Leadership Resources Help Congregations Thrive
March 15, 2008
Many of the resources listed here have been mentioned before in InterConnections. Consider this a reminder of some of the most useful resources to be developed by the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) and others. New books from Skinner House, of particular usefulness to congregations, are also included.UU [Unitarian Universalist] University will be held for the third time this June 24-25, immediately preceding General Assembly (GA) in Fort Lauderdale, FL. This year it will focus on developing leaders to lead congregations where there are multiple theologies, and on exploring the ways congregations can engage in respectful interfaith work. The keynote speaker is the Rev. Dr. Nick Carter, president of Andover Newton Theological School. Carter has a background in interfaith work and in responding to diversity. More information is at UUA.org > Events> UU University.
New Stewardship Guide: Beyond Fundraising, the Complete Guide to Congregational Stewardship is the UUA’s newest and most recommended guide to raising money. Written by Wayne Clark, the UUA’s director of Congregational Stewardship Services, the guide invites congregations to move from “the restrictive myth of scarcity” to “a reality of abundance.” The book is $18, available at the UUA Bookstore. Read a review of it in the Spring 2007 issue of InterConnections.
Help for Small Congregations: The Rev. Karen Brammer is the UUA’s Small Church Specialist (contact information). Subscribe to Small Talk, a free newsletter for small congregations edited by the Rev. Jane Dwinell, at Spirit of Life Publishing. At the same website find the 2007 book, Big Ideas for Small Congregations, which Dwinell wrote with Ellen Germann-Melosh about issues that are central in the lives of small congregations: leadership, money, facilities, staff, etc.
UU Video: Looking for a video about UU history and theology to help people who are new to Unitarian Universalism, and adult education classes, better understand the faith? Until recently choices were few and dated. Now there’s Our American Roots: A Living Faith, a 10-part video with study and discussion guide. A Living Faith is hosted by the Rev. Marlin Lavanhar and is available for $75 through the store at his church, All Souls Unitarian Church, Tulsa. For something shorter, there is the new 12-minute DVD, Voices of a Liberal Faith, created by the UUA as an introduction to Unitarian Universalism. A copy was mailed to every congregation. Additional copies are $5 from the Growth Services Program Manager, Congregational Services Staff Group, UUA, 25 Beacon St., Boston, MA, 02108; growthresources @ uua.org.
New Books from Skinner House
These books are available from the UUA Bookstore.
Worship That Works: Theory and Practice for Unitarian Universalists, Wayne Arnason and Kathleen Rolenz. A guidebook for revitalizing our worship life, full of insight, vision, and practical advice. Delves into the elements of the worship service and offers tips for innovation and improvement. Arnason and Rolenz are co-ministers at West Shore UU Church in Cleveland, Ohio. They visited UU and other congregations while on sabbatical, collecting material for this book. (Skinner House, 2007) Item 5268 $16
Come Into the Circle: Worshiping with Children, Michelle Richards. A comprehensive how-to guide for creating meaningful religious experiences for children. Includes suggestions on the form, style, and elements of worship, plus an extensive collection of opening words and chalice lightings, meditations and prayers, stories, songs, sermons, and even complete orders of service to help you get started planning your worship. Richards is an RE program consultant for the Central Midwest District and formerly was RE director for the UU Fellowship of Elkhart, Ind. (Skinner House, 2008) Item 4917 $15
For more information contact interconnections @ uua.org.
Last updated on Friday, April 18, 2008.
