InterConnections Tipsheet

InterConnections is not the only source of useful information for lay leaders. Check out uuworld.org for articles about UUA changes and congregational activities. Here are some recent ones:

• Ann Arbor congregation uses wind power (alternative energy) 1.10.11

• UU legislative ministries now in 15 states 1.3.11

• UUA plans 50th anniversary celebration (at GA 2011 in Charlotte, N.C.) 12.27.10

• New LGBT coordinator will emphasize trans issues 12.20.10

• Unitarian Universalists honor transgender deaths 12.6.10

• Board approves two-year project to shape UUA’s vision (Will invite congregations to use Appreciative Inquiry to develop ‘shared vision for denomination’s future.) 11.29.10

• Offering a room to asylum seekers (Members of two N.J. UU congregations host political asylum seekers as part of interfaith group.) 11.15.10

• UUs share their own immigration stories 11.8.10

• UUA launches Leap of Faith program (Growth program sets up mentoring relationships for twelve UU congregations; Association Sunday gifts provide funding.) 11.1.10

• 89 UU congregations join Global Day of Action (UUs promote environmental stewardship with ’10-10-10′ events.
) 10.18.10

•UU ministers speak out in support of gay teens (confronting bullying) 10.18.10

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InterConnections is not the only source of useful information for lay leaders. Check out uuworld.org for articles about UUA changes and congregational activities. Sign up for a weekly email about new articles on uuworld.org.

• UUA moves pension fund The UUA decided to move its pension funds from Fidelity Investments to TIAA-CREF after Fidelity refuses to divest from companies doing business in the Sudan (thus contributing to the genocide there). The change will have no effect on congregational pension plans. 5.24.10

• Congregations embrace social media Twitter, Facebook, Meetup, and blogs help to spread Unitarian Universalism. 5.15.10

• UUA restructures staff Reduced funding inspires more effective ways of doing ministry, including focusing social justice work at the congregational level. 5.17.10

• UUA moving toward changes See what changes the UUA has in mind for the election of its president and moderator, reducing the size of the UUA board, and altering General Assembly. 5.15.10

• Read UU World’s comprehensive coverage of General Assembly 2010, June 23–27, on UU World’s GA blog and at uuworld.org.

InterConnections is one of many sources of information for leaders of Unitarian Universalist congregations. Another key one is UU World’s online edition. Here are several articles relating to congregational life that have appeared on uuworld.org over the last few months.

• Faced with budget cuts, UU congregations rally – How congregations are responding to the recession. (4.5.10)
• UU campaign honors Earth Day’s 40th anniversary – UU groups launch campaign called 40/40/40 inviting congregations to gather 40 members who will commit to making a small or large change in their daily habits for 40 days. (3.29.10)
• Two UUA districts agree to share staff – New staff-sharing agreement by the Clara Barton and Massachusetts Bay Districts. (3.29.10)
• Church coffeehouse welcomes GLBTQ youth – First Church UU in Leominster, Mass., gives GLBTQ youth and their allies a place to go for support, community, and fun. (3.15.10)
• Congregations give $326K for UUA diversity initiatives – More than 500 congregations participate in the third annual Association Sunday campaign. (3.1.10)
• UUA contemplates districts’ future – Article describes the UUA’s movement toward UUA regions rather than districts. (2.22.10)
• Congregations benefit from camp experience – How sending multiple church members to camp benefits a congregation. (2.15.10)
• Who owns your congregation? – A congregation’s owner isn’t its board, minister, or members. It is its mission. (2.15.10)
• Transforming the Jericho Road – The Jericho Road Project in Massachusetts links UU professionals with nonprofits in struggling cities in a new way to do social justice. (2.15.10)

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The gospel of inclusion – Article about the experience of All Souls Unitarian Church in Tulsa, Okla., when it welcomed about 200 Pentecostal Christians. By Kimberly French. Fall 2009

UUA staff restructuring – Announcement of a new organizational structure in which staff will be divided into two groups: Ministries and Congregational Support, headed by the Rev. Harlan Limpert, and Administration, led by UUA Executive Vice President Kay Montgomery and Tim Brennan, UUA treasurer and vice president of Finance. By Jane Greer. 9.14.09

Morales and Hallman reflect on UUA presidential race – UUA President Peter Morales, the Rev. Dr. Laurel Hallman, and their campaign chiefs talk about their recent presidential campaigns, including travel, technology, the challenges of identifying delegates, and how congregations might help the next UUA election go more smoothly. By Donald E. Skinner. 9.21.09

Reach out to become a public church. Argues that a Unitarian Universalist church should see the greater good as its primary purpose. By Michael Durall, church consultant 9.7.09

Youth, adults bond through service trips. Service trips are a great way to help people in need. By Donald E. Skinner. 8.31.09

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