Prairie Star District

At this time of year when I reflect on what I’m thankful for, my UU congregation is always near the top of the list. I don’t know what my life would have been like if I had never discovered Unitarian Universalism, but I DO know that it would have been different in some significant ways. May we all be appreciative for what our congregations have offered to us, and may we strive to keep our congregations strong and healthy so they can be there for others who will come looking for what we have found!

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.

— Nancy Heege, District Executive

This issue of the PSD Newsletter, and previous issues, can be read at http://www.psduua.org/Newsletter

at Camp StarTrail

“The camp was beautiful, the camp staff was wonderful, and the company was terrific.” That was one happy camper’s summary of her experience at last August’s Camp StarTrail, Prairie Star’s new multigenerational camp near Ashland, Nebraska.

In addition to the beauty of campgrounds, the friendliness of the staff, and the quality of the company, campers of all ages explored and celebrated Unitarian Universalism through a variety of workshops and worship opportunities, including presentations each morning by the Rev. Dr. Kendyl Gibbons on “Spiritual Maturity.” Camp StarTrail 2009 got off to a terrific start, and the 2010 camp promises to keep the momentum going!

The main speaker for next year’s camp will be UU minister, singer, songwriter, and humorist Meg Barnhouse. A popular presenter at UU summer camps, Meg is the author of a number of books and has released two CDs of her music. You can read some of Meg’s musings and listen to her songs at her website, http://www.megbarnhouse.com .

After hearing Meg at a religious educators conference, one participant said, “Meg told great stories, sang wonderful songs and taught us some southern manners. My advice to all, if you have a chance to hear Meg Barnhouse, don’t hesitate. I never will again.”

There will be plenty of room for friends old and new to attend next year’s Camp StarTrail, August 1-6, 2010. Online registration will open in February. More information will be posted as available at http://www.psduua.org/CampStarTrail .

“Would I recommend Camp StarTrail?” asked one camper. “Yes! Especially if you’re looking for an intense, almost luxurious camp that is unabashedly UU positive.”

The Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Mankato, Minnesota, is one of our Gold Star congregations. The Fellowship, which certified 112 members last February, grew by 40% over the past three years, adding 32 new members during that time.

How do they do it, you might wonder? Well, one way is the UU Humanity Series that is offered by the Fellowship. Over the past six years, these “periodic, provocative presentations” have brought between 30 and 150 people through the doors of the congregation for evening programs at no charge, three times a year. Many of those people are not members of the congregation. . . .

Read the rest of this article at http://www.psduua.org/Newsletter/53November2009UUHumanitySeries .

To learn more about Gold Star congregations see http://www.psduua.org/Growth/GoldStarCongregations .

Workshop selections for Annual Conference 2010 Roots and Wings – Weaving Multigenerational Dreams are now on our web site.

Workshop Session A on Saturday morning will be an all-conference, multi-generational workshop led by the Judy Lecturer, Dr. Mark Hicks. On Saturday afternoon, in Sessions B and C, participants can select from eight to nine offerings at each session offering lifetime learning opportunities in leadership development, growth, and UU community building.

The PSD Annual Conference is a weekend of speakers, workshops, worship, and fellowship. Plan now to attend Annual Conference 2010 in Davenport, Iowa, April 23–25, 2010. See http://www.psduua.org/AnnualConference2010 for details.

by Kathy Bowman

In the first two weeks of November, I attended two meetings, one in Boston of the District President’s Association (DPA) and one in the Twin Cities of the Prairie Star District (PSD) Board, which have resulted in a significant change in direction for PSD as we move forward in our governance duties. . . .

See complete report at http://www.psduua.org/Newsletter/53November2009President .

In this issue we recognize PSD members who serve on national UUA committees. There is news of congregations receiving awards and being involved in cooperative and interfaith activities. See news about PSD People and Congregations online at http://www.psduua.org/Newsletter/53November2009PeopleAndCongregations .

Singing Meditation: Together in Sound and Silence

Ruthie Rosauer, the co-author of this new book, is a member of UU Congregation of Eau Claire, Wisconsin, and a PSD Resource Liaison. The book introduces the spiritual practice of singing meditation, which combines repetitive singing of short, simple, interfaith songs with periods of undirected silence. Ruthie presented a workshop on this topic at the PSD Annual Conference 2009 in Duluth.

The book is available from the UUA Bookstore http://www.uuabookstore.org .

Check out the new UUA Addictions Ministry website at http://www.uua.org/leaders/leaderslibrary/addictionsministry/ .

Sunday, February 14th, 2010, will be “National Standing on the Side of Love Day.” Congregations across the nation will participate in a day of worship, faith outreach, and partnership with interfaith partners and/or community organizations. Join us and celebrate a Valentine’s Day re-imagined. More information at http://www.standingonthesideoflove.org .

How Can Religious Congregations and Theological Schools Respond to the Challenges of Human Security? A workshop for Leaders of Faith Communities and Seminaries sponsored by: Meadville Lombard Theological School and Global Action to Prevent War will take place December 12 and 13, 2009 in Chicago, Illinois. For more information please contact: Dr. Robert Zuber, Global Action (zuber@globalactionpw.org or 212-818-1815) or Dr. Sharon Welch, Meadville Lombard (swelch@meadville.edu or 773-256-3000 x246).

 
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.