Prairie Star District

This is the second PSD newsletter of this year. Welcome to those who are new to Prairie Star District and congregational leadership positions.

We always appreciate your comments and suggestions for the newsletter. Click on the “email the editor” link in the menu on the left to send us a message.

This issue of the PSD Newsletter, and previous issues, can be read online.

PSD offers a variety of workshops to enhance congregational life. Consider attending one of these.

Radical Hospitality Workshop

Saturday, October 25, 2008
Davenport, Iowa
Learn a religious and congregational foundation for the practical work of welcoming and integrating visitors. For more information see Radical Hospitality on our Web site.

Constructive Conflict

Saturday, November 8, 2008
Lincoln, Nebraska
This workshop is for you if your congregation wrestles with issues that usually cause conflict, such as: different theological perspectives; church size and growth/no growth; minister/staff/lay leader; worship styles; buildings and space; power and authority; social justice; change. For more information see Constructive Conflict on our Web site.

Our Blue Boat Home: Living the Seventh Principle

A weekend of workshops, worship, fellowship, and networking, the Annual Conference 2009 will explore a broad spectrum of environmental and sustainability issues and concerns and their relationship to each and every one of us.

Save the date. The conference will take place April 3–5, 2009, in Duluth, Minnesota.

Keynote Speakers will be Linda Barnes and Mark Runquist. Linda and Mark operate a small diversified farm reminiscent of the self-sufficient farms of years gone by, but incorporate modern features such as wind energy and a farm blog.

Judy Lecturer will be singer/songwriter Peter Mayer. Peter, the author of the song Blue Boat Home, writes songs for a small planet – songs about interconnectedness and the human journey; about the beauty and the mystery of the world.

More information at Annual Conference.

Each year PSD honors the exceptional volunteers who keep UUism alive and well on the prairie. This year it could be someone from your congregation. To nominate someone, check out the award criteria and print out nomination forms which are available at Awards on the PSD Web site.

Who in your congregation deserves to be honored?

News of PSD People and Congregations is online. Look there for ministerial milestones, obituaries, and news of a multiple congregation choir, an anniversary, an addition, Green Sanctuary recognition, and new web programming.

UU Musicians Network Op-Ed

At the recent UUMN (UU Musicians' Network) conference in Boston, Aug. 5–10, the conference attendees were told that the UUA has agreed to administer the credentialing of UUMN musicians, just as it has for years administered the credentialing of UU ministers, RE directors, and administrators. This decision firmly recognizes UU musicians as important staff members who should be treated as such by their respective churches.

For the complete Op-Ed article, and a photo of PSD participants at the conference, see Musicians.

For October’s Action of the Month, the UUA invites you to join UUs across the nation to Publish for Peace with Iran. Visit the Publish for Peace Campaign Headquarters for tips, resources, and background information.

Meadville Lombard Theological School, a Unitarian Universalist seminary based in Chicago, Illinois, is holding a Prospective Student Conference, November 12 and 13, 2008. Visit their website http://www.meadville.edu/ for details about their programs and how you may register for the conference.

 
Prairie Star District is one of nineteen districts of the Unitarian Universalist Association. We serve almost 70 congregations in the Upper Midwest. We have three full time staff people and three part time program and support staff members who work with many volunteers to assist congregations. To learn more about us, see our Web site.