February 2021 Newsletter
Meck Groot
Meeting Challenges During a Pandemic
by Meck Groot

As we go about our work at this time, the NER staff team keeps learning about the faithful ways UU congregations are meeting the challenges of being and doing church during a pandemic. Hilary Allen shared a sampling in her post “Risking in the Time of Change” and we have shared examples on the NER Facebook page.

We'd like to lift up the stories of the Five Points Cluster, the UU Society of Amherst, First Universalist in Yarmouth, AFIRE: Alliance for Inspiring RE, First Parish in Taunton, and Follen Community Church. Read these inspiring congregational stories on our blog.

We know there are stories we haven’t heard yet! If you have a story to share about how your congregation is addressing the challenges of this time, please share them with us at newengland@uua.org.
News
Certify Your Congregation!

All congregations must file for certification by the extended deadline of February 17 in order to be certified for GA.

Only certified congregations may send voting delegates to the General Assembly. Credentials will be available for distribution in March.

Now Online!

Originally developed as a popular in-person workshop by the New England Region staff, COSL is now accessible nationwide as an online training through the UU Leadership Institute!

Consider taking this training if you and your congregation are looking for ways for congregational life to be more about:
  • soulful engagement with your faith;
  • finding energy and meaning in the gifts already present in your congregation; and
  • the transformative power of communities living their values in ways that challenge dominant culture — both within and beyond the congregation.
General Assembly 2021 Registration is now open! 

Registration for virtual GA 2021 is $200 per person. General Assembly registrants will receive access to the 2021 Online Participation Portal, including live, simulive, and on-demand video content, the virtual exhibit hall, chat features, support, and a (new!) GA mobile app. Register Now!
 
Sponsorship â—Ź Exhibiting â—Ź AdvertisingCelebrating its 60th year in 2021, General Assembly will be an unforgettable experience for the anticipated 5,000+ attendees from 750+ UU congregations. We are pleased to offer premium sponsorship packages, virtual exhibit booths, and other advertising opportunities which will provide top-notch exposure to your group or initiative. Make your reservation by April 15.
 
  • Platinum GA Sponsors will be showcased in the NEW! GA App by Whova sponsor profile page on both web and mobile. Your organization's banners, customized profiles, and branding videos allow you to keep up a strong presence whenever attendees open up the Whova app. App Sponsors will receive increased visibility with a custom sponsor banner that will display throughout the app.
 
  • With the Virtual Exhibitor Booths, exhibitors can easily display who they are and what they do, provide demonstrations and other presentations through video and livestreams, and speak one-on-one with interested attendees. With the right planning and Whova’s new resources, exhibitors return on investment will rival an in-person event.
 
 
2021 GA Private Events – Are you planning an ancillary meeting during General Assembly that GA registrants would like to know about? Please use this form to submit descriptions of committee meetings, affinity group meet-ups, or other “off-grid” activities to the GACS office. A listing of these events will be published in the GA Participation Portal and in the GA app so attendees can find them.
Catch Kate McKinnon's delightful SNL scene
as a lesbian Unitarian minister from Stowe, VT!
Stay home and travel the UU world!
Gatherings for
Congregational Presidents

More info and registration:

This is the second round of our new quarterly zoom gatherings for presidents. Join your peers to share ideas, strategies, questions, concerns, and support.

Open to: Current congregational presidents, people who will be president within the next several months, or, in the absence of the current president, the congregation’s vice president.

Your Regional staff is partnering with the Stewardship For Us consultants to present a 2-part series. Cost is $15 per person per session. Register by Feb 5th!


Unitarian Universalist congregations are self-supporting and rely on the lifelong generosity of members and friends. What’s the same and what needs to change for successful pledge drives now and in the near future? How can your congregation stay engaged in stewardship and generosity through a blended on-site and virtual community?


What inspires generosity in our UU congregations now and always? How do your Stewardship team, board and other leaders play their respective roles in building generosity? What are the values and priorities driving members to support their congregations? How do you appeal across generations?
Small congregations are invited to join us for a 3-part series focused on collaboration and program and staff sharing.




Listening Circles for Religious Educators

More info and registration:

The New England Region is hosting two listening circles to hear from leaders of religious education and faith formation ministries across New England.

We want to reflect on what you have seen and learned this past year. We will bring questions for your consideration and we will hold collegial space for you to share how you are doing in the wake of so much sorrow, loss, and fear which we have all experienced in the past year. We hope to also hear from you what we should be paying attention to as RE programs begin to move toward a post-pandemic world.
New Day Rising
Conference National
February 27th
12pm-9pm ET

Is your congregation ready to progress in racial justice work? Want to learn what other congregations are doing, and how yours might apply it? Join the Central East Region staff and a continent of UUs as we create Beloved Communities.

On Your Own: Watch compelling video TED-talk style testimonials from selected congregations around the continent sharing their learnings, hopes and next steps in their quest for racial equity in their congregations

Together: Worship · Workshops · Caucusing. With plenty of breaks.

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!
Resources
List of Resources for COVID-19
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