Relief Fund established to help UUs in flood-stricken TN and KY May 5, 2010 Greater Nashville UU Congregation, in the TJ District, 1st UU Church of Nashville, in the Mid-South District, and the UU Church of Bowling Green, in the Heartland District, have been significantly affected by the flooding in Tennessee and Kentucky. Although both of the Nashville church buildings were spared (Bowling Green was not so lucky), UUs in both Nashville congregations experienced catastrophic losses. Because the flooding extended beyond the established flood plains, many of these people do not have flood insurance. Although members from both congregations are helping in with clean-up, temporary housing, and other assistance, it will be only through the generosity of other UUs that the flood victims will be able to get back on their feet.
The purpose of the 2010 Tennessee/Kentucky Flood Relief Fund is to bring practical financial assistance, ministry, and spiritual care to those affected by recent tragic flooding in Tennessee and Kentucky, particularly to those in the First Unitarian Universalist Church of Nashville, the Greater Nashville Unitarian Universalist Church, and the Unitarian Universalist Church of Bowling Green, Kentucky.
Giving to this fund will support these congregations and their communities in this challenging time and let them know that they are remembered by those in the Unitarian Universalist faith community. The fund is a partnership among the UUA, the affected congregations, and their districts, the Mid-South District, the Thomas Jefferson District, and the Heartland District.
Please donate now to help restore hope for the UUs affected by this flooding. Individual gifts are, of course, welcome and you can live your covenant with other UU congregations in which you pledge your mutual trust and support by taking up a special collection or sharing the plate in your Sunday service. We have exceptionally generous people in the TJ District and we want to thank you, in advance, for demonstrating it once again.
UU World Article UUA raises funds for southeastern flood victims Will help Unitarian Universalist congregations in Tennessee and Kentucky. By Donald E. Skinner http://www.uuworld.org/news/articles/162765.shtml
To Donate Donations for the 2010 Tennessee/Kentucky Flood Relief Fund may be sent to the UUA, 25 Beacon St., Boston MA 02108. Attn: Stewardship & Development Gift Processing. Please note “Nashville Flood Relief” somewhere on the check. Online donations may be made at http://uua.kintera.org/TNKYFloodRelief.
Well-attended TJD 2010 Annual Meeting enjoyed historic venue May 4, 2010 he TJD 2010 Annual Meeting held this year at Penn Center, St. Helena's Island, SC, April 30 - May 2, 2010, was clearly one of most exciting annual meetings we have had in the TJD. A total of nineteen children and 219 adults attended the event. The weather cooperated wonderfully and the location, Penn Center, an organization founded in 1862 by Unitarian, Laura M. Towne, as one of the first schools for the newly freed African people of the Sea Islands of SC, was amazing. Even more amazing was the dedication, committment and hospitality of the UU Fellowship of Beaufort. For a congrgeation of 81 members to host a record-size annual meeting was quite a feat and they did it with grace and love.
The theme, Standing on the Side of Love, included an inspiring and moving keynote by the Reverend Chris Buice, Tennessee Valley UU Church. Workshops were led by former UUA moderator, Denny Davidoff, and the director of the Standing on the Side of Love campaign, Adam Gerhardstein, and several of our capable congregational volunteers, Frank Benedetti and Gary Trowbridge (Winston-Salem), Wendy DeGroat (Richmond), Linda Lane Hamilton (Williamsburg), and district staff, the Rev. Sue Sunnamon, and Donna Sequeira. On Friday evening, Leon Dunkley, an ethnomusicologist and Director of Congregational Life at Unity Unitarian in Minneapolis, entertained and moved us with a fundraising concert for an organization that teaches organic farming to children of the Sea Islands.
Five major items on the business agenda were decided:
A by-laws amendment to change the District name failed.
Several bylaw amendments related to policy-based governance all passed
The district budget, including an increase of TJD Dues to $22 for the 2012 church year, was approved
A proposal by the District Board related to the Arizona anti-immigration law passed unanimously (see below).
New district leaders were elected: the Rev. Ann Marie Alderman (Greenville, NC) and Nato Hollister (Eno River) were elected to the board, Jim Key (Beaufort, SC) and Denise Rimes (Richmond) were re-elected to the board. Myrtle Hepler (Raleigh) was re-elected and Lois Cavanaugh-Daley (Raleigh) and Anna Olsen (Asheville) were elected for the first time to the Nominating Committee.
All in all, we had a very successful weekend in which we honored and were inspired by our courageous ancestors, Laura M. Towne and Clara Barton, congregations put the democratic process to the test, and we all practiced beloved community.
For Jim Key's presonal reflections about the name change vote, visit Jim's blog.
UUA Video Series, "A Religion for Our Time" Features Two TJ District Congregations
June 15, 2010 The UUA and President Peter Morales have created a video series highlight inspiring work in Unitarian Universalist (UU) congregations, including innovative projects relating to worship, religious education, social justice, membership, and fellowship. Two of our TJ District congregations have been featured in the series: the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Wilmington, NC and Oak Ridge Unitarian Universalist Church in TN. Please see the episodes below. Well done UUFW and ORUUC!
Video featuring Oak Ridge Unitarian Universalist Church
Episode Five explores the creation of an alternative worship service at the Oak Ridge Unitarian Universalist Church (ORUUC) in Tennessee. When several congregants at ORUUC realized two years ago that they yearned for a worship service with more music and interaction, they started working with the minister to create a "celebration service." They call it a work in progress.
Video featuring Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Wilmington
Episode Four presents a creative approach to youth programming from the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Wilmington (UUWF), North Carolina. What's a compelling way to engage teenagers in a deep, yearlong discussion of theology and Unitarian and Universalist principles? How about a curriculum designed around the Star Wars movies? It's working like a charm at UUWF.
UU Fellowship of Statesboro Stands on the Side of Love February 14, 2010
Check out photographic momentos from the recent Standing on the Side of Love "Souper" Valentine Party at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Statesboro, GA. This link also shows pictures of other actions taken by UUs across the nation, as we re-imagined Valentines' Day. In Statesboro, between the dinner Saturday night and the Give-Away-the-Plate Sunday morning collection at church, they raised $500! This will be split between the national UUA Standing on the Side of Love campaign and the local "For the Love of Larry" bullying prevention program. Way to go, UUs and friends! Thank you to all the cooks, contributors, cake walkers and other supporters who came together to make this happen!
First Unitarian Unitarian Church of Richmond applies for same-sex marriage licenses February 13, 2010
Unitarian Church of Norfolk damaged by flooding November 15, 2009
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.
Rev. Jake Morrill Appointed to UUA Board as TJD Trustee October 17, 2009
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
REPORT:TJD 2009 Annual Meeting and Multi-Generational Family Retreat May 12, 2009
Although we wish more people would have been able to attend the TJD 2009 Annual Meeting, it never-the-less proved to be a great success. Joining with UUs from across the district and across the ages, from toddlers to seniors, all those in attendance (83 adults and 19 children and youth, representing 30 congregations - 27 in TJD and 3 outside) experienced the richness of working and playing in multi-generational community. Participants attended workshops on stewardship and campus ministry while some took advantange of the wilderness survival and low-ropes courses offered by the Park Service. On Friday night, folks socialized around a campfire complete with s'mores and on Saturday evening were entertained by the folk/rock duo Wishing Chair.
At Saturday's business meeting, delegates adopted the 2010 TJD budget and several by-laws changes, elected new board and nominating committee members, and approved a resolution to support the Board's move toward policy governance (results of the annual meeting minutes will be posted on TJD Governance/Minutes and Reports within a few days). Sunday's worship was one of the highlights of the weekend. Led by the Rev. Dr. Monica Cummings, from the UUA Youth Office, and joined by choir director, Mark Fruendt and the fabulous choir from UUC of Greensboro, we envisioned what it would be like to truly embrace multi-generational community in our congregations.
Next year's TJD annual meeting will be held April 30 - May 2 at Penn Center, on St. Helena's Island, SC, and hosted by the UUF of Beaufort and other congregations in the Southern Cluster. Mark your calendars today so you don't miss out on an incredible connection with UU history as we explore UU values and our commitment to social justice.
UUA Offers New Immigration Curriculum for Children's Religious Education <p>The UUA's Ministries and Faith Development Staff Group has announced publication of a new curriculum titled "With Justice and Compassion: Immigration Sessions for Children’s Religious Education," by Mandy Neff. This curriculum invites children in grades 1-3 and children in grades 4-6 to explore their own family stories while learning about immigration in the United States. It lifts up justice and compassion as guiding values as we consider immigration justice issues in our own time.</p>
Wed, 01 Feb 2012 00:00:00 EST Annual Program Fund Contribution Remains the Same <p>After much discernment with congregational leaders and considering the financial challenges still facing many of our congregations, the Rev. Peter Morales, our Unitarian Universalist Association President, decided that the requested Annual Program Fund contribution will remain at the current $58 per member for the new Fiscal Year 2013 (begins July 1, 2012). Our greatest strength comes from our interconnectedness as partners in this religious community. Thank you for your continued support.</p>
Mon, 30 Jan 2012 00:00:00 EST UUA Board of Trustees Nominates Two Candidates for Moderator The UUA Board of Trustees was charged with nominating one or more persons for the Moderator position effective with the election that will occur at GA in 2013. The Board has interviewed the recommended candidates and has selected two very fine UU leaders as our nominees for the position of Moderator of the UUA: Jim Key from Beaufort, SC and Tamara Payne-Alex from San Jose, CA.  
Mon, 23 Jan 2012 00:00:00 EST UUA Board of Trustees Nominates Two Candidates for Moderator The UUA Board of Trustees was charged with nominating one or more persons for the Moderator position effective with the election that will occur at GA in 2013. The Board has interviewed the recommended candidates and has selected two very fine UU leaders as our nominees for the position of Moderator of the UUA: Jim Key from Beaufort, SC and Tamara Payne-Alex from San Jose, CA.  
Mon, 23 Jan 2012 00:00:00 EST Congregations and Beyond <p>In Congregations and Beyond, the Rev. Peter Morales, President of the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA), offers a vision of the opportunities and challenges that face Unitarian Universalism as an international movement. He presents a strategic direction for Unitarian Universalism consistent with our core values and historic willingness to push beyond pre-determined boundaries. All Unitarian Universalists are encouraged to read, discuss, and share Congregations and Beyond.</p>
Thu, 19 Jan 2012 00:00:00 EST
Thomas Jefferson District ♦ 9704 Mallard Creek Road ♦ Charlotte, NC 28262 ♦ 800-549-0751 ♦ tjd@uua.org
