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PSD Home
PSD Programs
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Prairie Star District sponsors a variety of programs for enriching the lives of Unitarian Universalists and their congregations. Follow the links below (or explore the menus at left) for more detailed information.
- Annual Conference and Annual Meeting
- The PSD Annual Conference is a weekend of workshops, worship, and fellowship in April of each year. Its location varies. At the annual business meeting which takes place during the Annual Conference officers and directors are elected, the budget is approved, resolutions considered, and reports presented.
- Awards
- The District annually presents several awards to individuals and congregations. Nominating forms are available online or from the office. Awards are presented at the District Annual Conference.
- Camp UniStar
- Camp UniStar is a beautiful rustic island retreat in northern Minnesota for open minded outdoor-oriented individuals and families. Established in 1961 as a nonprofit, volunteer-managed camp of the Unitarian Universalist Prairie Star District, it seeks to promote personal growth, an appreciation of nature, and to initiate and expand friendships while offering a variety of physical, reflective, and restful activities for intergenerational groups and individuals of all ages at fees that are affordable to most. It offers week-long programs throughout the summer.
- Commissioned Lay Leadership Program
- This program provides training and recognition for lay leaders of congregations to assist them in taking on some of the functions usually provided by professional leadership.
- Consultants
- Trained, skilled, volunteer leaders are available to do consulting work with congregations. Currently, consultants are available in: social justice, conflict management, congregational staff compensation, financial management, congregational canvass, board retreats, mission statements, and planning processes. The congregation is charged a fee for these services and is expected to provide meals and housing for the consultant. The District pays the expenses of training the consultants, provides an honorarium to the consultants, and pays the travel expenses. Please contact the District Office for referral to these consultants.
- Grants to Congregations
- The District has several programs that provide grants to congregations. See Growth: Grants for details on what is available and how to apply. For other programs to promote congregational growth, see the Grow Your Congregegation.
- Heritage and Archives
- The District’s Heritage and Archives Committee promotes awareness of our inspiring UU history. The committee has published Bring O Past Your Honor, an on-line collection of essays and histories from around the District. The committee also provides material and workshops to promote capturing our developing history, and is beginning to post historical videos on-line.
- Leadership Development
- The District recognizes the importance of strong and competent leadership in keeping congregations healthy and vibrant. Several programs are aimed at supporting leaders and making them more effective, including the MidWest Leadership School, which we have sponsored for many years with neighboring districts.
- Lifespan Program Area
- The Lifespan Program Area addresses programming needs of congregations and individuals of all ages: youth, young adults (18–35), and older adults, including Religious Education (RE) programming for all ages.
- Resource Liaisons
- PSD Resource Liaisons are trained, experienced, volunteer paraprofessionals who provide ongoing, regular consultation for congregations of under 200 members. Resource Liaisons are the first call for help or advice for these congregations.
- Resource Library
- The District maintains a Resource Library which contains materials appropriate for religious education, worship, workshops and training, and intergenerational activities. Materials are available on loan for specific time intervals. The Resource Library Catalog is available on-line.
- Social Justice Network
- The District’s Social Justice Program Area provides many opportunities for UUs and their congregations to get involved in promoting social justice.
- Sponsored Events
- The District encourages congregations and District committees to develop and run conferences and workshops which help to promote UU values, provide opportunities for personal growth, and help to improve the quality of life in the congregations. The District can provide limited financial help, liability insurance, and help with publicity for approved events. A form with application and policies for requesting sponsorship is available.
For current listings of events, see:
- Stonetree Congregational Resources
- Stonetree Congregational Resources is an online directory of UU recommended speakers, visual and theater artists, musicians, writer, and dancers who are available to visit UU congregations. The Stonetree Web site is a free resource available to PSD congregations.
- Youth Programs
- The District coordinates many YouthPrograms for junior and senior high school youth, ranging from the Youth track at the Annual Conference to various cons, culminating with Boone.
- Young Adult Programs
- The District considers it critically important to promote Young Adult Programs for adults aged 18 to 35, especially for those leaving the UU Youth programs and looking for continuing connections to UUs.
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