As we get to the end of the church year, we have posted the 2011 District Annual Report on our web site. If you'd like to know more about the activities of the District, and what we offer to congregations, read the Annual Report at http://www.psduua.org/Documents/AnnualReport2011
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.
The major presentations of 2011 PSD Annual Conference, "It Matters What We Believe" were recorded and are available to view at https://www.psduua.org/events/AnnualConference2011/streaming_video. See Rev. Dr. Brian Eslinger speak on "Telling Our Stories" and Rev. Dr. Kendyl Gibbons on "Spiritual Maturity as the Goal of Faith Development."
Summer Fun
Registration is still open for Camp StarTrail (between Omaha and Lincoln) a grand adventure/retreat for UUs of all ages July 31 to August 5, 2011. Register at www.psduua.org/campstartrail.
Graham Kreicker of Lawrence, Kansas has been elected to represent Prairie Star District on the UUA Board of Trustees. Graham will succeed John Blevins whose term ends at the end of General Assembly 2011.
Be sure to check out the new home page http://www.psduua.org of the Prairie Star District web site which features a slide show of photos of District congregations. Congregations can add or delete the photos displayed at the same time they update contact information for leaders in the PSD Directory.
Change Happening
Regionalization
Prairie Star is collaborating with the two Districts to the east of us on regionalization. Regionalization is happening on two fronts - governance and service delivery to congregations. More information is at http://www.psduua.org/content/regionalization.
Transforming UUA Governance
In 2010, the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) Board of Trustees called for a transformation in UUA governance. They noted that five task forces in the recent past have all reported hearing the same thing from the members of our congregations: that our governance is too complex, and needs to be more truly representative. Two sets of bylaw changes will be before the 2011 General Assembly. The first change would reduce the size of the UUA Board from 26 to 14, and have all trustees elected at-large by the General Assembly. Read more at http://www.psduua.org/News/TransformingUUAGovernance
New PSD Board members were elected at the Annual Business meeting in April. Their terms begin July 1, 2011.
Dave Martin (left), UU Society Iowa City, is the new Vice President, and
Bill Elwood (right), First Universalist Church, Minneapolis, Minnesota, was re-elected as Treasurer.
Heather Coffman, UU Fellowship, Lawrence, Kansas, was elected Secretary.
New Directors are Charlotte Preston (left), White Bear UU Church, Mahtomedi, Minnesota; and Vicki Pratt (right), Second Unitarian Church, Omaha, Nebraska.
Kansas UU History
The history of Unitarian and Universalists of 19th century Kansas brings to light many of the challenges we face today. Racial justice, educational opportunity for all regardless of economic status, and equal rights for women were a few of the social justice concerns pioneers carried with their progressive faith in their move from New England into the Kansas territory. ...
The Gathered Here initiative includes an invitation to all Unitarian Universalists to discover our common aspirations and unleash the power of our faith.You are cordially invited to join the Gathered Here initiative!
WHAT:Gathered Here will give shape to a shared vision for the future of our faith and the ways in which we, as religious leaders, will advance our faith on local and national levels. Based on Appreciative Inquiry, an approach to organizational change that builds on what's working rather than trying to fix what's not, the process will engage you and other UUs, congregations, and groups in conversations that forge new relationships and create new possibilities for the future of Unitarian Universalism.
Prairie Star District is a growing community of healthy, vital congregations in covenantal relationship with one another, transforming ourselves and our world by living our Unitarian Universalist principles. 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.
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The major presentations of 2011 PSD Annual Conference, "It Matters What We Believe" were recorded and are available to view at 
Camp UniStar (in northern Minnesota) has openings for some weeks. See 
