From Powerlessness to Promise
I imagine you, too, saw the unique holiday cards from the incomparable year just completed with messages like “Just say no to 2020,” “OH OH OH,” and “Merry Christmas from a distance.” Just some of the G-rated messages. We might as well laugh. Humor can be one of our more benign coping mechanisms when we find ourselves in powerless situations; when we’re at our wits’ end in situations way beyond our control. 2020 was all of that for all of us. Bringing lightheartedness has at least helped us somewhat cope.
Your UUA New England Region (NER) staff team talks about Spiritual Leadership as an orientation towards one’s deepest values wherein the person, group, or congregation navigates between their power and powerlessness to advance a vision of Beloved Community. Like you, we faced last spring with unprecedented uncertainty about what lay ahead for congregations, we weren’t certain what to do, what kinds of support would work, what answers to offer. But we knew that we could stay present for you. We could listen and observe and share what we see. So rather than proceed with planned workshops we’ve asked questions about how and what congregations are doing -- gathering with small groups of leaders or with individual leaders -- and have listened to your experiences.
Here is some of what we have observed from you during this trying year:
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Volunteer for a UUA
Committee, Commission, or Board
Deadline January 15th
What’s your vision for Unitarian Universalism? The UUA wants to hear from you!
The Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) seeks visionary and flexible Unitarian Universalists to serve the committees, commissions, and boards that work with staff and the UUA Board of Trustees to carry out the mission of the Association. If volunteering at the Associational level is of interest to you, please consider serving in volunteer leadership. Find out more by clicking here.
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Carolyn Cartland Sermon Contest
This annual contest highlights disability-related themes and topics. Entries are due by May 1, 2021 with a cash prize of $500.00 going to the chosen applicant. The award will be presented at the virtual EA Celebration. Time permitting, the winner may be asked to give an excerpt at the event. For more information, please click here.

All entries, including the cover page found on this link should be emailed to info@EqUUalAccess.org.
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Young Adult Revival Network (YARN)
A group of young adults are striving to rebuild and delivery ministry to the continental Young Adult community. They have a variety of different activities that occur virtually, that connect us all together, including UU LGBTQ+ Young Adult Meet-ups, The Countering Oppressions Meet-ups, monthly Worship series, identity groups such as a nascent Black UUYA group, and online conferences.
Check out their website (www.uuyarn.org) They can be reached at yarn@uusf.org. We greatly appreciate your help in stitching back together the UU young adult community.This work is based out of the First Unitarian Universalist Society of San Francisco.
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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.
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Stay home and travel the UU world!
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New Day Rising
Conference National
Saturday, February 27th
12pm-9pm ET
Is your congregation ready to progress in racial justice work? Want to learn what other congregations are working on, and how yours might apply it? Join the Central East Region staff and a continent of UUs as we create Beloved UU 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.
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Stewardship Webinars
Your Regional staff is partnering with the Stewardship For Us consultants to present a 2-part series in early February:
Saturday, Feb. 6th: Effective Pledge Drives: Connecting Online and Off
Saturday, Feb. 13th: Asking for Contributions During These Times
Keep an eye out for more information and registration links in the New Year!
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Small Congregation Webinars
Small congregations are invited to join us for a 3 part series February-April focused on collaboration and program and staff sharing.
Dates are Feb 18, Mar 18 and April 22.
Registration and details will be available in January.
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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 Advertising - Celebrating 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.
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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.
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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!
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List of Resources for COVID-19 |
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About the New England Region |
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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.
Know someone at church who would like to subscribe?
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Contact us!
(617) 948-6415
newengland@uua.org
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