Ohio-Meadville District of the Unitarian Universalist Association

Ohio-Meadville District of the Unitarian Universalist Association
Serving Congregations in Ohio, West Virginia, Western Pennsylvania and New York
November 2007
Dear OMD Packet Person,
This packet is an important way for you to receive news of Ohio-Meadville District events, services,
resources, and district business. The packet often includes happenings at other OMD Congregations
and invitations to events.
Do you have something for the January 2008, Packet? Deadline is December 22. Think of this as
your way of reaching out to the rest of the Ohio-Meadville District. You may e-mail or mail your
item to the District Office.
THE DISTRICT OFFICE IS MOVING
SEE THE ENCLOSED FLYER FOR NEW CONTACT INFORMATION
The UUA has created a fund to help those whose homes have been destroyed in the fires in
California. See the enclosed flyer on how you can help.
Enclosed in this month’s packet:
 OMD Office is Moving. See flyer for new address and phone number.
 UUA Creates Fire Relief Fund
 Reminder Page
 Accessibility Award
 Commission on Appraisal Extends Deadline
 A Gathering with Bishop John Shelby Spong-First Unitarian Church of Toledo
 Advocacy & Witness News for Social Justice Chairs
 Renaissance Module
 Attention RE Leaders
 UUA Health Plan
 Salary Recommendations for 2008
 Spirit Play
 K-1/4-6 OWL rescheduled for January
 Save the Dates for Junior & Senior High OWL and the OMD Curriculum Fair
 A Letter from Mary
 OMD Calendar
P.O. Box 157, St. Clairsville, OH 43950  Phone: 740-252-5980
 e-mail: office at ohiomeadville.org  website: www.ohiomeadville.org
OMD Office
is moving!
Our office administrator, Mary Huffman is retiring and saying good-bye to the district.
Mary has served us well for the last 10 years and we are grateful for her work.
Our new district administrator, Beth Casebolt, is starting the position on November 1.
Because of this switch, the office is moving November 1st, please update your
directory with this new information:
The new OMD office phone number is: 740-252-5980
The new OMD office address is:
PO Box 157
St. Clairsville, OH 43950
The OMD office email will remain [email protected] or
[email protected]
The OMD office will now be located in the home of our new district administrator. She
will welcome calls between 9 am and 9 pm any day. If no one is available please leave
a message and she’ll get back to you as soon as she can.
Beth brings a wealth of talent and knowledge to the position. Many of you already
know her from her work on the OMD Board and the OMD Lifespan Faith
Development Committee. Beth is a Credentialed Religious Educator at the Associate
Level, a respected OWL trainer for grades K-1 and 4-6, webmaster for the District
website, a web design and maintenance consultant, and OMD Small Church Resource
Liaison. She was the past Director of Religious Education for the Unitarian
Universalist Congregation of the Ohio Valley in Bellaire, OH. Beth also has a
background in theatre and works part time as the Technical Director of the Ohio
University (Eastern Campus) Theatre Department in St. Clairsville, OH.
Please do not hesitate to contact Beth if you have questions or need information about
the district and district events.
UUA Creates Fire Relief Fund
Friends,
The fires currently sweeping across southern California have affected Unitarian
Universalists (UUs) in many communities. Fires are currently burning in Santa Barbara,
Ventura, Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Riverside, Orange and San Diego Counties.
Damage reports remain incomplete at this time.
According to the Unitarian Universalist Association's (UUA) Pacific Southwest District
(PSWD) Executive Ken Brown, ninety percent of the members of our Chalice
Congregation in Escondido have evacuated their homes, with several homes burned.
Meanwhile, members of other UU congregations have opened their homes to the
evacuees.
In response to this disaster, the Pacific Southwest District of the UUA has begun the
PSWD Fire Relief Fund. A district committee will disburse all funds collected to UU
congregations, UUs in need, community groups in relationship with UU congregations,
and other groups supporting those most in need.
Ken Brown notes, "As we have found in the past, insurance does not cover such
devastation and it can take years for those affected to recover."
Donations to the PSWD Fire Relief Fund are being accepted online at <www.uua.org>. If
you wish to contribute by mail, please send funds to:
Pacific Southwest District
Fire Relief Fund
2052 Norma Street
Oxnard, CA 93036
You can keep up to date with the situation by checking the Pacific Southwest District
Website at <www.psduua.org>.
Please share this information with your congregation and thank you all for your help in
this time of need.
Blessings,
Joan VanBecelaere
OMD District Executive
OMD Workshop Application
for General Assembly and District Assembly
Workshops
Deadline—November 15, 2007
District Assembly Exhibitors—Deadline–March 7, 2008
Forms are on the OMD website www.ohiomeadville.org
Click on Programming
Then DA & GA Workshops
Then Workshop Proposals or Exhibitor
You can download the forms in a pdf or word version.
Deadline—January 15, 2008
District Award Nominations
Save the Date
Nominate the Individual, Congregation or Cluster
for District Awards
April 4-5, 2008
 Unsung Hero
 Faith in Action
 UU Visibility
 Rising Star
 Service to Youth and Children
 Accessibility *
Awards will be presented at the
District Assembly,
April 4-5, 2008 at
First Unitarian Church of Pittsburgh
To read the criteria for these awards and to
download a nomination form go to
www.ohiomeadville.org
To Programming
To District Awards
* See the flyer in this packet
District
Assembly
at
First Unitarian Church
of Pittsburgh
Make Your Plans Now to
Attend
More Information will be coming
to you soon.
O-MD ACCESSIBILITY
AWARD
Has your congregation taken steps to become an “Accessible” congregation? If so, you may
be eligible for the Ohio-Meadville District Accessibility Award. This award, presented for
the first time (to the First Unitarian Church of Youngstown) at the 2007 OMD Annual
Meeting, will be presented annually to an O-MD congregation that has made a significant
accomplishment with respect to Accessibility issues.
Accomplishments may be in areas including, but not limited to, architecture, environment,
attitude and communication, and may be related to any aspect of church life. For examples
of what can be done in your church, check out the tabs from “Getting to Church” to
“Beyond the Building” at the UUA website
http://www.uua.org/leaders/leaderslibrary/accessibility/environment/index.shtml .
Maybe your congregation has taken steps in one or more of these areas. If so, why not let us
know about them by submitting a description of what you have done? Any “project”
undertaken within the past 3 years (2005 – 2007) will be eligible for the award, to be
presented at the 2008 O-MD Annual Meeting.
Submissions should be in the form of a written description of the project (the more
descriptive the better), and should indicate when it was undertaken. Supplemental
photographs or other illustrative items are encouraged. Submissions must be received by
February 15, 2008 and will be reviewed by the O-MD Accessibility Committee, who will
choose the award recipient.
Please send submissions to
Mike Comber either by mail or e-mail.
His mailing address is 141 Lethbridge Circle, Copley, OH 44321;
his e-mail address is mikecomber at verizon.net.
If you have any questions, contact Mike via e-mail or by phone at 1-330-666-7216,
or contact Doris Matthey at 1-216-228-5270 or by e-mail at dondor2 at sbcglobal.net .
A Little More Time to Take Part
in the Nationwide Review
of the UU Principles and Purposes!!!
The Commission on Appraisal
has extended the deadline
for Congregational Comments
until
January 15, 2008
Last January the Commission sent to each Congregation a packet
of materials called
Having Another Look at the
Unitarian Universalist Principles and Purposes
A Note to Congregations
This packet
• informs people about the review,
• provides alternative formats and agendas for participating,
and
• provides a form for reporting congregational comments to the
Commission
Can’t find the packet?
No problem.
Download it from
http://www25.uua.org/coa
Want to email the Commission as an individual?
We welcome your messages at
[email protected]
What in the world do Larry King, Bill Mahr, Bill
O’Reilly, 60 Minutes, Fox News, William F. Buckley and
Good Morning America have in common? A fascination
with the theories of their invited guest, Bishop Spong.
Bishop John Shelby Spong’s goal is to have people rethink Christianity by respectfully
reconciling the teachings of Jesus with the present-day knowledge of physics, science
and modern sociological understanding. An internationally recognized religious leader,
Bishop Spong seeks “to break the Jesus explanations out of the boundaries of antiquity
and explain it in the 21st century.”
John Shelby Spong was the Episcopal Bishop of Newark, NJ, for more than twenty
years, has taught at Harvard and delivers more than 200 lectures worldwide each year
and is the author of 15 books.
A Gathering with BISHOP JOHN SHELBY SPONG
at First Unitarian Church of Toledo, Ohio
December 1, 2007
9:30 AM to 4:00 PM
For information or tickets, contact Julia Field McGhee:
419-865-4304
419-350-4773 (cell)
JuliaFMc at aol.com
TICKET COST $60 (includes a box lunch )
PROGRAM - Saturday, December 1
First Unitarian Church, 2210 Collingwood Blvd, Toledo
Lectures: Not a Divine Rescuer of the Lost
The Call to Fulfillment
Q & A opportunities with Bishop Spong
Book Signing
ADVOCACY & WITNESS NEWS FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE CHAIRS
REPORT FROM GENERAL ASSEMBLY
It is always a special treat for the Advocacy and Witness staff to connect with you at General
Assembly. This year we planned/presented six workshops and had sponsored an action center in
the exhibit hall where 365 people sent messages to their representatives! For those of you who
attended our workshops or booth we thank you and we look forward to working with you
throughout the year. Also, we would like to extend a very special AMEN to the Right
Relationship Team. General Assembly 2007 marked the debut of this hardworking volunteer
committee, which helped address instances of discrimination, misunderstanding, or hurt between
and among attendees, and which reported on its work to the entire plenary hall. They truly
exemplified what it means to practice right relationship. To learn more about GA and to view
many of the workshops online, visit:
http://www.uua.org/events/generalassembly/2007/index.shtml
2007 Actions of Immediate Witness
One of the most important things that happens at GA is the debate and adoption of Statements
of Conscience and Actions of Immediate Witness. These statements on moral and public policy
issues inform and guide the Advocacy and Witness work of the UUA. In contrast to the
Statements of Conscience, which arise from a lengthy period of congregational study and action,
Actions of Immediate Witness are adopted address pressing policy concerns in a timely manner.
To learn more about Actions of Immediate Witness, visit www.uua.org/csw.
• Social Support for the UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of
Discrimination
Against Wo men (CEDAW)
• Support Immigrant Families—Stop the ICE (Immigratio n and Customs
Enforcement) Raids
• Support Comprehe nsive Sex uality Education Legislation
• Stop US Sponsored Torture—A Religious Call to Action
• Repeal "Don't Ask, Don't Tell"
• Pass the Employ ment Non-Discrimination Act with Transgender Inclusion and
Protection
Watch Presentations Online
• Welcoming the Strang er: A Just Immigration Policy (Friday 6/22)
This presentation on immigration featured Interfaith Worker Justice Director Kim Bobo and
discussion of congregational organizing and solidarity actions, including the new sanctuary
movement.
http://www.uua.org/events/generalassembly/2007/presentations/31350.shtml
• Theology of Peacemaking: (Saturday 6/23)
Rev. William Schulz and Professor Sharon Welch discussed the theology of peacemaking
in this popular presentation.
http://www.uua.org/events/generalassembly/2007/presentations/31313.shtml
• The Pentagon Papers: Then and Now (Saturday 6/23)
Rev. Robert West, Daniel Ellsberg and presidential candidate Mike Gravel recounted their
roles in events that led to the UUA's Beacon Press' publication of the Pentagon Papers in
1971-72. Moderated by Amy Goodman.
http://www.uua.org/events/generalassembly/2007/presentations/30971.shtml
• Ware Lecture: Dr. Rashid Khalidi (Saturday 6/23)
Historian Rashid Khalidi delivered a stinging denunciation of the Bush administration and
its Middle Eastern policies in Saturday’s Ware Lecture.
http://www.uua.org/events/generalassembly/2007/presentations/31309.shtml
Ministry With Youth Renaissance Module
February 22-24, 2008
Led By Helen Zidowicki and Jennifer Halperin
Sponsored by The Ohio Meadville District Lifespan Faith Development Committee
Loyola of the Lakes Jesuit Retreat House, 700 Killinger Road, Clinton, OH (Akron)
Begins Friday at 6 p.m. with light dinner and concludes Sunday at 12 noon
What are Renaissance Modules?
The Renaissance program offers intensive trainings for religious education leaders and is a major
component of the Professional Standards for RE Leadership. Each module includes 15 hours of training.
Other modules in the program are: Unitarian Universalist History, Curriculum Planning in the Local
Congregation, Developing a Philosophy of Religious Education, Ministry with Youth, Training
Teachers, Multicultural Religious Education, Unitarian Universalist Identity, and Worship for All Ages.
What are the goals of the Ministry With Youth module?
The philosophy of this module is that youth will be ministered to by Unitarian Universalist
congregations when they are respected as community members. As youth are empowered to be full
members of Unitarian Universalist communities, both they and the community will be strengthened.
Youth empowerment does not mean that adults are disempowered or should abdicate responsibility. It
is not either/or. Youth empowerment means that the more empowered youth are as youth, the more
appropriately empowered adults will be as adults.
Please note that this is NOT a Youth Advisor Training. While this module is relevant to people working
with youth in various capacities, this module is:
directly focused on the education of the people supporting the advisors.
congregation-oriented rather than focused on district- or cluster-level youth ministry. This grew
from the belief that it is the congregations that are central to the religious experience of Unitarian
Universalists.
concerned with youth programming as part of the total life of the congregation.
The module will include discussions of the following areas::
Characteristics and qualities of youth
Building community
Balanced programming
Youth/congregational connections
Selection, training and support of advisors
Resources
Youth programming structure within congregations, districts and at the UUA
Reader: an extensive collection of materials addressing many aspects of ministry with youth. We highly
recommend that leaders read the entire collection and that participants become familiar with its contents
and read as much of it as possible before attending the module.
Who are the leaders?
Pat Ellenwood is the Director of Religious Education at the Unitarian Universalist Society of Wellesley
Hills, MA. Over the years she has served her district and the UUA in a variety of ways: the UUA
Curriculum Visioning Committee, the UUA Religious Education Credentialing Advisory Committee, and
the LREDA Representative to the Council of Church Staff Finances. She joined the LREDA Board in
1997 and was President from 1999-2002. She has been a member of the LREDA Grant Committee since
1998 and is the current Chair. Her essay, "Changing Lenses" appears in The Essex Conversations. She
received the Angus H. MacLean Award for Excellence in Religious Education Leadership in 2002. She
and her husband Steve have two grown daughters Heather and Amanda and in 2006 they celebrated 40
years of marriage and the arrival of their first grandchild, Kira.
Kathy Strawser is the Director of Lifespan Faith Development at West Shore UU Church in Rocky
River (Cleveland), Ohio. Previously she completed a thirty-year career as a high school English teacher.
She is currently the co-chair of the O-MD Lifespan Faith Development Committee and treasurer of the
district’s LREDA chapter. Kathy co-presented a workshop, “Intergenerational Worship, Every
Sunday,” at the June 2006 General Assembly. She is a wife and mother of Rachel, a college freshman.
What is the cost?
$180 if registered by January 11 and $205 thereafter. This includes all materials, meals and lodging.
Some partial scholarships are available for Religious Education Leaders in the Ohio Meadville District,
who have no professional expenses or severely limited funds available. To apply, please request an
application from the registrar and submit completed application by January 11.
are not considered registered until we have your form and registration fee in hand, this includes
scholarship applicants. Registrations are taken on a first come/first serve basis. After January 11
reservations will only be taken if room is available. Fee will increase to $205 and deposit of $100 is due
with registration form.
A $75 cancellation fee will be retained after January 11, and no cancellations will be accepted one week
prior to the module. Our obligations to the Loyola Retreat House require that we employ these policies.
Credit cards are accepted for payment, you must contact the district bookkeeper, Toni White at
[email protected] to make arrangements to pay with a credit card.
PLEASE NOTE: In order to receive credit toward "Renaissance Recognition" (the completion of 5
modules), you must attend the entire program. The content of the module is intensive and requires the
full attention of participants. Therefore, parents are discouraged from attending with their children. If
either of these policies causes a significant challenge for you, please direct your concerns to the registrar
who will speak with the leaders.
REGISTRATION FORM
Ministry with Youth Renaissance Module
Friday, February 22 - Sunday, February 24, 2008
Name___________________________________________________________________
Address_________________________________________________________________
City___________________________________________State_______ Zip__________
Phone: Day_______________Evening_______________E-mail____________________
Congregation_____________________________________________________________
Position In Congregation___________________________________________________
Emergency Contact & Phone________________________________________________
Number of Renaissance Modules Previously Completed:_________________________
Special Needs (Dietary or Other)____________________________________________
_____ I am requesting scholarship aid, please send me a scholarship application.
(January 11 is the application deadline for scholarships).
$180 REGISTRATION FEE - Includes materials, meals and lodging.
Deposit of $75.00 due with your registration form. Remainder is due on arrival.
REGISTRATION DEADLINE IS January 11, 2008. You are not considered
registered until we have your form and registration fee in hand, this includes scholarship
applicants. Registrations are taken on a first come/first serve basis. After this date
reservations will only be taken if room is available. Fee will increase to $205 and
deposit of $100 is due with registration form.
Please send this form and a check (for at least $75) made out to the
"Ohio Meadville District" to:
Lucy Carney, registrar
13303 Merl Avenue
Lakewood, OH 44107
216-529-0235 or <[email protected]>
Confirmation and directions will be sent prior to the event.
packet08
~~~Late Fall 2007 ~~~
Attention RE Leaders:
DREs, MREs, RE Chairpersons, etc,
“Nuggets of Wisdom, Important Information and Other Stuff RE Leaders Ought to
Know”
Here is a list of the upcoming events of particular interest to religious educators. Note that the OWL Elementary
Training has been rescheduled and requires your speedy response!
Gathering of RE Leaders to discuss “Including Children with Special Needs”
November 9th from 9:00 a.m. until noon at the Maumee Valley UU Congregation
Hosted by the Northern Cluster of the Heartland District who have invited OMD RE Leaders to join
them for their meeting. Heather Dinklage-Travis, DRE at the MVUUC, will be the program presenter.
For more details and to RSVP, contact Heather at mvuuc_dre at yahoo.com
Our Whole Lives (OWL) Training for the Elementary Units
(Kindergarten and First Grade, Fourth through Sixth Grades)
January 4-5, 2008 at the First UU Society of Marietta
The Lifespan Faith Development Committee has rescheduled this training. It may not be offered again
until fall 2009, so plan to send folks to be trained if you are considering offering this program in the next
couple of years.
Peer Chaplain Training for Youth, Adult Leaders of Youth and Young Adults
January 25-27, 2008 at the UU Church of Kent (tentative site)
This UUA sponsored and led training is designed for youth, youth leaders and young adults to gain
needed to effectively listen to, affirm, and emotionally support conferees at youth and young adult
events. Chaplains are individuals who help manage crises, ensure a healthy and safe atmosphere, and
bring spiritual resources and support to the community. The flyer and application forms are
forthcoming. Contact klapidus at ohiomeadville.org for more information.
Renaissance Module Ministry with Youth
February 22-24, 2008 at Loyola of the Lake Retreat Center near Akron
Look for the registration materials included in this packet or at
www.ohiomeadville.org/conference/renmod08.html. The deadline for registration is January 11, 2008.
Curriculum Fair
March 15, 2008 at the UU Society of Cleveland
This annual OMD RE Community event is a highlight of our spring.
Spirit Play Training
April 26, 2008 at the UU Fellowship of Wayne County in Wooster, OH
See registration form elsewhere in this packet for opportunity to create a story-based, highly engaging
RE program. The leader is Nita Penfold, co-developer of Spirit Play.
Our Whole Lives (OWL) Combo Training for Grades 7-9 and Grades 10-12
May 15-17, 2008 at the Maumee Valley UU Congregation in Bowling Green, OH
PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS TRAINING WILL RUN THURSDAY-SATURDAY
Registration forms will be available on the OMD website in the near future.
Salary
Recommendations
FOR 2008
As has happened several times since the first set of recommended pay ranges was created in
1997, they are updated for 2008. The increases average about 3.5%, reflecting movement in
wage rates since the last set was issued.
OMD congregations are encouraged to provide pay levels to clergy and church staff which are
comparable to other congregations, regionally and nationally. This is the way to assure
attracting and keeping persons with the best skills and abilities whose service will enrich
our religious, educational and social justice programs for members and communities.
In addition to reflecting wage movement, the 2008 pay ranges add a new mid-size III (350-499
members) set. This is an effort to help the smaller congregations of this size range in reaching
the recommended rates.
In addition to meeting the new recommended rates, Fair Compensation Congregations need
to consider an annual pay adjustment for employees. The amount of these adjustments
should reflect the change in the Consumer Price Index which is currently around 3.5%.
Salaries and wages are one part of the compensation package. Pay should be accompanied
by the standard array of benefit plans for eligible employees. These include health, disability
and life insurances, pension coverage and time-off policies (and for ministers, pay in lieu of
FICA).
As your District Compensation Consultant, I am available to help you in understanding and
implementing a fair compensation program for your congregation. I can be reached at
gsolomon at ohiomeadville.org or 216/932-7808. I look forward to your call.
Glenn Solomon
Spirit Play Training
A Unitarian Universalist Adaptation of Jerome Berryman’s Godly Play
Sponsored by the Ohio-Meadville District Lifespan Faith
Development Committee
April 26, 2008 ~ 9 am to 5 pm
UU Fellowship of Wayne County, Wooster, OH
Leader: Nita Penfold, D. Min. co-developer Spirit Play
Cost: $155 per participant
♦ Cost includes lunch and all materials, including Spirit Play stories on CD
♦ Some home hospitality is available but requests must be made by March 15.
♦ There is a limit of 15 participants. You are not considered registered until your form
and registration fee are in hand.
♦ Registration deadline is March 15, after that date registrations may be accepted if
openings are available.
♦ A minimum $75 registration fee per participant is due with the registration form.
♦ A $75 cancellation fee will be retained after March 15.
♦ Some partial scholarships are available for OMD participants with severely limited
funds. Please request an application from the registrar. Applications are due March 15.
⇒
⇒
⇒
⇒
⇒
⇒
What will happen? You will:
Experience a Spirit Play model classroom
Hear Spirit Play stories
Become a storyteller
Learn about the philosophies of Jerome Berryman and Maria Montessori
Hear success stories
Learn how to begin a program
For directions to the UU Fellowship of Wayne County, visit www.uufwc.org
For additional registration forms, visit
www.ohiomeadville.org/conference/spiritplay08.html
For more information about Spirit Play, visit www.spiritplay.net
Please read Jerome Berryman’s Teaching Godly Play: The Sunday Morning Handbook
before the workshop.
Questions? Contact Marge Thomas, registrar at 330-263-6880 or [email protected]
Spirit Play Registration Form
April 26, 2008
Name: __________________________________________________________________
Address: ________________________________________________________________
City: ______________________________________ State: ______ Zip: _____________
Phone: _________________________ Email: __________________________________
Congregation: ____________________________________________________________
RE Role: ________________________________________________________________
Vegetarian and other Dietary Requests: _______________________________________
Home Hospitality Requests: ________________________________________________
Special Needs: ___________________________________________________________
What is your familiarity with Montessori, Godly Play or Spirit Play? (continue on Back)
Make Checks payable to “Ohio Meadville District” with “Spirit Play” written in the
memo line and mail with this form to:
Marge Thomas, Registrar
UU Fellowship of Wayne County
316 Burbank Road
Wooster, OH 44691
Questions? Contact Marge Thomas, registrar at 330-263-6880 or [email protected]
K-1 and 4-6 OWL
“Our Whole Lives”
Training For Teachers
January 4-5, 2008
Training begins 2 pm on Friday and ends 9 pm on Saturday
First Unitarian Univeralist Society of Marietta, Ohio
Leaders: Beth Casebolt and Luanne Gearhart
Cost: $115 per participant
• This includes Friday dinner, Saturday breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Snacks will also be provided. Home
hospitality is available upon request. Deadline for home hospitality requests is December 7.
• Teachers should bring their copy of the K-1 and/or 4-6 Our Whole Lives curriculum with them.
• A $50 registration fee is due with the registration form.
• Some partial scholarships are available for OMD participants with severely limited funds. Please
request an application from the registrar. Applications are due by December 7.
• A $50 cancellation fee will be retained after December 7.
Questions? Contact the registrar, Heather Dinklage-Travis at [email protected]
Name
Address
City
State:
Phone:
Zip:
Email:
Congregation
Vegetarian or other Dietary Requests?
Home Hospitality Requests?
Special Needs?
Were you trained for AYS? Other OWL Ages?
Do you have any experience with teaching sexuality education?
Make check payable to:
Mail form and at least $50 registration fee to:
Ohio-Meadville District
Heather Dinklage-Travis, OWL Registrar
Maumee Valley UU Congregation
20108 N. Dixie Highway
Bowling Green, OH 43402-9255
Save These Dates!!
Sixth Annual Ohio Meadville District
Curriculum Fair
sponsored by the Lifespan Faith Development Committee
Saturday, March 15, 2008, 9:00 am -3:00 pm
UU Society of Cleveland Heights, OH
Care and nurturing of professional
and volunteer religious educators
Speakers feature OMD Religious Education Consultants Rev. Lynn Kerr and Vernie Hill.
Check the OMD Website at www.ohiomeadville.org/conference.html
for updated information and registration forms as they become available.
Junior & Senior High OWL
“Our Whole Lives”
Training For Teachers
May 15-17, 2008
Training will be Thursday through Saturday
Maumee Valley UU Congregation,
Bowling Green, OH
Leaders: Kat Holtz and Fred Smith
Cost: $175 per participant
From the Desk of
Mary Huffman
To All My Friends in the OMD,
It has been ten and a half years since I first came to work in the OhioMeadville District Office. Now it is time to move on to the next of life’s
adventures—retirement.
I‘ve been thinking that I will now have time to read those books I’ve put off
reading—War and Peace, Sandburg’s The Life of Lincoln—well, maybe not. I
will enjoy sleeping late and relaxing with the second cup of coffee instead of
slurping it from a thermos cup as I rush to the office.
I will miss answering the phone and talking with you UU’s. (Say that three
times fast!) Some of you I’ve met in person others are a voice on the phone
or an e-mail address, but I feel that we’ve come to know each other and
that we’re friends.
You’ll still be hearing from me now and then as I will be helping out with
District Doings. That won’t keep me busy. So, I’m thinking of marketing my
creative abilities and the skills I’ve acquired over the years in graphic
design, writing and public relations.
It has been a good ten plus years. It has been a good job because of the
people of the OMD. I have one thing to ask of you. Just give your new
District Administrator the caring support you’ve always given me.
And now I wish for you everything you can possibly wish for yourselves.
With much love,
Mary Huffman
Ohio-Meadville District Calendar—2007–2008
Month/Date
Event
Location
Notes & Times
November
1-4 ........... UUCF Christian Revival................................................West Shore, Rocky River
2-3 ........... Peacemaking Conference-Pittsburgh Area Cluster .........First Church Pittsburgh
2-3 ........... YAC Planning Meeting..................................................Allegheny Church, Pittsburgh
10............. Summer Institute Planning Committee...........................Akron................................................... 10AM-2.PM
15............. Deadline for GA & District Assembly Workshop Proposals
16............. LREDA Meeting ...........................................................Wooster
29............. OMD Lifespan Faith Development Committee ..............via teleconference ................................ 10-2
30-Dec. 1 . YRUU Junior High Con (grades 7-9).............................West Shore UU Church, Rocky River
December
1 .............. Bishop John Shelby Spong.............................................Toledo.................................................. 9:30 AM—4 PM
8 .............. OMD Board of Trustees.................................................Pittsburgh (Church TBA)
22............. Deadline for January Packet...........................................send items to District Office
2008
January
4-5 ........... K-1 and 4-6 Our Whole Lives (OWL) Training..............Marietta
11-13 ....... LREDA Chapter Retreat
12............. Summer Institute Planning Committee...........................Akron................................................... 10AM-2.PM
15............. Deadline for District Award Nominations
15............. Deadline February Issue of District Doings
25-27 ....... Peer Chaplain Training for Youth, Youth Advisors & Young Adults
Page 1-OMD Calendar— November, 2007
Month/Date
February
Event
Location
Notes & Times
7 .............. OMD Lifespan Faith Development Committee ..............via teleconference ................................ 10-2
9 .............. OMD Board of Trustees.................................................Wooster
9 .............. Summer Institute Planning Committee...........................Akron................................................... 10AM-2.PM
15-18 ....... Winter Institute..............................................................Salt Fork Resort
22-24 ....... Renaissance Module Ministry with Youth.......................Loyola of the Lakes near Akron
25............. Deadline for March Packet.............................................send items to District Office
March
7-9 ........... YRUU Social Justice Senior High Con ..........................First Church Pittsburgh
8 .............. Summer Institute Planning Committee...........................Akron................................................... 10AM-2.PM
15............. Curriculum Fair .............................................................UU Society of Cleveland
April
4-5 ........... OMD Annual District Assembly ....................................First Unitarian Church of Pittsburgh
12............. Summer Institute Planning Committee...........................Kenyon College
26............. Spirit Play Training (sponsored by LFD committee) ......Wooster................................................ 9-5
25............. Deadline for May Packet................................................send items to District Office
May
10............. Summer Institute Planning Committee...........................Akron................................................... 10AM-2.PM
14-16 ....... Jr. and Sr. High Our Whole Lives (OWL) Training ........Maumee Valley UU, Bowling Green, OH
15............. OMD Lifespan Faith Development Committee ..............Pittsburgh Area Congregation TBA...... 10-2
15............. Deadline June Issue of District Doings
June
14............. Summer Institute Planning Committee...........................Akron................................................... 10AM-2.PM
6-8 ........... OMD Board of Trustees Retreat.....................................TBA
Page 2-OMD Calendar—November, 2007