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TJ Connection - Fall 2002

Table of Contents

Fall Leadership Conference 2002

District President’s Column 

Qiyamah’s Corner 

Ministerial Matters 

October is Clergy Appreciation Month

Lifespan REmarks 

Field Staff Calendar 

Greetings from TJD RE Committee

Your Wild(e) Trustees Report 

District YouthCON 

TJD Welcomes New Comp. Cons.

TJD Fair Share 

Support Beacon Press 

UUs Reflect on Ann. of Sept. 11 

Healthy Cong. Cons. Team 

In Memoriam 

Large Church Conference Info 

District AntiRacism Trans. Team

News From the Greenville UU Fellowship

TJ UUs to Visit Transylvania 

Learning Center for Leadership Report 

Open Positions 

District Calendar

District President's Column

by Dr. Leon Spencer, TJ District President


As I move into my second term as president of the Thomas Jefferson District, I'm acutely aware of how crucial it will be for us to accept the financial challenges we face as an opportunity to "saddle our dreams as a faith community." A goal for me as District President is to relate with each committee and congregation in the district (large and small), and to be in association and partnership around our mutual needs, accountability, and shared ideas. Since our last meeting, I have been actively involved working as a team with our Vice President, district staff, committees and the District Presidents' Association. I continue to be involved with congregations through talks, attending congregational functions, and consultations. I am extremely appreciative of the guidance provided by our Finance Chair, Cyndy Bailes, and the hard work of our Treasurer, Jan Humphrey. I am fortunate to have a board, staff and committee members who are dedicated, hard working and committed to our UU principles. 

Since my last column, I attended the UUA General Assembly and visited congregations as well as consulting with staff and committees. Myrtle Hepler and I attended the District Presidents (DPA) meeting at GA. We hope to work as a team in DPA activities. Myrtle is always willing to share her skills and has stepped in as president on a number of occasions, especially as I deal with family illness and the death of my uncle.

Monthly conference call meetings for the Board Executive Committee seem to be helpful in increasing involvement of the board beyond the Executive Committee. Another goal for the coming year is to be intentional about inviting more involvement of the Board in committee work. I have proposed that district board members be liaisons to congregations, professional ministry and district committees as a way to increase involvement, and to strengthen connections between committees, the district, and congregations. In response, at our August retreat the board has established a liaison system with congregation and professional ministry. This effort is being led by our Vice President, Myrtle Hepler. Soon each of you will be hearing from a representative of the board. We want to hear what your hopes, wishes and needs are and how we can work in association to build a strong community of Unitarian Universalism in our district. We welcome your thought and ideas. 

In faith,

Leon