UUMA News The Newsletter of the Unitarian Universalist Ministers’ Association

March 2004 — March 2005

From the President

e have so much to provide for each other. Inside this Issue: W UUMA members of every sort – community, parish, Events of Interest 2 MRE, retired, candidate, settled, interim, part-time, and in all Professional Days 2004 2 manner of combinations – have much to give and receive in support, advice, encouragement, common effort, and camaraderie. From the Editor 3 Administrator Column 3 So our chapter gatherings (and clusters too) are generally more than just dutiful, but helpful, restorative, and often fun. And We Remember . . . 4 At least, that’s how it has seemed to me, visiting six chapters in the last few years to co-lead preaching workshops, and five more last church year as a Professional Days 2005 10 representative of the UUMA Exec. Collegial Reflections 11 Speaking to one chapter last winter, thanking them for the chance to be with them, I blurted C.E.N.T.E.R. Fold 12 out that “I like UU ministers. I do. I like the people who are drawn to our profession. And I News from the Dept. of 14 like the conversation that goes on when UU ministers get together.” Ministry & Professional I hope you feel that way, too. I hope your memories of past UUMA gatherings are positive Leadership and that you await future meetings with at least some fond anticipation. Members of the Responsible Staffing 15 UUMA Exec look forward to visiting as many chapters as possible, hoping to hear any issues on your mind. Community Ministry News 16

In addition, each year at GA the Exec meets with colleagues who represent a variety of Continuing Education at 19 concerns and interests. Last year our schedule included Bill Sinkford, Ralph Mero, Starr King School ministerial candidates, and representatives from the Transition Committee for Wholeness and Justice; the UUMA Committee on Ministry for Anti-Racism, Anti-Oppression, and District Staff Openings 19 Multiculturalism; the UUMA Nominating Committee; the UUMA Community Ministry Focus Group; the UUA Commission on Compensation, Benefits and Pension; the MFC; Personals 20 and Part-Time Ministers. UUMA Publications 22

We bid good-bye with thanks and admiration to members who left the Exec: President New Members 23 Kendyl Gibbons, Vice-President Bobbie Nelson, Patricia Jimenez (who has had the portfolio for anti-racism, anti-oppression, and multiculturalism), and continental Good Offices person Ruppert Lovely. And we welcomed our new members, Vice-President Mary Katherine Morn, continental Good Offices person Susan Manker- Seale, and Clyde Grubbs (anti-racism, anti-oppression, and multiculturalism). I appreciate the trust and responsibility that you have placed in us on the Exec in the years ahead. If there are times when you think we could serve or represent you better, I hope you’ll let one of us know. As president, I am both grateful to Kendyl for her help and accomplishments, and full of hope that the UUMA will continue to make it possible for us in the UU ministry to provide for each other. All best wishes, Ken Sawyer UUMA President [email protected]

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Winter 2005 UUMA News Events of Interest to Colleagues · Chaplaincy Event—Intensive Listening Plans are being made for a workshop on our concept of the Circle of Listeners involving the practice of intensive listening without the rules and constraints of conventional small groups. This will be held in Hamilton, Ontario on Saturday afternoon, May 21, 2005. There will also be an opportunity to participate in the Canadian Unitarian Council event on chaplaincy on the preceding day as well as other sessions during their Annual CUC Conference on the Victoria Day weekend. Contact: Paul Yonge, Unitarian Laity League, Syracuse, New York Email: [email protected] Internet: www.unitarians.info · UU Christian Fellowship Revival 2005 Revs. Peter Gomes and Thomas Anastasi will keynote the 2005 UUCF Revival, Nov. 3-6, 2005 at First Jefferson UU Church, Fort Worth, TX. The overall theme of Biblical spirituality will mark UUCF’s 60th year with lectures, workshops, worships, small groups, and free resources. This is the fifth UUCF Revival. Keynote Presenter Rev. Peter Gomes from Harvard University, is a renowned preacher, lecturer and author who has, since 1970 served in The Memorial Church, Harvard University; and since 1974 as Plummer Professor of Christian Morals and Pusey Minister in The Memorial Church. He is a member of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences and of the Faculty of Divin- ity of Harvard University. Gomes was included in the summer 1999 premiere issue of Talk magazine as part of its feature article, The Best Talkers in America: Fifty Big Mouths We Hope Will Never Shut Up. American Baptist minister and the charismatic preacher and dynamic musician Rev. Thomas Anastasi has served the Shoreline UU Church in Seattle since August, 1990. He grew up in a Pentecostal Christian environment, and as a young adult studied for the ministry in the Church of God. In the 1970s Thomas became a professional musician, playing and singing with rock bands which traveled around the country. Later, he worked as a piano bar musician, and much of his present theo- logical and spiritual substance was informed by this experience, what he calls “Cheap Theology.” Revival coordinators are the Rev. Priscilla Richter, interim minister at Community UU Church of Plano, Texas, and Rev. Felicia Urbanski, minister of the UU Church of Stillwater, Oklahoma, along with Rev. Craig Roshaven of the host church in Fort Worth. For more information contact Rev. Ron Robinson, Executive Director, UU Christian Fellowship: [email protected], Internet: http://www.uua.org/uucf/

Were you among the 705? If so, you attended Professional Days in Long Beach, CA. Participants enjoyed their time with colleagues, rich programming and splendid worship. Great and hearty thanks to those who helped to make our conference possible! CENTER volunteers work throughout the year planning the programming for Professional Days. Among their many duties are select- ing continuing education themes, speakers and preparing the “Currents” and “Streams” publications. Thanks to each of them: Michelle Bentley, Cynthia Breen, Ian Evison, Roberta Finkelstein, Judy Tomlinson, Sam Trumbore, Lynn Ungar and Wayne Walder (liaison from UUMA Exec). We’re grateful to our workshop leaders, collegial conversation facilitators, worship leaders, and choir members. As your arrangements portfolio holder I have depended heavily upon two volunteers during my tenure. Jim Grant has helped greatly with coordinating the Wednesday evening entertainment and Craig Roshaven has shared his expertise in the enormous area of Audio Visual concerns. We could not have had such successful events with out them. In addition, many other volunteers helped in Long Beach behind the scenes; it’s those people I want to acknowledge by name. Audio Visual volunteers staffing the sound board and cameras were Thomas Capo, Robert Renjilian, Brent Roam, Craig Roshaven (coordinator), Sam Trumbore and Marion Visel. New last year were our “Easy Access Volunteers” who helped pave the way for those with special needs. Thank you to Pam Allen- Thompson, Roger Brewin, Merideth Garmon, Sarah Gibb, Betty Grant, Jim Grant, Laurel Hallman, Barbro Hansson, Art McDonald, Joel Miller, Karin Tanenholtz, and Chris Wetzel. We couldn’t have created our sacred space without the help of musicians, choir di- rector and our sign language interpreter. THANK YOU Don Beaudrault, Toni R. Tollerud and Jory Agate. And who were those who greeted you at registration and did “other jobs as necessary”? Thank you to Sheldon Bennett, Cynthia Brix, Jan Eller-Isaacs, Robert Flanders, Betty Grant, Jim Grant (coordinator), Heather Janules, Sue Kingman, Makanah Morriss, Lisa Presley, Nancy Shaffer, Betsy Spaulding, and Addea Watson. We set up an “on the road” UUMA office in Long Beach. In addition to having publications available for sale, our Administrator, Janette Lallier, took pictures for UUMA photo ID cards and answered membership questions. We’re now turning our attention to Professional Days in Fort Worth, TX. Save the dates! June 21-23, 2005. Hope to see you there. Wendy Fish , Arrangements

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UUMA News Winter 2005

From the Editor . . . Dear colleagues: In the online version of this Newsletter I wrote: Take a deep breath. This is an experiment. The very first online edition of the UUMA Newsletter. Sure, some back issues are posted on this website, but this is the first to be "delivered" to you this way, on a secure site that requires a password. Anything posted on our general website is open to the public, and we have been putting in more and more colleagues' contact information -- some of which may need to be removed before this current edition becomes a publicly available back issue. There may of course be technical glitches ... please let us know (nicely is always preferable) and we will work them out. There may be hesitation -- folks' degree of comfort with e-communication varies. If you find that getting UUMA news this way simply isn't to your comfort, you can still receive a printed copy. Some of you are reading this because you paid attention to the letter I sent a few weeks back announcing that the newsletter was coming online, and saved the piece of paper with the username and password. Some of you are reading it because you looked at the email I sent announcing that the newsletter was "up" and providing an index. Some of you have wandered in after somebody else told you -- "oh yeah, the newsletter, it's on line now." However you arrived, welcome. This was a long time coming, and the delay is my responsibility. Some of you are delighted to see this -- you've been telling me not only that web publishing is the wave of the future, but that folks prefer this means of getting news over paper copies. And some of you are not so sure -- you've been telling me that folks really pre- fer a copy they can hold in their hands and read. And there's no way to tell how many any of you speak for, beyond your own prefer- ence, until we try it. Because of the diversity of opinion, and because not everyone has access (or at least easy access) to the web, this updated paper copy is being sent to all members (except those who told us not to bother.) The website copy is also updated. For now it's an opt-out choice; you'll get the paper copy too, UNLESS you tell us not to send it. We're making that as easy as possible: if you DON'T want the paper copy (in other words, if you DO want just to read it online) then click the link on the www.uuma.org website that says "Skip the Paper Copy." Or send an email to the administrator Janette Lallier, ([email protected] ) or myself ([email protected]) that carries the same simple message "Skip the Paper Copy." Be sure to include your name, especially if your email address is [email protected]. Your UUMA will save printing costs, postage, labor and trees. How well (or not) you take to this means of communication will help determine how we do things in the future. Give it a fair shot. Let me know what you think. While you're at it, please let me know also if the content of what we communicate is what you need. There'll be a Collegial Conversation scheduled on "Communication" at Professional Days at Fort Worth; meanwhile, you know how to get hold of me.

- Roger Brewin, Publications and Online Communication Email: [email protected] Phone: (773) 881-4028 Administrator’s Column What an exciting year it has been! I have really enjoyed my first year here in the office - what a great learning curve and how much fun it has been. I am so grateful to be in a position where I can use my talents as an admin- istrator and be able to pursue my dream of being an opera star. Things have been running smoothly! Renewal letters went out to all members in late October. With the stream- lining of the office credit card system we were able to offer an online membership renewal process. Over 100 of you took advantage of renewing your membership on the web. This change has also allowed us to begin selling our publications online. Is your library complete? In other improvements on the web – I learned how to create both locked web pages and drop down menus. The most recent redesign is intended to make the site a bit more friendly and information easier to find. I have color coded the site—the public area is blue, the Members Only is green, and the Executive Committee Pages are purple. If you need a password to access please contact me in the office. The user name and password will be changed each November 15th and the new information mailed out with receipt of your membership renewal. The fall also saw the advent of the new picture membership cards. I was very happy with how they came out! By the number of appli- cations I can see there has been a great need for this service. If you have not received a card and would like one you may fill out a re- quest on the new member web site. I will have a digital camera at GA and will be taking pictures and making cards at the UUMA Booth. The cards have many wonderful features: aside from containing a photo and being laminated, they have also been color coded to indicate membership status. Blue: Regular, Green: Candidates, Purple: Associate, and Gold: Life. On February 17th, the Professional Day Packets hit the mail via a bulk mailing to all current members. If you have not received your (Continued on page 18)

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Winter 2005 UUMA News

And We Remember...

ADAMS JELLIS š{› AGNEW KNAPP The Reverend John C. Agnew died of complications from ANASTOS NAYLOR Alzheimer’s disease on Saturday, July 10, 2004. He was 84 BOSVELD OSBORN years of age. CAVILEER PONTIER Rev. Agnew was born April 29, 1920 in Plattsburgh, New York. COPE RAIBLE He graduated from Plattsburgh High School, received a ISOM WESTMAN bachelor’s degree from St. Lawrence University, and a GORDON WESTWOOD bachelor’s degree in sacred theology from Harvard University. In 1954 he received Preliminary Fellowship and, in 1955, was The Reverend Eugene H. Adams died Wednesday, August 11, ordained by the Channing Memorial Church, Newport, RI. 2004 of cancer. He was 87 years of age. He served congregations in Auburn, Maine; Newport, Rhode Rev. Adams was born June 7, 1917 in Boston, Massachusetts. Island; and Brookfield, Mendon, and Rockland, Massachusetts. In 1942 he received an A.B. from Tufts University, and an After retiring in 1995, he was named Minister Emeritus by the A.T.B. from Crane Theological School in 1945. He also Brookfield Unitarian Universalist Church where he served from attended Simmons School of Social Work and Columbia 1977 to 1995. University. He received Preliminary Fellowship in 1945 and Rev. Agnew served in the United States Army during World was ordained April 24, 1944 by the Universalist Church of War II. He attained the ranks of Sergeant and Chief Clerk of the America and the Massachusetts Universalist Convention at the Judge Advocate General’s Office at the Central Pacific Base Universalist Church, Cambridge, Massachusetts. Command in Honolulu. Rev. Adams served congregations in East Boston, Medford, After completing his military service in 1945, he worked as a Orange, and Worcester, Massachusetts; Binghamton and staff reporter for several publications, including the Burlington Jamestown, New York. He served as Chaplain and Secretary at Free Press in Vermont, The Plattsburgh Press-Republican and the YMCA in New York City. The Unitarian Universalist the Watertown Daily Times, both in New York, The Providence Church of Medford named him Minister Emeritus upon his Journal, and The Patriot Ledger in Quincy, Massachusetts. In retirement in June 1987. 1966 he joined the Worcester (Massachusetts) Telegram & He was a member of The Fraters of the Wayside Inn. A Gazette as a religion writer and suburban staff reporter and membership organization founded in 1903, the Fraters is a group worked there until 1985. of Unitarian Universalist ministers’ who meet annually for a In the late 1950’s he was elected to the Rhode Island General retreat at the Wayside Inn in Sudbury, Massachusetts. Assembly House of Representatives, serving two terms. In 1965, while serving at the First Universalist Church in His wife Rosemary; two daughters Judy Turgeon and Jill Worcester, he joined with local clergy to follow Dr. Martin McIntosh, both of Lewiston, Maine; two stepsons, Michael Luther King in the march from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama. Clarke of Los Angeles and Thomas Clarke of Holden, He remained active in the civil rights movement as a member of Massachusetts; and three grandchildren survive Mr. Agnew. the Medford, Massachusetts branch of the National Association Messages of remembrance may be sent to Mrs. Agnew at for the Advancement of Colored People, the Greater Boston Civil Rights Coalition and the Medford Human Rights 20 Claudette Drive Commission. He also served as head of Medford’s Fair Housing Apartment 5 Commission. In a show support for migrant farm workers, he Milford, MA 01757 wore denim in the pulpit for three years. A memorial service was planned for late summer or early fall. As a teenager, Mr. Adams boxed professionally under the name š{› of “Red Adams.” His boxing career ended in 1938 by way of a knockout at the old Boston Garden. The Reverend Elizabeth Anastos died on October 14, 2004 after suffering a massive stroke. She was surrounded by her Surviving Mr. Adams is his wife, M. Caroline (Brown) Adams, family and a number of close friends and colleagues. She was and four sons: Richard of Prince Frederick, Maryland; John of 77 years of age. Nobleboro, Maine; Peter of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; and Thomas of Livermore, Maine. Messages of remembrance may Rev. Anastos was born November 15, 1926 in Cambridge, be sent to Mrs. Adams at: Massachusetts. She was certified in 1967 as a Director of Religious Education and received an H.L.D. from Meadville 72 Myrtle Street Lombard in 1990. Medford, MA 02155-4120 A prominent Minister of Religious Education, she was the UUA A memorial service was held on Saturday, August 28, 2004, in Education Consultant from 1980 to 1982 and the UUA Co- the Unitarian Universalist Church of Medford, 147 High Street, Coordinator of Curriculum Development from 1982 to 1992. Medford, Massachusetts 02155. The Reverend Henry Peirce She also served in the Department of Ministry as Interim officiated. (Continued on page 5) - 4 -

UUMA News Winter 2005

(We Remember… Continued from page 4) Surviving Rev. Bosveld are his wife Jennifer and stepsons Settlement Director in 1997. She also served as Director of David J. DeRhodes and Christopher D. Groce. Also surviving Religious Education in Haverhill, MA 1960-1962; Weston, are his father Louis Bosveld; brother Roger of Minneapolis, MA 1962-1969; and later as MRE at Cedar Lane Unitarian Minnesota; brother John of Dubuque, Iowa; six grandchildren, Church, Bethesda, MD from 1969-1980. and several nieces and nephews. Messages of remembrance may be sent to Mrs. Bosveld at: She served as President of LREDA (The Liberal Religious Educators Association) 1971-1973 and was one of the leaders Mrs. Jennifer Bosveld of the movement to create the Ministry of Religious 81 Shadymere Lane Education. Broadly active in Unitarian Universalist religious Columbus, OH 43213 education, Anastos took leadership roles at numerous religious A memorial service was held April 3, 2004, 10:00 a.m., at the education summer conferences at Star Island, Ferry Beach, etc., First Unitarian Universalist Church, Columbus, Ohio 43214. and was highly regarded and loved. She retired to Cambridge Mr. Steve Abbott directed the service. upon her retirement. š{› Elizabeth is survived by her children Peter Philip Anastos and his wife Lori in Yarmouth, ME; Kathryn Anastos and her The Reverend Jesse Raymond Cavileer died Friday, June 4, husband John Wallen of Yonkers, NY; Ellen Anastos of 2004. He was 87 years of age. Portland, ME; and George Anastos and his wife Andrea of Rev. Cavileer was born December 7, 1916 in Forestville, Greenfield, MA. She is also survived by six grandchildren. Maryland. He received an A.B. from Syracuse University and a Elizabeth's daughter, Beth, predeceased her in 1984. B.D. from Union Theological Seminary. Messages of remembrance may be sent to the family in care of Rev. Cavileer received Preliminary Fellowship on April 3, 1952 Rev. Andrea L. Anastos who will see that they are put into a and was ordained April 20, 1952 by the Unitarian Society of book form for the family. For those who are unable to attend Cleveland, Cleveland, Ohio. He served congregations in the service, you are invited to send memories in written form to Cleveland, Ohio; Chicago, Illinois; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Andrea, and these will also be included in the book. Andrea's Missoula, Montana; and the Unitarian Church in Glasgow, address is: Scotland. Upon his retirement in 1985, the Allegheny Unitarian 62A Laurel Street Universalist Church in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania where he Greenfield, MA 01301 served from 1985 to 1989 named him Minister Emeritus. A memorial service was held October 21, 2004 at the First Active in community affairs, he chaired the Civil Liberties Parish in Cambridge (UU), 3 Church Street, Cambridge, MA. Clearing House in Cleveland and was on the Board of the The Rev. Dr. Thomas Mikelson led the service. American Civil Liberties Union in Pittsburgh. He was also active in local anti-poverty programs and neighborhood š{› alliances. The Reverend James L. Bosveld died Thursday, March 18, Rev. Cavileer leaves no known survivors. Messages of 2004, following a recurrence of cancer. He was 56 years of age. remembrance may be sent in care of: Rev. Bosveld was born March 28, 1947 in Red Oak, Iowa. He Ms. Linda Deafenbaugh received an Associate of Arts (Liberal Arts) from North Iowa Allegheny Unitarian Universalist Church Area Community College, an Associate of Arts (Paralegal Unitarian House Studies) from Kirkwood Community College, a Bachelor of 1110 Resaca Place, Pittsburgh, PA 15212-4517 Arts from the University of Iowa and a Masters of Divinity Email: [email protected] from the Methodist Theological School in Ohio. He received Preliminary Fellowship on May 15, 2003 and was ordained by A memorial service was held on Saturday, July 10, 2004 at the All Souls Unitarian Universalist Congregation, Bellville, Ohio. Allegheny Unitarian Universalist Church, 416 W. North Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA Rev. Bosveld served as Chaplain at the Mount Carmel Medical Center from 1999-2001 and at the Twin Valley Behavioral š{› Health Care, both in Columbus, Ohio from 2001-2002. He was The Reverend Robert L. Cope died Wednesday, September 1, a Congregational Representative for the Central Ohio Cluster of 2004, at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Center. He was 81 years of age. Unitarian Universalist Congregations. Additionally he was involved with special events/exhibits management for the Born in Manhattan, New York on October 3, 1922, the son of Unitarian Universalist Poets Cooperative, serving the Unitarian LeRoy B. and Mabel L. Cope, he was raised in Teaneck, New Universalist Association General Assembly and the Poets Jersey. He received a B.A. from St. Lawrence University and a Cooperative home office. He was also Chief Financial Officer B.D. from St. Lawrence Theological School. He also did and Co-proprietor of Pudding House Writers Innovation Center. graduate studies at both Union Theological School and Columbia University. He was ordained June 22, 1946 at St. Rev. Bosveld was a life -long labor union activist in Iowa City, Lawrence University. Iowa and Columbus, Ohio. Prior to becoming a minister, he served the poor as a housing paralegal the Legal Aid Society of Rev. Cope served congregations in Princeton, New Jersey; Columbus. Henderson, New York City, and Buffalo, New York; and. He

(Continued on page 6)

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Winter 2005 UUMA News

(We Remember . . . Continued from page 5) from Harvard Divinity School. He also studied at Boston served as a Professor of Religious Education at the St. University School of Education, Sacramento State College, and Lawrence University School from 1957-1960. San Francisco State College. He received Preliminary Fellowship in 1949 and was ordained June 29, 1949 by the First Upon retiring from the ministry, he worked as a vice president Church of Sterling, Massachusetts. of sales for a multi-media production company in NYC. He served congregations in Sterling, Massachusetts; Wilton He is survived by his wife, Patricia Bateman Cope of Quechee, Center and Milford, New Hampshire; and Modesto, Yuba City Vermont; son Christopher R. of Hartford, Connecticut; and and Bakersfield, California. Upon his retirement in 1988, the daughter and son-in-law Catherine and Christopher Cavalier of Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Kern County of Boston, Massachusetts. Messages of remembrance may be sent Bakersfield, California named him Minister Emeritus. to Mrs. Cope at: Rev. Gordon was a high school teacher and guidance counselor One the Village Green in the Milford, New Hampshire public schools. He also taught P. O. Box 1077 Psychology at Sacramento State College for several years. Mr. Quechee, VT 05059-1077 Gordon served in the United States Army during World War II, At Rev. Cope’s request, there will be a private family service. in the Army Medical Department, and was later transferred to Burial will be at the Hilltop Cemetery in Quechee. the Transportation Corps. He served in the Pacific Theatre in š{› New Guinea, Philippines, and Japan. His wife Helen Gordon and three stepchildren, Bruce Winn, The Reverend John Branch Isom died Friday April 23, 2004 Brent Winn, and Holly Winn Wilner survive Mr. Gordon. following complications from surgery for a broken hip. He was Messages of remembrance may be sent to Mrs. Gordon at: 94 years of age. 3775 Modoc Road, LPC 135 Rev. Isom was born on December 9, 1909 in Crossville, Santa Barbara, CA 93105 Alabama. He received an AB from Howard College and a Master of Theology from the Southern Baptist Theological A private service was held on October 9, 2004 in Santa Seminary. Barbara. A memorial service was held in Bakersfield. The Ruhama Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama ordained š{› Mr. Isom in 1935. He transferred his credentials to the The Reverend Arthur B. Jellis died Friday morning, May 28, American Unitarian Association and received Preliminary 2004 of a cerebral aneurysm. He would have celebrated his Fellowship January 1953 and Final Fellowship in 1955. 81st birthday on June 30th. He served congregations in Louisville, Kentucky; Wichita, Rev. Jellis was born June 30, 1923 in Lexington, Kansas; and Des Moines, Iowa. Following his retirement in Massachusetts. He received a Certificate in Accounting from 1975, the First Unitarian Church of Des Moines named him Boston University, a B.A. and M.A. from Tufts University and Minister Emeritus. He served as an Army Chaplain during from Crane Theological School (Tufts) a S.T.M. World War II. He served congregations in Northborough, Concord, and Rev. Isom was active in the civil rights movement and was a Grafton, Massachusetts; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Rockville strong supporter of labor unions throughout his life. and Lutherville, Maryland; Houston, Texas; and Ottawa, Surviving Mr. Isom is his wife of 64 years, Elien Newsome Ontario, Canada. Isom. Also surviving are his daughter Rose E. and her husband During World War II he enlisted in the United States Navy, Murphy Bowser; daughter Mary Elizabeth Isom and her specializing in aviation. Having no desire to fly fighter planes, husband, Wayne B. Koral; two granddaughters; and his sister he became a blimp pilot, flying reconnaissance over the South Annabelle Garrison. Messages of remembrance may be sent to American coast. After the war, he enrolled in college, planning Mrs. Isom at: to study accounting. However, he discovered Unitarianism, 1532 N. Coral Bells Drive changed his plans, and became a minister. Tucson, AZ 85745-5216 In 1957 he was called to serve as minister at the First Parish in A memorial service was held September 11, 2004 in the First Concord, Massachusetts. While there he became active in the Unitarian Church of Des Moines, IA, 1800 Bell Avenue, Des peace and civil rights movements. In the early 1960’s he joined Moines, Iowa. The Reverend Mark Stringer officiated. the Committee for a Sane Nuclear Policy, was a founder of the organization for the Boston area, and became a leading local š{› advocate against nuclear arms. The Reverend Clifton B. Gordon died on Wednesday, Rev. Jellis was an avid vegetable gardener, enjoyed September 22, 2004. He died peacefully in his sleep, having woodworking and spent his leisure time building and restoring dealt with the aftereffects of a devastating stroke for many wooden boats. years. He was 91 years of age. Survivors include five children: Julie Anne Medjanis and her Rev. Gordon was born November 15, 1913, in Lowell, husband Gunars of Harvard, Jennifer J. Burke of Ayer, Massachusetts, the son of John H. and Elizabeth K. Gordon. Cassandra J. Werthman and her husband Dean of Jackson, He received a B.A. from Eastern Nazarene College and a S.T.B. (Continued on page 7) - 6 -

UUMA News Winter 2005

(We Remember… Continued from page 6) Rev. Naylor was born in Plainfield, NJ, on January 17, 1936. Tennessee, Joshua C. Jellis and his friend Janet Curra of He received a BS from Trenton State College in 1958 and a Freeport, Maine, and Susan J. Veligor and her husband Vincent Masters from St. Lawrence Theological School in 1962. He of Portland, Maine; four stepchildren: Stephen Bayne and his received fellowship in 1962 and was ordained in October 1962 wife Sharon of Chapel Hill, North Carolina, Linda Bayne of by the First Unitarian Congregational Society in Brooklyn, NY. Sutton Mills, New Hampshire, Christopher Bayne and his wife He served congregations in Brooklyn, New York; Winnipeg, Linda of Quakertown, Pennsylvania, and Andrew Bayne of Manitoba; Oak Park, Illinois; Brockton, Massachusetts; Chesapeake, Virginia; eight grandchildren; two step- Pasadena, California; East Lansing, Michigan and Troy, grandchildren; one brother, Leonard Jellis of Peabody; and one Michigan. He served as Secretary-Treasurer and later President sister, Christiana E. (Betty) Kirkland of Concord. Messages of for the Pacific Southwest District Chapter of the UUMA of and remembrance may be sent to the family in care of: was a Board Member for the Pacific Southwest District. Ms. Julie Anne Medjanis Rev. Naylor was the founder of the Malibu Study Group for 102 Old Mill Road UU ministers and the author of a booklet about the UU Harvard, MA 01451 Principles. He was a member of a support group for people with A service was held June 4, 2004, at the First Congregational HIV and AIDS, and was a hot-line counselor for the Religious Unitarian Church, On the Common, Harvard, Massachusetts. Coalition for Abortion Rights. He was also an organist and a š{› singer with various musical groups throughout his life. The Reverend Calvin Raymond Knapp died Saturday, March Surviving is his wife, Mary Beth Grim of Southfield, Michigan. 13, 2004. He was 78 years of age. Ms. Grim’s address is: Calvin Raymond Knapp was born October 28, 1925 in East St. 24560 Martha Washington Drive Louis, Illinois. He received a Bachelor of Arts from DePauw Southfield, MI 48075-2535 University and a Bachelor of Divinity from Garrett Theological A memorial service was held on Saturday, November 20, 2004 Seminary. Originally ordained as a Methodist minister, he at the Emerson Church Unitarian Universalist, 4230 Livernois transferred his credentials and received Fellowship in April Road, Troy MI. A simple reception followed the service. 1973. The Unitarian Church of Quincy, Illinois ordained him š{› November 7, 1971. The Reverend Dr. David Paine Osborn died Wednesday, Rev. Knapp served congregations in Alton, Hutsonville and August 4, 2004 of complications from heart surgery. He was Quincy, Illinois; Danville, Evansville and Terre Haute Indiana. 79 years of age. The Unitarian Universalist Church of Evansville, Indiana named him Emeritus Minister on May 22, 1994. The First Dr. Osborn was born January 20, 1925 in South Weymouth, Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Terre Haute, Indiana Massachusetts. He received an AB from Boston University, a named him Emeritus Minister November 15, 1998. On June 1, BD and a DD from Meadville Lombard Theological School. 1999, the Unitarian Universalist Community Church of He was a Merrill Fellow at Harvard University in 1968. He Hendricks County, Danville, Indiana also named him Emeritus was ordained November 11, 1951 by the First Unitarian Church Minister. of Brooklyn, New York. After his retirement and subsequent move to Nashville, he Dr. Osborn served the North Shore Unitarian Universalist became the enabler of Credo, the humanist study group; and Society, now known as the Unitarian Universalist Congregation was the initiator-leader of a series of four Jesus Seminar Study at Shelter Rock, Manhasset, New York from 1976-1990. Upon Groups. his retirement that congregation named him Minister Emeritus. He also served congregations in Brooklyn, New York; Prior to entering the ministry he was a partner in the family Marblehead, Massachusetts; Adelphi, Maryland; Paramus, New livestock and farming businesses. He served in the United Jersey; and in Lewisham and Hackney in England. States Navy Hospital Corps as a surgical technician from 1944- 1946. Throughout his ministry he was dedicated to a wide range of social justice issues, as well as to the arts and education. He Surviving Mr. Knapp is his wife Ruth Gregory Knapp, four was active with the Greater Washington Area Unitarian children: Gregory; Steven; Jane Walling; and Scott. Messages Universalist Congregations and served as its President. It was of remembrance may be sent to Mrs. Knapp at: through this organization that he became deeply involved in 1605 Glen Echo Road addressing institutional racism, fair housing concerns, the Nashville, TN 37215-2907 women’s movement, and supporting the emerging gay and A memorial service was held April 10, 2004 at the Greater lesbian community. Nashville UU Congregation, 374 Hicks Road, Nashville, Tenn. As a young man he played the trombone in dance bands, The Rev. Dr. Dan Rosemergy officiated. marching bands and chamber music groups. After graduating š{› from the School of Arts and Science at Boston University he taught Spanish, World History and Theater at the Fountain The Reverend Norman V. Naylor died November 18, 2004. Valley School in Colorado. Shortly after leaving Fountain He was 68 years of age.

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Winter 2005 UUMA News

(We Remember . . . Continued from page 7) During his 50 years in the ministry, he served congregations in Valley School, he entered Meadville Lombard Theological Providence, RI; Lincoln, NE; Seattle, WA; Tacoma, WA; School and with both a musicians’ card and a bartender’s Tulsa, OK; Kirkwood, MO; and Bainbridge, WA. Following license, he supplemented his income while at theological his 36 years as minister there, the congregation of the school. He would later serve as President of Meadville University Unitarian Church in Seattle, WA, named him Lombard’s Board of Trustees. Minister Emeritus in 1997. There will be no funeral or memorial service. He both preached and worked for social justice throughout his life, traveling to Selma, AL, to join civil-rights marchers in š{› 1965, speaking out against the Vietnam War, and leading the Reverend Raymond J. Pontier who died Monday, January 12, church to defy the U.S. government by offering sanctuary to 2004. He was 89 years of age. people fleeing civil war in Central America in the 1980s. He also spoke out for gay rights and helped found the Interfaith Rev. Pontier was born December 6, 1914 in Clifton, New Council of Washington. Jersey. He received a Bachelor of Arts from Rutgers University and a Master of Divinity from New Brunswick Theological He was Executive Director for the Pacific Northwest District Seminary. Originally ordained by the Reformed Church in from 1962 to 1964, and served as Interim Director of America in May 1941, the Ministerial Fellowship Committee Settlement at the UUA in Boston in 1997-98. granted him Fellowship in 1980. He served the Lakeland In 1985 he wrote The Manual for Ordination and Installation Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Wayne, New Jersey from Services in Unitarian Universalist Churches, a guide still used 1979 to 1989. Upon his retirement in 1989 the congregation by UU congregations today. named him Emeritus Minister. He also served the Upper Delaware Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Milanville, Dr. Raible is survived by his brother, the Reverend Christopher Pennsylvania as a Consulting Minister from 1987 to 1996. Raible of Creemore, Ontario; by his children, the Reverend Deborah Raible and husband Kevin Clark, of Seattle; Stephen He served the cause of peace and justice throughout his life. He Raible and wife Susan Brand of Stanwood, WA; Robin Raible was a lifelong member of the American Civil Liberties Union of Seattle; and Robert Raible and wife Palmer Raible of and served on the board of the New Jersey ACLU. Danville, CA; and by his eight grandchildren. In addition to being the author of two books, On the Cutting Messages of remembrance may be sent to: Edge in 1978 and Rescuing Jesus from His Friend in 1999, he wrote a monthly column for the Roman Catholic Diocese of The Rev. Deborah Raible Paterson newspaper The Beacon for many years. 1704 36th Ave. Seattle, WA 98122-3419 Surviving Rev. Pontier is his wife, Barbara Van Buskirk Email: [email protected] Pontier; three children, Sharon Pontier of Newton, New Jersey; Glenn Pontier and wife Elizabeth Bucar of Jefferson, New York; and Gregory Pontier and wife Deborah Mercer of A memorial service was held Sunday, June 6th at the University Lambertville, New Jersey; his sister Marguerite Pontier Gilbert Unitarian Church, 6556 35th Ave., Seattle, WA 98115. The of Chatham, New Jersey; and seven grandchildren. Messages Reverend Jon M. Luopa officiated. of remembrance may be sent to Mrs. Pontier at: š{› 12 Grant Avenue The Reverend Dr. Carl J. Westman died October 14, 2004 of Lambertville, NJ 08530 congestive heart failure. He was 93 years of age. A memorial service was held April 17, 2004 in the Lakeland Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, 231 Parish Drive, Wayne, Dr. Westman was born in Boston, Massachusetts, October 4, New Jersey. 1911. He received a BA from St. Lawrence University in 1950 š{› and a Masters from St. Lawrence Theological School in 1951. In 1965 St. Lawrence Theological School awarded him an The Reverend Doctor Peter Spilman Raible died Monday, honorary Doctor of Divinity degree. He received fellowship in May 17, 2004, of congestive heart failure in a hospice in 1951 and was ordained in June 1951 in the Independent Seattle, WA. He was 74 years of age. Christian Church (Universalist) in Gloucester, Massachusetts Dr. Raible was born November 22, 1929, in Peterborough, NH. by the Massachusetts Universalist Convention. His father, Robert Jules Raible, was a Unitarian minister active He served congregations in Gloucester, Massachusetts; in the denomination for 40 years, including 22 years at the First Bridgeport, Connecticut; Rochester, New York; Plainfield, New Unitarian Church of Dallas, TX. Jersey; Lakeland, Naples and Port Charlotte, Florida. The The Rev. Peter Raible received a Ph.D. from the University of Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Lakeland named him Chicago, a B.A. from the University of California at Berkeley, Minister Emeritus in 1988. He served as District Executive for and an M.Div and ST.D. from Starr King School for the the Metropolitan New York District of the Unitarian Ministry. He received Preliminary Fellowship in 1953, was Universalist Association from 1968 to 1976 and was also a ordained by the Unitarian Church of Providence, RI, in 1954, Settlement Representative for the Florida District. Extension and received Final Fellowship in 1956. work for the Universalist Church of Ohio and responsible for

(Continued on page 9)

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UUMA News Winter 2005

(We Remember… Continued from page 8) him Minister Emeritus. education, First Universalist Church, "1956-1960 Akron, Ohio" Dr. Westwood was a Chaplain with the United States Marine Corps, holding the rank of Lieutenant Commander. Most of his Dr. Westman was known for his activism. He spoke out service, from 1942 to 1945, was spent in the South Pacific. forcefully in protection of the first amendment freedoms during the McCarthy era. He was also active in the civil rights Active in the denomination, he served the Association in many movement. capacities, such as the Board of Trustees, the Ministerial Fellowship Committee, and the New Hampshire-Vermont Surviving Dr. Westman are his children, Marjorie A. Yasueda District. of San Francisco, California; John W. Westman of Atlantic Beach, Florida; and William W. Westman of Brazilia, Brazil, Survivors include a brother, the Reverend Arnold F. Westwood and son-in-law, Ronalds Newton, of Hubbard Oregon. Also of Cummington, Massachusetts; a daughter-in-law, Teresa surviving are 14 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren. A Westwood-Smith of Atlanta, Georgia; five grandchildren and daughter, Janet Newton predeceased him in 2003. Messages of six great-grandchildren. His wife of 66 years, Virginia Wallis remembrance may be sent to the family in care of: Boyd Westwood, predeceased him in 2002. He was the father of the late Joan W. Andersen and Wallis F. Westwood. Mr. John W. Westman Messages of remembrance may be sent to: 2213 Alicia Lane Atlantic Beach, FL 32233 The Rev. Arnold F. Westwood A memorial service was held November 23, 2004 at the 104 Windsor Bush Road Unitarian Universalist Church of Sarasota, 3975 Fruitville Cummington, MA 01026-9621 Road, Sarasota, FL. The Reverends Polly Leland-Mayer and A memorial service was held on October 17, 2004, at the First Clark Wells officiated. Unitarian Church of New Bedford, 71 8th Street, New Bedford, š{› Massachusetts. The Reverend David A. Johnson officiated. The Reverend Dr. Horace Frederick Westwood died Saturday, August 28, 2004, of complications from a hip injury. He was 93 years of age. Born March 15, 1911 in Youngstown, Ohio, he was the son of the late Dr. Horace Westwood and Florence Wright Westwood. He received an A.B. and an S.T.B. from Tufts University and a D.D. from Meadville Lombard. He also attended Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s School of Humanities and Social Sciences. He was ordained in 1938 by the First Congregational Church (Unitarian), West Bridgewater, Massachusetts where he served from 1936-1938. He also served congregations in Somerville. Fairhaven and Brewster, Massachusetts; Houston, Texas; Woodstock and Hartland Four Corners, Vermont; Summit, New Jersey; St. Paul, Minnesota; Victoria, British Columbia; Annapolis, Maryland; and Schenectady, New York. In 1950 he was called to the First Unitarian Church in Houston, Texas where he served for 22 years. In 1972 that congregation named

Have you visited uuma.org lately? The UUMA website is rich with information & resources! Visit the page for access to

· Members Only Password protected · Executive and Chapter Leadership page containing membership directory. Contact Information · Order UUMA Publications Online · Professional Days Registration · Alias and Online List-Serves · Online Membership Renewal · Guidelines and UUMA News · CENTER Pages · Links to Conferences and Resources · And much, much more. · Information about Sermon Awards Log on today

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Winter 2005 UUMA News

UUMA/LREDA Professional Days Are you ready for Fort Worth, Texas Professional Days 2005? June 21—23, 2005 Registration opens March 1, 2005 Register by May 21 to take advantage of special Early Registration Rates. Visit www.uuma.org for registration forms or to access online registration.

Don’t miss the opportunity for wonderful collegial gatherings, worship, annual meetings, inspiring speakers, and workshops. Workshops topics to include (not all are listed): Hospitality Important 2005 Dates to Remember Mentoring Matters Conversations on Ministerial Internships · May 21 Deadline for Early Registration RE Credentialing · May 21 Deadline for Education Grant Ministers Entering Search · June 10 Pre-Registration Closes Building Healthy Congregations ------Sewing Your Parachute · June 21 On-site Registration & Check-In Urban Social Justice Fort Worth Convention Center Creative Staffing · June 24 UUMA Student Breakfast Ministry to families

For a complete program guide visit www.uuma.org or call the UUMA office at 617-848-0498.

An Encore Presentation at Professional Days —

At one time they were "used cars," now they are "pre-owned!" At one time they were "re-runs" now they are "encore presentations."

At the Birmingham Convocation we enjoyed "An Evening of Performing Arts" featuring...us. Let's have an Encore Presentation at Professional Days!

On Wednesday evening of Professional Days we will enjoy a dessert buffet, plus performing arts performed by UU Professionals.

If you would like to participate--sing, dance, play an instrument, tell a story (no sermons!)--please email Jim Grant who is serving as sub-committee to plan our entertainment for Wednesday evening of Professional Days.

Your colleagues look forward to encouraging you with rounds of applause, so don't be square, let us hear from you! Please send a brief description of your performance to Jim Grant at [email protected]

Contact: Rev. James E. Grant, Pacific Unitarian Church 5621 Montemalaga Drive Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275 Office: 310-378-9449 Home Office: 619-275-3474, Cell: 619-787-0371.

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UUMA News Winter 2005 Our Colleagues Reflect on Committees on Ministry and Anonymous Criticism The following were culled, with permission, from a conversation on uuma-chat, in January and February of 2005. Since parts of the con- versation are not reflected here, not every reference to someone else’s comments are immediately clear. (ed.)

I've been doing a LOT of reflecting -- I find myself wondering if publicly acknowledged truth. Afraid we might kill sick churches anyone else out there has found that whole idea of a Committee on and lose a few more members than we're already losing in our de- Ministry is just not worth it. In my previous settlement I also cline. We shuffle along, hoping these congregations will do better found that entangling friendships between the CoM and disaffected "next time." But cowardice is as deadly as anonymous criticism. members also caused problems for me as minister. Issues of confi- - Alice Blair Wesley dentiality have complicated things -- COM members have used it š{› to protect the "privacy" of disaffected members (their friends), and the Board is kept unaware of potential problems until it is too late. One should add after "minister" , "elected officers or board". I've Many people have mentioned the difficulties that occur when seen secret meetings held in the absence of the minister (even on CoMs get triangled into minister/congregant relationships, but short vacation) used by a disruptive minority in this way. While there's another aspect which I don't think has come up. As minis- such events may result in excellent covenants of good behavior, ters, we know that we must be very careful about having friends in they are of little effect if they lack sanctions for those of us who do the congregation and the importance of maintaining friendships not abide by their provisions. outside of church. We know that this is important so that we don't - J. McRee (Mac) Elrod show any appearance of preferential treatment and so that we have š{› a place to go blow off steam and just "be ourselves" without the In my work over ten years as Good Offices Minister for the Mass need for ministerial propriety. But there's another reason, which Bay District, I discovered that opposition to a minister who is CoMs are often blind to: having friends in the congregation creates forced to leave is almost always a distinct minority, sometimes a dual relationship. Just as married couples need to be very care- even a small minority. ful about working together professionally (especially if one super- vises the other), we as ministers cannot let our personal friendships What gives them power -- even more than the possibility that some interfere with our professional/ministerial relationships. Unfortu- of them are high pledgers -- is the fact that they will not go away. nately, most members of our CoMs probably don't understand this. Unlike most people who discover a minister's weaknesses and shrug their shoulders admitting that nobody is perfect, these folks - Tom Rhodes will never give their grievance up. They can survive all kinds of š{› interventions by the best trained, most highly regarded interven- I can imagine no other way we might address this huge problem tionists. They will play all of the games that consultants recom- than to get the UUMA to agree on how these behaviors should be mend, and when the consultants have gone home they will still be handled routinely, and insist that the UUMA board seek and secure there -- nursing their anger. cooperation from the UUA Field Staff. I can imagine a passage What gives them power is that they hold the congregation in thrall included in the UUMA Guidelines, in the Settlement Manual, in to their particular unhappiness. They bring it everywhere they go. any Congregational Handbooks, and in all written Field Staff job Other people can't get away from it. It wears them down. They descriptions. may not want to come to church anymore. And here's the key: "Secret meetings among only a few of a congregation's mem- other people won't confront these nay sayers -- tell them they got bers - clearly attended for the purpose of voicing anonymous the message but disagree with it and recognize that it is a minority criticism of the congregation's called minister - are in serious point of view -- and suggest to the nay sayers that if they want to violation of our covenant to govern our congregations openly, stay in the "beloved community" they're going to have to tone it democratically, and in the spirit of love. Such secret meetings down. are unfair, undemocratic and cruel. Any time a member of the UUA Field Staff or a Good Offices Person of the local UUMA Friends (Quaker) meetings, which have had a fair amount of ex- Chapter gains certain knowledge that such secret meetings have perience with this sort of thing appoint two or three "elders", and occurred, a called minister of the congregation may - and is one of their roles is to approach those who seem to be animated by encouraged to - invite the Field Staff member and/or Good Of- something other than the spirit within and let them know that their fices Person into his/her pulpit for a discussion with the entire message has been heard and now they can (and had better) give it a congregation of these secret procedures. So destructive of our rest. This can be done in a way that is both gentle and firm. It is ministries is unfair, undemocratic and anonymous criticism, our loss that we don't seem to think this is a fair thing to do. voiced in secret meetings closed to other members, that when it - John Nichols occurs, such corrective action should be standard among us." š{› We'll not solve this wretched problem until our entire “establishment" attacks it in public, with full disclosure, including Last year I served two part -time ministries in small congregations. the names of offenders, every single time it happens. To do this Neither congregation had ever had a CoM before, and most folks would be to put into practice at home what we say we believe and didn't have much idea of what that was. I wish that I as a new min- what we say both the press and other institutional leaders should ister had known how much education I would have to do to get us do. It would be actually to discipline ourselves, not hierarchically, all on the same page. but together, as congregations. I naively assumed my congregations would know about CoMs. Not What mostly keeps us from doing such a thing is rank cowardice. so. I draw two conclusions from my experiences:(Continued on page 18) So far from believing that truth makes us free, we are afraid of - 11 -

The C.E.N.T.E.R.-fold

CENTER DAY 2005 June 22, 2005 ~ Fort Worth, Texas

America as 'Dry Drunk': From Domestic Abuse to Global Bully

Loring Abeyta and Tink Tinker If there is one area of intellectual inquiry that eludes most Americans, it is their ability to be honest about their historical journey of violence. Violence haunts all of America from the private sphere to the public, from the personal to the global, from the local to national policy and foreign affairs, and yet we are bewildered and mystified by this new era of violence which was inaugurated on September 11. As a society, we have failed to see that terrorism has been a reality on this continent for some 400 years-from Miles Standish's foraging raid on an innocent Cape Cod Village in 1620 to Lt. Col. Custer's invasion of the Black Hills in search for gold. Instead, our common discourse - among ourselves, in the media, emanating from our governmental leaders - is a continual projection of blame for violence to forces outside of our own society. Indeed, the comfortable denial (or increasingly, uncomfortable denial) in which Americans live most resembles collective addictive behavior, and as a result we have generated a government that persistently functions on the basis of satisfying our underlying sense of need for violent responses to the world around us. Any intervention must begin with historical honesty. Thus, Tinker and Abeyta argue that a deep and reflective confession (in religious terms), a fearless "owning" of one's past (in psychological jargon), must somehow involve the whole body politic of our country today. It will require a great deal of intellectual insight, emotional courage and abiding trust to own the dysfunctional behaviors that have characterized America since the beginning of the European conquest. While the churches of America have too consistently pled naïveté or patriotism in their complicity in national acts of violence, we see faith communities, perhaps especially the theologically diverse religious movement that characterizes the UUA, as the only hope for the kind of incisive intervention in this addictive behavior that can result in real change, both personal and structural/systemic. Ms. Loring Abeyta is a teacher, student, mother, and wife. She is completing her doctoral dissertation at the University of Denver Graduate School of International Studies, where she has specialized in human rights and Latin America. Ms. Abeyta teaches a variety of higher education courses at various Denver-area institutions, including courses on race, gender, and class; cultural anthropology; eco-justice and social transformation; and U.S. foreign policy. She was a winner of the Templeton Foundation course award prize for a course that she developed and co-taught with her husband, Dr. Tink Tinker, on indigenous knowledge and Western science. Ms. Abeyta has traveled on several occasions to Latin America and the Caribbean, and has been a member of human rights delegations to Haiti. She looks forward to a career in teaching, research, and writing upon the completion of her doctoral degree. Tink Tinker, a member of the Osage Nation, is professor of American Indian Cultures and Religious Traditions at Iliff School of Theology. A long-time community activist, he currently serves on the leadership committee of the American Indian Movement of Colorado. As a scholar, he is committed to a scholarly endeavor that takes seriously both the liberation of Indian peoples from historic oppression as colonized communities and the liberation of White Americans, the historic colonizers and oppressors of Indian peoples. He is the author of Missionary Conquest: The Gospel and Native American Genocide (Fortress, 1993); co-author of Native American Theology (Orbis, 2001); co-editor of Native Voices: American Indian Sovereignty and Identity (U. Kansas, 2003) and author of the forthcoming Fortress Press volume, Spirit and Resistance: Political Theology and American Indian Liberation.

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Professional Day Chapel Check It Out on the Web This year our chapel is in a large and naturally lighted room. It will be Don’t forget that CENTER has many resources decorated with flowers and candles. There will be places to sit or lie down. available on the UUMA Web site. Just click on Identify a chapel activity you may like to participate in by checking the CENTER at www.uuma.org to get information program you receive during registration. We hope to have programs in, on having a chapter presenter, back issues of yoga, meditation, guided relaxation and chanting. If you wish to help or- “Currents” and “Streams” (thought pieces and ganize activities or decorate the chapel, please contact Christine Robinson. bibliographies), the new Resource for Continu- Email: [email protected] ing Education Planning, and much more.

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Winter 2005 UUMA News

News from the Department of Ministry and Professional Leadership

from the UUA Office of Church Staff Finances Health Insurance update

Disability Insurance Access to affordable health insurance continues to elude many UU congregations. The premiums charged by carriers continue to rise Employees may benefit from paying their own premiums for long- alarmingly, forcing some churches to cover only their minister. term disability insurance: any benefits received will be exempt These increasing insurance costs have made it difficult for from income tax. If the employer pays the premiums, any benefits congregations to pay appropriate base salaries, attend to building received will be taxed like ordinary income. maintenance, and fulfill their financial responsibilities to Districts Persons enrolled in the UUA's long-term disability insurance with and the UUA Annual Program Fund. MetLife who want to maximize this benefit should Since the cancellation of the previous UUA policy in1998, the A. Write a note to the church treasurer by September 30th Office of Church Staff Finances has been unable to find a stating they want the premiums paid with after-tax dollars. national firm willing to insure the staff of our congregations across THEN: the US. The UUA’s Compensation, Benefits, and Pension Committee (CBPC) concluded last year that if the UUA were to B. Each month give your church treasurer a personal check made out have any plan at all for its local churches, it would have to be of to UU GIP for the disability premium to be mailed to the UUA, the self-funded variety. OR Self-funded plans are the most rapidly growing form of health C. Let the church pay the disability premium and ask that the insurance in the US, and have become the plan of choice for an annual total for these premiums be reported to your W-2 increasing number of corporations and other organizations. The form as "additional income." dominant characteristic of a self-funded plan is that no insurance The monthly premium for our disability insurance is 1.2% of a company underwrites the payment of claims (or also pockets the minister's salary and housing allowance. The income tax on this profits). Instead, the costs of the plan are covered by the premiums amount won't be too much, and the after-tax benefit can be paid by the employer and by the employees who enroll. considerable should you have an illness or accident that prevents Under the direction of the CBPC, we have been working with the employment for more than three months. Disability insurance pays actuarial firm of Milliman USA and the brokerage firm of 60% of wages. This step eliminates the taxes and makes the Mazonson LLC to study the feasibility of a self-funded approach benefit more like 90% of usual wages. for the UUA. Mazonson is our broker for the dental, life, and long- term disability policies we have with MetLife, and Milliman is experienced in helping employers create self-funded plans for their IRS Mileage Rates for 2005 organizations. The IRS announced new mileage rates that took effect Jan 1, 2005: On March 11th Milliman representatives reported to the CBPC that it appears possible to create a plan for UU employer-congregations The provision of most direct concern to ministers: For business that would cost less than what churches are already paying for purposes, taxpayers may deduct 40.5 cents per mile, up from 37.5 coverage. UUMA president Ken Sawyer attended the Milliman for 2004. 40.5 cents per mile is what employers should reimburse presentation. employees who use their personal cars on company business, and is the amount that congregation should reimburse ministers and Next steps include a briefing to the UUA Finance Committee about other church staff from their professional expense allowances. how such a plan could be structured to minimize financial exposure to the Association. Milliman will proceed with designing a Ministers using a church-owned or leased automobile for personal realistic benefits package, recommending vendors for a national business should reimburse the church 40.5 cents for each mile PPO network of physicians and hospitals, and identifying an driven that is not related to the performance of one's duties. insurance carrier for "stop loss" protection to honor individual Also of interest: Taxpayers may deduct 15 cents per mile for miles claims above a predetermined amount, most likely $100,000 per driven to receive medical services or for moving to take a new job. person per year. This is up from 14 cents in 2004. These miles are not reimbursable Many details remain to be finalized, but it is likely that enrollment to a church staff person from a professional expense allowance, will be limited to church staff who work at least half-time. although this may be reimbursed to a new employee from a moving Employers and staff will share in the premium cost on a percentage allowance. basis. We hope that community ministers without health insurance And, for volunteer services on behalf of a charitable organization, will also be eligible to participate, as well as staff of UU camp and taxpayers may deduct 14 cents per mile, which is the same as for conference centers. We do not envision the plan to be in operation 2004. Church members may itemize this deduction for miles before mid-2006. driven as members of committees or to attend religious or If a UUA self-funded health plan continues to appear feasible, denominational events where they are volunteering. It is not clear there will be a major task of informing congregations about the that simply attending a worship service qualifies one for this details and advantages available to them. It may take several deduction, as presumably there are other benefits derived from months for a sufficient number of congregations to sign on with doing so. - 14 -

UUMA News Winter 2005

this arrangement, and the expressed sentiment of UU ministers and Fri., June 24th. Expect a stream of information for other staff will be critical to their decision-making. congregations, ministers, and other church staff members as this project moves along. This summary is offered to brief colleagues about what we currently know regarding this important program. We will report - Ralph Mero, [email protected] with more details at a UU Professional Days workshop in Fort UUA Office of Church Staff Finances Worth on Wed., June 22nd and at a workshop for GA delegates on

Update on Ministerial Settlement ~ The Opportunities for Ministry page compares to 48 last year. (http://h5.uua.org/ministry_opps.asp) now accurately distinguishes Of the total positions this year, two will be assistant positions, between congregations seeking to settle a minister in 2005 and three will be associate positions, and three will be MRE positions. those seeking to settle in '06. Congregations with no "date open" specified are either somewhere earlier in the transition process or It is surprising to note that by Thanksgiving, only 73 different min- simply mysterious. isters had clicked on one or more congregations so far, a ratio of minister to open congregation of 2.1::1. Last year at this time the Including churches whose Congregational Records are expected ratio was 2.5::1. In view of this low participation, perhaps my but not yet received, this year should feature the following array of dismay over the small number of congregations has been mis- full-time positions in ministry, give or take a few. Order by the guided. size of the S&H offered, with "A" lowest and "E" highest, they are: A-19, B-7, C-9, D-8, E-0. There also 2 offering substandard S&H. As always, I welcome calls to discuss your plans, your hopes, and That's a total of 45. Usually about 10 percent of congregations in sometimes, yes, your concerns. search do not find a minister, which means that we can expect 40 or 41 ministers in search this year to find full-time positions. This - John Weston, Settlement Director, [email protected]

RESPONSIBLE STAFFING, THE SEARCH AND YOU: Some good stuff and some surprising stuff!

In recent years, the UUA, as well as other adjudicatory religious as professional staff, those who have access to financial assets, and bodies, have found themselves facing questions about how to pro- those volunteering with persons in vulnerable populations tect congregations from individuals who would harm the institu- (children, infirm, etc.). It recommends that everyone: tions and/or their members. Most prevalent in the headlines have been the problems in the Roman Catholic Church, though all reli- · Fill out an application form with year by year employ- gious organizations, including Unitarian Universalism, have had ment/school/military history since age 18 (though for minis- their own problems with inappropriate behavior from physical and ters the presence of a packet may well suffice); sexual abuse to financial improprieties. · Sign a release form permitting the request and receipt of In order to help congregations reduce the possibility of such poten- information about previous physical harm or sexual abuse tial situations, the UUA has just released a new document, Respon- of any person by the applicant; sible Staffing: Guidelines on Screening Practices for Use by Uni- · Sign a statement disclosing or denying any prior activity in- tarian Universalist Association Organizations When Adding volving sexual misconduct, physical harm, sexual abuse or Clergy, Professional Leaders, Staff, and Volunteers. harassment; (http://www.uua.org/programs/ministry/staffing_guides.html) As · Sign a Fair Credit Reporting Act Disclosure form. Note that can be discerned from the title, this document is wide-reaching—it this is not a statement allowing a check of anyone’s finan- seeks to offer advice and guidelines to congregations, districts, cial background; rather “Fair Credit Reporting Act” is the affiliated and associated organizations as well as the UUA itself in name of the legislation under which, if they have received what constitutes “due diligence” in the hiring process of all staff permission for so doing, the organization is held harmless and volunteers working with vulnerable populations. The docu- for what they learn about the applicants. ment was primarily prepared by John Weston (Director of Settle- Provide evidence of valid driver’s license, insurance and ment) and Harlan Limpert (first as Director of Lay Leadership · Development and more recently as Director of District Services), notification of any past, present or future moving violations though throughout the process input was sought from various or other driving restrictions if (and only if) driving others is stakeholder groups—UUA, UUMA, LREDA and others. The a part of the job/volunteer responsibilities. UUMA was represented by an ad hoc task force comprised of the · For ministers applying for positions, there is a further rec- Revs. Jose Ballaster, Betsy Stevens and Lisa Presley. We are ap- ommendation that they sign a statement saying that they preciative of the collaborative effort that is evidenced in this docu- will abide by the UUMA Guidelines and Code of Profes- ment. Many of the suggestions that the task force made were incor- sional Practice. porated into the final document—mostly evidenced by the absence Responsible Staffing also includes recommendations about the of recommendations for financial background checks and driver’s storage and destruction of sensitive material, and offers sample license checks. forms and sample questions for interviewing references. All of (Continued on page 22) The document offers one set of standards for all persons employed - 15 -

Winter 2005 UUMA News

Community Ministry —

BIG CHANGES FOR THE These groups include: the UUMA Community Ministry Focus SOCIETY FOR THE LARGER MINISTRY (SLM) Group, Society for Community Ministries (formerly SLM), the UU Community Ministry Center, and the UUA Ministry and Pro- As growing numbers of our colleagues have been called to com- fessional Leadership Staff Group. munity ministry in the past several years, the Society for the Larger Ministry (SLM) has undergone lots of changes, as well. SLM is a In December 2004 Bonnie Meyer and Dorothy Emerson repre- professional membership organization that provides support, edu- sented the Focus Group in a three-day meeting with the other cation and advocacy on behalf of its community ministers. In the groups. The goal of the meeting was to improve our ways of past four years, its membership has tripled from 46 in 2002 to 145 working together as advocates and supporters of community min- in 2005, approximately 80% of whom are also UUMA members. istry. Look for future developments and reports to come. Reflecting these changes, the membership of SLM has voted for a number of important institutional changes in the past year, includ- ing: NEW RESOURCE: · Changing the name of the organization to: The Society for CALLED TO COMMUNITY: UNITARIAN Community Ministries (SCM), effective Dec. 2004. UNIVERSALISM AND COMMUNITY MINISTRY · Adopting an official Code of Professional Practice for The Preview Edition of a new book on community ministry is Community Ministers as criteria for membership (see p. 17) now available. This 100 page spiral-bound book includes three · Approving in 2003, incorporation of SCM as a 501 (c)3 non- essays on theological/biblical grounding for community ministry, profit corporation, completed in March 2005. a detailed timeline of community ministry history, and eight sto- · Contact information has also changed: ries of specific ministries. The introduction describes five differ- Mailing Address: SCM, P.O. Box 262, Wayland, MA ent forms of community ministry: healing ministries (pastoral), 01778 Website Address at: http://www.UUSCM.org social justice ministries (prophetic), ministries of spirituality and the arts (priestly), ministries of education (pedagogical), and or- ganizational leadership (administration). A short statement at the COMMUNITY MINISTRY FOCUS GROUP UPDATE end identifies the potential for community ministry to expand the This year's Steering Committee continues to meet monthly via impact of Unitarian Universalism in the world and the challenges conference call. Current representatives include: Roger Brewin this growing form of ministry bring to our movement. (UUMA Exec liaison), Hope Engeseth, Anita Farber-Robertson, The full book is currently in development and will hopefully be Jean Heriot, Patricia Shelden (Society for Community Ministries published by Skinner House in 2006. In the meantime, ministers, liaison) and co-conveners Bonnie Meyer and Dorothy Emerson. students, congregations, and individual Unitarian Universalists All ministers who are UUMA members and engaged in commu- will find much useful information and food for thought in this nity ministry (in all categories of fellowship) are considered part Preview Edition. of the Community Ministry Focus Group. We would love to Copies of the Preview Edition may be ordered for $20 (or what- know who you are and what you are doing, but a complete list of ever you wish to contribute), plus $3 shipping. Please use the UUMA members currently engaged in community ministry does order form at www.uuscm.org. Your purchase of the book helps not yet exist. Please contact Bonnie Meyer to make sure you re- support its development. ceive communications about our efforts to ensure equity for com- munity ministers within the UUMA. [email protected] / Called to Community Editorial Committee: Roger Brewin, Bar- 859-441-4772. bara Davenport, Deborah Holder, Charles Howe, Kathleen Parker, and Maddie Sifantus. Theology Editor: Anita Farber-Robertson. Coordinating Editor: Dorothy Emerson. YOU ARE INVITED The Community Ministry Focus Group will hold is annual meet- LOCAL EVENT: MASS BAY DISTRICT ing and reception on Tuesday evening, June 21, from 5:30 to 7:30 COMMUNITY MINISTRY RETREAT PM at the Convention Center during Professional Days in Fort Worth. This is our one annual opportunity for a face-to-face meet- The Mass Bay District is sponsoring a retreat for community min- ing of UUMA community ministers. We hope to see you there. isters and students, Saturday, June 4, at Andover-Newton Theo- logical School. Community ministers from beyond the MBD are also welcome to attend. The retreat will provide an opportunity WHO’S WHO IN THE COMMUNITY MINISTRY for community ministers to meet and share their ministries—both WORLD AND WHAT ON EARTH ARE THEY DOING? successes and challenges—and strategize on ways to develop skills and support. Offers of assistance in planning and coordinat- With the growth of community ministry outpacing the develop- ing the event will be greatly appreciated. Please send your com- ment of institutional structures to accommodate its unique needs ments and expressions of interest to Dorothy Emerson, RevEmer- and challenges, several different organizations have emerged to [email protected] or 781-391-6455. support community ministers. Beginning with a Summit in 2003, these various groups have been seeking ways to work together.

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UUMA News Winter 2005

COMMUNITY MINISTRY AT GA 2005 · Workshop: Tending the Fire III CENTER DAYS : June 22nd, 3:00 -4:15 Come hear the inspiring stories of lay and ordained UU commu- · Workshop: B12 nity ministers who bring their healing and social justice minis- UUMA Guidelines / Code for Community Ministres tries to urban streets, underserved populations, and other places Visit www.uuma.org for a full description of this workshop. where healing and hope are needed. How can these stories and You are invited to submit additional questions prior to the work- the people who live them be better connected with our congre- shop to the presenters Jeanne Lloyd: [email protected] ; Maddie gations? Rev. Kurt Kuhwald & panel. Sifantus: [email protected] or Barbara Davenport: Sponsored by the UU Community Ministry Center Friday, June 24, 9:45– 11:00 AM in Room 201C [email protected] · Workshop: Holding Ourselves Accountable GENERAL ASSEMBLY 2005 Come listen to a panel of organizations (local congregations, · Worship: Claiming Our Ministries: The Path of the Wind Districts, and national organizations) discuss the process they Reminding us that ministry does not only happen in churches, each use for credentialing lay leadership/ministry in our congre- and is not exclusively performed by ordained clergy, we are gations and the larger world. Commonalities/differences will be encouraged to be guided by "The Wind". This service explores reviewed with an eye to understanding what works best at a and honors the divine call of ordi- systems level. Sponsored by the Society for Community Ministries nary people and invites us to Friday, June 24 at 12:30–1:45 PM in Room 204B "claim our ministries". Rev. Jade · Annual Meeting: The Society for Community Ministries Angelica and David Kolb. Sponsored by the UU Community SCM (formerly the Society for the Larger Ministry) is an or- Ministry Center ganization of ordained clergy and lay persons, called to minister Friday, June 24 at 8:00– 9:15 AM in the community, who hold a vision of ministry that sees the in Room 203A world as its parish while having its roots in our congregations. Rev. Jeanne Lloyd and Rev. Maddie Sifantus, co-presidents. Saturday, June 25 at 11:30–12:45 PM in Room 104

New Code of Professional Practice for Community Ministers

For too long, a fear of “lone rangers” in community ministry has · naming the “p” word: power, and our potential to use or undermined the healthy development of community ministries abuse it in our relationships with others; and shared ministries. This fear is supported by the typical American image of successful leadership as the hero essentially · recognition that one cannot have accountability with or to a unattached to community and unencumbered by community— congregation without a mutuality of relationship; whether it is John Wayne or T. Boone Pickens. Further, there is · affirmation that in order for our ministries to be Unitarian increasing recognition that lone-rangerism leadership is Universalist, they must be affirmed by that which is most pervasive in all organizations and ministries, particularly within Unitarian Universalist – our congregations an individualistic culture. (Leading Change in Congregations by Gilbert Rendle, 21-22). Is this what we want? If not, what · the importance of our parish-based colleagues to the health alternative vision do we have to offer? and well-being of those same congregations; These questions may strike close to home for any or all of us, no These conversations were sparked by members’ review of matter what our ministry. But, perhaps because community several drafts of the Code and culminated in SCM membership ministry does not have behind it the same momentum of habit overwhelmingly (99%) adopting the SCM Code of Professional and established practice as parish-based ministry, community Practice as criteria for membership in SCM effective January 1, ministers have had to grapple deeply with these issues. And 2005. SCM membership stands at 145 members, of whom 80% grapple is precisely what the SCM membership has done for the are UUMA members and 20% are laity. The Code therefore last three years since the first draft of the SCM Code of specifically articulates issues of accountability for ordained Professional Practice was submitted for membership review in community ministers as they practice their ministry in the larger 2002. During this time, deeply clarifying conversations have world, in congregations, and with parish-based ministers. It was been held in person, on-line, across the country, and locally also deliberately written broad enough to address issues of about several topics, including: accountability between laity, their congregations, and the larger world. · the wideness of the circles drawn for community ministers as to those with whom they cannot have personal The goal of SCM was to articulate a shared vision regarding the relationships; i.e., if one’s ministry is in the larger world – is roles and responsibilities of community ministers in our there any place where personal friendships are appropriate? congregations and the larger world, while also giving our parish-based colleagues a set of mutually-held expectations and · the murkiness of the role of a community minister who is understandings for SCM members doing ministry in the larger also a member of the endorsing congregation; (Continued on page 21)

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Winter 2005 UUMA News

(Reflections — Continued from page 11) (Administrator Column – Continued from page 3) 1) Certainly for all, but especially for part-time congregations whose ministerial search may packet please contact the office. You can not be as full-scale or systematic as searches that go through the settlement office, congre- also visit web site to see all the information. gations would do well to demonstrate some understanding of the important role of the CoM In conjunction with the bulk mailing all before taking on a new minister. lapsed members were sent a reminder 2) I'm not sure CoMs are the best group to write renewal evaluations for ministers in pre- notice. If you membership has lapsed liminary fellowship (I suppose there are parallels with their writing annual reviews for ten- remember you can renew anytime online! ured ministers). I admit that I might have been more insistent that we establish the CoM in Waiver forms are also available either an appropriate and timely manner, but I did have that renewal evaluation lurking in the online or through the office. background. I admit that I was careful not to offend. In treading too lightly, I probably did Next I will be turning my attention to reg- not give the best ministry I might have. istration for Professional Days. I plan to - Barbara Coeyman continue to make improvements to the website and to focus on updating the š{› posted Chapter information. Chapter lead- The Board of the Society of Community Ministries has strongly endorsed the practice that ers should keep an eye out for the Chapter ministers based in the community, very much need CoMs that hold them accountable to Leader Newsletter sometime in March. their congregations and to their ministries. Also, treasurers may visit the website to For example, my ministry addresses community inclusion/justice issues and I provide pas- request their Chapter Subsidy (available toral care for/to people with developmental disabilities. I also have an extensive back- once the office has a correct listing of ground in doing anti-racism work. And, I am endorsed by two UU congregations. I there- leadership and retreat dates). fore recommended that my COM be made up of two members each from each congrega- On a personal note, my singing has been tion, a renowned expert in the area of spirituality and community inclusion for people with going very well. In the fall I made my disabilities (a Catholic), a community minister in final fellowship, and my supervisor (the debut with Opera Providence and partici- Executive Director of my agency - a Methodist). The congregation members are also par- pated in a number of concerts in Milton, ents of people with disabilities and one is the self-declared mother of a bi-racial child. This MA. After a very busy audition season, I panel was approved by the policy board of both congregations. was cast as an understudy with two New For a community minister - we believe that having a CoM that represents your constitu- York opera companies. ents/those to whom you minister (aka accountability) is essential to the development of During the months of December and Janu- one's ministry outside the walls of the church. I cannot state too strongly how helpful they ary I worked with Bronx Opera under- have been to me in my development as a minister, the development of my ministry, and my studying the lead role in Menotti’s The relationships with my congregations. I think the key is the caliber of the people on the Consul and then with Chelsea Opera also COM, and the 'no triangulating' rule. understudying the lead in Cavalleria Ru- - Jeanne Lloyd sitcana. With the support of the Exec and š{› UUMA Personnel Committee I was suc- Another minister mentioned her experiences in part-time ministry settings in very small cessfully able to work remotely from NYC congregations. This is one of those issues where I think we need to pay attention to the while singing in the evenings. I have a differences between part-time and full-time ministry. Having served in both type settings, few programs planned for May and con- I'd say that in part-time ministry, the CoM has a particular function of making sure that the tinue to study and grow in my craft. minister knows what's going on in the congregation, and in making sure that all areas of Thankfully, my singing engagements wind ministry are covered. down about the time we will all be meet- In such a setting the CoM should have its ear to the ground for the minister -- the members ing in Fort Worth. I so enjoyed meeting are likely around more than the minister. In such a small congregation, there aren't (or so many of you last June and I look for- shouldn't be!) tons of committees. It seems logical that the CoM should be the ones to note ward to our continued work together! & pass on to the minister joys and sorrows (whether formal or informal); track whether If you need to contact me I can be pastoral needs are being met (not necessarily by the minister, but calling in the minister reached most easily via email or by when needed); be alert to potential conflicts and needs in the congregation. This is also phone at 617-848-0498; I hope you will where conversations can happen about priorities for the minister's limited time, keeping the call to say hello! time demands reasonable based on the agreement with the congregation. Warm Regards, - Jonalu Johnstone Janette Lallier š{› Administrator [email protected] Several participants mentioned favorably the work of Rev. Robert Latham in developing a model of how Committees on Ministry might function., We hope to have permission by the next issue to share his work and the reflections of others on it. (ed.) UUMA Newsletter Submission Guidelines Please read the guidelines carefully. Material should be submitted by e-mail, if possible, to [email protected]. Send the material as an at- tached file. If you do not have e-mail, you may submit material on a 3.5" disk, readable by IBM -compatible systems. Material should be saved on the disk in RTF. For all submissions, please avoid excessive formatting (indentations, hanging indents, tabs, hard returns) . In addition to the article for publication, please include your name, title, and e-mail address as you would like them to appear in print, your current home and busi- ness addresses (printed only on request), day and evening telephone numbers. Please also send hard copy by fax or regular mail, in the event a file is corrupted or lost. If you have questions, please contact the editor, Roger Brewin [email protected] — 773-881-4028.

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UUMA News Winter 2005 Continuing Education at Starr King School

Online On-line Resources This spring, we are offering online "UU History" (Dr. Alicia “In Their Own Words” is available online. We sold out of Forsey); "UU Congregational Polity" (Rev. Mark Harris), as the original publication, which marked an important occasion well as two new courses, "Children's Literature: A Religious in the history of the school-the reunion in January of 2001 of Education" (Rev. Keith Kron); and "UU Community Ministry" people who were active in Black Empowerment controversies (Rev. Tawna Cooley). within the Unitarian Universalist Association during the late 1960s and early 1970s. You may read In Their Own Words Coming this fall are online "World Religions" (Rev. Tawna online for $10.00. Please charge the fee to your credit card Cooley); "Our Theological House" (Rev. Roy Phillips); and a by calling Cathleen Young at (510) 845-6232, x119, who will new course, "Islams: Multiplicity in Unity," with Nayer Taheri. take your information and then give you a password. The For the latest information concerning online courses, visit our password will allow you to access the document. website at http://online.sksm.edu , or contact Cathleen at “Our Unitarian Heritage” has been available online for [email protected]. You may also write to Rev. Alicia McNary some time, and now, the first volume of the more Forsey, Ph.D., Professor of Church History, Starr King School sophisticated two-volume set of Wilbur's history is also for the Ministry, 2441 LeConte Ave., Berkeley, CA 94709. Tel: online. This document may also be read for $10.00. For 510-845-6232. assistance, call Cathleen as above. Summer Session 2003 Wilbur History Colloquium Publication Offered this summer through the GTU Summer Session A few copies remain of “The Role of the Dissenter in collaborative are "Exploring Our Spiritual Selves Through Western Christianity: From Jesus Through the Radical Dream Work" with the Rev. Jeremy Taylor (August 8-12); Reformation.” This is a compilation of papers presented at "The Beat Face of God: The Beat Generation of Writers as the fifth Earl Morse Wilbur History Colloquium, (January 23- Spirit Guides," with the Rev. Stephen D. Edington, and 25, 2003), with additional contributions by leading scholars "Writing with Spirit: Creative Encounters with Sacred Text," and Starr King students. Copies may be obtained by writing with Julia Watts Belser. All will be sponsored by Starr King to Cathleen at the address above. Cost is $50 plus shipping School. To learn more about the GTU Summer Session, or to (and plus tax if applicable). register for courses, visit http://www.gtuss.org/.

Restoration of Christianity Starr King School for the Ministry educates people for The "Restoration of Christianity" by Michael Servetus (1553) is religious leadership, especially Unitarian Universalist in its final stages. Two of the world's leading scholars, Angel ministry. Alcalá and Marian Hillar, are contributing to the finished publication.

District Staff Positions Open The following four open positions on the UUA’s district staff team have been posted at: www.uua.org/hr/openings.html

1. District Executive in the Mass Bay District (full-time, starts July 1) 2. District Executive in the Mountain Desert District (full-time, starts July 1) 3. Program Consultant in the Pacific Central District (full-time, starts July 1) 4. Program Consultant in the Clara Barton District (full-time, starts July 1) Join a Transformational Staff Having been a UU minister for 31 years I have seen many changes. One of the most important recently is recognizing that our Districts should be places to support transformational ministry at the congregational level. While District Staff still has a number of roles to fill as a "mid-level judicatory" type position, most of us now see our key role at helping congregations develop stronger ministries from each congregation's mission position. Exciting things are happening at the District level across the con- tinent. We can only continue to move in this direction as more qualified professionals apply for the openings available. Among the perks are base salaries that start in the mid $50,000 with the strongest benefits package possible, 11% retirement, 80% of your medical plan costs (not insignificant in today's world), life and disability insurance plus professional expenses that vary in the Districts but in most are over $10,000. Having served congregations of all sizes during my ministry, I now enjoy the work with colleagues and congregational leaders to create stronger congregations across the Pacific Southwest District. I am willing to talk to anyone who might consider applying for any of the open positions on the District Staff. - Ken Brown, District Executive, Pacific Southwest District — [email protected]

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Winter 2005 UUMA News

Personals ~ š{› New Online Forum on An Uncommon Denomination Prayer and Spiritual Disciplines Our denomination is uncommon indeed. This fact is reflected in the insights that emerging from the 45th annual gathering of the The newest online community sponsored by the UU Christian Refugio Group. The group met November 2-4 at a quietly beau- Fellowship is open for subscription now. It is UUCF-Prayer, for tiful and secluded retreat center in Santa Barbara, La Casa de sharing prayers and prayer requests, conversation on prayer, and Maria. The site is at the foot of mountains rising to 4000 feet and sharing and discussing various spiritual practices and disciplines only a mile from the ocean. (either within the broad Christian tradition or other religious traditions). You can learn more and also subscribe by going to The Refugio Group is a continuing education experience for UU this link: http://lists.uua.org/mailman/listinfo/ or for more infor- ministers. The major speaker for this years meeting was Dr Carl mation contact: Ron Robinson, Executive Director, UUCF, Scovel. Carl was for many years minister at Kings Chapel in (founded 1945) www.uuchristian.org Boston, one of the earliest UU churches to develop in the US. He was the first choice to address the theme, “Drinking from š{› Deep Wells: A Search for the Sacred.” In this moving and thoughtful encounter, Dr Scovel outlined the Demonstrate UU Support for Civil Marriage typical stages of religious and spiritual growth as: Desire, Dis- covery, Disappointment, Disclosure. If you're within driving distance of Boston I urge you and the communities you represent to consider joining us this upcoming Desire for meaning is a dominant motive in humans. This per- June 11th for what we hope to be the largest yet demonstration sistent and pervasive desire presses us toward Discovery of a of Unitarian Universalist support for civil marriage, civil rights worldview that makes sense of our experience, that relieves us and the way of love over creed. We hope to attract at least five of confusion, anxiety, and uncertainty. However, as we grow in hundred Unitarian Universalists and maybe fifty to sixty congre- understanding and experience, we may sense the existence of a gations for the June 11th Boston Gay Pride Day parade. new level of insight lying just out of reach. Uncertainty about the validity of our earlier discovery begins to emerge, and this in The plan is to kick off Saturday June 11th with a worship service turn leads us into a state of Disappointment with the discovery at Arlington Street Church. In a show of support for the GBLT that earlier answered the need for meaning. The disappointment community, Bill Sinkford and Kay Montgomery will lead the leads us to Disclosure, and to the rediscovery of Desire. march. In liberal religion these stages of religious development emerge By gathering as many UUs together as we can we expect to be out of our own direct, personal experience of life and the world. by far the largest contingent at the Boston Gay Pride Parade. So, We rely, not on external authority, but on personal experience please have representatives of your congregation contact the and insight. This is the deep well from which we drink, Scovel MBD Gay Pride Day Committee: [email protected] for de- said in conclusion; this is where we find the sacred. We are an tails. uncommon denomination. I feel deeply honored to be involved in this & I look forward to If you would like to be on Refugios mailing list, let Program joining with many of you in this good work. Chair Judith Walker-Riggs know at [email protected] - James Ford, [email protected] President, Massachusetts Bay Chapter, UUMA š{› Senior Minister, First Unitarian Society in Newton Video on Black Empowerment Controversy

š{› Each District office has received a copy of "Wilderness Journey: The Struggle for Black Empowerment and Racial Justice within How Ministry Relates the Unitarian Universalist Association 1967-70." This documen- to the Wider Community. tary was made by a committee of the Mass Bay District and pri- marily consists of interviews with participants in the events of In the interest of understanding better how our ministries are those years. related to the larger community and how we can, as a profes- sional organization, support those ministries that serve the wider The reverberations from the conflict among BUUC, BAC, world, the UUMA Exec and the Community Ministry Focus BAWA, FULLBAC, and the UUA administration continue to- Group have placed online a survey -- day and affect people who have only hazy awareness of those www.uuma.org/Survey/MinSurvey.htm -- to identify who we acronyms and what they reflect. What could have provoked a are as ministers and find ways to communicate better. This sur- young housewife named Denny Davidoff to confront the UUA vey is designed to collect information on our various ministries, Board? What might have been the perceived racial dynamics with a special focus on how ministers see their work as serving that caused former LRY President Bill Sinkford to drop out of the wider community. Please take time to respond. It will help us Unitarian Universalism for many years? This video is an excel- in planning for the future. (Continued on page 21)

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UUMA News Winter 2005

(Personals — Continued from page 20) NOT the Borden Prize lent tool for beginning to understand the dynamics of that era. It has, however, not been widely publicized and so you may need Didn't win again this year? The Church of the Larger Fellow- to be insistent in asking your District office to find it to loan to ship (CLF) would like to read those and your other great ser- you. If you want further background, Victor Carpenter's “Long mons for possible publication in Quest. Please send electronic Challenge: The Empowerment Controversy (1967-1977), pub- copies or the URL's of your four favorites to [email protected] for lished in 2003, (available from the UUA Bookstore - Item 6078. consideration. We won't make you rich, but we'll make you $12.00) is a full exploration from a participant in the events and famous (well, sort of). student of them. In appreciation, Jane Rzepka, Senior Minister — [email protected] Rev. Gordon D. Gibson Church of the Larger Fellowship Minister, Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Elkhart, Indiana [email protected] or [email protected] š{› š{› UURMAPA Workshop To all UUMA Chapters. If you have not used the service of the Worship Web is looking for your writings! trained Financial Educators provided by UU Retired Ministers Worship Web (www.uua.org/worshipweb/main.html) is an and Partners Association you have missed a vital service to our online collection of worship resources for use in public wor- ministry. These people provide information which we all need ship. It was created a few years ago and now is being revital- to manage our finances and live responsibly. Please consider ized by the Lifespan Faith Development Dept. of the UUA. We having one of these people present a workshop, cost paid, at a are looking for your submissions of: opening words, calls to UUMA meeting this year. The names of the trained ministers worship, chalice lightings, invocations, meditations/prayers, can be gotten by contacting Ralph Mero's office or by emailing offertories, stories for all ages, rituals, unison affirmations, lita- Nancy Doughty at [email protected]. nies, responsive readings, benedictions, and special services. š{› Eventually, much of the materials will be linked to a Unitarian Universalist Liturgical Calendar. A draft of this is posted here: Journal of Religious Humanism www.uua.org/worshipweb/calendar. We are interested in your The latest issue of the twice yearly publication of HUUmanists feedback and suggestions on this calendar. Send your writings (the membership organization for humanists with UU affilia- and your feedback to: [email protected] or mail them to: tions) contains articles on Reverence by our colleague Kendyl Barbara Gifford, UUA, 25 Beacon St., Boston, MA 02108. Gibbons and UU scholar Jerome Stone, along with a "sympathetic letter to Creationists" and a history of and invita- With your help, together we might build up a treasury of re- tion to the training for religious leaders offered by the Humanist sources to enrich worship in our congregations. As we share Institute. The Heritage selection is from Elizabeth Cady our materials, we can all benefit from our collective wisdom Stanton's "The Woman's Bible." The editor guarantees at least and efforts and help each other find the right words for the right one decent sermon idea or illustration in each issue. moment. As it grows, Worship Web can help us serve our own congregations better, as well as our larger Association. Discount rates are available to UU ministers and seminarians Single copies are available for $8, yearly subscriptions for $15 Thank you! ($28 for two years). The Journal is also included with each membership in HUUmanists, discounted at $35 for one year Marshall Hawkins, Community Minister, Boston and $65 for two years. Colleagues should place discount orders Consultant to the Worship Web through the editor, Rev. Roger Brewin at 10559 S. Wood St. š{› Chicago, IL 60643, [email protected] (773) 881-4028.

Guidelines for CM (Continued from page 17)

world on behalf of the congregation. To date, several parish-based ministers have begun to use this Code as a cornerstone of understanding between lay/clergy community ministers and our congregations. Appreciation is due to several people who contributed to the formation of this Code. The Rev. Nadine Swahnberg (a pastoral counselor affiliated by the Jefferson Unitarian Church in Golden, Colorado) served as its primary author/editor. Additional consultation came from the Revs. Tom Korson and Joan Van Becelaere in Denver; SCM Member and Assistant District Attorney, Tom Kirkman; the SCM Board of Directors, and other SCM members. Comments and suggestions for modifications may be made to the SCM Board of Directors, c/o Co-President, Rev. Jeanne Lloyd, at [email protected] . To view the Code go to: http://www.slm.siteblast.com/custom.asp?id=16149&page=7 Along these same lines, an article called Liability Issues for Community Ministries has been drafted by the Revs. C. Scot Giles, Ralph Mero and Jeanne Lloyd. It is available from the Society for Community Ministries at: http://www.slm.siteblast.com/links.asp?id=16149&page=9

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Winter 2005 UUMA News

Responsible Staffing (Continued from page 15) · References may be asked of those with whom we never saw eye- to-eye, and with whom we’ve had major conflicts. Rather than these materials are consistent with the task force’s recommenda- hearing from “responsible critics,” the search committees might tions and seem quite appropriate these days of increasing aware- hear from irresponsible critics, and we might not know. ness of fiduciary responsibility. · Since we will not necessarily have knowledge of whom search The big change for ministers, though, is on this subject of refer- committees have contacted, and since many more people may be ences. Until now, search committees were told that they could not contacted than previously, “news” of our searching may find its check references without the minister’s knowledge and consent. way back to our congregations more easily. They could, when speaking with provided references, ask for Since, once we are named the candidate, the search committee is names of other people who these individuals thought might shed a free to contact whomever they like in our current places of minis- different light on the minister candidate, but they were not sup- try, the practice observed by some ministers of not announcing posed to contact these additional references without advising the their departure from the current congregation until after the end of minister and asking permission. candidating week in the new congregation will have to be recon- With Responsible Staffing, the field changes. Now ministers will sidered. It is possible that these additional reference checks, post be expected to provide the names and contact information for a candidacy announcement, might lead to the news of our impending minimum of three persons in every congregation/agency/employer departure reaching the congregation before we have had the chance that they have previously served (for interim ministers or for those to tell them ourselves. congregations that were served more than 20 years ago, two names These latter recommendations on reference checking were not en- will suffice). Again, it will be suggested that search committees dorsed by the task force or the UUMA Executive, and during the checking references ask these initial persons for names and contact process arguments were made against these changes. They will information for others who can provide more information or shed a require ministers to think more carefully about this aspect of the different light. But here’s the change—for persons connected to search process. congregations/agencies/employers the minister has previously served, the search committees will not be required to either no- Yet despite this area of disagreement, throughout the process of tify you or get your permission before speaking with these addi- creating Responsible Staffing, both Weston and Limpert were very tional suggested references. With regard to the minister’s current desirous, respectful and appreciative of the input from the UUMA. congregation/agency/employer, no additional calls can be made In the end, they believed that the fiduciary responsibility to congre- until after the candidacy is announced. At that point, search gations and members thereof required a more stringent application committees should feel free (according to Responsible Staffing) to of reference checking. Their model of collaborative work is to be contact whomever they wish in the current congrega- commended. tion/agency/employer, again without having to advise the minister - Lisa Presley or obtain consent. on behalf of the UUMA ad hoc task force for Responsible Staffing The most immediate ramifications of this change are:

UUMA Publications Text Publications www.uuma.org/main/textpublications.htm · Current and Past Volumes of UUMA Selected Essays $ 5.00/ volume Volumes available include: 1999, 2000, 2001. · Anti-racism Sermon Collection $ 10.00 · Odysseys collection edited by Alice Blair-Wesley $ 10.00 · Leaping from Our Spheres: The Impact of Women on UU Ministry edited by Gretchen Woods $5.00 · 1997 Worship Materials Collection. Edited and compiled by Andy Backus. $20.00 (Packet & CDRom) · Handbook on Sabbatical Leave $ 10.00 · Celebrating Christmas available through IUniverse.com at a list price of $24.95, plus shipping and handling. Videotapes & DVDs www.uuma.org/main/videopublications.htm · Each Convocation Videotape costs $20.00 + $5.00 for shipping and handling. Birmingham Lectures: Each day’s lectures are available on one tape. Morning Worship and Vespers : Each Day’s two Worship services are available on one tape. Special Presentations: both events are available on one tape Opening Celebration: One tape Social Witness: Both events are available on one tape · 2000-2004 Berry Street Lectures: $15.00 each + $5.00 for shipping and handling Order online at www.uuma.org or send check with order to: Or call or fax in your order and credit card information: UUMA Administrator Voice: (617) 848-0498 25 Beacon St Fax: (617) 848-0973 Boston, MA 02108

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UUMA News Winter 2005

New and Upgraded Members The below list contains the names of individuals who have either joined (or rejoined) the UUMA or have received a membership upgrade this year. Welcome!! For a complete membership directory visit www.uuma.org/members/directory.asp (member password needed)

Name Chapter Name Chapter Name Chapter Carol Allman * Mass Bay Patricia N. Hart BC Roy D. Phillips + PSW Margaret Anzalone CB Sara Hayman CMW Patti Pomerantz ~ PNW Stephen R. Atkinson CMW Lawrence M. Henson MD Carolyn Price ~ PSW Andrew C. Backus + PNW Ronald A. Hersom * PC Laurie E. Proctor + Heartland Sarah Barber-Braun + PS Carol C. Hilton + SW Steven Protzman PS Stephanie C. Barnett ~ PK Mitchell G. Howard + PNW Mitra C. Rahnema * PC Jennie Ann Barrington CB Robert T. Hughes * SE Alex Richardson SE Ann D. Beattie PNW Victoria L. Ingram * PC Kent Saleska CMW James Beebe PNW Darrick Jackson Mass Bay David Scheuneman ~ PNW Gary C. Bennett Heartland Adrienne Emily Johnson UUMOC Carol J. Schneider CMW Linda Berez Mass Bay Jone E. Johnson CUUMA Justin Schroeder * SW James E. Bodman PC Nancy P. Jones Metro NY Craig Schwalenberg CMW Colin N. Bossen * OM Deborah M. Kahn * CUUMA Teresa L. Schwartz * Mass Bay Jennifer J. Brooks BC Eric Kaminetzky * SE Suzanne Semmes PSW Emily S. Burr ~ EB Linda Kaufman PNW Nancy M. Shaffer ~ PC Catherine Chang * CUUMA Margaret A. Keip + PNW Jason A. Shelton ~ SE Jacqueline R. Clement Northeast Megan Kelly Iroquois James P. Sherblom ~ Mass Bay Barbara Coeyman ~ SW Kathryn E. Kennedy * PC Adam Smith PSW Meghan Conrad CMW Joseph R. Kiovsky + MD Carlton E. Smith Mass Bay Alison M. Cornish ~ Metro NY Jeffrey P. Lambkin ~ MD David Soliday OM Jennifer F. Crow ~ Iroquois Clarence J. LaSonde + Mass Bay Stanley R. Stefancic + PC John Cullinan * CMW Robert T. Latham + PSW Abigail J. Stockman ~ BC Philip Douglas * SW Beth Leehy PC Julie Stoneberg * CMW Jennifer I. Duhamel * Mass Bay Tomas E. Lewis ~ PC Sonya G. Sukalski * PC Mary Margaret Earl ~ BC Edwin C. Lynn + Mass Bay Leslie Takahashi-Morris ~ SE Leroy O. Egenberger + PC John S. Mackey ~ SE Krista M. Taves ~ SW Jennifer Emrich-Shanks Northeast Susan Maginn CMW Henry R. Ticknor ~ CUUMA Margo J. Ewers + EB Elizabeth McMaster + MD Matthew D. Tittle ~ SW Sandra Fees ~ PK Barbara Meyers ~ PC Audrey W. Vincent + PSW Rosemary G. Frances Metro NY Betty Jo Middleton + CUUMA Sheri Walden PC Marc S. Fredette ~ SW Roger Mohr OM Michelle Walsh * Mass Bay Laura T. Friedman * UUMOC Leonora Montgomery + SW Wilfrid W. Ward + Metro NY S. Meredith Garmon MD Richard Murphy FL Mark P. Ward ~ SE Robert Gentile Metro NY Eric H. Ness ~ PNW Suzanne Wasilczuk * CMW Rolfe Gerhardt + Northeast Danita Noland SW Hannah Wells SW Mark A. Glovin ~ EB Theresa J. Novak PC Frances E. West + SE Linda Goonewardene Metro NY Sarah W. Oelberg + CMW Joanne D. Whelden ~ CMW Kathleen A. Green OM Bjorn D. Olson PK Maureen White MD Carol S. Haag + Metro NY Anne Orfald + UUMOC Telos Whitfield PC Sally Hamlin PC Daniel R. Owens ~ SW Bets Wienecke + PSW Elizabeth A. Harding CMW Kathleen Owens ~ PSW Alison A. Wohler ~ OM Cathy Harrington ~ Heartland Carolyn Owen-Towle + PSW K. A. Won UUMOC Benjamin Papa * SW Philip Zwerling OM Key: * Membership will be voted upon at the April Exec Meeting ~ Upgraded from Candidate to Regular Member + Upgraded from Regular to Life Member

Lighthouses don’t go looking around the island for boats to save. They just stand there shinning.

-Anne Lamont “Bird by Bird” “I don’t like this place at all. It’s like living in a PARSONAGE.”

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UUMA Office Administrator JANETTE LALLIER 25 Beacon Street, Boston, MA 02108 Administrator Voice: 617-848-0498; Fax: 617-848-0973; Email: [email protected]

UUMA Executive Committee 2004-2005 KEN SAWYER First Parish in Wayland, Unitarian Universalist; P.O. Box 397; Wayland, MA 01778 President (‘07) 508-358-6133; [email protected]

MARY KATHERINE MORN 2108 N. Inglewood Street, Arlington, VA 22205 Vice President (‘07) 202-387-3411;[email protected]

MARK CHRISTIAN First Unitarian Church of Oklahoma City, 600 NW 13th Street, Oklahoma City, OK 73103 Secretary (‘06) 405-232-9224; fax 405-232-3843; [email protected]

KATHLEEN ELLIS Live Oak Church, 3315 El Salido Parkway, Cedar Park, TX 78613 Treasurer (‘05) 512-478-9231 [email protected]

WENDY FISH First Unitarian Universalist Church, 93 West Weisheimer Rd., Columbus, OH 43214 Arrangements (‘05) 614-267-4946 x23; [email protected]

ROBERT SCHAIBLY 7835 SE 15th Ave, Portland, OR 97202 Chapter Visits (‘05) [email protected]

SUSAN MANKER-SEALE 3601 W. Cromwell Dr., Tucson, AZ 85741 Good Offices (‘07) 520-579-7094 [email protected]

ROGER BREWIN 10559 S. Wood Street, Chicago, IL 60643 Publications and Online Communications (’06) 773-881-4028; [email protected]

WAYNE WALDER Neighbourhood Unitarian Universalist Church; 79 Hiawatha Ave, Toronto, ON M4L 2R6 CENTER (‘06) 416-686-6809; [email protected]

CLYDE GRUBBS Treasurer Coast UU Church, 21 SE Central Parkway; Stuart, FL 34994 Anti-racism, Anti-oppression, and Multiculturalism (’07) 772-223-5020; [email protected]

UUMA News Nonprofit Organization Unitarian Universalist Ministers Association U.S. POSTAGE PAID BOSTON, MA 25 Beacon Street Permit Number 56200 Boston, MA 02108

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