2010 Anti-racism Conference: Building the World We Want: Race, Place and Community
The 2010 Anti-racism Conference will be held at the First UU Church of Richmond, VA, February 5-6, 2010, This conference will begin to make sense of the geography of race and determine ways to advance racial justice in the face of institutional and structural resistance. National and regional leaders will help us understand how we structure our spaces to keep racial and ethnic groups apart, impeding institutions (including churches) from embracing diversity and multiculturalism. Professor john a. powell, J.D., Executive Director of the Kirwan Institute for the Study of Race and Ethnicity and Williams Chair in Civil Rights and Civil Liberties, Moritz College of Law, will present a provocative keynote address on the role of racism in where we live, work, and congregate.
Participate in the AR Conference Viral Video Venue!
One of our congregations, the Unitarian Church of Norfolk , VA, suffered extensive damage from flooding caused by remnants of Hurricane Ida that passed through last week. Here is a recap of the situation:
Exceptionally high tides brought serious flooding to the church, sustaining six feet of water in the basement. The boiler and electrical systems were flooded with salt water, the generators failed, and there was also damage to the roof. The church pastoral care committee called almost all of the 225 members to see how they were doing. Two members sustained serious damage to their homes and more may appear as full phone contact becomes available again. Members of the church turned out to cope with the flooding, one staying all night at the church so he could move things out of harm's way and do what he could to contain the damage. A roofer in the congregation climbed up to patch the steep roof. Church Mutual is coming out today and we don't know yet how much will not be covered.
At this point, the congregation is coping well. I’ll let you know once they know more if they have any needs for support. But in the meantime, please keep them in your thoughts and prayers.
Social Justice Coordinator position announced The TJD District Board has approved the hiring of a 1/2 time Social Justice Coordinator to support and equip congregations in the district to plan and implement effective social justice programs and initiatives. The deadline for applications has been extended to Friday, December 11, 2009. For more information about this exciting opportunity, see Position Openings.
Rev. Jake Morrill Appointed to UUA Board as TJD Trustee I am pleased to announce that the Thomas Jefferson District Board, as sanctioned by Article XII, Section 7 of the TJ District bylaws, has selected Rev. Jake Morrill of the Oak Ridge, Tennessee congregation to fill Anna Olsen's remaining term. A lifelong UU, Jake is a graduate of Harvard Divinity School and has served the Oak Ridge congregation since 2003. As the father of two sons, he is committed to multi-generationalism and multi-culturalism in our faith movement. Those who recommended Jake have the highest praise for his passion, spirit, and ability to bring people together for the greater good. We welcome Jake, his wife Molly, and their two sons as they extend their new and exciting commitment to our movement.
In faith and standing on the side of love,
Jim Key, President Thomas Jefferson District of the UUA
UUA General Assembly 2011 District Coordinator The TJD Board is in the process of recruiting an individual to serve as District Coordinator for the 2011 UUA General Assembly to be held in Charlotte, NC, June 22-26, 2011. The District Coordnator will work activity with the GA Planning Committee beginning in January 2010 through the completion of General Asembly 2011. If you are interested in being considered for this important volunteer position, please review the following documents:
If you would like to apply for this position, please complete the District Coordinator Application form by no later than November 20, 2009. Preference will be given to people who live in or near Charlotte or who have extensive knowledge of Charlotte resources.
Thomas Jefferson District ♦ 9704 Mallard Creek Road ♦ Charlotte, NC 28262 ♦ 800-549-0751 ♦ tjd@uua.org
