Now's the Time . . .

. . . for congregations seeking ministerial interns for 2004-2005 to list themselves with the Internship Clearinghouse by November 1. Deadline to apply for an internship stipend grant is October 1. Contact Ken Olliff, Clearinghouse Coordinator, at 773-426-8183.

. . . to put college students on your newsletter list and to notify congregations in their college towns of their presence so they can send a welcome letter.

Young UU Database

Congregations are encouraged to make their youth and young adults aware of a database created by the Youth Office and Office of Young Adult & Campus Ministry. ConnectUU.com is an online database of youth, young adult and campus groups and events and a place where individuals can update their contact information to stay connected with UU groups and events.

Congregations are also invited to register their young adult, youth, and campus groups on this site.

An Organized Agenda Keeps Meeting Moving

Think there might be a better way to set the agenda for your board meeting? Here's an example of a meeting outline recommended by the Ballou Channing District:

Part A: Opening (___p.m.)

1. Call to Order
2. Chalice Lighting and Reading
3. Check-in & Introduce Guests
4. Accept or Modify Agenda
5. Appoint Time-keeper and Process Observer
6. Approve Minutes

Part B: Discussion (___ p.m.)
(A time for open discussion about programs, long range planning, major issues, or for working groups to meet)

Part C : Operating Reports (Standard reports by officers and Staff) (___p.m.)

1. President
2. Treasurer
3. _________

Break

Part D: Operating Decisions (Old and New Business) (___ p.m.)

1. Old Business
2. New Business (including items added to agenda or vote on issues raised in Discussion period)

Part E: Closing

1. Date Reminder and Announcements
2. Process Observation
3. Check-out
4. Adjourn

Sunday Morning Query: To Stand or Not to Stand

Ever wonder if Sunday visitors are made uncomfortable by being asked to stand and introduce themselves? A team from the Community UU Church, Plano, Tex. (192 members), visited a large Baptist Church where the practice is to ask members of the congregation to stand, turn, and greet those near them who are seated.

"We've found this to be a wonderful approach," says the Rev. Douglas Morgan Strong of Community UU. "Visitors love not being put on the spot and our members like to be known. Newcomers report that they find the approach refreshing, low-key and nonthreatening. Our biggest problem is getting folks to stop talking."

Synapse Is Electronic

Because of budget cuts, Synapse, the quarterly magazine for UU young adults, is now available only online.

General Assembly Dates

Making long-range plans to attend General Assembly? Here's when and where they'll be:

June 24-28, 2004: Long Beach, Calif.
June 23-27, 2005: Fort Worth, Tex.
June 22-26, 2006: St. Louis, Mo.

Spiritual Perspectives On U.S. as Superpower

A new book, Spiritual Perspectives on America's Role as Superpower, includes a range of spiritual perspectives. Contributors include Forrest Church, Rosemary Reuther, Lama Surya Das, Matthew Fox, Thich Nhat Hanh, and more. The book, compiled by editors at Skylight Paths, describes how America uses power around the world, including in Iraq and the Middle East. (Skylight Paths, 2003) UUA Bookstore #4162, $16.95.

In Case of Emergency

The UU Church of Palo Alto conducted an emergency preparedness tour of its facility in February. Those invited to participate in the tour, led by church administrator Barbara George, were worship associates, forum participants, children's religious education volunteers, and information table volunteers. The tour covered the location of fire extinguishers, medical supplies, gas and electrical shut-offs, and telephones.

Social Justice Weekend

Social justice committees are advised to save the date of Oct. 24-26 for Civil Liberties Weekend: Religious Witness for Fundamental Freedoms, an interfaith effort to draw attention to civil liberties, says Rob Cavenaugh, director of the UUA's Washington Office for Advocacy.

For more information, go to the Witness for Civil Liberties Weekend website.

Welcoming Visitors As Three Persons

Carmen McDowell, membership director at East Shore Unitarian Church, Bellevue, Wash. invites friends and members to welcome visitors by thinking of three personas:

"First there's the Forrest Gump introduction. Forrest wouldn't miss a beat if he inadvertently mistook a founding member for a newcomer. In that spirit, I walk right up to people and say, 'Have we met before?'

Next there's the Colombo interview. A TV detective, he mastered the art of the curious but easy-going question. Like him, I'm a sleuth, but I don't want anyone to feel interrogated. Everyone comes to East Shore for a reason, for some need in their life that's going unmet. It's my job to help them find a way to get a foothold in this big place. I try to suggest groups or people that they might be interested in. There's a brochure on the rack in the Entry Court whose title says it all: How to get Involved in Programs and Activities at East Shore."

Finally, I try to get in touch with my inner Dorothy Hopper. So many of us were first greeted by her when we came to East Shore that first time. I've noticed how she scans the Entry Court and the coffee hour looking for newcomers standing alone. With a delicious combination of warmth and boldness she introduces herself and then connects them up to the people nearby (and) gets the conversation started. She doesn't fear questions about UU belief or history, and she answers from her heart.

Unitarian Universalist ABCs for Newcomers

Membership committees may be interested in a new book available from the UUA Bookstore, ABC's for UU Newcomers: A Brief Introduction to Unitarian Universalism, by William Cleary (Lilac Mountain Books, 2002). Based on the old-fashioned children's books called abecedaries, this book is designed to lightheartedly introduce adults to the basics of Unitarian Universalism. Each letter introduces a UU concept and is decorated with a rhyming couplet. The book includes heroes and heroines of the Unitarian Universalist movement, interfaith prayers, and prayers from around the world. UUA Bookstore #5656, $6.95.

Antiracism "First Step" Workshop Available

Congregations seeking a "first step" in exploring ways of getting more involved in antiracism and antioppression work are encouraged to consider the "Creating a Jubilee World" workshop offered by the UUA Office for Congregational Justice Making.

The workshop, also known as "Jubilee I," begins on a Friday evening and includes a Sunday worship service. "It's a wonderful way to get a discussion going about the importance of antiracism and antioppression work," says the Rev. Bill Gardiner, director of the Justice Making Resources Office. "We find that a lot of congregations are looking for a first step in this area, but aren't sure what it should be. This program includes small and large group discussions, videos, worship, and music."

He said 145 congregations have experienced the workshop since it was introduced in 1994. Thirty facilitators are available across the country to lead the workshop. The cost ranges from $300 to $700, based on the size of the congregation.

The Justice Making Office also has a "Jubilee II" workshop.

For information on these programs go to the Social Justice webpage, or contact Rev. Gardiner at 617-948-6450.

Web Resources Explain UUA Financial Aspects

The following web pages explain various aspects of the UUA's financial organization and may be helpful in preparing newcomer orientations or educating lay leaders about denominational affairs.