your grief please reach out to us.
We at the UUA are sharing our heartbreak that our colleague, the Rev. Hope Johnson, passed away on Saturday from complications related to long-term respiratory issues. Rev. Hope has been on the UUA’s Congregational Life staff since 2015, serving in the Central East Region and had just recently taken on leadership of the new Congregational Conflict Engagement Team with the Rev. Tandi Rogers.
Throughout the UUA staff, and throughout our movement, so many knew and loved Hope from her work with congregations and religious professionals through the UUA, as well as her work with Diverse Revolutionary Unitarian Universalist Multicultural Ministries, Black Lives of UU and other UU Black, Indigenous and People of Color communities and the professional community of ministry. She was also loved by the congregations she served as minister and by her home congregation of Community Church New York. Her loss is a deeply personal one for so many, and her decades of ministry have been an incredible contribution to our faith.
Hope is survived by her twin sister Dr. Janice Marie Johnson, Co-Director of Ministries and Faith Development at the UUA. There is a CaringBridge page set up by the family and they ask that messages be sent through this link: https://bit.ly/3lsDOMw.
We know there is much more to say and do to honor Hope’s legacy, but for now we simply express our sadness at her passing. Our larger faith community has lost so many treasured leaders, elders, mentors and family members this year. May we all hold one another a bit closer and tend to each other through our grief.
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Southern Region Events
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Save the date for these upcoming Southern Region events!
Plan ahead, as registration deadlines may apply. Be sure to scroll all the way through this newsletter to learn more about additional events offered by clusters, congregations, and other Unitarian Universalist organizations. View our Southern Region events calendar here.
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Presidents’ Gatherings 2020-21
The Southern Region Presidents’ Gatherings are an ONLINE space for Presidents, President-Elects, and Vice Presidents to create a community of learning and collaboration with each other and with Southern Region Staff. For the convenience of our lay leaders, two sessions are offered each month to increase accessibility. This series of gatherings is offered free of charge for APF Honor Congregations and is $100 per congregation for non-Honor Congregations. Download a printable flyer here. Learn more and register here.
Upcoming sessions and topics (Third Wednesdays at 7:00 PM ET or the following Thursdays at 12:00 PM ET):
- December 16 & 17, Trauma (please note, our topic for this month has been revised)
- January 20 & 21, Shared Ministry
- February 17 & 18, Leadership Development
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Toolbox Webinars 2020-21
The Southern Region Toolbox Webinars are compact and efficient one-time training sessions, offered monthly, that support congregations and congregational leadership. Toolbox Webinars are offered live, and recordings of these live sessions are sent to all participants who registered for the webinar. Learn more and register here.
Upcoming sessions and topics (Second Tuesdays at 7:00 PM ET):
- January 12, Practicing Shared Ministry
- February 9, Systems Perspective on the Congregation
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News
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 What’s Your Vision for Unitarian Universalism? We Want to Hear from You!
The Unitarian Universalist Association seeks visionary and flexible Unitarian Universalists to serve the committees, commissions, and boards that work with staff and the UUA Board of Trustees to carry out the mission of the Association. If volunteering at the Associational level is of interest to you, please consider serving in volunteer leadership.
We’re actively recruiting to fill openings on the following volunteer bodies, which will be elected into position at General Assembly 2021. Submit an application for these by the January 15, 2021 deadline:
- Board of Review
- Board of Trustees
- Commission on Appraisal
- Commission on Social Witness
- Financial Advisor
- General Assembly Planning Committee
- Nominating Committee
Rolling applications for appointment on the following volunteer bodies are also currently being accepted: the Appointments Committee, the Audit and Risk Committee, the Election Campaign Practices Committee, the General Assembly Planning Committee, the Investment Committee, the Ministerial Fellowship Committee, the Open UUA Committee, the Presidential Search Committee, the Religious Education Credentialing Committee, the Retirement Plan Committee, the Socially Responsible Investing Committee, and the UUA Employee Health Plan Trust.
If you already know which volunteer body would best suit your abilities and talents, please submit an application for that committee/commission/board. However, if you’d like to serve, but you’re unsure of where your skills would be of best use, or the volunteer body on which you were hoping to serve doesn’t have any openings at the moment, we encourage you to fill out a general interest form. That way, as positions open, members of the Nominating Committee, Appointments Committee, or staff will know your interests and how to reach you.
The work our dedicated volunteers do is vital to Unitarian Universalism as a faith movement. Transform your vision for Unitarian Universalism into reality - VOLUNTEER!
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UUA General Assembly 2021 WILL BE VIRTUAL!
 The UUA Board of Trustees passed a resolution making the 2021 UUA General Assembly a 100% virtual event. Let’s reach record-breaking attendance on June 23-27, 2021.
Why Virtual General Assembly? General Assembly is the annual gathering of Unitarian Universalists, where we conduct business of the Association, explore the theological underpinnings of our faith, and lean fully into our mission and principles. That remains true even when we cannot gather physically. Last year, GA had more than 4,900 registered attendees participate from remote locations around the world. Although we give up the face-to-face interaction and hugs that are prevalent when we meet in-person, we retain our dedication to community and make our experience more accessible and more environmentally sustainable.
“Circle 'Round for Justice ● Healing ● Courage” is the theme for GA 2021. General Assembly is a time to circle ‘round in community. We circle ‘round in care and healing; for liberation and justice; and for love and courage.
Registration opens December 1st. Registration for virtual GA 2021 is $200 per person. Financial aid for registration as well as a payment plan are available. General Assembly registrants receive access to the 2021 Online Participation Portal, including live, simulive, and on-demand video content, the virtual exhibit hall, chat features, support, and a (new!) GA mobile app.
Program Proposals are now being accepted. There are two deadlines for submissions of program proposals: Phase 1: Due January 15; Phase 2: Due January 29.
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Save the Date: New Day Rising Conference
February 27
Is your congregation ready to take a new step in racial justice work? Want to learn what your fellow congregations are working on, and how you might apply it at home? Join a continent of UUs as we explore next steps in creating Beloved UU Communities.
On Your Own: Watch compelling video TED-talk style testimonials from selected congregations around the continent sharing their learnings, hopes, and next steps in their quest for racial equity in their congregations.
Together, via Zoom: Worship·Workshops·Caucusing. With plenty of breaks! Saturday, February 27th, 9a-6p PT/10a-7p MT/11a-8p CT/12n-9p ET. This event is brought to you by your Unitarian Universalist Association.
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Support from the UUA Office of Church Staff Finances
Does your leadership role entail responsibilities related to supporting staff or budgeting for staff? The UUA Office of Church Staff Finances has a wealth of personnel-related resources available through their homepage, Benefits, Compensation, and Aid Funds, all designed to help you make sure that your congregation is a faithful employer – faithful to the law and to our values. Stay current by subscribing to Compensation and Staffing News, their monthly newsletter. Check out the November issue, which included articles on staff-sharing, salary recommendations and resources, and timely Retirement Plan reminders.
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 Faithify Campaign from UU Congregation of the Low Country, Bluffton, SC
Student Tech Connect, Connecting Students to their Teachers & Classrooms
COVID-19 has drastically increased the disparity in public educational opportunity. Student Tech Connect supplies the technology to connect underprivileged students to their classrooms over the internet. Help disadvantaged students thrive with your contribution to this Faithify campaign! Learn more and donate here. |
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What Brings Us Together: Reflecting on the First Six Months of the Article II Study Commission
The Article II Study Commission (A2SC) was appointed at the 2020 Virtual General Assembly, to complete a review of the Principles and Purposes of the Unitarian Universalist Association. This process is outlined within the bylaws of the Association and is required every 15 years. The A2SC has released an introductory message and reflection of their first six months engaging their charge. Read the Commission's introductory message here.
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 Claiming Our Spiritual Leadership
Claiming Our Spiritual Leadership, originally developed as a popular in-person workshop by the New England Region staff, is now accessible nationwide as an online training through the UU Leadership Institute!
Consider taking this training if you and your congregation are looking for ways for congregational life to be more about:
- soulful engagement with your faith;
- finding energy and meaning in the gifts already present in your congregation; and
- the transformative power of communities living their values in ways that challenge dominant culture — both within and beyond the congregation.
Learn more and register here.
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 Congratulations and Celebrations
Congratulations to Rev. A.J. Galazen, recently ordained by Denton UU Fellowship, Denton, TX!
Congratulations to Rev. Edward Proulx, recent ordained by Greenville UU Fellowship, Greenville, SC!
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 inSpirit Holiday Gift Guide
Make the holiday season a little easier this year with the holiday guide from inSpirit: The UU Book and Gift Shop! We’ve highlighted some of our favorite gift ideas in the guide and hope these small joys bring some comfort and delight in these challenging times. Free standard shipping on orders of $50 or more within the U.S. is available now through December 13th. You can also browse our beautiful and ethically made holiday cards and check out our new books for children and teens. Your purchase from inSpirit contributes directly to the work of the Unitarian Universalist Association to support our congregations—thank you. We wish you a safe and happy holiday season!
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UUA Publications Update
December’s update includes the announcement of the newest book published by Skinner House—This Day in Recovery: 365 Meditations, the inSpirit Holiday Guide, a new post for the Beacon Broadside about Vice President-elect Kamala Harris by interfaith family expert Susan Katz Miller, and December’s group read for the Justice and Spirit UU Book Club on Goodreads. Read the complete update here.
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Events, Occasions, and Connection Opportunities
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Upcoming Events
Online Events & Webinars
December 5, SR Online Extended Leadership Experience
December 16 - SR Presidents' Gathering
December 17 - SR Presidents' Gathering
January 9, SR Online Leadership Experience – Winter 2020
January 12, SR Toolbox Webinar
January 20, SR Presidents’ Gathering
January 21, SR Presidents’ Gathering
February 9, SR Toolbox Webinar
February 13, SR Online Leadership Experience – Winter 2020
February 17, SR Presidents' Webinar
February 18, SR Presidents' Webinar
February 27, New Day Rising Conference
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Camp, Conference, and Retreat Centers within the Southern Region
The Mountain Retreat and Learning Center, Highlands, NC
UBarU Camp and Retreat Center, Mountain Home, TX
Shelter Neck UU Camp, Burgaw, NC
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