Your Generous Support Makes it Possible Dear Pacific Western Region Congregational Leaders,
The Pacific Western Region serves the 185 congregations that are part of the four districts that make up the region.
During this past year, regional staff has striven to provide services to congregations that are responsive, relevant, high-quality, accessible, and communicated in a timely manner.
We think we're doing a pretty good job. We hope to do even better next year.
Our ability to do so depends on you and your generosity to both the district to which your congregation belongs and to the UUA.
You see, regional services are jointly funded.
In the coming year, about 62% of funding for regional services will come from the four districts which make up the region, and 38% of funding for regional services will come from the UUA.
(In turn, the four districts will be funded mostly by the $26-to-$29-per-member contribution each congregation is asked to make to its respective district, and the UUA will be funded, in part, by the $60-per-member contribution each congregation is asked to make to the UUA.)
During the past month, congregational presidents have received forms from both their district and the UUA asking for the congregation's planned contributions during the coming fiscal year. (If you need another copy of that district form, email pwr@uua.org.)
Your congregation's generosity toward both the district to which it belongs and to the UUA will directly affect our ability as a regional staff to help your congregation and all of the congregations throughout our region become the most vital congregations they can be.
I encourage you to be generous with us so we can better serve you and help Unitarian Universalism within the Pacific West thrive!
Warmly,
James Kubal-Komoto
Pacific Western Regional Lead
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June 1, 2017In this Issue- Your Generous Support Makes it Possible
- Events, Training and Webinars
- District and UU News
- Job Postings
PWR Quick Links
PWR Field Staff
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Upcoming PWR OWL TrainingsK-1 & 4-6
7-9 & 10-12
Save the Date
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PWR Congregations in the NewsThe High-Quality Sex-Ed Program on Offer From Churches
Participants and facilitators of the Our Whole Lives (OWL) lifespan sexuality education curricula, co-created by the
UUA and the United Church of Christ, share their experiences of using the program across faith communities. "The OWL course content outlines strategies for how to get communities or congregations on board with teaching in-depth sex education, noting that overcoming the obstacles of false assumptions and unchallenged stigma can be the toughest part."
Read more from Rewire.
This Is Our Best Defense Against Trump's Immigration Policies
First Unitarian Society of Denver is among the growing number of religious congregations pledging sanctuary, a number that more than doubled in the months immediately following the 2016 presidential election. Many more have pledged material support and volunteer help to the 800-plus congregations offering physical shelter.
Read more from Yes Magazine.
UUA Presidential Candidates Forum At Mount Diablo UU Church in Walnut Creek, California, the Pacific Central District's Assembly featured a UUA Presidential Candidates Forum hosted by Rev. Dr. James Kubal-Komoto, PWR Regional Lead, and moderated by Rev. Leslie Takahashi.
Watch the video. [1.5 hrs]
Immersion Learning for Religious Leaders The UU College of Social Justice is offering two opportunities this fall for seminarians, ministers, and DREs to strengthen justice engagement as part of your ministries. Border Witness for Religious Leaders (October 30-November 4) is a powerful immersion at the Arizona/Mexico border, learning about the lethal consequences to migrants of current immigration policy and how religious leadership can play a key role for justice. Guardians of the River (November 25-December 2) is a climate justice immersion program in Nicaragua, connecting with liberation theologians
and grassroots resistance groups struggling to preserve their land and water. Learn more and join us this fall!
"UUCSJ experiences are rich in depth of meaning and are very impactful. Even months later I find myself coming to a deeper and fuller understanding of something I witnessed or heard in a story. And then months later still, I connect another dot with something else here at home, or elsewhere in the world." — Jacqueline Brett, Meadville Lombard MDiv. 2017
UUA Board Webinar "What General Assembly Delegates can Expect at GA 2017"If you are attending General Assembly (GA) 2017 this summer as a delegate, either in New Orleans or as an offsite delegate, you are cordially invited to join Vice Moderator Denise Rimes, and several others as they discuss the agenda for this year—including bylaw amendments, a statement of conscience, and the UUA presidential election. Your delegate experience will be greatly enhanced by being
prepared for the mini-assemblies and discernment and discussion on these important issues.
Webinar Details
Up to 500 participants will be able to join each live webinar. Please note that this one-hour and 15-minute webinar is scheduled for four separate dates and times. Each webinar covers the same material. There is no registration for these webinars due to the large number of open participation slots in each.
- Saturday, June 3, 2017 — 11:00 a.m. ET • Connect
Webinar ID: 448 682 612 - Sunday, June 4, 2017 — 4:00 p.m. ET • Connect
Webinar ID: 552 931 752 - Wednesday, June 7, 2017 — 8:00 p.m. ET • Connect
Webinar ID: 562 519 780 - Monday, June 12, 2017 — 8:00 p.m. ET • Connect
Webinar ID: 171 880 291
To join the webinar, either click the 'Connect' link or join by phone: +1 646 558 8656 (US Toll) or +1 408 638 0968 (US Toll) and enter the Webinar ID.
In the meantime, review the slide deck (PDF, 30 pages) used in the webinar.
Understanding Ministerial Compensation This brief video from the UU Leadership Institute is designed for new leaders in congregations to better understand ministerial compensation.
Watch the video. [1min 45secs]
Breakthrough Congregations Returns and They are Looking for You! Breakthrough Congregations returns with a focus that celebrates and shares innovative ways congregations are adapting to the challenges faced in an evolving religious landscape. They are looking for bold one-time initiatives as well as on-going sustainable efforts. This is not based on numerical growth or whole congregation health, though they will consider other benchmarks of health in your congregation.
Are you a congregation in the Pacific Western Region doing adaptive, innovative ministry in a way that could be replicated elsewhere? Maybe you've found a new revenue stream, or have done something different in worship? Or maybe you have a ministry in your community that has become the hallmark of your congregation. Whatever it is, Breakthrough Congregations wants to hear about it!
For more information and application materials, go to their website. Congregations and covenanting communities can apply - the application deadline is September 1, 2017.
PWR Job Postings- Director of Religious Education for Children's Ministry - UU of San Mateo, CA
Application is open until the position is filled. - Director of Religious Education Wy'east UU Congregation in Portland, OR
Application is open until the position is filled. - Acting Director of Religious Education - Humboldt UU Fellowship in Bayside, CA
Apply as soon as possible, with June 15 deadline. - Congregational Administrator - First Universalist Church of Denver, CO
Applications open
until the position is filled. - Part-time Director of Religious Exploration - Tahoma UU Congregation in Tacoma, WA
Applications due by June 10. - Engagement Coordinator - Foothills Unitarian Church in Fort Collins, CO
Applications accepted in late May to early June. - Children's
Activity Leader - Live Oak UU Fellowship in Alameda, CA
Applications open until the position is filled. - Part-Time Religious Education Coordinator - Universalist Unitarian Church of Santa Paula, CA
Applications open until the position is filled. - High School Youth Program Coordinator - Foothills Unitarian Church in Fort Collins, CO
Applications open until the position is filled. - Campus Ministry Coordinator - Foothills Unitarian Church in Fort Collins, CO
Applications open until the position is filled.
Ministry Positions
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 Edited by Jerrie Kishpaugh Hildebrand & Shirley Ann Ranck, Skinner House Books, 2017
These 23 essays by some of the most prominent leaders in Unitarian Universalist Paganism bring Pagan and Earth-centered theo/alogy to life for a new generation. Featuring the writings of both clergy and laypeople, this vibrant collection demonstrates the many expressions of nature-based spirituality and the ways they feed the souls of so many. The essayists describe a broad array of practices, including Wiccan traditions, Neo-Pagan rituals and celebrations, worship of the divine feminine, and nature-based beliefs and practices that bring us into harmony and balance with our natural environment.
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|  Daniel Chesney Kanter, Skinner House Books, 2017
The senior minister of a large metropolitan church shares his reflections on faith, especially addressing those who are not traditionally religious. With simple poignancy, Kanter says that we can understand faith to be less about what we believe in, and more about how we live and the choices we make. He considers what living faithfully could mean for the unorthodox among us, using four areas of focus—belief, trust, loyalty, and worldview. With lively and engaging stories to illustrate ideas—and reflection questions after each chapter—this small book of wisdom helps to make faith more accessible for the increasing number of the "spiritual but not religious."
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