Intergenerational Service Help on Web

Congregations struggling to develop intergenerational worship services have an ally now at http://www.uuintergenerational.org, developed by the Rev. Greg Ward of the UU Metro Atlanta North congregation, Roswell, GA, and containing guidelines and scripts for ready-to-use services. Examples include Water Communion, Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Environmental Issues, and Teacher Dedication. Webmaster is Bert Christensen, Toronto, ON.

Now is the Time . . .

To identify people in your congregation who would benefit from attending General Assembly next June 21 to 25 in Cleveland, OH, and to offer to pay part of their expenses. Registration is $230 for adult and $120 for ages 14 to 22. Other costs are transportation, hotels, and meals. General Assembly is a good way to inspire members about the larger movement. Think about sending someone who has never gone. Invite those "GA junkies" who attend every year to pick up part of the expense of a first-timer. GA will be at Quebec City in 2002 and Boston in 2003.

Evaluating the Diversity Within Your RE Programs

Here's part of a Diversity in Religious Education Audit developed by the Rev. Tracey Robinson-Harris. For the complete audit send an e-mail to trobinsonharris@uua.org.

• Whose pictures are on the walls and bulletin boards?
• Which cultures, races, experiences do the dolls and toys in the church school represent?
• Is the diversity in your congregation reflected on the RE committee and on teaching teams?
• Which holidays do you celebrate? How? Why?
  

1. Each year, core leaders agree on short-term goals. They agree that barring an emergency, they will not be diverted from these objectives.
2. Leaders trust one another, respecting the work each does. They resist micromanaging.
3. Committees, because they are trusted, can delegate to smaller task forces or teams of three to five people much of the work they previously did themselves.
4. Focus first on small goals and short-term planning to create successes before moving to long-range planning. This prevents leader burnout.
5. Core leaders express a positive, proactive style. They offer their vision and understand their mission well enough to share it publicly. This style symbolizes a congregation "on the move." It is reflected in the newsletter and announcements.
6. Small group entry points are created for newcomers. Each month there are one or more opportunities for new people to meet one another and become integrated.
7. Lay leaders are visible, active participants in the Sunday service, trained to share their faith and spiritual perspectives just as the professional staff share theirs.
8. Special fund-raising is conducted through the year to enhance facilities and carry out social service programs and other initiatives.
9. Committees adopt a permission-granting orientation. Leaders resist the temptation to shut down new entry opportunities for newcomers.
10. Accomplishments, however modest, are celebrated often, and thanks given to those responsible.
    

• UU-LEADER: for governing board members and other key leadership positions
• MEMB-L: for membership committees
• UU-MONEY: for the treasurer, finance, canvass, and investment committees
• JUST-UUS: for social justice committees
• REACH-L: for religious education committees and teachers
• UUA-L: general UUA news
• UUMN: UU Musicians Network, for choir directors and musicians
• WORSHIP-L: for worship committees