(Atlanta, GA — March 2, 2000) The fourth Midsize Church Conference, "Navigating Transitions in the Midsize Congregation," got underway at the Sheraton Colony Hotel in Atlanta following dinner and a welcome from the conference coordinator, Lawrence Palmieri Peers. Peers, who is Education and Research Director for the UUA's Department of Congregational, District and Extension Services, acknowledged the insight of the Rev. Charles Gaines, former UUA Extension Director and currently minister of the UU church in Groton, MA, who started the continental conference concept in 1992.

In presenting the theme for the conference, Peers asked the 350 individuals gathered these questions: "What are those transitions that we are trying to navigate? What are the resources you are calling upon — even deep spiritual resources — to help you move with and through those transitions?" Peers emphasized the team learning approach that the continental conference would use, encouraging participants present with 'teams' from their congregations to ask themselves what are the implications and actions of this learning that can apply to each congregation.

Peers noted that sharing from each other's experiences was key to the learning process, saying, "This becomes an association of congregations when we share experiences and learn from each other."

Peers introduced the evening's speakers, Jean Morris Trumbauer and Roy Phillips.

The midsize church conference continues through March 5, with Alice Mann, consultant for the Alban Institute, speaking on the challenges of navigating transitions in the midsize church.

Reported for the web by Deborah Weiner; formatted for the web by Kasey Melski.

This conference is an Extension Education Program of the Department for Congregational, District and Extension Services of the Unitarian Universalist Association. It is supported, in part, by the Unitarian Universalist Congregation at Shelter Rock Veatch Program.

Conference Program Highlights
Events with updated reports from Atlanta are shown in red.

Keynote Presentation:
"The Emergence of a Gifts-Based Shared Ministry"

Worship:
Sermon by Rev. Bernice King

"Navigating Size Transitions in the Midsize Congregation"
Theme speaker: Alice Mann

Mid-South District Forum to meet the UUA Presidental Candidates

"Charting the waters of change"
A Service by Barbara Wells, Jaco B. ten Hove

"Cultivating The Seed Of The Divine"
A Sermon by Rev. Beth Miller

Adult Religious Education: Going Strong-Going Where?
Speaker: Judith Frediani

Big Gains through Small Groups
Speakers: Bob Hill, Glenn Turner

Bridging the Generations
Speaker: Donna DiSciullo

Capital Campaigns that Raise More Money
Speaker: Carla Kindt

Churchworks
Speaker: Anne Odin Heller

Corruptions of Ministry
Speaker: John Weston

Creating a Culture of Generosity
Speaker: Wayne B. Clark

Cultural Change in the Midsize Congregation
Speaker: Lawrence Palmieri Peers

Effectively Growing your Endowment
Speaker: Jerry King

Evangelism: Letting Our Love Reach Out
Speaker: Peter Morales, Don Southworth

Games to Grow Churches
Speaker: Karen Hutt

Growing Pains on the Path of Anti-Racism: Racial identity Development in UU Congregations
Speakers: Josh Pawelek, Leon Spencer, Tracey Robinson-Harris

It's Hard to Dance When You are Stepping on My Toes
Speakers: John Buehrens, Denny Davidoff

Letting Go: Energizing Congregations for Ministry
Speaker: Roy Phillips

Managing and Resolving Conflict
Speaker: Rosemary Le Page

Meaningful Worship for Congregations in Transition
Speaker: Alma Faith Crawford

Ministry With Families
Speaker: Pat Hoertdoerfer

Moving to a Mission Centered Ministry
Speakers: Margaret Beard, Angela Merkert

Myths and Realities of Organizing and Serving Latinos in the UU Faith
Speakers: Lindi Ramsden, Lilia Cuervo

Paying What's Right, Not What's Left: Fair Compensation for Church Personnel
Speaker: Ralph Mero

The Process of Becoming and Living the Welcoming Congregation
Speaker: Keith Kron

Putting the Web to Work for You
Speaker: Debbie Weiner

Safe Congregations and Right Relationships
Speakers: Pat Hoertdoerfer, Bill Sinkford

Soulful Sundown: Re-Imaging Unitarian Universalist Worship
Speaker: Rev. Marlin Lavanhar

Understanding Congregational Change by Knowing Your Numbers
Speaker: Charles Gaines

Using Dialogue to Discover Balance in the Life of Your Church Community
Speaker: Robert Sarly, Jane Sarly

Worship Web Resource
Speaker: Diane Miller