Oregon City, Oregon is the site of Social Change as Religious Vocation: The Fruits of the Radical Spirit. Join the Rev. Deborah Holder in this workshop that addresses: *Building Beloved Community: How Do We Talk About Race, Class and Privilege? and *Shifting the Paradigm: Small Group Ministry and Social Change as Vocation. Your congregational team can attend this day-long workshop for only $100 – total! And lunch is included! If your congregation plans to send a team, your president (or designee) needs to RSVP to the district office by February 17 to let us know how many to expect.
“This is a REALLY epic thing you are doing and I hope you can keep it up!” wrote the young recipient of a backpack filled by the Unitarian Universalists of Grants Pass, Oregon. A $2600 grant received from the Cow Creek Umpqua Indian Foundation will allow the UUGP Homeless Teen Project to fill 48 backpacks this year. In 2011 the group gave out packs to 36 young people, a small portion of the 280 students in the Three Rivers School district identified as homeless last spring. (See related story, May 2011.) The sturdy new backpacks ar
e filled with a blanket, socks, personal hygiene products, basic school supplies, first aid kit, and a few items just for fun, such as a Frisbee and a harmonica. Twelve packs are delivered to local high schools every three months. Although the Unitarian Universalist group recognizes that backpacks are not a solution to homelessness, they can provide short-term care and comfort, a sense of dignity, and help a teen to continue with school or work. For more information about the project contact Barbara Allen, 541-474-3764. The grant funds are profits from the Seven Feathers Resort & Casino the Cow Creek tribe owns and operates in Canyonville, south of Roseburg on Interstate 5.
Tags: Social Justice, Youth
Shoreline Unitarian Universalist Church (WA) is hosting a “Companionship Workshop”, with Rev. Craig Rennebohm, Saturday, Feb. 11, from 9 to noon. Companionship is an intentional relationship in which we respond with empathy, compassion and understanding to the suffering and struggles caused by a brain disorder. Rev. Rennebohm teaches that companionship is a capacity in us all and a calling for us all, a way of approaching each other as human beings and souls of infinite worth and value. This training is very congruent for Unitarian Universalists who believe in the worth and dignity of every person. If you’d like to participate in this training to learn skills necessary for being with people who are challenged by a brain illness, please join us! Shoreline UU Church, 14724 First Ave. NE, Shoreline, WA 98155. For more information on the workshop, the support group, or the SUUC Mental Health Ministry team, contact: Chris Poole, 206-542-9271; Barbara Cornell, 206-367-9485 or uubcornell@gmail.com; or Bill Norton wknorton@aol.com. Donation requested; refreshments provided.
The Rev. Peter Morales, UUA President, has announced that the requested APF “fair share” contribution will remain at the current $58 per member for Fiscal Year 2013 (beginning July 1, 2012).
President Morales noted that he has been in discernment with congregational leaders about the Annual Program Fund (APF) contributions, made by member congregations of the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA). The APF is the primary source of funding for the work of the Association on behalf of member congregations. The APF supports every aspect of congregational life, such as hymnals, music, religious education curricula and resources for ministers. A portion of APF funding is also provided to districts to help support local initiatives. A good summary of how APF contributions support congregations is found in the APF Brochure, “We Build This Community Together” (PDF, 8 pages).
Treasurers and budget leaders are encouraged to download the APF Handbook (PDF, 57 pages) to more fully understand the importance of prioritizing the APF when building and managing congregation budgets.
“Our greatest strength comes from our interconnectedness and mutual support as partners in this religious community,” said President Morales. “Your congregation can make the difference in sustaining our UUA next year and into the future by fully budgeting for and contributing to the Annual Program Fund. If you have additional questions, please contact apf@uua.org or call us at 617.948.6512. Thank you for your continued support.”
The Rev. Dr. Marilyn Sewell will cover the characteristics of a good sermon and common mistakes made by the beginning preacher in this Pacific Western Region webinar on Tuesday, February 7 at 4:30 pm Pacific Standard Time/ 5:30 pm Mountain Time. Rev. Sewell is an accomplished Unitarian Universalist minister, writer, activist, and spiritual leader. She retired from parish ministry in 2009, after serving 17 years as the Senior Minister of the First Unitarian Church of Portland, Oregon, and was named Minister Emerita.
All you need is a computer with an internet connection and a phone to join this webinar. For $15 per connection, you may view this alone or with a team. Registration form. For other Winter Webinar Offerings. For questions email the PNWD Training Coordinator, Lori Ragona at training@pnwd.org.
How do you respond to challenges in your congregation that are more than merely technical fixes, but require the whole culture to shift? How do you avoid getting marginalized, diverted, attacked, or seduced as you exercise leadership? This webinar offers some basic insights drawn from the work of Ronald Heifetz and Marty Linsky on Adaptive Leadership. Join Rev. Carmen McDowell February 2, at 7 pm PST to Dip Your Toes in Adaptive Leadership.
All you need is a computer with an internet connection and a phone to join this webinar. For $15 per connection, you may view this alone or with a team. Registration form. For other Winter Webinar Offerings. For questions email the PNWD Training Coordinator, Lori Ragona at training@pnwd.org.
Washington State legislators are considering a bill to legalize gay marriage, and UU Ministers are among those providing supportive testimony in Olympia. The Rev. Marian Stewart (Northlake UU Church, Kirkland) testified during January 23rd’s House hearing for gay marriage. Here’s the link to the hearing; Rev. Stewart’s testimony begins at 1:50:25:
http://www.tvw.org/index.php?option=com_tvwplayer&eventID=2012010159
On the same day, the Rev. Lois Van Leer (Woodinville UU Church) testified at the Senate hearing in the morning. Here is a link to the Senate hearing; Rev. Van Leer’s testimony begins at 79:55: http://www.tvw.org/capitolrecord/index.php/2012/01/round-up-of-gay-marriage-hearings-events/
Rev. Marian Stewart (left) and Rev. Lois Van Leer (right)
Tags: Justice, Legislative, LGBT
The PNWD is having a 50th birthday party in Alaska! Should I go? What will it be like in Alaska? What will it be like to go to a big UU event in Anchorage? Come explore the answer to these and many other questions with Rev. Sarah Schurr, in our special Webinar January 31, 7 pm PST to help you get ready to come to the party.
Rev. Sarah Schurr is the PNWD Developmental Outreach minister. She currently serves congregations in Fairbanks, Juneau, and in Portland, where she makes her home. She also serves as consultant to the DA planning team in Alaska.
Pre-registration is required, but do not submit a payment, this one’s on us. Registration form. For other Winter Webinar Offerings. For questions email the PNWD Training Coordinator, Lori Ragona at training@pnwd.org.
The Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Salem and Oregon PeaceWorks will host the Awakening the Dreamer, Changing the Dream Symposium on Saturday, February 4, 2012 from 12:30 – 5:30 p.m. at the UU Congregation of Salem, 5090 Center Street NE, in Salem. The symposium is a profound inquiry into a bold vision: to bring forth an environmentally sustainable, spiritually fulfilling and socially just human presence on Earth. Trained facilitators will lead participants through a dynamic multimedia presentation featuring scientists and social activists, personal reflection exercises and group activities. The workshop aims to inspire and empower attendees in efforts to build just and sustainable communities. Feed your UU roots and give our second and seventh principles wings to fly in our world. The event is co-sponsored by the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Salem, Oregon Unitarian Universalist Voices for Justice, Oregon PeaceWorks, and Earth Wisdom Alliance of Portland. To register: contact Peter Bergel at Oregon PeaceWorks, 503-371-8002, or register online at www.oregonpeaceworks.org . For more information: contact Judy Zimmerman, UU Congregation of Salem at 503-364-0932, jzimmerman15@yahoo.com.
The Pacific Northwest District sends condolences to the friends, family and colleagues of the Rev. Dr. Roger Otis Kuhrt. Roger died peacefully in his sleep January 17, surrounded by loved ones and Sufi music at a Franciscan hospice in Lakewood, WA. From 1978 to 1985, Roger was settled minister of the Olympia UU Congregation (WA), and the Tahoma UU Congregation (Tacoma, WA) from 1980 to 1998. During his ministry Roger also served other PNWD congregations on a consulting basis. A celebration of life will be held next month at the Pythian Temple in Tacoma, WA.
Tags: Memorial
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