Featured Resource Archive

May 2008

Interconnections is a newsletter sent out to congregational leaders by the UUA. The newsletter searches out exemplary congregational programs and tells how they work so other congregations can emulate them. If you are a congregational leader and not getting this newsletter, check to see if your congregation has updated their leadership list with the UUA. But never fear, you can subscribe to an email from Interconnections letting you know when each issue is available online. Visit www.uua.org/publications/interconnections to learn more about the publication and what it offers our leaders.

April 2008

UULTI UU Leadership Team Institute

This is a remarkable week-long residential learning experience to renew faith, embrace congregational growth and change, welcome and nurture all, and fulfill the hopeful loving promise of Unitarian Universalism in the wider world. Individuals will forge new partnerships, teams will be strengthened, and all will be inspired and empowered. Return to your congregation with practical tools and powerful ideas. Who should attend? Board members, ministers, committee chairs, religious education professionals, treasurers, administrators, musicians, and other current or emerging leaders. Teams from congregations are especially encouraged. For more information visit www.uulti.org.

March 2008

Want to know what resources are out there for worship? Stewardship? Hiring a new minister? Religious Education? Music? Want to learn about social justice initiatives that other congregations are using? Learn the secrets of growing and successful congregations? Want to be part of the UUA's decsion making process? Check out General Assembly. Here you can attend workshops and gain information on a variety of topics, talk to folks from a variety of backgrounds, shop the exhibit hall for supplies, books and all things UU and be an active participant in the decision making process. To learn more about what is being offered this year, and to register, visit www.uua.org/ga. And, if you are a congregational leader who wants to hone your leadership skills, add on UU University. Visit www.uua.org/uuuniversity for details.

February 2008

Are you new to your position and need help figuring out answers to your questions? Are you trying to find resources for an event or activity you are planning? Do you want ideas of how to do things in your congregation? The UUA's Leader Library is the place to visit. Put in your keyword, or define your search by your position, topic area and subtopic, congregation size and more. Visit the UUA's Leader Library at www.uua.org/leaders/leaderslibrary/index.php

January 2008

This year's OMD District Assembly will take place April 4-5, 2008 at First Unitarian Church, Pittsburgh, PA. The theme is Growing Branches, Strong Roots: Our Common Identity. Our keynote speaker is the Rev. Alice Blair Wesley, who will speak on the topic Strong Free Churches: Rooted in Covenants of Love. This weekend is an opportunity for congregational leaders to network, gather resources, learn more on a variety of topics and weigh in on district issues at the annual business meeting. To learn more about District Assembly click here. The brochure is now available, you can download it as a pdf file by clicking here. Online registration and payment is also now open, click here for details.

December 2007

Unitarian Universalist Service Committee

The Unitarian Universalist Service Committee (UUSC) has been providing UUs opportunities to reach out on social justice issues for 65 years. The most commonly known program of the UUSC is the Guest At Your Table Campaign each year, where folks are invited to donate money towards the UUSC's programs. But the UUSC provides much more than that. They organize and lead work camps, JustWorks Journeys, provide curriculum for religious education classrooms and keep UUs updated on the situation in many countries. Currently one of their active programs is the Save Darfur campaign. They also sell UU jewelry, t-shirts and holiday cards to raise money for their programs. For more information about UUSC and their programs, visit www.uusc.org

November 2007

Ohio-Meadville District Staff

Our Ohio-Meadville District staff have many different resources, skills and talents available to help our congregations grow, solve problems, network with one another, create new programs and fulfill their missions. Over the past couple of months we've seen a number of changes in our staff, but the quality of the people filling the positions has not diminished one bit! Please check out the staff pages to learn more about what we can offer your congregation. The staff members are: Rev. Joan VanBecelaere, District Executive; Karen Lapidus, Program Consultant for Lifespan Faith Development; Ellen Carvill-Ziemer, Young Adult and Campus Ministry Consultant; Erin Riffle, Youth Ministries Consultant; Beth Casebolt, District Administrator and Toni White, OMD Bookkeeper. These folks, along with the generous volunteers who make up our board, small church resource liaisons, congregational consultants, and district committees are what keep Unitarian Universalism moving forward in the Ohio-Meadville District.

October 2007

The New UUA National Marketing Campaign

October marks the beginning of the New UUA National Marketing Campaign, the first national campaign in 50 years. In response to this campaign, congregations need to prepare for more visitors. Learn more about the marketing campaign by clicking here. To get help with Hospitality and Membership Resources visit our New Membership Resources Page. In addition, ad copy and resources are being made available to congregations to use locally. Learn more about the ad copy by clicking here. A new DVD titled, Voices of a Liberal Faith is being sent to all congregations, learn more about the DVD and how you can use it by clicking here. You can view this video online at You Tube, or by clicking on the file type: Real Player or Windows Media. And there is a new 30 second spot that you can view at You Tube, or by clicking on the file type: Real Player or Windows Media. You can download Real Player or Windows Media Player by clicking on the names.

September 2007

The Church of the Larger Fellowship (CLF)

If you do not know about CLF, you should check their website at www.clfuu.org. It is filled with resources for worship and religious education, activities, ideas, podcasts, and online classes. Originally created for those who live far away from a congregation as a "mail-order" church, CLF has become a resource for small and large congregations, those who live near congregations but whose schedules do not permit them to participate regularly and others who prefer an online community. The Church of the Younger Fellowship, a part of CLF for young adults ages 18-35 is also available at this website.