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Announcement of UUA Disability / Ability Action Certification Program

March 20, 2013 in Congregational News, Denominational News by PNWD News Admin | Permalink


Equaal Access LogoIn partnership with the Unitarian Universalist Association, Equual Access, the organization that promotes equality and access for Unitarian Universalists with disabilities, is pleased to announce the creation of a certification program for Unitarian Universalist Congregations. The program, with the working title Disability / Ability Action Program, challenges congregations to welcome, embrace, support, and integrate people with disabilities and their families into our congregations.

Its sacred covenant with congregations is that they fully recognize the humanity and gifts of all people. The Disability / Ability Action Program presents a plan to implement the ideas and principles outlined in Accessibility Guidelines for Unitarian Universalist Congregations. Congregations encouraged and inspired by Guidelines can receive formal recognition for their commitment and progress.

Congregations seeking certification will conduct an assessment of accessibility and inclusion of people with disabilities, create an action plan of worship, workshops and projects, have that plan approved by the Disability / Ability Certification Committee and then implement the plan. When the plan has been fully implemented, the congregation can vote to be recognized as a congregation with a Disability / Ability Action Program certificate.

The program will have a two-year field test scheduled to begin in June 2013. We are actively seeking congregations to be part of this field test. We will select congregations in different categories: small, large, old building, new building, renting, etc. The deadline for applying to be part of the program is May 24, 2013. For more information on the program and how to suggest a congregation, please contact:
Rev. Barbara F. Meyers, Chair, Equual Access Policy Committee
510-796-5722
bfkmeyers@prodigy.net

For the full announcement, link to Disability / Ability Action Program.

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A Holistic Approach to Congregational Justice Ministry, April 26- 28 at Regional Assembly

March 18, 2013 in Events & Resources, Religious Professionals by PNWD News Admin | Permalink

Vibrant, life-affirming, and transformational. That’s what congregation-based justice ministry is with a holistic approach. The Reverends Deborah Holder and Tera Little invite you to engage in, ’A paradigm shift towards a holistic approach to congregational justice ministry,’ April 26-28 at the Pacific Western Regional Assembly in their Theme Track of ’CROSS BORDERS’ all day workshop.

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Deborah and Tera describe their workshop. “Through experiential learning, music, video and small group discussions we will explore many concrete, spiritually grounded practices for promoting healing and wholeness both within and beyond congregational walls.

You can look forward to energy breaks throughout the day with singing and movement. There will be time for quiet reflection as well as lively participation.

The day will be guided by three movements:
1. Beloved Community as Radical Practice
2. Navigating Rank in Beloved Community
3. Small Group Justice Ministry as UU Spiritual Practice

We’ll discover justice-making as the deep practice of love and healing. And emboldened by the powerful vision of Beloved Community, we’ll discover how to bind our desire for spiritual integrity with our hope for social transformation.”

The Pacific Regional Assembly is a first time ever event inviting the four districts of Pacific Northwest, Pacific Central, Pacific Southwest and Mountain Desert into community to explore and celebrate Big Faith * No Borders. For details, schedules, other workshop and registration, link here to Pacific Western Regional Assembly.  For questions regarding the Regional Assembly, email the PWR Training and Communication Specialist, Lori Ragona, lragona@uua.org.

 

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GET RELIGION April 26-28 at the Pacific Western Regional Assembly

March 15, 2013 in Events & Resources, Religious Professionals by PNWD News Admin | Permalink

Nancy bowen 153_192 Robert_Latham134_192GET RELIGION April 26- 28, 2013 with the Reverends Nancy Bowen and Robert Latham at the Pacific Western Regional Assembly. Theology and Practice of Unitarian Universalism as a Big Faith, with No Borders is one of three theme tracks being offered. The others are Grow Leaders, Cross Borders and an Option Track with a variety of short workshop offerings.

Rev. Bowen and Rev. Latham invite you to their all day track with this description, “Let’s explore the role and function of religion in human cultures and connect that with our contemporary Unitarian Universalist understandings of mission, theology, faith, spirituality, community, covenant and practice.

Our time together will be a lively combination of information, video, conversation, practices and music. Seekers of all ages will engage religious pluralism as a large group, in table conversations, with new friends and congregational or district ‘teams.’

Through shared conversation, we’ll recall the fascinating turning points that shape Unitarian Universalism. We’ll trace the development of religion and morality, informed by evolutional psychology. And we’ll discover how this story clarifies implications for Unitarian Universalism in the world.

We’ll explore current inter-generational distinctions and common ground, characteristics of a religious life, and the personal spiritual practices strengthen the community.

What will we make of the future of Unitarian Universalism, and how will we shape an impactful faith as individuals, as congregations and as a Region?”

For more information about this first time ever Pacific Regional Assembly, click here. You’ll find registration, a schedule of events, workshop tracks, full community, and children’s programming. Online Registration deadline is April 19. For any further questions after visiting the website, contact Lori Ragona, PWR Training & Communication Specialist, lragona@uua.org.

 

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Call for Photos of PNWD Congregations

March 6, 2013 in All, Congregational News, Events & Resources by PNWD News Admin | Permalink

Salem WindowThe upcoming Pacific Western Regional Assembly will give us an opportunity to share visuals of our wonderful region as each of the four Pacific Western districts presents a brief slideshow.

Maybe your building has a stained glass window or other interesting artistic, natural, or architectural feature. Even if you do not have a permanent building, think about other features: chalice, altar, banner, or other unique images.

Please send us your best quality photo that helps represent our fabulous district as we share images with attendees from the entire Pacific Western Region. There are a number of lovely pictures on your websites and Facebook pages. Unfortunately, images copied from these locations are not of adequate quality for a presentation like this. Perhaps you can locate the original higher-quality image to send us.

If you have a great shot to share, see if it fits these specs and send it along:
Best dimensions : 1440 X 900 pixels
Minimum dimensions: 500 X 500 pixels
Resolution Maximum: 300
Resolution Minimum: 92

Images received by March 22 will be considered for inclusion in the PNWD slideshow. Please be sure to include your congregation’s name (not initials) when you send the photo. Send images to Lori Ragona, lragona@uua.org.

*The above stained glass is in our Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Salem, OR.

Our Whole Lives (OWL): A Training for Volunteer Facilitators of the 7-9th/10-12th Grade Curricula

March 5, 2013 in Events & Resources, Religious Professionals by PNWD News Admin | Permalink

OWL2The Pacific Northwest District is proud to offer a training for leaders of the sexuality education curriculum, Our Whole Lives (OWL) for 7-9/10-12 grade in Spokane, Washington July 12-14, 2013. Congregations should have two leaders for each class offered. Ideally they would be facilitated by a male/female co-facilitation team.

Sign up now so your leaders are trained for the 2013-2014 church year. Go to http://www.pnwd.org/content.aspx?ID=55  to register now.

Our Whole Lives is based on a philosophy of comprehensive sexuality education which helps participants make informed and responsible decisions about their sexual health and behavior. It equips participants with accurate, age-appropriate information in six subject areas: human development, relationships, personal skills, sexual behavior, sexual health, and society and culture. Grounded in a holistic view of sexuality, comprehensive sexuality education provides not only facts about anatomy and human development, but also helps leaders to clarify their values, build interpersonal skills, and understand the spiritual, emotional, social, and political aspects of sexuality as well.

The leaders or facilitators who implement the curriculum are important determinants of program success. Thus, it is very important for group leaders to be highly skilled in communication and facilitation, in managing the learning process so that activities are truly aimed at accomplishing objectives, and in using a variety of teaching techniques, such as role play. They must have the ability to create an atmosphere that engages young adolescents and to use language and communication styles that are relevant to the specific youth in the program. Finally, group leaders must have the patience, stamina, and creativity necessary to manage the vast differences in maturity, experience, ability to dialogue, and attention spans present in a group of young adolescents.

Of course, teaching about sexuality is not easy. Many of us did not have good experiences with sexuality education when we were young, and talking about sexuality with young people may be fun and rewarding but also difficult and challenging. The most important thing is that you will be willing, open and honest with other participants and with yourself.

The training is an opportunity not only to learn about the program and how to lead it, but also to see how comfortable you are as an Our Whole Lives leader. It offers the opportunity to see many of the activities modeled by trainers as they were intended to be conducted. It gives the facilitators a supportive environment in which to practice skills and get constructive feedback from trainers and other curriculum implementers. It allows facilitators to network with others in the same position and to share ideas about what will and won’t work with their groups. Finally, it provides an opportunity for facilitators to get in touch with their own feelings, opinions, and experiences regarding sexuality.

Dana Regan, CRE

PNWD Lead RE Consultant

PNWD Leaders Invited to UU Leadership School

March 1, 2013 in All, Denominational News, Events & Resources by PNWD News Editor | Permalink

A message from the Rev. Nancy Bowen, District Executive, UUA Mountain Desert. Nancy also serves as Regional Lead for the UUA Pacific Western Region.

Dear friends in faith,

I write to invite you to consider Russell Lockwood Leadership School (RLLS) as part of your regular congregational leadership development and succession planning resources. 

The Mountain Desert District Board and the Steering Team for the Russell Lockwood Leadership School wish to open the school as a regional leadership school welcoming Unitarian Universalists from across the Pacific Western Region of the UUA.  Moving forward the school will move around the region, and include faculty and staff from all four districts (MDD, PNWD, PCD, PSWD). Russell Lockwood Leadership School will continue to offer excellent leadership development in a residential immersion setting that will deepen regional collaboration and represent the richness of the entire Pacific Western Region.

We hope you will send rising leaders from your congregation this summer and begin to think of RLLS as your annual opportunity for Unitarian Universalist adult leadership development and faith formation.  In summary:

  • Dates: Sunday, August 4, 2013 at 4:00 through Saturday, August 10, 2013 noon
  • Location:  Alta Lodge in Alta, UT just outside Salt Lake City
  • Tuition: $900 per participant includes accommodations, meals and program PLUS 
    • $350 per congregation to send up to four participants
  • For more information: Visit www.rlls.mdduua.org. Eventually this website will be migrated to the new website of the Pacific Western Region, www.pwruua.org.

Russell Lockwood Leadership School offers an integrated curriculum including a commitment to mission focused religious leadership, the centrality of worship and theology, and authentic pluralism as a shared strategy for building the beloved community within our congregations and in the world.  The week includes multi-media presentations, small group activities, worship and music, case studies and small group ministry, this year in the natural beauty of the Wasatch Mountains of Utah.  While the schedule is demanding, it is consistently well reviewed by participants who come to a deeper awareness of  Unitarian Universalism and strategies expanding the values of our tradition.

Please join us this year to experience Russell Lockwood Leadership School for yourself. 

Sincerely,

Rev. Nancy Bowen

Regional Assembly 2013: A First for PNWD

February 11, 2013 in All, Denominational News, Events & Resources by PNWD News Editor | Permalink

Janine Larsen, District Executive for the UUA in the Pacific Northwest, has posted an article on the District’s home page (www.pnwd.org) providing some background on why the PNWD will be participating in a Regional Assembly in San Jose, CA, this year, instead of a District Assembly.

The article also lists several features to look forward to at Regional Assembly April 26-28, with links for additional details.

  • Keynote Speaker the Rev. Christine Robinson
  • Full Community programs for UUs of all ages
  • All-day theme tracks – Get Religion, Grow Leaders, Cross Borders
  • An alternative to the theme tracks, an “Option Track” with shorter workshops
  • Worship, music and religious presence
  • PNWD’s Annual General Business Meeting – offsite delegates can participate, too
  • Pacific Northwest UU Growth Foundation Annual Business Meeting
  • Candidates Forum for UUA Moderator, with nominees Tamara Payne-Alex and Jim Key
  • Hotel and airfare discounts, scholarship funds, opportunities to volunteer, and reduced rates for youth, children, young adults, retired ministers and partners, and Candidates for UU ministry. Alaska congregations, contact the district office for information on travel assistance for your delegates.
  • Sunday offering for a Pacific Western Region future fund, to support innovation in living our Big Faith * No Borders
  • Professional Days for the combined chapters of Liberal Religious Educators (LREDA) and UU Ministers Association (UUMA)
  • State Legislative and Justice Networks summit meeting

Registration for Regional Assembly is now open! Visit the new website for the UUA Pacific Western Region to find out more and register on-line!

Renaissance Module: UU Identity

February 11, 2013 in All, Events & Resources by PNWD News Admin | Permalink

The Unitarian Universalist Identity Renaissance Module for Religious Educators and others who work within the religious education field is being offered February 28-March 2 at Eastrose Fellowship UU in Portland, OR. This LREDA-sponsored workshop will be led by Niya Standish, DRE from the UU Fellowship of Corvallis, OR and co-led by Rebecca Gammons, DRE at West Hills UU Fellowship in Portland, OR. Thursday, February 14 is the deadline to sign up for this workshop.

The GOALS for the Unitarian Universalist Identity Module are:
Explicit:
• To create an understanding of identity as a process
• To become aware of how the process unfolds
• To identify ways to foster the process, specifically among religious education participants and generally among the congregation

Implicit:
• To help participants identify their own growth as Unitarian Universalists
• To create an interactive environment for discussion and for the sharing of ideas

For registration information contact Cathy Cartwright, 503-228-6389, ext. 14.

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Standing on the Side of Love Banner Availability

February 7, 2013 in All, Congregational News, Denominational News, Events & Resources by PNWD News Admin | Permalink

SSL BannerSince October 2009, the District’s “Standing on the Side of Love” banner has been displayed on church buildings and on state capitol steps; carried in Gay Pride parades and a rodeo parade! Is there an event coming up in your community where you would like to show that your congregation is Standing on the Side of Love? If you want to get some ideas of how others have used it, see the list of past borrowers here.

If your congregation would like to borrow our Standing on the Side of Love banner during the remainder of the 2012/13 church year, please contact the district office to reserve your dates. (You can also reserve for 2013/14 if you have a month in mind.) This 4′ x 12′ banner is available after February 28 for our PNWD congregations to use at no charge.

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Webinar: GLBT+ Youth Awareness

January 23, 2013 in Events & Resources, Religious Professionals by Lori Ragona | Permalink

January 31,  6:30 PM – 7:45 PM Pacific Time

Advising any youth about life altering decisions alone is difficult to do. Even more complex is how to advise youth who are struggling with their personal identity amidst a non-supportive community. This webinar provides information for those who are searching to support LGBT+ youth by learning of the many trials LGBT+ youth may go through, the emotional, physical, mental, and spiritual support a youth may need, and by attaining valuable resources for the youth, the advisor, and their congregations.

The presenter, Samantha Logan, is a transgendered young adult from the Unitarian Universalist Church of Cheyenne. She is an activist for the LGBT+ community and does weekly video blogs on her personal YouTube channels devoted to answering questions for transgendered youth and those who wish to know about transgendered people. Samantha also spends time speaking to youth at YRUU gatherings, youth cons and  at colleges about the importance of understanding others to foster inclusivity and peace in local communities leading to a better conversation nationally.

Online Registration: Each webinar is $15. This webinar is especially for religious educators and youth advisors. Please join in with your learning team for one connection fee of $15.Webinars that have low enrollment 48 hours in advance of the webinar may be cancelled, so please register early. Please don’t let the fee stop you from participating. Email Lori Ragona at lragona@uua.org if you are in need of a fee waiver for this webinar.

 

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