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Table of Contents Brown vs. the Board of Education / Little Known Facts Accepting Allies/Chalice Lighters Retreating with the Eurpoean UUs Congregational News/UUC Roanoke 50th Anniversary Pastoral Care in Changing Times A Day to Remember/Unitarian Church of Norfolk Takes a Stand Planning for Growth and Vitality in Small Size Congregations TJD/UUA Fair Share Congregations |
Annual Meeting Jamboree This year's Annual Meeting theme, Radical Hospitality, was modeled by everyone attending, including the host congregation, UU Church of Charlotte (UUCC). Eighty-five participants traveled from various congregations around the District to help convene the 2004 Annual Meeting. Folks were warmly welcomed by host minister and one of our newest ministers, UUCC's Rev. James (Jay) Leach. If you were among the lucky participants present, you networked, visited with familiar friends, made new acquaintances, participated in some great workshops and listened to some inspiring messages. The TJD Board and staff provided a "State of the Union" Report on the District. Here are some exciting highlights you missed: The opportunity to vote on the nominees and newly installed TJD Board of Directors that will serve you. The Litany of Installation recited follows: We accept this responsibility. We will be faithful stewards. We will generate energy and enthusiasm for our common work. We embrace the challenges before us with optimism and courage. We will share our common work as broadly as possible. We will strive to deserve your confidence. We will respect your opinions and be guided by your needs… The new members of the TJ District Board of Directors are: The following individuals were elected to the TJ District Nominating Committee: This was final opportunity to witness and be a part of the Welcome Table set by our outgoing President, Leon Spencer, as he reminded us in his rousing keynote speech that radical hospitality means welcoming the stranger in our midst as well as those existing acquaintances and friends. The announcement of Fund for the Future Phase II was rolled out. This new initiative takes its lead from the successful special fund raiser Phase I. Fund for the Future Phase II will support the Life Span RE Program Consultant's position, currently held by Laurel Amabile and the District's anti-racism efforts over the next three years. Participants enthusiastically embraced this initiative and contributed almost $10,000 in cash and pledges over three years. Dynamic workshops ranged from strategic planning, pastoral care, the Fellowship Movement and radical hospitality. We continue to elicit your feedback so that our workshop offerings will reflect your needs. Rainbow Papers - These Papers include board, staff, committee and consultants reports. They provide an overview of what the District is doing to partner with congregations to grow and strengthen UUism in the District. You can read these reports at www.tjd.uua.org/rainbow04.html. Growth and Development Council (GDC) - This Council is currently chaired by Rev. Lori Staubitz. The Council is excited about its work which includes the successful Chalice Lighter Program, Demographics Outreach, and Resource Development. The Growth and Development Council's Retreat, held on April 2-3, produced the following two new initiatives: The Resource Development Team has begun work on a web site that will provide size specific resources to congregations including links to related resources The Demographics Outreach Team (DOT) understand their role as proactive assistance to TJD congregational leaders in identifying potential barriers to growth, providing some resources that can be used in overcoming those barriers, and directing leaders to sources of additional resources. Their initial efforts will be to develop workshops in three areas: churches in transition, demographic resources & information, and information and resources on attracting, integrating, and retaining new members. Leadership Awards - The following awards were presented at the Annual Meeting: President’s Award for Social Justice: President’s Award: Unsung UU: Excellence in Congregational Leadership: Outstanding Newsletter: The following Board members finished their terms of service and receIved certificates of appreciation: Myrtle Hepler presented Dr. Leon Spencer with a crystal clock inscribed “For all the time you have given us. The District” in appreciation for his four years of service as District President. We hope these pictures will entice you to join us October 12-13, 2004, in Augusta, GA, for our Fall Leadership Conference. It promises to be great fun and an inspirational welcome in the new church year. Rev. Meg Riley, Director of the UUA's Director of Advocacy and Witness, will grace us with her presence as keynote speaker. |