Prairie Star District

Today we’re seeing the sun for the first time in many days. It’s been cloudy, foggy, and snowing in Minnesota lately. I don’t know about you, but I’m getting excited about Spring and then Summer! Read on to find out about events you won’t want to miss this Spring and Summer. And here’s late-breaking news: the UU Fellowship of Mankato, Minnesota will be honored at General Assembly in Minneapolis in June as one of four Breakthrough Congregations for 2010. Hurray for you and Congratulations!

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

Plan now to attend the Prairie Star District 2010 Annual Conference in Davenport, Iowa! We invite you to join us April 23–25, 2010 for Roots and Wings: Weaving Multigenerational Dreams!

The 2010 conference program is designed to appeal to all ages. By attracting people of every generation, we hope to enrich the conference experience for everyone.

We have invited tremendous speakers – including Dr. Mark A. Hicks from Meadville–Lombard Theological School, PSD religious educators, and other experts on multigenerational worship. John McCutcheon, nationally known singer and hammered dulcimer player, will give a concert for all ages on Saturday night.

Everything you need to know about the conference including registration is on our web site. See http://www.psduua.org/AnnualConference2010

The District Office can provide a hard copy of conference information if necessary. Phone 612-870-4823 to make a request.

Monthly Online Workshops

 

Registration is now open for the February online workshop: Standing on the Side of Love. Learn 10 good ideas for your congregation to use with the UUA’s new interfaith campaign to advocate for justice and compassion for the issues of our time.

Workshop Offered: Thursday, February 11, 2010 at 7:00 PM

Here is your chance to access new information from home, without having to put time or money into travel. Participants will need a high speed Internet connection and a phone line.

Find more information and registration at http://www.psduua.org/Workshops/FutureWorkshops Registration is necessary, but this workshop is free.

Tutorial

If you’d like to learn more about how to participate in an online workshop, there is a slide show tutorial at http://www.psduua.org/Workshops/HowToTakeAnOnlineWorkshop. It takes only four minutes to watch.

In this issue we recognize newly ordained ministers and publication of a new book by a PSD minister. Read about a congregation advocating for health care — with pink boas — and about congregations raising money for Haiti. See news about PSD People and Congregations online at http://www.psduua.org/Newsletter/54January2010PeopleAndCongregations.

Winter is the perfect time to think about summer — in Minneapolis!

February is an excellent time to start making plans to attend General Assembly, June 23–27, 2010, in Minneapolis. Although registration for GA will not open until March 1st, this is an ideal time to look at air fares and to budget for your expenses for this not-to-be-missed five-day meeting.

There are also many housing options at GA this year and at a variety of price points. The GA Planning Committee offers some scholarships, and there may be other financial aid available if you start planning now. Air fare deals abound at this time of the year as well.

But the biggest draw is General Assembly itself – the largest assemblage of Unitarian Universalists (thousands of them) from congregations large and small. Below is just a sample of special events and programs planned.

• Opening Celebration and Banner Parade on Wednesday night will feature the talented, singer, songwriter, and UU Peter Mayer. Check out his sound at http://www.petermayer.net/music. You may be familiar with some of his songs: “Holy Now” and “Blue Boat Home.”
• The Ware Lecturer this year is Minnesotan Winona LaDuke, an internationally renowned Native American (Anishinabe) activist working on issues of sustainable development, renewable energy, and food systems.
• GA in Minneapolis coincides with the Twin Cities’ Pride Festival & Parade; our Public Witness event this year will be part of that event.

Read all about GA 2010 at http://www.uua.org/ga

Finding a Candidate

About a year and a half from now, a newly elected PSD representative on the UUA Board of Trustees will take office. Do you know someone who would be an excellent UUA Trustee? “The UUA board needs folks who can think strategically, who are committed to a growing and vital Unitarian Universalism, and who understand that the trustee’s primary role in the next few years is that of ‘change leader’ because the rate of change is not going to slow down,” says Gini Courter, UUA Moderator.

The election process will begin in October 2010 when a letter describing the process will be sent to all congregations. In the meantime, PSD congregation members and leaders should be considering who among us would be a good Trustee. Potential candidates can obtain more information about the position from the District Office or by contacting the current Trustee from PSD, John Blevins, jblevins@uua.org .

 
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.