OMD Up-CloseA monthly feature electronic magazine of the Ohio-Meadville District January 2011 District Assembly 2011
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This month's Up Close is to tell you about this year's District Assembly. Learn what opportunities for learning, worship, networking and fellowship are being offered this year. Find out how to apply for scholarships, register, request childcare and join an email discussion list to find rides and hotel roommates. Please join us on March 25-26, 2011 at Ohio University's Eastern Campus to celebrate being UUs through Radical Hospitality
Through true risk congregations thrive and grow. By taking risks (and failing sometimes) congregations attract people who want to make a difference in the world. Come hear the story of one UU congregation's daring adventure. Then be prepared to seriously consider your church's next risk.
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Rev. Howard N. Dana has been the Senior Minister at the Unitarian Church of Harrisburg, PA since August 2000. During his ministry there, the church has grown significantly, wining the national O. Eugene Pickett Award for growth and vitality in 2006. In January 2010 the congregation was named one of the four "Breakthrough Congregations" in the entire Unitarian Universalist denomination. After three years of seminary at Starr King School, a 10-month internship in suburban Detroit at the Birmingham Unitarian Church, and a year-long interim ministry with the Mission Peak Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Fremont, California, Rev. Dana answered a call in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Under his leadership, the Unitarian Church of Harrisburg is thriving and growing. It has recently purchased a second church building in the Allison Hill neighborhood of the City of Harrisburg. This second site will enable the congregation to engage much more in justice work and anti-racism. |
"It's so nice to be with other UUs! I learned some valuable info/ideas from the workshops and there were useful resources we purchased from the Marketplace for our congregation. I appreciate the variety of resources at the Marketplace." - quotation from DA 2010 participant evaluation forms
Schedule
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Friday, March 25
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| 5:30 - 7:30 pm |
Registration
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| 7:00 - 8:30 pm |
OMD in the Larger Movement
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| 8:30 - 8:45 pm |
District Awards Presentation
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| 8:45 - 9:45 pm |
Reception
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Saturday, March 26
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| 8:00-10:00 am |
Registration
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| 9:00 - 10:00 am |
Opening Worship/Banner Parade
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| 10:00 - 11:00 am |
Keynote Speaker: Rev. Howard Dana
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| 11:15 - 12:30 pm |
Business Meeting
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| 12:30 - 1:30 pm |
Lunch and Networking Lunches
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| 1:45 - 3:00 pm | Workshop Session 1 |
| 3:15 - 4:30 pm | Workshop Session 2 |
| 4:45 - 5:15 pm |
Closing Worship
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Workshops
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There is one workshop that will run the through both sessions titled The Evolution of the Nominating Committee to the Leadership Development Team led by Rev. Renee Ruchotzke. Single slot workshops will run the gambit of topics. These workshops include ones on radical hospitality, membership paths, young adult programing, youth programming, congregational mission, outreach programs, green sanctuary programs, church leadership development, multigenerational congregations, church histories, and behavioral convenants. You can also participate in a talkback with our theme speaker, Rev. Howard Dana, and learn about the Justice Assembly 2012 in Phoenix, AZ and what the OMD is planning around that event. Each workshop will run an hour and 15 minutes and are led by presenters from around the district. To learn more about these workshops please visit the DA workshop page of the OMD Website. |
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"Opening Worship on Saturday was GREAT. Keynote Speaker was GREAT. I loved that the message was so positive and affirming. It was exhilarating and energizing.". - quotation from DA 2010 participant evaluation forms
Other Events
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District Assembly is not just a business meeting and workshops. It is networking, worship, celebration and discussion. It is a chance to enlarge your UU world. At District Assembly we have a number of other events and activities that help fill these needs. Friday evening will be filled with a forum addressing "OMD In the Larger Movement" - how do we fit into the Central East Regional Group (CERG) and the UUA. We will also honor our district award winners. We'll close our day with a short reception after the festivities. Saturday will feature the annual Opening Worship and Banner Parade led by Rev. Susan Ritchie. Bring your congregation's banner and join in the parade! We will also have closing worship led by the Rev. Mark Belletini. |
Our Marketplace will display information from various district groups and sell items of UU interest - Beacon Press and Skinner House books, fundraising items from local congregations and other UU themed items. Saturday lunchtime will provide space for different groups including presidents, treasurers, and young adults to meet and network.
Learn more about our other events at the OMD District Assembly webpage.
"I always enjoy the Workshop Sessions and Browsing at the Marketplace. The Keynote Speaker was also outstanding. I seem to get inspired when I attend the District Assembly." - quotation from DA 2010 participant evaluation forms
Childcare
Childcare is offered at District Assembly for our younger members. Parents must register their children by February 25th so we can ensure that we have enough child care providers. Childcare will be provided during the forum on Friday evening and all day Saturday except during lunch. To learn more about childcare and how to register, please visit the District Assembly pages or consult the brochure.
Scholarships and Registration
Scholarship for 1/2 the registration cost are available to participants at District Assembly. Preference will go to those who are attending as delegates for their congregations. Deadline for applications is February 25th. Please see the application form on the registration page or in the brochure for details.
Registration is now open for District Assembly. You can register online or register with a paper form. Early bird deadline is February 25th, Advance Registration closes on March 12th. After that date you must register on-site. Congregations who were full fair share with the OMD and UUA Annual Program Fund for fiscal year 2009-10 receive a $10 discount on each person's registration fee. Youth and young adults up to age 25 also receive a discounted fee. For the full registration fee listing, to see if your congregation is a full fair share congregation and to find the forms or links to online registration, visit the District Assembly registration page.
