Backyard to the Universe
Northern New England District Welcoming Congregation
NORTHERN
NEW ENGLAND DISTRICT
WELCOMING
CONGREGATION NETWORK
The
Welcoming Congregation Network of the Northern New England District
of the Unitarian Universalist Association started in Bangor, ME, in
April 2006 with a meeting during lunch at the then Northeast District
(Maine) Annual meeting. The discussion focused on how congregations
can connect regarding the Welcoming Congregation for affirming
Bisexual, Gay, Lesbian, and/or Trans and Questioning people. The
Welcoming Congregation Conferences at Ferry Beach in Fall 2006 and
Fall 2007 and the electronic list on the UUA website has allowed the
sharing of events, the certification of congregations, and keeping
abreast of resources and concerns.
The
NNED Welcoming Congregation Network offers several specific
activities:
*UUA
certified Welcoming Congregations
are recognized on this website and in the District Directory. Please
let the District Office know when you become certified.
*Welcoming
Congregation Table
Talks
are planned for lunch at the District Annual (Spring) and Fall
meetings. These will focus on planning and suggestions for support to
congregations and District activities.
*Workshops
for congregations can be arranged. Ray and Connie Winship and Ted
Trainer have offered workshops and consultation, and arrangements can
be made with them. The Network is also open to developing cluster of
district-wide workshops or longer conferences.
*There
are Small
Group Ministry Session plans
that can be used in ongoing Small Group Ministry programs, and
specifically for the Welcoming Congregation program.
*The
electronic
list
off the UUA website provides an opportunity to share news and
resources, and to pose and respond to questions. The electronic list
can be accessed at http://lists.uua.org/mailman/listinfo
and scroll to the “NED-WC”. (This is being changed to
NNED-WC.) You can subscribe and unsubscribe yourself, or contact the
District Office with the request.
Look
for Welcoming Congregation Network items in Northern Lights (District
Newsletter) and the District Annual Reports. Become involved to
create an active and dynamic Network.
Information
about the Welcoming Congregation Program can be found on the web site
of the Office of Bisexual, Gay, Lesbian and Transgender Concerns of
the Unitarian Universalist Association at
http://www.uua.org/obgltc/wcp/wc1expln.html
The
Northern New England Welcoming Congregation Network core group has
been:
*Ted
Trainer, Kennebunk, ME, tedtrainer@roadrunner.com
*Ray
and Connie Winship, Waterville, ME, rayandconnie@roadrunner.com
*Rev.
Helen Zidowecki, Augusta, ME, hzmre@hzmre.com
We
are looking for additional Core Group members, especially from NH and
VT.