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April 2023 - In This Newsletter
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- Recent UUA Communications - A Statement in Response to the Nashville School Shooting; UUA Responds to Growing Legislative Attacks Against Trans and Nonbinary+ Kids and the LGBTQIA+ Community; Article II Idea Submission Form Now Live Until April 30, 2023
- Southern Region Events - Article II Processing Session; Southern Region Open Office Hours with Natalie Briscoe; Toolbox Webinar Series; Presidents' Gathering Series
- News - Article II Updates, Resources, and Events; UUA Presidential Candidate Forums; t’s April: Shower Your Staff with Care; Part-Time and Thriving!; UUA Legacy Giving Webinar for Congregations; Autism Acceptance Month; Taproot: A National BIPOC Space; Online UU Theology Series; UUWomenspirit Spring Retreat: Mayan Wisdom for Birthing the New Dawn; Faithify Updates; Upcoming OWL Facilitator Trainings; EqUUal Access Carolyn Cartland Sermon Contest; General Assembly 2023 Updates; News from The Mountain; News from UBarU
- Calendar Listing of Events, Occasions, and Connection Opportunities
- Connections - UU Camp, Conference, and Retreat Centers in SR; Quick Links; Southern Region Staff
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Recent UUA Communications
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A Statement in Response to the Nashville School Shooting
 UPLIFT Action/Side with Love, March 29, 2023
On Monday, three adults and three children were killed at an elementary school in Nashville, TN in a mass shooting that also left the shooter dead. With rage and heartbreak, we acknowledge this horrific act of violence: both the unique, precious lives taken and the all-too-common manner in which this violence was perpetuated.
Our hearts are with the loved ones of those who were killed; with the school and the community who must pick up the shattered pieces in the wake of tragedy; and with all those for whom this latest act of violence will re-expose layers of trauma and grief caused by too many other similar atrocities.
As a nation, we have developed patterns when it comes to acts of mass gun violence generally (this is the 130th so far in 2023), and school shootings particularly. We now have muscle memory of what it will feel like in the coming days as we watch pundits argue about gun control, assault weapons bans, mental health services, school security, and the Second Amendment.
And, because the Nashville shooter has been identified as a transgender person, the white nationalist Christian right is already spewing bigotry and fear to further promote their deadly anti-trans and pro-gun agenda. By focusing on the identity of the shooter in this case and ignoring the fact that the vast majority of mass shooters are white cis men, the forces of white nationalist Christianity are working to intentionally distract us from their own culpability in creating the very conditions that enable attacks like this.
Continue reading
UUA Responds to Growing Legislative Attacks Against Trans and Nonbinary+ Kids and the LGBTQIA+ Community (UUA Press Release, 03/06/2023)
Article II Idea Submission Form Now Live Until April 30, 2023 (UUA Board of Trustees, 03/31/2023)
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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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 Article II Processing Session
A space for lay leaders to connect and reflect on Article II
May 6, 9:00 a.m. Central Time/10:00 a.m. Eastern Time (2 hours)
Congregational lay leaders are invited to come together for a processing session on the proposed changes to Article II of our UUA Bylaws. Our time together will include a brief talk on the History, Governance, and Polity that guided this process, along with guided discussion in breakout groups with your fellow leaders. This event will be facilitated by Southern Region Congregational Life staff.
To prepare for this event please read the Article II Study Report.
Please note - registration spaces are limited. Registration will close on April 30th (or earlier if we’ve reached our maximum capacity). Register today! |
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 Southern Region Open Office Hours with Natalie Briscoe
Congregational leaders and staff are invited to come and talk to Natalie on the following dates/times:
- Thursday, April 13, 6:00 PM Central/7:00 PM Eastern to 7:00 PM Central/8:00 PM Eastern
- Tuesday, April 25, 6:00 PM Central/7:00 PM Eastern to 7:00 PM Central/8:00 PM Eastern
- Thursday, May 18, 6:00 PM Central/7:00 PM Eastern to 7:00 PM Central/8:00 PM Eastern
- Tuesday, May 30, 6:00 PM Central/7:00 PM Eastern to 7:00 PM Central/8:00 PM Eastern
Please send an email to sr@uua.org if you'd like the Zoom link for any or all of these open office hour sessions. (Or check your email inbox, as we previously emailed the Zoom links directly to congregational leaders and staff [presidents, ministers, religious educators, music directors, administrators, and membership coordinators], as reported in MyUUA.org, on March 7th.)
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 Toolbox Webinar Series 2022-23
Toolbox Webinars are compact and efficient one-time training sessions that support congregational leaders and staff. Toolbox Webinars are offered live, monthly, beginning in August, and last up to 90 minutes (most are on second Tuesdays). Learn more and register here.
- April 11 - Pastoral Care and Chaplaincy, with Cameron Young and Rev. Tyler Coles. This webinar will highlight the difference between pastoral care, chaplaincy, and parish care, as well as the unique role for each in your congregation.
- May 9 - Small Group Ministry and Spiritual Practices, with Nancy Combs-Morgan, and Kathy McGowan. Small Group Ministry is particularly critical to the success and survival of UU Communities of any shape and form. Many congregations have practiced some kind of small group ministry, but it may not be what we mean when we say the words. Small Group Ministry is an important shared spiritual practice in a congregation, and when combined with other spiritual practices, can lead to a transformational experience for both congregations and individuals. Join us as we explore these two methods for spiritual growth and learning.
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 Presidents' Gathering Series 2022-23
Presidents' Gatherings are an online space for congregational Presidents, Presidents-Elect, Vice Presidents, and Past Presidents to create a community of learning and collaboration with each other and with Southern Region staff.
Cost per congregational team:
- Complementary for APF Honor Congregations (for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2022)
- $100 for congregations that were not APF Honor in 2021-22
Upcoming sessions and topics (Third Thursdays at 6:00 PM CT/7:00 PM ET):
- April 20 – Odds and Evens
- May 18 - Board Transitions (remember to invite your incoming president!)
Learn more and register here. |
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News
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Article II Updates, Resources, and Events
 How to Participate in the Article II Conversations
Wondering how you and your congregation can contribute to the Article II conversation on the revision of our Principles and Purposes?
- Read the Article II Commission Report (pdf) and watch the video of their presentation (YouTube)!
- Suggest Amendment Ideas! Until April 30, 2023, any Unitarian Universalist may submit suggestions and ideas through an online form for ways they recommend modifying the Article II Study Commission proposal (PDF). In May, discussion groups will be organized to craft the amendments. Check the Article II webpage for more information and details! Submit your suggestions and ideas on the Article II proposal now!
- Commit to attend General Assembly! It might be fun for your delegates to attend this year’s General Assembly in Pittsburgh in person, but your delegates can also attend the business only online GA meetings for no cost. There really is no excuse for not representing your congregation at General Assembly this year. Register for GA 2023 here!
- Plan a good process and select your delegates! How can your delegates represent the overall perspective of the congregation? Members should feel confident that your community’s chosen delegates have sufficient guidance to represent your whole congregation. How to do this? Our nominated candidate for UUA President, Rev. Dr. Sofia Betancourt, suggests some good processes here. Long story short, plan for intentional conversation and broad outreach!
The Article II Commission is looking forward to continued engagement with Unitarian Universalists about this important shift in our theology. Your voice matters!
Article II Resources for Religious Professionals
The Lifespan Engagement Office of the UUA has invited religious professionals in congregations already considering Article II to share their creative ideas and resources, and we are putting all that content together in a public online document that is growing daily. Our goal is to support congregational engagement and shared learning about this proposal. This process itself is faith formation! Every UU community is a little different from the next, so the tools you’ll need to faithfully consider the issue are not one-size-fits-all.
As you consider the Article II proposal in your community, check out the stories, sermons, lesson plans, lectio divina guides, activities, discussion slides and more on the Article II Resource Hub. Consider leaving a note there about a resource if you have feedback to share on how it went – or how you adapted content for your congregation.
What's the next step? The process for amendments begins in April, and is detailed on the Article II page. In June of 2023, there will be a delegate vote requiring a simple majority to move Article II forward. If so, the final vote will be in June 2024, requiring a two-thirds vote to adopt the revision.
 Understanding Article II (UUs of Greater Pittsburgh event)
April 29, 9:00 a.m. Central/10:00 a.m. Eastern (2 hours)
Are you familiar with Article II revision process? Would you like to know how the current revision was arrived at? If you want to know how you can be involved with Article II going forward, and what will be happening at General Assembly 2023; you are invited to join Rev. Sunshine Wolfe and leaders from the Greater Pittsburgh areas as they answer questions related to the Article II revision process.
Article II includes several sections including our current UU Principles and Sources. After time for information and Q&A, participants will have space to communicate with one another about Article II and what it might mean for their congregations and communities.
Learn more and register for this event. Registration closes on April 12.
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 UUA Presidential Candidate Forums
April 29, Evanston IL
May 20, Santa Barbara CA
June 3, Dallas TX
There will be a series of four presidential candidate forums, starting in March, to allow delegates and members to learn more about Rev. Dr. Betancourt. Planned in concert with the Election Campaign Practices Committee with support from UUA staff, each forum will offer both on-site and virtual participation. There will also be an additional forum during General Assembly in June.
All Unitarian Universalists are welcomed and encouraged to engage with the presidential candidate forums and the process as a whole, to ensure our next UUA President may establish the foundation for their leadership with broad participation.
Register for the forum nearest you today!
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 It’s April: Shower Your Staff with Care
Jan Gartner, UUA Compensation and Staffing Practices Manager
Every year, we update our Benefits Tune-up Workbook, one of the most popular resources offered by the UUA Office of Church Staff Finances. It helps congregational leaders understand our benefit plan rules – necessary documents, eligibility criteria, enrollment windows, and more. Ensure plan compliance and take good care for your staff by having good protocol in place for benefits administration!
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 Part-Time and Thriving!
May 13
Save the date for this virtual one-day event designed especially for congregations that have part-time ministry, ministers who are serving congregations part-time, as well as congregations and ministers who are considering part-time ministry.
“The Possibilities of Part-Time Ministry” will take place on Saturday, May 13, 2023, 12-5pm ET/9am-2pm PT, featuring theme speaker G. Jeffrey MacDonald, author of Part-Time is Plenty, Thriving without Full-Time Clergy.
Registration and details available soon!
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 UUA Legacy Giving Webinar for Congregations
May 6, 12:00 p.m. Central Time/1:00 p.m. Eastern Time (2 hours)
The UUA’s Legacy Gifts Office offers a number of services, including an online workshop to assist congregations in creating legacy giving programs. The webinar on Saturday, May 6, 2023 covers the basics of legacy giving and how to set up a legacy giving program in your congregation. We aim to equip congregations with the knowledge they need to start a legacy program. To register for the webinar, email us at legacy@uua.org or call (617) 948-6509.
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 Autism Acceptance Month April 2023
The UUA and UUMA have partnered to offer a series centering neurodivergent voices called Welcoming Neurodivergent People: Skill Up; perhaps you have already participated in one of the live Q and A sessions or watched a recording. April is Autism Acceptance Month, so we think this is a great time to share some resources.
Much of the autistic community has moved away from the blue puzzle piece as symbolization. Blue is often associated with assigned male at birth (AMAB) people and moving beyond the assumption that autism mostly or only affects AMAB people has been a hurdle for the community. Similarly, the oft marginalized community is not a puzzle to figure out.
Let’s learn about the autistic community from those who know best, autistic folx themselves!
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 Taproot: A National BIPOC Space
April 13
The work of the spiritual community is complicated in the 21st century. From busy schedules to the ever pressing tension brought on by systemic injustice, the need for faithful leadership that is grounded and resilient is imperative. This is all the more true for leaders within our communities and congregations who are Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPoC). All too aware of this need, Congregational Life is excited to explore and co-create a network with congregational leaders that support them in this time in emergent ways through Taproot: A National BIPOC Space.
Find out more and register for Taproot.
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 Online UU Theology Series - Open to All!
Wednesdays, April 12-May 17
7:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Central Time/8:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. Eastern (virtual event)
The Faith Forward program out of the First Unitarian Church of Dallas is excited to offer an online session of our UU Theology series for all congregations! This series explores theological concepts through a Unitarian Universalist lens and helps participants clarify and act on their beliefs. Free for current Faith Forward congregation subscribers; $100 for non-subscriber congregations (no participant limit) or $25 per person. For more information or to register, email Faith Forward Coordinator Rev. Lora Brandis at lbrandis@dallasuu.org.
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UUWomenspirit Spring Retreat: Mayan Wisdom for Birthing the New Dawn
 May 17-21, Highlands NC
Join us! At UUWomenspirit’s Spring Event, we will follow the sacred Mayan calendar days, and we will walk together on what the Maya call the Sacred Road, The Sac Be. Our vision is that by honoring the wisdom of the indigenous cultures of this land we live on, coming together in Mayan Sacred time, we can better be in right relationship with Mother Earth, the Divine, ourselves, and each other. The Mayan elders say it is time for ancient indigenous wisdom to be shared with the world to help birth the New Era, a new Great Cycle that is a balance of Divine female and male energies. UUWomenspirit is open to all women age 18 and up, regardless of sex assigned at birth. Scholarships available.
Learn more and register at the UUWomenSpirit website.
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 Faithify Updates
Tap into the power of Faithify today! UU crowdfunding projects with passion are waiting for you. Check out these current Faithify campaigns for Southern Region congregations and related organizations:
Learn more about Faithify and view all current campaigns here: https://www.faithify.org/.
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 Upcoming OWL Facilitator Trainings
April 14-16, Oak Ridge, TN, Level 7-9/10-12
April 28-30, Raleigh, NC, All Adult Levels
April 28-30, Raleigh, NC, Level K-1/4-6
May 26-28, Tallahassee, FL, Level 7-9/10-12
May 26-28, Tallahassee, FL, Level K-1/4-6
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 EqUUal Access Carolyn Cartland Sermon Contest
Since 2016, EqUUal Access has sponsored an annual contest for sermons related to disability. It is named after Carolyn Cartland, an early president of EqUUal Access. This annual contest highlights disability-related themes and topics. Entry deadline: May 1. One cash prize of $500. When feasible, the winner may be invited to present their sermon at an EqUUal Access event during UUA General Assembly. Travel costs to GA cannot be supported.
For more information, please visit Information for Submitting a Sermon on the EqUUal Access website.
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 General Assembly 2023 Updates
June 21-25, Pittsburgh PA and Online
Accessibility Services at General Assembly
Accessibility Equipment at GA is now available for reservation.
Registration is now open!
Register early to secure the lowest rates. Volunteer opportunities and financial support are available.
GA Housing Reservation System is Now Open!
Reserve your housing today! To book your room today, visit the GA Housing Reservation System. Any reservations canceled after May 22 will be subject to a $50 cancelation fee. The housing reservation system will close for new reservations on May 23. Learn more about General Assembly housing options here.
Follow all General Assembly related updates on the UUA General Assembly & Conference Services Facebook Page and by subscribing the General Assembly e-newsletter!
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 News from The Mountain Retreat & Learning Center
Volunteer Work Weekend, April 6 – 9
Join us to spruce up The Mountain – projects on the farm, kitchen, guest housing and meeting spaces, guest services, and more. In exchange for six hours daily work, reduced fee which covers meals.
Music Week, April 23-28
Each day you will enjoy opportunities for group and individual participation and instruction in songwriting, guitar, voice, ukulele and more. You can venture in lightly, explore something new, or dig in deeper and hone your craft.
Join The Mountain team, live in an amazing place and help make a positive difference in our world. Seasonal and long-term positions available. Looking for Program, kitchen, maintenance, farm hands, development associate, and more.
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 News from UBarU Camp and Retreat Center
There is a lot planned at UU Camp and Retreat Center in Mountain Home, TX, this spring and summer!
- Summer Family camp May 26-29 for families of all shapes and sizes
- GenderfUUl retreat June 2-4 for binary or transgender folks
- Young Adult weekend from July 1-4
- SWUUSI camp at UBarU July 16-21
- Star Party Aug 17-20
Visit UBarU's website for all the details and to register!
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Events, Occasions, and Connection Opportunities
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 Upcoming Events
April 10, UUA Board of Trustees Meeting
April 11, Southern Region Toolbox Webinar
April 11, UUA Board of Trustees Open House
April 13, Natalie Briscoe Open Office Hours
April 13, Taproot: A National BIPOC Space
April 20, Southern Region Presidents’ Gathering
April 25, Natalie Briscoe Open Office Hours
April 29, Understanding Article II
April 29, UUA Presidential Candidate Forum, Evanston IL (and virtual)
May 6, Southern Region Article II Processing Session
May 18, Natalie Briscoe Open Office Hours
May 20, UUA Presidential Candidate Forum, Santa Barbara CA (and virtual)
May 30, Natalie Briscoe Open Office Hours
June 3, Presidential Candidate Forum, Dallas TX
June 21-25, UUA General Assembly, Pittsburgh PA (and virtual)
View our complete events calendar here. The complete UUA calendar is available here.
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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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