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February 11, 2008

Dear Ones,

One of the benefits of being a member of a church, especially a UU church, is the opportunity to practice being a leader. Whether you are laying the foundation for Radical Hospitality, helping people make connections in Small Group Ministry, practicing Compassionate Communication in a listening circle, managing a Board of Trustees facing big decisions, organizing the Annual Giving Campaign, keeping activists abreast of legislative issues or learning opportunities, supporting a work crew on task in New Orleans, teaching a group of teenagers about their sexuality, developing a new adult spirituality program, or directing the company follies of Adam, Eve & Progeny, the leadership skills you master and teach nourish your own spirit as much as they enrich life for the rest of us.

UCW faces the ongoing challenge of embracing a large congregation identity and the “shared ministry” and responsive infrastructure needed to achieve increasingly complex goals. Our ministry “within, among and beyond” is vital and expanding. Frank and I want this congregation to be an inviting and nurturing place for leaders to emerge and grow. Over the next few years we’ll be devoting more energy to inspiring, teaching, organizing, coaching, and recognizing lay leaders in our congregation. There is much to be done here, but no task should feel oppressive or last forever. Small or large, long-term or short, comfortable or challenging, there is a ministry among us that’s right for each of you, some aspect of our community’s work that evokes your passion, connects you to like minds and hearts, and moves you forward on your own spiritual journey. One tedious timewaster we’d do well to ditch is the reinvention of wheels that other congregations would gladly roll our way if we’d only ask. Our national Association (the UUA) and our regional District (Metro NY) regularly arrange for us all to get together to ask questions, share answers, have fun and shop UU. Let me know if any of these opportunities pique your interest. I’m likely to attend all three.

ONE Join the UCW staff for the 2008 MetroNY District Meeting, 4/2-3, at the Marriott in Stamford: Every Heart is a Vessel; Every Dream is a Light. The keynote speaker is the Rev. Dr. Tracey Robinson-Harris, UUA Director for Congregational Services and singer-guitarist Geoff Kaufman brings “truth, humor, and beauty in folk music” to Friday night’s concert stage. Workshops galore and a great UU marketplace too! Click here for more information about the 2008 MetroNY District Meeting

TWO Consider attending the third annual UU University: from noon on Tuesday, 6/24 to Wednesday afternoon, 6/25, right before our annual General Assembly starts in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. Click here for more information about UU University The Rev. Dr. Nick Carter, President of Andover Newton Theological School, is the keynote, his topic: leadership in the borderlands that naturally occur in a context of diversity—diversity of thought, of opinion, of theology, diversity of any kind. “How do we lead a congregation with so many opinions and perspectives?” Check out last year’s very successful UUU. Wow!

THREE The second annual UU Leadership Team Institute is coming the week of 7/28—8/3 at Juniata College in Huntingdon, PA. UULTI 2007 was a total smash hit by all accounts. A residential learning experience for lay and professional leaders sponsored by four Districts including ours, UULTI is designed to help leadership teams renew faith, embrace congregational growth and change, welcome and nurture all, and “Live the Promise of Unitarian Universalism.” For +/- $575 you get room and board, a trip with experts down one of five learning tracks (Governance, Growth, Lifespan Faith Development, Stewardship and Worship Arts) plus opportunities for personal spiritual development in a number of areas. Click here for more information about the UU Leadership Team Institute 

Get hooked on the big picture, friends. It’s a beaut! In there with you,

margie

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