Pacific Western Region
October 2024 |
Contents
The Times, They Are Changin'
Rev. Sunshine Wolfe, PWR Regional Lead
UUA Office of Church Staff Finances
UU the Vote 2024 Weekly Phonebank
RE Kickoff: Connections, Skills & Planning for Changing Times
Mosaic Fall Con
Mosaic National Learning and Practice Community
UU Theological Grounding for Climate Justice w/ UUA Pres. and UUSC Pres.
UPLIFT Transgender/Nonbinary+ Pastoral Care Group Space
UPLIFT Transgender/Nonbinary+ Monthly Gathering
UPLIFT Access Resource Webinar
UU Mental Health Network Board
UU Addictions and Recovery Ministry
Free Programming for Under 300 Member Congregations
Sparks Program
Taproot: A National BIPOC Space
New Faithify Campaigns
Camp de Benneville Pines
Sermon of the Month
UUA Book Fair and or inSpirit Bookstore |
Pacific Western Region Staff
PWR Lead
PWR Program Staff
PWR Administrator and Bookkeeper
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Pacific Western Region Links
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The Times, They Are Changin' |
We want to share some of the exciting changes to the Pacific Western Region in recent months. We brought on four new staff since the end of June, legally became a region on August 1st, and the Pacific Western Region Board had their first official meeting in August! It is an interesting and busy time for the Board and the staff and we are excited for what emerges out of our creative interchanges in the coming years.
Board: On August 1st, the first phase of the merger of the districts was completed which formally created the Pacific Western Region as a legal entity. If you are thinking, “I thought that already happened,” I’m sure you are not alone. Keep in mind, this changes very little for the everyday UU, but has been a lot of work for the Pacific Western Region Transitions Team and staff. Special gratitude to Libby Fitzgerald, Bob Miess, Mary Nordhagen, Keith Strohmaier, and Rhoda Whitney who served on the Transitions Team making the legal region and the PWR Regional Board a reality. Look for updates from the Board in next month’s newsletter!
The Board is currently setting up the structures based on the new Bylaws to have the Board work efficiently and meaningful in support of our congregations. This includes setting up new Circles (kind of like a committee) and developing their meeting structure. This will take time. Most Transitions Team members have agreed to continue on to the Board with two new additions. There are members from all four former districts with intention given to representation. They are Keith Strohmaier (President), Libby Fitzgerald (Secretary), Mary Nordhagen (Treasurer), Kia Bordner, Roger Jones, David Sheh, and Bob Miess. If you have questions for the board, please contact them at pwrboard@uua.org.
Staff: Please welcome the two newest PWR Field Staff, Sam Pearl and Rev. Tania Marquez. They are just beginning to reach out to their primary contact congregations- so some of you will be hearing from them directly this fall. They will share more about their lives and work in the November newsletter. They bring us to full staffing for the first time in almost a year. We ask for your patience as we catch up on work and get things in order. If you have questions or need help, just reach out and we will get back to you.
As Regional Lead, I know that all of the leaders across our region are working hard to support and resource our congregations. Leaders from congregations, camps, professionals’ groups, caucus groups and organizations, and beyond are shining the light of Unitarian Universalism in a world that too often treats change as inherently dangerous. We know that, like the chrysalis of a butterfly, times of transformation can be delicate and tricky. We also know that it can be beautiful and inspiring. May we lean into the changing times knowing that our actions matter. We are here for one another.
- Rev. Sunshine Wolfe, PWR Regional Lead |
From the UUA Office of Church Staff Finances |
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New this program year! In addition to Compensation Consultants, we now have Treasurer Consultants. This emerging team supports treasurers with responsibilities that fall outside of the Office of Church Staff Finances scope. Treasurer Consultants are listed on the Compensation Consultants page.
Our office publishes a monthly newsletter, Compensation and Staffing News. Please sign up if you have financial or personnel-related responsibilities – or if you are a staff member who wants to stay current on employment matters. See our September issue for:
New guidance on helping employees pay for insurance obtained from another source
An update on our Retirement Plan Restatement process
Info about this year’s Health Plan Audit
Open Enrollment webinar on October 10
*For ordained UU community ministers and UU employers not yet participating in the UU Org Retirement Plan, now is a great time to get started. To learn more, contact RetirementPlan@uua.org or visit uua.org/retirement. |
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UU the Vote 2024 Weekly Phonebank |
Join UU the Vote, UU State Action Networks, and local organizing partners in key states as we call voters leading up to the November election.
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RE Kickoff: Connections, Skills & Planning for Changing Times |
RE Kickoff registration has open.
This fall, join Religious Education (RE) teams from other congregations to kick off your RE year! Gather your team (professional and lay leaders) for two live, online facilitated gatherings to get aligned and set intentions for the purpose, goals, and activities of your RE program in a changing, unpredictable world.
Choose between Thursday or Sunday sessions:Thursday, October 10 & Thursday, October 24, 5-7PM MT / 4-6PM PT
Sunday, October 6 & Sunday, October 13, 2-4PM MT / 1-3PM PT |
Mosaic is a hub of connection, resources, and support for Unitarian Universalists dismantling racism and oppression. Join others from across the Association for Mosaic’s Fostering Belonging and Liberation Fall Conference in Bethesda, MD, Friday, October 18 – Sunday, October 20, 2024. The National Fall Conference will be a dynamic, multi-platform gathering for congregational teams and individuals engaged in the work of building multicultural communities with love at their center. Over two and a half days, participants will share in collaborative conversations, innovative workshops, and gain invaluable insights from community leaders within Unitarian Universalism and beyond. Participants will leave with renewed hearts and spirits, with new Mosaic tools in hand, ready to support and inspire others to foster belonging and liberation. You can learn more and register here. |
Join us for the next Mosaic National Learning and Practice Community: Anti-Racism/Anti-oppression Transformation Across the Lifespan. |
How do we use lifespan faith formation to create a culture of AR/AO/MC transformation? We will hear from Rev. Marisol Cabarrello who will help us explore the new Mosaic Lifespan Curriculum and facilitate time to share and connect with others around the theme.
Mosaic National Learning and Practice Gatherings support organizations and congregations’ long-term commitment to carry out AR/AO/MC transformation. These 90-minute virtual gatherings include a mix of facilitated learning from trusted voices in the movement for AR/AO/MC transformation and opportunities to be in conversation with fellow UUs. Register Now |
UU Theological Grounding for Climate Justice with UUA Pres. Sofía and UUSC Pres. Mary Katherine Morn
October 16 at 4pm PT / 7pm ET
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UUs have been at the leading edge of climate action for decades, but how does our faith call us to the work of climate justice? Join the Green Sanctuary 2030 Community for a watch party of the UU Theological Grounding for Climate Justice Fireside Chat with UUA Pres. Sofía and UUSC Pres. Mary Katherine Morn. How does your faith call you to this work? Join the conversation! Green Sanctuary 2030 Community Meetings provide shared learning and mutual supports for UUs transforming our congregations through climate justice. Register here |
UPLIFT Transgender/Nonbinary+ Pastoral Care Group Space
October 11 at 5pm PT / 8pm ET |
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What is pastoral care, exactly? Pastoral care is support with navigating life—big and small things, joys and hardships and all those mixed together. It’s not therapy, but a way for us to be in community together, supporting each other. This is a space to share the hard stuff and to hold the hard stuff that others are navigating in their lives. During our time together, our lead chaplain/facilitators will share opening and closing words, and in between, there is time for everyone to share what's on their hearts, and receive what others are sharing about their own lives. It's a supportive, judgment-free place to connect with other trans/nonbinary+ people. This year, the pastoral space is for adults only. If you’re a child or a youth and you’d like to have a space to talk about the hard stuff, let us know by registering for the pastoral space and putting a note in the comments. When we have enough children and youth registered, we’ll plan for opening additional spaces for different ages. And stay tuned for additional opportunities for children and youth to connect—we’re working on this! Register now |
UPLIFT Transgender/Nonbinary+ Monthly Gathering
October 22 at 5pm PT / 8pm ET |
Join the UPLIFT monthly gatherings focused on trans, nonbinary, and other not (completely or at all) cis UUs. Join us to connect with other trans/nonbinary UUs and co-create support and community across our faith. All you need to bring is yourself (and other trans/nonbinary friends, if you’d like)! These gatherings focus on getting to know each other and on sharing our collective dreams, ideas, and talents for this space. Expansive definitions of trans, nonbinary, and UU all apply. If you are interested in this space, and you aren’t cisgender, it’s a space for you. NOTE: This space is intentionally multi-generational. It is open to and welcoming of trans/nonbinary elders as well as children, youth, and young adults. Standard UUA online safety measures apply to ensure all people under 18 are able to attend. We're glad to have you here! Register here |
UPLIFT Access Resource Webinar
October 17 at 9am PT / 12pm ET |
Our loving faith calls us to honor the inherent rights and dignity of all people and to fight forms of oppression wherever we find it. However, disabled people (who make up 26% of the population) regularly find ourselves pushed to the margins, being denied our needs, and not receiving the radical welcome UU’s aspire to provide to all members. Lay leaders, religious professionals, and allies are invited to join us for our monthly lunchtime webinars where you can learn how to be more accessible and inclusive of your congregation’s disabled members and visitors. Register Here |
Seeking Members for UU Mental Health Network Board |
The Unitarian Universalist Mental Health Network (UUMHN) has openings on our Board. We are seeking candidates who have a passion to help make a difference on mental health issues in UU congregations. People with mental health challenges, people with disabilities, people of color, indigenous people, Hispanic/Latinx, and LGBTQ candidates are especially encouraged to apply. Form more information please visit UUMHN website. |
Opportunity: Coordinate a Collection of Worship Materials for UU Addictions and Recovery Ministry |
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You are invited to help the Unitarian Universalist Addictions and Recovery Ministry Team (UUARMT) broaden our resources for leading worship services addressing addiction and recovery. We seek a person to curate a worship “kit” for WorshipWeb including 2-3 curated options of calls to worship, chalice lightings, readings, offertory words, suggested music. A stipend of $2500 stipend for curation, plus a $1500 budget to be used as compensation for the materials. Payment will be made when all pieces are approved for publication by the Worship Web review team.
Resumes and a proposal for collecting and curating worship materials need to be sent to the Unitarian Universalist Addictions Ministry by October 18, 2024. A decision about whether or not your proposal will be accepted will be made by November 15, 2024. Please send along a proposal and a resume to uuaamt@gmail.com. To find out more, see: Addiction Worship Details |
Free Programming for Under 300 Member Congregations |
UU Wellspring has a limited number of UU Wellspring memberships at no cost to congregations smaller than 300 people. The membership includes access to both Sources (our foundational 20 session program) and to our new 11-session Love at the Center: UU Values and Covenants.
Read all about this new program here and connect your congregation to our shared values. You can have as many groups as you like...just think, ready-made adult programming for your congregation for 2024-25!
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Sparks Program (formerly Renaissance Modules) Programs Starting Soon! |
The Sparks Program provides Unitarian Universalist (UU) Religious Educators a learning community within which they can easily access applicable skills and tools. The program offers fourteen differently-themed modules, all available in an online format with some being offered in-person. While the program is geared toward Religious Educators, religious professionals and lay leaders often participate in these programs, and you are invited to, as well. Costs typically range from $200-$300 depending on the program. Upcoming programs include:
Leading UU Culture Change
Family Ministry Training
Family Systems Theory
Faith Development
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Taproot: A National BIPOC Space |
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The work of the spiritual community is complicated in the 21st century. From busy schedules to the ever pressing tension brought on by systemic injustice, the need for faithful leadership that is grounded and resilient is imperative. This is all the more true for leaders within our
communities and congregations who are Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPoC). All too aware of this need, Congregational Life is excited to explore and co-create a network with congregational leaders that support them in this time in emergent ways through Taproot: A National BIPOC Space. The organizing pillars of this collective is:
- Rest & Renewal
- Analysis Building
- Leadership Development
BIPoC Leaders rooted in the Unitarian Universalist congregations are invited to take part in this monthly, virtual gathering as we explore these pillars in creating a means by which to ground ourselves in resilient communities of care.
This year, Taproot’s theme is "Leadership as Spiritual Practice," focusing on integrating spiritual groundedness with leadership development. We will explore how personal biography and resilience contribute to effective leadership and address challenges like responding to microaggressions and internalized supremacy.
Dates: We generally meet on the Second Wednesday of the month, October through May, at 8 PM EST/ 7 PM CST/ 6 PM MT/ 5 PM PST. Please see the calendar for details. 2024-25 dates are: October 9, November 13, December 11, January 8, February 12, March 12, April 9 and May 14.
All participants are asked to register for this event, you will receive the zoom connection information in your confirmation email. Register to join. |
Batch-Cooking UU CPE Students!
Fundraising for 6 UU seminarian colleagues -- many of whom are queer, trans, and/or BIPOC -- who are pursuing their (expensive) CPE credentialing. Details here
Documentary Finishing Fund - WHY ARE YOU YOU?
A documentary reveals how youth empowerment is nothing to mess with. When we find a sense of belonging at the most tender time - we thrive as adults. Details here |
Camp de Benneville Pines
For those folks who seek other adventures, there are always plenty of choices for great things to do at Camp de Benneville Pines. Check out our events calendar for the 2024-2025 programming year. Want to be the first to know about registration dates and more? Be sure to subscribe to our mailing list. |
2024-25 Sermon of the Month Series Is Here! |
Designed for small congregations, lay-led congregations, congregations with part-time ministry, and any congregation that is seeking resources for worship, Congregational Life's Sermon of the Month Series is a monthly subscription service that provides recorded sermons congregations can download and use for worship. Along with a transcript of the sermon, each month’s offering will include suggested readings and hymns.
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Host a UU Book Fair or an inSpirit Book Store Table |
Hosting a church book table or book fair is a popular and effective way to both connect congregants and visitors with books they’ll love and raise money for your ministries. inSpirit: The UU Book and Gift Shop can help keep your crowd current on the latest progressive reading resources from Skinner House, Beacon Press and other publishers as they continue their search for truth and meaning. inSpirit’s curated selection of books centers around issues of social justice, equity, and spirituality relevant to our time and place in the world. Visit uuabookstore.org to learn more about our book table and book fair services. |
Pacific Western Region of the UUA Newsletter |
This email was sent to congregational leaders, committee chairs and staff.
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Pacific Western Region - UUA
P.O Box 567
Brighton, CO 80601
United States |
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