April 2020 Newsletter
You Beautiful Mountain Climbers, You!
by Karen Bellavance-Grace

“This is not a learning curve. This is a Learning Mountain!”  

COVID-19 came along a minute ago (or was it a month? A year? Is anyone tracking time anymore?) and changed everything overnight. No gatherings means no more corporate worship on Sunday mornings - or does it? 

Your New England region staff is sharing your stories with each other. We are witnessing the faithful ways you continue to minister to each other and your communities. We are hearing from you, seeing your Facebook feeds, and bingeing on your live-streamed worship services. All across New England you are - WE are:

  • Offering online worship and stories for children;
  • Setting up online games with your church’s youth;
  • Hosting virtual lunch dates with the minister and toddler playtime with the DRE;
  • Creating buddy systems and phone trees to touch base with all your people;
  • Inviting other congregations to join yours online for Sunday worship, and more.

One congregation sent a 30-roll case of toilet paper to a single mother of five in their community! Why not?! In the time of building shut downs, what use is that TP to us now?

Those ministries rooted in our congregations continue even in these strange new days. We are supporting school lunches for families that need them, sheltering Sanctuary guests, and advocating for the release of detainees. Shawl ministries are switching from knitting needles to sewing machines to deliver masks to local hospitals. 

There is faithfulness in remembering we are bound to each other. What generosity of grace there is in forgiving technical difficulties. How covenantal the way we get on the phone with friends who don’t have home internet to remind them that we are still community, that we are held by a larger Love that will see us all through.

Pace yourselves, friends. This is a learning mountain, not a learning curve. Let your church staff and leaders know you appreciate them. Remember that self care is very much part of community care. Check on your neighbors. Visit churches online. Make time for quiet. Breathe some fresh air as you can.

You are all in our hearts. You are beautiful and bold and creative. You are resting and resisting and waiting out a lonely time. You were made with gifts we all need to get through these days. 

We are beautiful mountain climbers; we are beloved.
Pastoral Message from Rev. Susan Frederick-Gray, UUA President
Resources
List of Resources for COVID-19
April UUA publications update !
Deadline: Friday, Apr 3

"The UU the Vote campaign invites you, with your group, committee, or congregation, to give a status report. We want to hear from you, we want to build together, we want to weave our care work together so that mutual aid is not a fringe idea or an uphill battle--but something that is at the core of what guides our government."
Many of our events have been
canceled, postponed,
or converted to online format.

Stay up-to-date with our

While this era has many challenges, it also brings opportunities for us to realize just how interconnected we really are.

UUs from all over the country are now live-streaming worship! If you are among them, you can add your congregation to this list.

Consider dropping in on congregations you might never have a chance to visit otherwise!
April 2, 6:30pm

This webinar will offer the interconnectedness of spiritual sustenance and movement organizing as a means to live into the values and principles of Unitarian Universalism and work for justice and transformation.
Faithful Risking:
A Practice of Spiritual Leadership
CANCELED

This program is designed for religious professionals and lay people to build collective practice for collective action. Because shifts in congregational practice, such as cultivating capacity for faithful risking, require sustained group effort, you are strongly encouraged to attend this workshop with a team of four or more.
Tue, April 14, 9:30am - 4pm
ONLINE

Join UU Mass Action for a day of justice-making and advocacy, now online!

Fri - Sat, April 17 - 18
Register by April 9th
ONLINE

The UU Office at the United Nations and 2020 Planning Committee have made the decision to move this year’s Intergenerational Spring Seminar to a virtual event rather than an in-person one, due to the current threat posed by the COVID-19 coronavirus. The programming in this virtual gathering will be different from what we could do in person, and it presents us with an exciting opportunity to explore how to be in relationship and learn together what it means to be "All In for Climate Justice," even when we can’t be in the same room.
Creating and Sustaining a Legacy Giving Program
Sat, April 18, 10am - 2pm
ONLINE

This workshop is designed for board members, ministers, fundraising volunteers, legacy giving committee members, and finance committee members who want to learn about soliciting, managing, and stewarding legacy gifts to ensure that Unitarian Universalism is answering the call of love for generations to come.

OUR WHOLE LIVES (OWL)
Facilitator Training
CANCELED
Session for grades 7-9 and 10-12:
April 24-26, 2020
Anti-racist/Multicultural Ministries
Thurs, April 30, 7pm - 8:30pm
ONLINE

It is often said that white people doing anti-racist work should follow the leadership of people of color. What lies behind this principle? What wrongs does this principle attempt to correct? What are some best practices congregations might consider to address power differences rooted in a history of injustice?

The final Knotty Conversation, " Allies, Accomplices, Partners" will be on May 19th.
Click below for a growing list of UU online events, including but not limited to worship.
You can even add the events from your own congregation!
General Assembly 2020
COVID-19 General Assembly Update:

"Year after year, General Assembly gives us an opportunity to pause and be together, reminding us of our connection to each other and to our shared Unitarian Universalist faith. In that regard, General Assembly 2020 is no different. While the Conference Services team and GA Planning Committee are working to adapt to the unprecedented needs of this moment, the mission of our work remains the same.

We are monitoring local and national news, as well as hotel and conference service industry organizations, for updates, protocols, and advice about the spread of the coronavirus in the United States. We are discerning how General Assembly will be shaped to meet changes and challenges, but we are sure that General Assembly will take place from June 24 – June 28, 2020.

In the weeks ahead, we will keep you informed to this very fluid situation. Unitarian Universalism teaches us to stay connected, especially in uncertain times. We are hopeful and encourage you take good care of yourselves and one another even as we hold those who are directly affected by this crisis in our thoughts and prayers."

Early bird registration has been extended to April 30th.
About the New England Region
We thank all congregations whose  generous contributions to the Region
and to our UUA Annual Program Fund make all of our work possible.

We offer  learning opportunities  throughout the New England Region for congregational members, lay leaders, and religious professionals.

Regional staff  services and support  are available to UU congregations year-round.

Know someone at church who would like to subscribe? 
Send them this link:  http://tinyurl.com/NERemail

Contact us!
(617) 948-6415
newengland@uua.org
Website:  uua.org/new-england