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Written by Gretchen Ohmann, communications coordinator
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Thursday, 25 June 2009 |
 General Assembly 2009 began with the traditional banner parade and representatives from hundreds of U*U congregations carried their unique and colorful banners around the assembly hall. Highlights so far were UUA President Rev. William Sinkford's eighth and last report to the GA, the music of Dr. Ysaye Barnwell and the Mountain Desert District Choir, and the speakers from many nations. Several occcasions prompted standing ovations from the crowd.
Folks from CMwD gathered on Wednesday afternoon for an informal "ingathering" in a suite at a nearby hotel. The room was packed but everyone seemed to enjoy themselves. Congregational Services Director Rev. Ian Evison initiated only one directed activity -- we went around the room and introduced ourselves briefly. That helped everyone put names to faces.
If you're on Facebook, you can find more photos there of people you may know, as District staff and close to 100 CMwD folks attend GA.
The UUA's website has lots of coverage as well.
GA makes national news for activism in Standing on the Side of Love in the heart of Mormon territory -- Salt Lake City!
Unitarians say they're 'Standing on the Side of Love' - USATODAY.com
Source: www.usatoday.com
Members of Unitarian Universalist churches are unveiling a campaign against
hate crimes at their General Assembly this week (June 24-29), calling
on their congregations and those of other faiths to advocate for
equality and to curb violence.
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Written by Michelle Richards
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Thursday, 07 August 2008 |
 The Our Whole Lives (OWL) sexuality program stresses the value of abstinence for adolescents, but unlike some faith-based programs, it also includes frank discussions of birth control, safe sex practices, sexual orientation, gender issues and affirms the value of all family configurations. Those children and adolescents who are fortunate enough to experience the entire lifespan program from kindergarten on will have the opportunity to diaper anatomically correct baby dolls, role-play asking a classmate for a date, learn what Pap smears screen for, participate in condom relay races and play a game of risk roulette where participants symbolically learn the odds of contracting an STD or conceiving a pregnancy.
The OWL program is a whole life program, presenting age-appropriate comprehensive sexuality education -- and has a total of six components from a curriculum designed for early elementary through a program designed for adults, including a recent addition for young adults which helps them consider healthy approaches to sexuality, gender issues and sexual harrassment. OWL program facilitators attend a comprehensive training offered by the Unitarian Universalist Association and this October, the Central Midwest District will sponsor both a combined training session for facilitators leading the junior and senior high OWL programs as well as a combined OWL training for the elementary levels of K-1 and grades 4-6.
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Read more...
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Congregations and the Economy, Once Again |
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Written by Ian Evison
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Tuesday, 09 June 2009 |
 In preparation for an online series on congregations and money, Laurel Amabile of the UUA Annual Program Fund asked for my answers to a series of questions. I reprint them here as an online interview. Trust you will find them useful. -- Ian
What are the greatest challenges UU leaders are facing with regard to stewardship and finance?
The challenges are not entirely what we might expect. On the whole, in the survey we have been doing, 80% of congregations report equal to or even a little ahead of last year. This means that most congregations have not had to cut back in major ways though it must be remembered that even a flat budget means that people go without raises. And, if non-personnel costs must increase, it can mean pay cuts, lay-offs or furloughs. The worst direct effect is doubtless on those congregations who are most dependent on endowment income or those who were already in financial distress.
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