|
December 3, 2010
Contents:
I. JustJourney Uganda
On November 4, the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee (UUSC) and Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) launched their first jointly organized JustJourney, a trip to Uganda.
For 12 days, Unitarian Universalists and others committed to social justice took part in Witness to a Return Home: A Trip to Uganda, an experiential learning journey to an area of the world struggling to recover from war and political unrest.
Participants worshiped with UUs at New Life Church, in Kampala, visited villages deep in the bush, and met with survivors of Uganda's on-going civil war.
Reflections from trip participants, as well as photos from the journey, are available online.
II. Winter Holiday Resources
As the winter season approaches, the UUA's International Resources Office recommends consulting our Winter Holidays resource booklet for suggestions on ways to express commitment to our Sixth Principle: We Covenant to Affirm and Promote the Goal of World Community with Peace, Liberty and Justice for All.
View our resource guide of suggestions for celebrating the winter holidays!
III. Traveling and Connecting with U/U’s Internationally
Unitarian Universalists who are planning to travel internationally, whether permanently or temporarily, are invited to consider including a visit with a Unitarian, Universalist or Unitarian Universalist congregation while abroad.
There are UU congregations and groups in nearly 30 countries around the world—some are very small, and some are quite large. And, most of these congregations deeply enjoy having visitors and new members.
With several professional opportunities abroad for UU ministers and seminarians, as well as opportunities for non-clergy to make international connections, there are numerous ways to find community with Unitarian, Universalist or Unitarian Universalist (UU) congregations or groups abroad.
IV. Short-term Ministry: Lake Chapala, Mexico
The Lake Chapala Unitarian Universalist Fellowship (LCUUF) is interested in hosting a visiting Unitarian Universalist (UU) Minister for two weeks in 2011. The winter months, January to April would be preferable, but timing is open to negotiation.
The LCUUF is situated in the beautiful Lake Chapala area within an hour's drive of Guadalajara, Mexico's second largest city. The visiting minister would be expected to speak at two Sunday Services, provide consultative services to the board and committees, and facilitate lay leader training. In addition to an honorarium of 8,000 pesos (approximately $650 U.S.) the Fellowship would provide local transportation, some meals, and if desired, accommodation in members' homes.
If interested in the position, please e-mail a brief statement of your interests and expertise, as well as a resume of your education and experience to LCUFF President Stephen Barr at ssbarr65@yahoo.com by December 31, 2010.
V. For the Peace of Jerusalem: Send a Holiday Card to President Obama
Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP) has organized For the Peace of Jerusalem, a national Christian campaign for Israeli-Palestinian peace now.
The campaign calls for valiant U.S. leadership in the peace process and believes that this peace must be achieved soon, for the good of all human kind.
Today the peace process is failing, obstructed by obstacles both daunting and superficial. But CMEP is calling for its revival now and believes that peace in the Holy Land is vital, it is urgent, and it is possible.
Join thousands of Christians across the United States in wishing the president a joyous Christmas and telling him that you believe in peace, you expect peace with justice and security for all, and you expect it soon.
Learn more about For the Peace of Jerusalem and send President Obama a holiday card today!
VI. News from the IARF
The British Chapter of the International Association for Religious Freedom (IARF) has several upcoming events:
January 15, 2011, 12:00-3:30pm: Launch of the 500th birthday year of Michael Servetus, featuring Rev. Cliff Reed and Jaume de Marcos, both former Secretaries of the ICUU. (followed by open meeting of British Chapter IARF). Location: Rosslyn Hill Chapel, Hampstead, London.
- February 19, 2011, 10:00-3:30pm:“Ethics, Ecology, and Interdependence,” featuring BBC Presenter Rev. Peter Owen-Jones and Datuk Leslie Davidson, world authority on Palm Oil. (Datuk is an honour from the Malaysian Government similar to Knighthood). Location: Croydon Unitarian Church
- March 8-10, 2011: Interfaith Retreat at the Brahma Kumaris World Retreat Centre. Further details will be available online.
Learn more about IARF and The General Assembly of Unitarian & Free Christian Churches online!
VII. News from the UU Global AIDS Coalition
The UU Global AIDS Coalition (UUGAC) has released its latest newsletter, which can be viewed online.
In this edition, you can find updates on the following: Rev. Mark Kiyimba's visit to First UU of Portland, The IMANI Project and All Souls UU Kansas City, a forming group of “Grandmothers Helping Grandmothers” in Portland, and more.
Congratulations to Terry Cushman, who was elected to be the chair of UUGAC at the 2010 General Assembly!
Learn more about the UUGAC and view the latest newsletter online!
VIII. UUPCC Virtual Conference Call
Register for the next UU Partner Church Council Virtual Conference Call: "Planning your Pilgrimage"
December 8, Wednesday 8:00 - 9:00 pm EST
Presenter: John Dale, the UUPCC Travel Coordinator
John will review the upcoming 2011 season - both public & private tour opportunities - and provide insight on how to plan and organize your own congregational pilgrimage. Trains, planes or automobiles it doesn't matter. If you are hoping to visit your partner church in the near future this is your opportunity to run your questions by someone who has assisted with more than 100 trips of all sizes throughout Eastern & Central Europe. This travel calendar also includes a trip to India in February and to the Philippines in March.
To register for a call, send an email to the UUPCC office or call the office 9-5 EST weekdays at 781-275-1710. Include: your name,city/state, the topic/date of the call you will attend. You will be sent an email with the call-in information 2-3 days before the call (please let the office know if you don't have access to email). Feel free to submit questions to the speakers ahead of time to the UUPCC office.
For further details, visit www.uupcc.org.
IX. Sermon Competitions
Monthly Executive Report
Greeley Award
The UU United Nations Office invites you to submit the sermon or address from your UN Sunday service for the 2011 Dana Greeley Award.
Consisting of a $1,000 honorarium and the opportunity to deliver the winning address at General Assembly 2011, the award honors the memory of the Rev. Dana McLean Greeley, first president of the Unitarian Universalist Association and a strong supporter of the United Nations.
Sermons highlighting the work of the United Nations and the UU-UNO will be given priority consideration for this award. Submissions are due by February 1, 2011 to greeleysermon@uu-uno.org.
For more information and submission guidelines, visit www.uu-uno.org.
UU's for Justice in the Middle East - Annual Sermon Competition
UUJME (Unitarian Universalists for Justice in the Middle East) views the resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict as one of the defining legal and moral issues of our time, with wide-ranging ramifications for the future of global interfaith relations and human rights.
For UUs to contribute meaningfully to this cause, we must first openly and honestly discuss the issue amongst ourselves. The 2011 UUJME Sermon Contest gives us the opportunity to better understand the barriers that prevent these important discussions from taking place and explore ways to move past them toward an active contribution, in collaboration and fellowship with other faith communities, to a just peace in Israel-Palestine.
Eligible sermons must have been delivered, either by clergy, seminarians, or laypersons, in a UU church service or church-sponsored event, between May 1, 2010 and April 30, 2011. The deadline for submissions is May 1, 2011.
The winner will be awarded a $400 prize and given the opportunity to deliver his or her sermon at an event during the 2011 UU General Assembly in Charlotte, NC.
For more information and submission guidelines, visit www.uujme.org.
X. Sacred Places - A Pilgrimage to India
Feb. 15 - March 7, 2011
Join Rev. Abhi Janamanchi and members of Unitarian Universalists of Clearwater on a three-week spiritual pilgrimage to India in February 2011. The group will visit sacred places in southern and northern India (Hindu, Buddhist, Jain, Muslim, Sikh, Christian, and Unitarian) including the Khasi Hills of northeast India, and experience India from a native's perspective.
This trip promises to be a cultural and spiritual immersion into the heart of India. Anyone that is interested in going on this trip of a lifetime, please contact Barbara Brandt or Rev. Janamanchi.
View this powerpoint video for additional information!
XI. ICUU Global Chalice Lighting December 2010
The International Council of Unitarians and Universalists announces the 88th in its monthly series of global chalice lighting readings. Congregations worldwide are invited to participate.
All ICUU-affiliated groups have been asked to submit brief chalice lightings for the project. Every month, a reading will be distributed to Unitarian and Universalist congregations around the world. We ask each congregation to use the reading for at least one worship service in the designated month, identifying it as the “Global Chalice Lighting” for that month and naming the group which submitted it. Readings will be circulated in English and, where different, in their original language.
It is hoped that the ICUU Global Chalice Lighting Project will enhance the worship experience in our congregations and raise awareness of the international dimensions of our religious movement.
This Global Chalice Lighting is submitted in by the British General Assembly of Unitarian and Free Christian Churches. It is to be used during December 2010.
As we light our chalice
at the ending of one year
and the beginning of another year,
we affirm…
The radiant joy and beauty
of the world in which we live
The unity of all life and our interdependence
with the rest of creation
Our responsibility to care for and sustain
all forms of life on the planet for future generations
The uniqueness and equal dignity of every person
The power of unconditional love to transform lives
The importance of constantly seeking truth and wisdom
Our commitment to support each other
in the task of building the Kingdom of Heaven,
based on peace, justice and love
The divine ground of our being
that connects us with each other and the infinite
and which replenishes and heals us
-Roger Courtney
All Souls Non-Subscribing Presbyterian Church, Belfast, N. Ireland
XII. Events
- December 27-January 16, 2011:ICUUW Passage to India
- January 15, 2011: Launch of the 500th birthday year of Michael Servetus, British IARF, England
- February 15-March 7, 2011: Sacred Places: A Pilgrimage to India with Rev. Abhi Janamanchi
- February 19, 2011:“Ethics, Ecology, and Interdependence,” British IARF, England
- March 8-10, 2011:Interfaith Retreat at the Brahma Kumaris World Retreat Centre, British IARF, England
- March 11-24, 2011: UUPCC Pilgrimage: Meet the UU's of the Philippines
- April 28-30, 2011: UU-UNO Intergenerational Spring Seminar, New York City
- May 14-26, 2011: UUPCC Pilgrimage to Transylvania
|
