E-Mail List Available For Our Newest UUs

Membership committees should know about the new UUA-sponsored e-mail list just for newcomers.

Newcomers@uua.org is closely managed by veteran UUs who provide answers to questions from new UUs.

Newcomers can be on the list for six months by going to www.uua.org/mailman/listinfo/newcomers

Antiracism Book Available from UUA

The Jubilee Working Group of the UUA's Faith in Action department has updated Creating a Jubilee World: Antiracism Resources, a booklet with insights of experienced UU ministers, lay leaders, and organizers.

Topics include historical perspectives, understanding racism, personal stories, poetry, and a section on worship materials.

Obtain the $10 booklet from Susan Gershwin in the UUA Faith in Action department, (617) 742-2100, ext. 642; 25 Beacon St., Boston, MA 02108.
 

Transgender 101 For Welcoming Congregations

Congregations going through the Welcoming Congregation training often feel confused about transgender issues. The UUA Office of Bisexual, Gay, Lesbian, and Transgender Concerns has posted a "Transgender 101" page on the UUA website to clarify the confusion.

For more information contact Barb Greve in the OBGLTC office at the UUA, 25 Beacon St., Boston, MA 02108; (617) 742-2100, ext. 470.

Actions Speak Loudest In Vital Congregations

Often words don't accurately communicate the convictions of our UU congregations. And sometimes, through our actual practice, we communicate more than we may want to about ourselves, says the Rev. Lawrence Palmieri Peers, director of the UUA's Extension Education and Research Office.

For instance, many of our congregations affirm that "Love is the spirit of this church and service is its prayer." Yet minutes later, newcomers may experience aloofness and coldness in our so-called "fellowship hour." 

Examining our practices may give us a more accurate understanding of our congregation than any of our well-crafted mission statements. The most vital congregations practice what they preach. How would your congregation respond to these inquiries?

• In what ways do we express our sense of mission in our surrounding community? How does our community know what we value and believe? 
• What congregational activities do our members report nurture them personally and spiritually?
• Is there a high level of involvement in our congregation's activities? How do these activities express the purpose and values of our congregation?
• How is our congregation's direction and purpose demonstrated?
• How will others who observe us know we are UUs?

New Titles Available, New Shipping Charges from UUA Bookstore

The following books are new at the UUA Bookstore (800) 215-9076. New shipping charges are in effect, based on the dollar amount of the order. Call 800 215-9076 for more information.

Alban Personnel Handbook for Congregations by Edwin Berry. Strategies for managing church staff. Addresses ethical and theological issues. Includes guidelines and forms for interviews, evaluations, benefits. Alban Institute, 1999, $22.95  #7728

Behavorial Covenants in Congregations: A Handbook for Honoring Differences by Gil Rendle. Workbook on living creatively in our congregations despite differences of age, race, culture, gender, theology, and politics. Offers a method of establishing behavioral covenants that includes leadership instruction, training,  sample covenants, and group exercises. Alban Institute, 1999, $12.25  #7729

UUA Denominational Committee Positions Available

The Committee on Committees of the UUA's Board of Trustees is seeking 150 UUs to serve on denominational committees, most for two-year terms that start in January, some for task forces.

Committee members are chosen for their skills and interests in the varied work of the association. Every effort is made to provide diversity in committee appointments. The list of committees and a nomination form are on the UUA website. A form can also be obtained by contacting Nancy Lawrence, 25 Beacon St., Boston, MA 02108; (617) 742-2100, ext.303.

If you'd like to volunteer or if you know someone who is qualified to serve, please fill out a nomination form. To discuss assignments and qualifications in more detail, you may contact committee chair Phyllis Daniel, 4329 Dina Court, Cypress, CA 90630; (714) 527-7001.

Terminology Primer

Vision, mission, covenant. Many congregations have one of each. If you're  confused about them, consider the following, from Walter Herz, a member of First Unitarian Church, Cincinnati, OH, and author of a new book on covenanting. 

Vision—Think of your congregation as on a journey through life. First you need a destination (vision) of what your members dream of becoming. As in: "A beacon of truth, freedom, and justice to our community and the world."

Mission—Next you need a roadmap (mission statement), showing the path to your destination. Example: "We will honor our UU Principles."

Covenant—Finally, empower your congregation with a "covenant" that will impel you along the road to your vision. Example: "We promise one another we will respect and support each member in their search for religious meaning, and that we will walk together in loving association as we live our vision."

Redeeming Time: Endowing Your Church with the Power of Covenant, by Walter Herz, is at the UUA Bookstore for congregations engaged in the UUA initiative Fulfilling the Promise. Skinner House 1999, 125 pp., $16  #7502 (800) 215-9076.
 

New Website Information For Washington Office, UUA Magazines

A new website for the UUA Washington, DC office  is among additions to the UUA website. The Washington site has information on issues, UU statements, and sample advocacy letters. It also has social action opportunities and legislative priorities. 

Other new information on the UUA website includes an index for World magazine.  A General Assembly '99 site includes a list of GA events. There is also a new "UUs Online" section, and a new site for UU&Me! the UU magazine for kids, includes articles and games. 

New Social Witness Procedures at GA

A new denominational process for selecting social action issues comes to fruition in June at General Assembly. The first-ever UUA Statement of Conscience (SOC), titled "Beyond Religious Tolerance: The Challenge of Interfaith Cooperation Begins with Us," will be considered by delegates. 

A process adopted in 1996 provides for the selection of one Study/Action Issue yearly, to be studied by congregations for two years, then becoming a Statement of Conscience. The Interfaith Cooperation topic was chosen in 1997. At GA '98 another Study/Action Issue, "Economic Injustice, Poverty and Racism" was chosen. After study, it will be presented as a Statement of Conscience at GA 2000.

The five Study/Action Issues selected by congregations in April to be considered at GA '99 are: S-3, Responsible Consumption as a Moral Imperative (88 votes); S-8, Advancing the Liberal Vision for Public Education (80); S-5, Improving the Quality of Life for Youth (75); S-1, War on Drugs: A Liberal Alternative (75); S-2, Waking Up to Threat of Global Warming (58).

You can email the Commission on Social Witness at socialwitness@uua.org. It also has a new electronic mailing list (CSW-L) for discussion of commission issues. To subscribe, go to http://lists.uua.org/mailman/listinfo/csw-l.