Opportunities for Connection-CERUUA Update November 2022

The UU Common Read for 2022-23 is Mistakes and Miracles: Congregations on the Road to Multiculturalism (Skinner House Books, 2019). The book’s co-authors, Nancy Palmer Jones and Karin Lin—a white minister and a lay person of color—are working with Susan Dana Lawrence of the UUA’s Lifespan Faith Engagement team on a four-session Discussion Guide that will be available for congregations in November.

The introductory section of the Discussion Guide, “Using This Guide,” is available now. Please use the information here to prepare and launch your Common Read group. Beyond scheduling and promoting your group, you will want to put in place support for participants who are Black, Indigenous, and People of Color or hold other often-marginalized identities. Facilitators will want to become familiar with facets of leading an online group that may be new.

If you are already reading Mistakes and Miracles now, you can prepare for your group discussions by considering the reflection questions that close out each chapter. Another suggested preparation for facilitators, as well as group participants, is to watch the recorded Zoom workshop, We Can Do This: Faith, Conflict and Antiracism (Vimeo, 56:00), from the UUA General Assembly 2020 on-demand video library. Co-authors Jones and Lin moderate a discussion based on Mistakes and Miracles with Unitarian Universalists Aisha Hauser, Jimmy Leung, Rev. Bill Sinkford, and Rev. Marta Valentín.

Mistakes and Miracles can be purchased from inSpirit: The UUA Book and Gift Shop. Discounts are available on orders of 10 or more books.

Skinner House is working on an audiobook edition of Mistakes and Miracles. If you would like to be notified when the audiobook edition is available, or if you need the book in another format, please email UUA Publications Director Mary Benard at mbenard@uua.org.

The theme for General Assembly 2023 is "Faithfully Becoming." We continue to live in times of transition and change; so much is in flux. The COVID-19 pandemic upended our lives, our communities, and the world. It made clear the devastating and deadly impacts of longstanding racial and economic disparities. The ongoing losses and threats from climate change (of which the pandemic is not unrelated), growing authoritarian movements and the rolling back of fundamental human rights – these all present tremendous challenges for our lives, our children, and our future.

Many feel worn out and overwhelmed. But times of significant change can also be moments of opportunity and possibility. Major shifts are happening. Our theology and our values as Unitarian Universalists are needed.

Want to contribute to General Assembly 2023? Program proposals for virtual or in-person programming are currently being accepted. Presenters from historically and currently marginalized communities, including people of color and youth, are encouraged to apply. Proposed programs should provide meaningful opportunities for learning and skill development, as well as address one or more of the following focus areas: Becoming Adaptive and Resilient, Becoming Theologically Rooted, Becoming Skilled in Faithful Praxis, Becoming Connected in Community. Deadline is January 13! Learn more at the UUA GA Website.

Our Whole Lives Facilitator Training for Elementary Levels , Wooster, OH, Dec 2-4, 2022
Registration is open!

There are several trainings in the works, so do check our calendar often for updates.

Our Whole Lives (OWL) is an excellent, comprehensive sexuality education program that offers our young people the opportunity to explore their values and gain accurate information about topics that are often not easily accessible. The overall goal of the Our Whole Lives program is to help participants gain the knowledge, values, and skills they need to lead sexually healthy, responsible lives. The goals of this workshop are to prepare the participants to implement the curriculum as well as the Sexuality and Our Faith component. Through a varied program including practice and participation activities, the trainers will cover implementation techniques, curricula details, and technical information. You can see all trainings at the UUA Our Whole Lives Facilitator Page.

UUA Congregational Life and Stewardship for Us announce a 3-part national webinar series in early 2023. TUESDAYS, 7:00 - 8:30 PM ET, January 24th, January 31st, and February 7th. Registration is coming soon!

Part 1: January 24th: The Multiplatform CONTEXT
Now that a multiplatform world is here for good, how do we steward a multiple-form congregation? Who is part of our congregations? Let’s explore what stewardship could look like in a permanent multi-platform, in-person and online congregation. Share your stories and hear about how others are adapting for the future.

Part 2: January 31st: The Multicultural/multiracial World
Has your congregation been exploring the 8th Principle, working on antiracism and multiculturalism? How do these efforts connect with stewardship practices?
Come join us to explore values- and faith-aligned stewardship, widening the circle to promote multicultural engagement and equity-based systems.

Part 3: February 7th: The Changing Multigenerational Demographics
Our congregations may comprise 3, 4, or 5 generations now, each with its own approach to spirituality, community, activism, money, and more. How can stewardship and generosity thrive and how will financial health best be supported as our congregations undergo generational shifts? Let’s share strategic and creative ideas and experiences in sustaining communities of generosity and commitment.

This series is jointly supported by the UU Ministers Association and your UUA staff. It is aimed at religious professionals but open to all. Religious educators can get credit for credentialing and UUMA members continuing education credit.

Join us Wednesday, November 16, 2022, 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm EST for a panel presentation and Q&A focusing on supporting neurodivergent children and youth. Learn with Katie Resendiz, Rev. Sierra-Marie Gerfao, April Rosario, and Meredith Plummer. Between them they have extensive experience across many kinds of neurodivergence and decades of experience with neurodivergent children and youth inside and outside UU congregations. We recommend having watched at least one of the first three sessions and read the recommended 101 document to get the most of out this experience. You can find all previously recorded sessions on the UUMA Store Front and you will receive the 101 document when you register for the November 16th viewing. It’s worth registering even if you can’t attend because you will be sent the video in advance, can submit questions to the panelists and will receive a recording of the Q&A.Subscribe to our announcement list to be notified of future events and resources. Visit the Neurodivergence Skill Up Series main page for more information.

New Program for Lay-Led Congregations
Is your congregation operating without a professionally trained minister? Your UUA Congregational Life Staff is offering a program this Fall just for you: Essentials for Lay-Led Congregations. The program includes an email subscription to a newsletter (full of helpful tips, tools, training opportunities, and other resources), and admission to the December 10, 2022 Lay-Led Congregation Convergence. There you will get to connect with leaders from other lay-led congregations. Learn more at the UUA website.

Pittsburgh Cluster Annual Gathering Focuses on Reproductive Justice
Join fellow Unitarian Universalists for a day of camaraderie, connection, and collaboration at the 9th Annual Assembly of the UUs of Greater Pittsburgh on Saturday, November 12, 2022, 8:30 am - 3 pm ET, online and at First Unitarian Pittsburgh. Keynote speaker is Sydney Etheredge, President and CEO of Planned Parenthood of Western PA. She will deliver an insightful address on the theme of "Reproductive Rights and Justice". There will also be a panel discussion, business meeting, a special UUA announcement, morning worship service and more. Registration is open for both in-person and virtual attendance.

Climate Disaster Response: Assessing climate impacts & making connections
Climate disasters impact our communities - how can UUs be prepared? Join this series of workshops with activities to help you identify the climate risks, understand who is most at risk and how your community will be impacted. From there, make a plan to prepare for and respond to climate disasters in your neighborhood.
This workshop is part of a series. All sessions are 90 minutes long and begin at 7pm ET/ 6pm CT / 5pm MT / 4pm PT. Nov 15: Community conversation - Register

by Rev. Renee Ruchtozke

Storytelling is an ancient art form. My favorite non-fiction books read like fiction because their authors tell stories rather than just share information.

When I read a memoir, a biography, a history, or when someone shares their story with me, I learn about their experiences. What I learn becomes part of my memory and helps me to understand the experiences of others, especially when those experiences were different than my own. I make it a practice to seek out books by American BIPoC authors so that I can better understand how different communities have experienced our wider community. Both non-fiction books like Isabel Wilkerson’s The Warmth of Other Suns , and works of fiction by authors like Louise Erdrich or Honoree Fanonne Jeffers have enriched my understanding of the American experience from different lives.

Read the rest of the article

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The following events are upcoming in the region. For full details and a complete list visit the CER Calendar Page. Also, please note, if you are mailing a check to the regional office to pay for your registration, you must write the name and date of the event in the memo line. Otherwise we may not get it properly credited.

If you are looking for Renaissance Modules for Religious Educators or Our Whole Lives Trainings, check the full calendar on the UUA website.

CER BIPOC Gathering, November 7, 6:30 pm ET.
Meet & Eat Series for Religious Educators, Nov 8, 2022, 12-2 pm EST.
Networking Session, November 10, 12:30-2 pm ET. Meeting Link.
Networking Session, November 10, 6-7:30 pm ET. Meeting Link.
Taproot: A National BIPOC Space - November 10, 2022, 8-9:15 pm ET
9th Annual UUs of Greater Pittsburgh Cluster Gathering, November 12, 2022, 8:30 am - 3 pm, online and in person, Pittsburgh, PA
UUA Board Meeting, November 14, 2022 online, 7 pm ET. Register for the meeting.
Neurodivergent Skill Up: Supporting Children and Youth, Nov 16, 2022, 5:30-7:30 pm ET online.
Elementary Our Whole Lives Training for Facilitators, December 2-4, 2022, Wooster, OH.
Widening the Circle of Governance in Congregations: Sociocracy webinar, Dec 3, 2022, 1-3 pm ET.
Lay-Led Congregation Convergence, December 10, 2022, online. Part of the Essentials for Lay-Led Congregations Program.
UUA Board Meeting, December 12, 2022 online, 7 pm ET. Register for the meeting.
CER BIPOC Gathering, January 7, 6:30 pm ET.
Taproot: A National BIPOC Space - January 12, 2022, 8-9:15 pm ET
Networking Session, January 19, 12:30-2 pm ET. Meeting Link.
Networking Session, January 19, 6-7:30 pm ET. Meeting Link.

Do note that the UUA is closed for the holidays from 2 pm on Friday, December 23, and reopen on Tuesday, January 3.

SAVE THE DATE!! So You're Working on the 8th Principle..., February 25th online. Details coming next month!

If your congregation or cluster has an exciting project that could use funding from our Chalice Lighter Program, our next Intent to Apply deadline is January 2 for grants to be awarded in April, 2023.

UUA Insurance Annual Open Enrollment delayed until mid-November. The UUA Health and Dental Insurance Plans generally hold an open enrollment opportunity throughout the month of November. This is an opportunity for the staff of our congregations and participating employers to enroll in the UUA health and dental plans, change their enrollment preferences, or terminate their participation. All changes made during open enrollment are effective January 1, 2023. For an assortment of reasons, the UUA Open Enrollment period is slightly delayed this year. It will begin November 15 and conclude no earlier than December 15, 2022. Health Insurance rates will be announced by November 1 and broadly communicated to all existing plan participants and participating congregations/employers. Dental insurance rates will remain unchanged for 2023. Details will also be provided on how to enroll or change enrollment status in future communications.
UN Sunday packet is here! Every year the UU Office at the United Nations puts together a packet for congregations to create their own UN Sunday. This year's theme is "Displacement & Human Rights: All In for Climate Justice." The packet includes quick background information, links to short videos, easy to use worship planning resources, plus one-session intro to UU@UN for each children and youth. Access this exciting resource.

Does your congregation have staff? You need the Benefits Tune-Up Workbook, now in a new format. Our popular Benefits Tune-up Workbook, now in its 5th edition, will help you understand key documents, eligibility criteria, enrollment windows, and more while providing a path to putting sound systems in place to ensure compliance with Plan rules. We urge all congregations participating in any UUA benefit plans to complete the Workbook annually - as well as whenever a new congregational leader becomes a responsible party. Make it a team effort among a small group of staff and lay leaders who have benefits administration responsibilities.

The UUA has a Disaster Relief Fund for those who want to make a donation to help congregations who have faced losses due to tornadoes, earthquakes, hurricanes, wildfires and more. Please donate if you can. To learn more about the work of the Disaster Relief Fund visit their webpage. If your congregation needs assistance, you can apply for a grant on that webpage. We are Better Together.

Virtual Guest in Your Pulpit! The UUMA has a list of virtual speakers, check it out to see who is available! Visit the UUMA website to read the list. Also, don't forget to check out the CER Guest in Your Pulpit program, which includes both lay and professional worship leaders.

New publications from the UUA - Announcing the 2022-23 Common Read: Mistakes and Miracles: Congregations on the Road to Multiculturalism by Nancy Palmer Jones and Karin Lin. Available now for pre-order is Care for the World: Reflections on Community Ministry edited by Rev. Erin J. Walter. As part of the start of the new church year, don't miss the We Are Unitarian Universalists Digital Package, a multimedia outreach tool for congregations. Each digital package include an 8.5x11 PDF; an audio file; a link to a video; an embed code for a web page with text, audio and video and social media graphics.

The UUA is hiring for several positions, including several in Congregational Life. Find job descriptions and application information at their Job Openings webpage. The CER position has be re-opened, please apply if you are interested!

Our congregations and clusters in the region have many exciting activities and announcements going on. For a complete listing of events, visit the CER Congregations and Clusters Calendar Page. For news from congregations, please visit our News Blog. For job listings from congregations check the UUA Job Board.

Faithify Projects - CER congregations have projects ongoing!

First Unitarian Church of Pittsburgh also to support refugee resettlement programs.

Robert C. Palmer Lecture on Human Rights with Dr. Elias Ortega, President of the Meadville-Lombard Theological School, Nov. 12, 2022, 7 pm, on zoom, sponsored by the First Unitarian Church of Nashville.
The UU Church of Akron has re-created the 100 Unitarians and Universalists Who Made a Difference poster. Read about their process and find out how to order.
Several UU Congregations in CER are hiring. Check the listings.
Check out Faithify.org for projects from the region and around the country.

If your congregation or cluster has news or events to share, please send it to us at bcasebolt@uua.org.

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