TJ Connection - Winter 2002

Life is Delicious!
We are building our district to support the increasing demands for district services as we thrive and grow. The UUA reports TJD is the fourth largest district and the second fastest growing district in the UUA.

As the year draws to a close I am mindful of how blessed we all are, even in the midst of much uncertainty. Even as the district struggles with balancing its budget, it is growing and expanding its membership and vision.

Please join us for as many district events as you can this approaching year, especially the Annual Meeting, April 11-13, 2003 in Charleston, SC and in October, 2003 at the Fall Leadership Conference (date and location to be announced).

The next time many of us will speak with and see one another, it will be a new year. May we move boldly into the new year holding high the light of Unitarian Universalism, and proclaiming friendship, peace, justice and love.

Warmest regards and Seasons Greetings,
Qiyamah A. Rahman

Ministers Voices Heard on Peace and Justice
A Minister's Panel held during the Tennessee State 48th Annual Conference on November 2 was moderated by Larry Romans, member of Greater Nashville UU Congregation. The panel, comprised of Rev. Dana Reynolds, Rev. Gary White, Rev. Howard Box, Rev. Susan Karlson and Rev. Calvin Knapp, reflected on the controversial issues of peace and justice and panel pondered on the devastation that war brings. The panel examined the atmosphere of justification and whether there is such a thing as a "just war." The audience was reminded that peace time efforts are critical to preventing war and that often what we do or don't do will reflect the outcome of war by alleviating the threats of war. The panelists speculated that what we see today is the result of the lack of peace time efforts. Several participants acknowledged that we are still wrestling with the consequences of the Gulf War and our failure to engage the kind of post war recovery that the Marshall Plan addressed in Europe. One speaker mentioned the thousands and thousands of Iraqi children that died post Desert Storm War, due to malnutrition and disease. Many Americans were totally oblivious of this tragedy because of our biased media. One panelist voiced the sentiment that until we honor life everywhere and moan the loss on either side, we will never be able to really value others lives or their losses and work fully for peace.

Part of the discussion focused on the role of conscientious objection. Two panelists talked about their experiences as conscientious objectors. Pamphlets are available from the UUA on "Military Service and Conscientious Objection."

Public Witnessing: Sharing Our Good News
Growing up as a Baptist and the grand daughter of a southern Baptist minister, I consequently carry strong evangelistic roots. As a UU I have resisted throwing out the proverbial baby, and instead I have sought to learn how to share my good news and respect others good news. The gift I received from Rev. Patrick Price, and the congregational teams on October 19 on how to evangelize as a UU was invaluable. If you want to schedule this workshop, contact me at Qrahman@uua.org

Request for Proposals
I am looking for one day and sometimes 2-3 day workshops that might be presented individually or co-led with a minister and/or a lay person. I invite you to submit a proposal for a Friday evening and Saturday training or an all day Saturday workshop on topics from which you feel lay leaders could benefit
from. Please submit proposals to me at qrahman@uua.org. The deadline is December 31, 2002.

As we wrap up 2002, some of the District achievements I wish to note following:

Stronger technology links such as the introduction of our electronic newsletter, online District Directory, significant Web site upgrades and the ability to process registrations on line; development of websites for the Board, Healthy Congregation Consulting Team, Extension Committee, and recruitment of a website volunteer to assist the District Administrator
Recruitment of co-chairs for the District Welcoming Committee and a chair for the Accessibilities Committee
Funding of the first Chalice Lighter Application for a Campus Ministry Program. (Eno River UU Fellowship's Campus Ministry at Duke University)
Funding of Safe Congregations Train the Trainer Initiative from UU Funding Program for $7,500
Implementation of Start up Day Sessions for Interim Ministers and their boards and religious education professionals
Meeting with presidents of large size churches
Launching, by the Program Consultant, of cluster conferences for middle school youths, along with training programs and RE Covenant processes and provided services to almost all of the congregations via face to face, email and telephone consultations
Serving as host district for the LREDA Fall Conference in October and provided support services
RE Committee forming a SE LREDA Chapter in conjunction with Mid South's RE leaders
RE Committee's newsletter, Connections now available on line and published twice a year
Expanded RE Lending Library to include anti-oppression and church leadership resources and updated on line catalogue
Continued to send welcoming letters and district resource packets to all new ministers, interns and RE professionals
Increased use of email technology that included earlier contact at beginning of new church year with presidents and ministers, as well as targeting personnel such as church administrators and denominational affairs officers
Developed a Start-up Session Day for congregations served by part time ministers
Developed a Ministry Information Seminar for congregations considering "professional ministry" for the first time
Developed new resource materials on: Facilitating Meetings and Groups, comprehensive reference list for systems theory and conflict management
Developing a conflict management training for Committees on Ministry - one to be implemented November, 2002 in Roanoke and another in TN 2003
Healthy Congregation Consulting Team is in its 2nd year and will have delivered 14 trainings in 2002; including board retreats, covenanting sessions, financially healthy congregations, strategic planning, healthy congregations from a systems perspective and pre and post sabbatical consultations.
Provided consultation for newly affiliated congregation - UU Congregation of the Swanannoa Valley
Provided conflict intervention consultations for congregations upon request
Completed evaluations for entire staff
Reconstituted Extension Committee and moving toward stabilizing
District board and staff attended four installations and three ordinations
District Anti-racism Transformation Team successfully sponsored its March Annual Conference featuring Victor Lewis (Color of Fear) in Asheville, NC and held its Retreat in Charlotte, NC in October
Developed and implemented a Covenanting Session based on Gil Rendle's book, Behavioral Covenant.
Developed liaison system to engage congregations by calling three times a year.
South Regional SubCommittee on Candidacy (RSCC) received 17 inquiries, interviewed seven aspirants with six green lights and one yellow light; published 3 editions of the newsletter, Rising Stars, and distributed 270 copies to Ministers, Field Staff and Aspirants in the Mid-South, Florida, Southwest and Thomas Jefferson Districts and updated data bases.
Increased engagement with District Youth Steering Committee (DYSC) and Youth Council Representative (YCR).
Finance Committee charted a very intentional fiscal focus for Board stewardship beginning with the January meeting, August Board Retreat and Fall Leadership Conference.

Qiyamah A. Rahman

TJ Connection - Winter 2002

Wishing You a Happy Holiday Season and a Peaceful and Prosperous New Year! The Thomas Jefferson District Board and Staff

Qiyamah’s Corner by Qiyamah A. Rahman, TJ District Executive

Wishing You a Happy Holiday Season and a Peaceful and Prosperous New Year!
The Thomas Jefferson District Board and Staff

Qiyamah’s Corner
by Qiyamah A. Rahman, TJ District Executive