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☐ β˜† βœ‡ UUA.org Updates

Announcing Our New CER Staff Person

By: Central East Region of the UUA β€”
headshot of Lenore Bajare-Dukes

Central East Region of the UUA

The Central East Region is pleased to announce that Lenore Bajare-Dukes will be our new congregational life staff person to replace Patricia Infante when she retires. Lenore will begin March 6 and work part-time with Patricia for the month of March before joining the team full-time in April....

Continue reading "Announcing Our New CER Staff Person"

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The Waiting Time

By: Megan Lloyd Joiner β€”
A straw-filled manger in a stable, with the Christmas star in the window

Megan Lloyd Joiner

Advent encourages us to be present in each moment of waiting.

Continue reading "The Waiting Time"

☐ β˜† βœ‡ UUA.org Updates

Happy Holidays from the Central East Region Team

By: Central East Region of the UUA β€”
CER Staff on Zoom holiday photo. Headshots of Beth Casebolt, Renee Ruchtozke, Patricia Infante, Sana Saeed, Evin Carvill-Ziemer, Megan Foley, a stuffed meerkat and Sunshine Wolfe with purple and pink backgrounds with snow on them.

Central East Region of the UUA

We hope for joy, peace, love and at least a little bit of fun for you over the next few weeks. The UUA will be closed from December 19 to January 3 so we can find some of the same. The Better Together blog will be on a break for December 26 and January 2 and return on January 9. We’ll see you in...

Continue reading "Happy Holidays from the Central East Region Team"

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Opportunities for Connection ~ December 2022

By: Central East Region of the UUA β€”
Office of Church Staff Finances Logo (OCSF)

Central East Region of the UUA

Find out what's happening in the Central East Region! This month - New Salary Program, GA 2023, 8th Principle Conference, Winter Institute, Stewardship Webinar Series, Management Training and more!

Continue reading "Opportunities for Connection ~ December 2022"

☐ β˜† βœ‡ UUA.org Updates

Being Grateful

By: Central East Region of the UUA β€”
2018gratitudecloud

Central East Region of the UUA

With Thanksgiving just past and the holiday season approaching,Β this marks the beginning of the season of thankfulness and gratitude. And so we want to take this opportunity to say Thank You.

Continue reading "Being Grateful"

☐ β˜† βœ‡ UUA.org Updates

Long May They Wave

By: cristy cardinal β€”
A Progress Pride flag on a flagpole, with a blue sky and bright sun behind it.

cristy cardinal

Queer joy is resistance.

Continue reading "Long May They Wave"

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Small Decisions

By: JD Stillwater β€”
Against a field of early evening stars, a path winds its way around a grassy hill and out of view.

JD Stillwater

Little changes can snowball into massive impacts.

Continue reading "Small Decisions"

☐ β˜† βœ‡ UUA.org Updates

Where Are the Children and Families?

By: Evin Carvill Ziemer β€”
image of an old wooden church, with someone on a ladder looking at the window and another adult holding the ladder and 2 children assisting nearby

Evin Carvill Ziemer

It’s a common question right now. It’s not just your congregation! What can congregational life look like for the children and families attending now?

Continue reading "Where Are the Children and Families?"

☐ β˜† βœ‡ UUA.org Updates

Planning for Financial Sustainability in Changing Times

The General Assembly logo, featuring the red UUA chalice to the left. The GA theme β€œMeet the moment: Reimagining radical faith community” is arranged in a circle. Pink letters GA are in the center, with a white web decoration to represent the World Wide Web connecting our multi platform event. In front of the letters GA, there is a purple silhouette of eight people holding hands. The persons depicted are of of varying shapes and sizes.

Stewardship for Us

,

Barry Finklestein

,

Liz Coit

Many congregations are at a financial crossroads, but are our annual budgeting and financial planning processes up to the challenge? Build your congregation’s roadmap for a sustainable – thriving -financial future.

Continue reading "Planning for Financial Sustainability in Changing Times"

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Mistakes & Miracles: UU Common Read Discussion Guide

Cover of Mistakes and Miracles: Congregations on the Road to Multiculturalism

Susan Dana Lawrence

,

Karin Lin

,

Nancy Palmer Jones

The UU Common Read of Mistakes & Miracles is a four-session discussion series engaging congregations on the road to Beloved Community.

Continue reading "Mistakes & Miracles: UU Common Read Discussion Guide"

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Called to Heal

By: Melissa Jeter β€”
A broad, green leaf held by a Black woman's hands. A small tattoo of a heart is on her wrist.

Melissa Jeter

Love is reaching through the generations with expectations that I live through challenging times.

Continue reading "Called to Heal"

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Congratulations 8th Principle Congregations!

By: Central East Region of the UUA β€”
text of title

Central East Region of the UUA

In 2013, the First Unitarian Church of Philadelphia, PA became the first congregation to approve the 8th Principle.

Continue reading "Congratulations 8th Principle Congregations!"

☐ β˜† βœ‡ UUA.org Updates

Opportunities for Connection ~ November 2022

By: Central East Region of the UUA β€”
Cover of Mistakes and Miracles: Congregations on the Road to Multiculturalism

Central East Region of the UUA

Find out what's happening in the Central East Region! This month - 2022-23 Common Read, GA 2023, Article 2 Draft, OWL Training, Sociocracy Webinar, Neurodiversity Program, Stewardship For Us webinars and more!

Continue reading "Opportunities for Connection ~ November 2022"

☐ β˜† βœ‡ UUA.org Updates

Being in Covenant

By: Beth Casebolt β€”
A circle of people, from above, with hands extended into the center of a circle.

Beth Casebolt

Covenants have been at the foundation of Unitarian Universalism in the United States since 1648. What many don’t realize is that the covenants not only were important between the members of the individual congregations, but also among the congregations.

Continue reading "Being in Covenant"

☐ β˜† βœ‡ UUA.org Updates

Mistakes & Miracles: UU Common Read Discussion Guide

Cover of Mistakes and Miracles: Congregations on the Road to Multiculturalism

Susan Dana Lawrence

,

Karin Lin

,

Nancy Palmer Jones

The UU Common Read of Mistakes & Miracles is a four-session discussion series engaging congregations on the road to Beloved Community.

Continue reading "Mistakes & Miracles: UU Common Read Discussion Guide"

☐ β˜† βœ‡ UUA.org Updates

Part of the Mystery

By: Laura Shay β€”
A branch contains a dozen monarch butterfly chrysales, in various stages of development. A monarch's wing pattern is visible in one of them.

Laura Shay

Witnessing the lifecycle of a monarch butterfly has made me a better chaplain.

Continue reading "Part of the Mystery"

☐ β˜† βœ‡ UUA.org Updates

Help Create Summer Institute 2023

By: Central East Region Summer Institute β€”
Central East Region Summer Institute Logo

Central East Region Summer Institute

Summer Institute is looking for workshop proposals and artwork designs.

Continue reading "Help Create Summer Institute 2023"

☐ β˜† βœ‡ UUA.org Updates

Opportunities for Connection ~ October 2022

By: Central East Region of the UUA β€”
Young Unitarian Universalist Project YUUP a fledgling network for UU youth & bridgers to forge connections and support each other

Central East Region of the UUA

Find out what's happening in the Central East Region! This month - YUUP, GA 2023, Pittsburgh Cluster Gathering, Lay-Led Congregations Program, Right Relationship Team Training, Neurodiversity Program, Climate Justice webinars and more!

Continue reading "Opportunities for Connection ~ October 2022"

☐ β˜† βœ‡ UUA.org Updates

Updating our Unitarian and Universalist History Poster

By: UU Church of Akron, Fairlawn, OH β€”
100 Unitarian & Universalists, Foundation, Faith, Future poster. Do you have htis outdated poster hanging in your church? Now is the time to update and celebrate the diveristy of our faith! 40% increase in representation of marginalized groups. Paving the way for Growth and Change. Journeying toward Beloved Community. A project of the 8th principle transformation committee of teh Unitarian Universalist Church of Akron.

UU Church of Akron, Fairlawn, OH

Do you have a poster hanging in your congregation titled 100 Unitarian and Universalists who Made a Difference? Have you every really taken a good look at it?

Continue reading "Updating our Unitarian and Universalist History Poster"

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The Dory Fish and Stressful Times

By: Sunshine Jeremiah Wolfe β€”
Blue Tang Fish, a blue fish with dark blue and yellow markings in front of coral in an aquarioum

Sunshine Jeremiah Wolfe

Have you noticed that you forget things more now than you remember doing before? Or perhaps you have communicated events and decisions in your congregations or communities and folks insist they have never heard it before? I am sure you can think of other examples in your life, family, or the...

Continue reading "The Dory Fish and Stressful Times"

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Retracing My Steps

By: Glen Thomas Rideout β€”
Seen from the chest up, a side view of three generations: a Black son, father, and grandfather standing side by side.

Glen Thomas Rideout

I rise on the shoulders of ancestors whose names I can not know.

Continue reading "Retracing My Steps"

☐ β˜† βœ‡ UUA.org Updates

The Only Constant is Change

By: Central East Region of the UUA β€”
Cristina Sanchis

Central East Region of the UUA

Over the last month or so, readers of this blog have seen a post by Amy Kent about her promotion to Congregational Life as Executive Administrator and her transition out of the region October 1. Then you heard from Patricia Infante about her plans to retire the end of this year. We have one more...

Continue reading "The Only Constant is Change"

☐ β˜† βœ‡ UUA.org Updates

New Year, New Challenges

By: Natalie Briscoe β€”
In front of a church altar, about a dozen school backpacks are stacked up.

Natalie Briscoe

Your regional staff is very aware of the challenges you face in this upcoming year, and we are working together to provide resources as well as online spaces to gather, learn from one another, and get through this year with gusto.

Continue reading "New Year, New Challenges"

☐ β˜† βœ‡ UUA.org Updates

Choosing to Connect

By: Priscilla Shumway β€”
Cropped shot of a group of businesspeople standing together and holding hands in a modern office

Priscilla Shumway

It's my actions and choices that determine my connection to others.

Continue reading "Choosing to Connect"

☐ β˜† βœ‡ UUA.org Updates

Deepening Diversity in Worship

By: JeKaren Olaoya, Erika A. Hewitt β€”
Inside a church, Black people stand as if listening to a preacher or choir.

JeKaren Olaoya

,

Erika A. Hewitt

If you’re trying to build a worship service that's anti-racist and decenters whiteness, you start in one spot.

Continue reading "Deepening Diversity in Worship"

☐ β˜† βœ‡ UUA.org Updates

Networking Sessions Return for 2022-23

By: Central East Region of the UUA β€”
2022-23 CER Networking Sessions. Meet with other congregational leaders, share challenges and successes and ask questions of peers and CER Staff. 4 dates, 2 time options each date. 12:30-2 pm ET and 6-7:30 pm ET on Sept 15, Nov 10, Jan19, Apr 20. Details at the CER website.

Central East Region of the UUA

Join us for our quarterly networking session. CER staff will be on each call to answer questions, but our main focus will be what you can learn from and share with each other.

Continue reading "Networking Sessions Return for 2022-23"

☐ β˜† βœ‡ UUA.org Updates

Opportunities for Connection ~ September 2022

By: Central East Region of the UUA β€”
Faithify Crowdfunding for UU projects. Congregations, organizations, and people living Unitarian Universalist values in the world. Explore open campaigns or start your own at www.faithify.org

Central East Region of the UUA

Find out what's happening in the Central East Region! This month - Faithify, Ingathering Video, Networking Calls, BIPOC Gatherings, Staff Changes and more!

Continue reading "Opportunities for Connection ~ September 2022"

☐ β˜† βœ‡ UUA.org Updates

Congregational Leader Resources

By: Central East Region of the UUA β€”
Primary Contact Staff for the Central East Region

Central East Region of the UUA

If your congregation is like most, this is the time of year that you are experiencing the most leadership changes. New board members, committee chairs and even staff often begin their time with a congregation in July or August, just as the new church year is about to begin.

Continue reading "Congregational Leader Resources"

☐ β˜† βœ‡ UUA.org Updates

Opportunities for Connection ~ August 2022

By: Central East Region of the UUA β€”
Primary Contact Staff for the Central East Region

Central East Region of the UUA

Find out what's happening in the Central East Region! This month - Primary Contacts, Board Training Resources, OWL and Youth Trainings, and more!

Continue reading "Opportunities for Connection ~ August 2022"

☐ β˜† βœ‡ UUA.org Updates

Welcoming Neurodivergent Folx to Our Congregations

Neurodivergence Series

Evin Carvill Ziemer

,

Darrick Jackson

,

Alex Sherwood

,

Sarah Gettie McNeill

,

Jennica Davis-Hockett

The five of us have all known for some time that we, collectively, need to learn how to do a better job welcoming and fully including neurodivergent people in our congregations. As UUA and UUMA staff, we haven’t known how to do this or how we should help.

Continue reading "Welcoming Neurodivergent Folx to Our Congregations"

☐ β˜† βœ‡ UUA.org Updates

Opportunities for Connection ~ July 2022

By: Central East Region of the UUA β€”
inSpirit UU Book and Gift Shop logo

Central East Region of the UUA

Find out what's happening in the Central East Region! This month - inSpirit Bookstore, Board Training Resources, OWL and Youth Trainings, CERSI and more!

Continue reading "Opportunities for Connection ~ July 2022"

☐ β˜† βœ‡ UUA.org Updates

We Will Only Rise

By: JeKaren Olaoya β€”
Seen from below looking up, a circle of BIPOC people clasp hands.

JeKaren Olaoya

We have to keep finding ways to widen the circle of care and concern.

Continue reading "We Will Only Rise"

☐ β˜† βœ‡ UUA.org Updates

All That Shimmers

By: Laura Solomon β€”
A group of people, backs to the camera, walk holding a giant rainbow flag under their heads, as if in the middle of a Pride parade.

Laura Solomon

To be queer is to know the ways of holding all that shimmers to the light.

Continue reading "All That Shimmers"

☐ β˜† βœ‡ UUA.org Updates

Widening the Welcome

cartoon of people lying in a circle from widening the welcome

Megan Foley

,

Sana Saeed

,

Evin Carvill Ziemer

Our mandate as Unitarian Universalists is to build Beloved Community in our congregations, and learning to draw our circles of welcome wider and wider is a growth opportunity for our churches.

Continue reading "Widening the Welcome"

☐ β˜† βœ‡ UUA.org Updates

Resources for Congregational Board Members

By: Central East Region of the UUA β€”
cartoon of four humans around a round table, view from above.

Central East Region of the UUA

Welcome and thank you to all of you who have agreed to join or continue on your congregation's board

Continue reading "Resources for Congregational Board Members"

☐ β˜† βœ‡ UUA.org Updates

Us, Human, Here

By: Laura Solomon β€”
a pink heart, apparently drawn on chalk, on a badly cracked concret surface

Laura Solomon

We are an angry and beautiful people.

Continue reading "Us, Human, Here"

☐ β˜† βœ‡ UUA.org Updates

Opportunities for Connection ~ June 2022

By: Central East Region of the UUA β€”
cartoon of four humans around a round table, view from above.

Central East Region of the UUA

Find out what's happening in the Central East Region! This month - Board Training Resources, General Assembly 2022, OWL and Youth Trainings, CERSI and more!

Continue reading "Opportunities for Connection ~ June 2022"

☐ β˜† βœ‡ UUA.org Updates

I Am Here, Growing

By: Melissa Jeter β€”
The hands of a Black person cradle the new lettuce leaves growing in their garden.

Melissa Jeter

Growing connects me to ancestors who had their hands in the dirt because it was keeping them alive.

Continue reading "I Am Here, Growing"

☐ β˜† βœ‡ UUA.org Updates

The Sacred Choice

By: Leslie Ahuvah Fails β€”
A newborn infant lies on a bed next to their mother, whose torso reveals stretch marks and other signs of recently giving birth.

Leslie Ahuvah Fails

Motherhood must be a choice. It cannot be chosen for us.

Continue reading "The Sacred Choice"

☐ β˜† βœ‡ UUA.org Updates

Two Steps Forward, One Step Back

By: Beth Casebolt β€”
footprints in the sand going both directions

Beth Casebolt

It's the old adage two steps forward, one step back - every time we think we're making progress back to "life as it was" something happens to push us back into that waiting zone.

Continue reading "Two Steps Forward, One Step Back"

☐ β˜† βœ‡ UUA.org Updates

Opportunities for Connection ~ May 2022

By: Central East Region of the UUA β€”
The General Assembly logo, featuring the theme arranged in a circle. The theme is: β€œMeet the moment: Reimagining radical faith community”. Pink letters GA are in the center, with a white web decoration the represent the World Wide Web connecting our multi platform event. In front of GA, there is a purple silhouette of eight people holding hands. The persons depicted are of varying age, shapes and sizes.

Central East Region of the UUA

Find out what's happening in the Central East Region! This month - General Assembly 2022, Youth Trainings, UUA Presidential Search Begins, Emergent Strategizing Workshop and more!

Continue reading "Opportunities for Connection ~ May 2022"

☐ β˜† βœ‡ UUA.org Updates

UUA President Application Process Opens April 4

By: Elaine McArdle β€”
@ 2022 UUWorld UUA

Elaine McArdle

Association’s next chief executive and spiritual leader to be elected at General Assembly 2023

Continue reading "UUA President Application Process Opens April 4"

☐ β˜† βœ‡ UUA.org Updates

We Keep Rising in Love

By: Molly Housh Gordon β€”
Seen from high above, a human crowd forms two hands and a heart shape on white background

Molly Housh Gordon

You can crush Love down, bury it, cover it over, but it will rise.

Continue reading "We Keep Rising in Love"

☐ β˜† βœ‡ UUA.org Updates

Return and Remember

By: Summer Albayati β€”
A person in pink robes, mostly cropped out of the photo, holds a Qur'am and Muslim prayer beads.

Summer Albayati

When the holy month of Ramadan approaches, it becomes a beautiful reminder to return to myself.

Continue reading "Return and Remember"

☐ β˜† βœ‡ UUA.org Updates

Opportunities for Connection ~ April 2022

By: Central East Region of the UUA β€”
CER Chalice Lighter Logo

Central East Region of the UUA

Find out what's happening in the Central East Region! This month - Chalice Lighters, General Assembly 2022, UU the Vote 2022 Launch, Spring Seminar, Summer Camps and more!

Continue reading "Opportunities for Connection ~ April 2022"

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Who Are We?

By: Wren Bellavance-Grace β€”
Hello tag

Wren Bellavance-Grace

I imagine people all over New England walking into sanctuaries, looking around and wondering, Who even are we anymore? Who are we? We don’t know; we haven’t met us before. At least, we haven’t yet discovered who we are now.

Continue reading "Who Are We?"

☐ β˜† βœ‡ UUA.org Updates

The Power to Save

By: Sara Palmer β€”
A mother and daughter, holding hands, walk on a path through a forest. They are smiling at one another, and are seen from behind.

Sara Palmer

May we forever perceive the ways we can empower others.

Continue reading "The Power to Save"

☐ β˜† βœ‡ UUA.org Updates

Learning How to Fail

By: Christine Slocum β€”
A close up of two competitors, mid-match, at the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Shinbun Championship (2017).

Christine Slocum

White supremacy culture tells me that I’m only "good" if I’m perfect, treating all falls as hard stops.

Continue reading "Learning How to Fail"

☐ β˜† βœ‡ UUA.org Updates

The Defiant Spark

By: David Kohlmeier β€”
In dim light, a person holds their hands out, palms forward, obscuring their face. A few bright sparks hang suspended between their hands.

David Kohlmeier

You didn’t earn your worth, and you can’t lose it. Because you exist. Period.

Continue reading "The Defiant Spark"

☐ β˜† βœ‡ UUA.org Updates

Asking for Help

By: Quinn Gormley β€”
Seen from behind, at the beach, a father has his arm lovingly wrapped around his child's shoulder.

Quinn Gormley

Happy kids are safer kids, because happy kids have adults they can ask for help.

Continue reading "Asking for Help"

☐ β˜† βœ‡ UUA.org Updates

Opportunities for Connection ~ March 2022

By: Central East Region of the UUA β€”
Screen shot of UU Institute website with Leadership Course offerings

Central East Region of the UUA

Find out what's happening in the Central East Region! This month - UU Institute Update, General Assembly 2022, Sacred Season of Activism, Pi Day, Jubilee 3 and more!

Continue reading "Opportunities for Connection ~ March 2022"

☐ β˜† βœ‡ UUA.org Updates

Event Recap: Using Art as Advocacy

By: Rose Singleton β€”
A mosaic of four videoconference screenshots: The upper left is a woman with glasses, dark hair, and a colorful sweater; the upper right is a woman with dark hair and a black shirt; the lower left is a man with glasses, salt-and-pepper beard, playing a flute; the lower right is a woman with blonde hair wearing a black shirt.

Rose Singleton

β€œUsing Art as Advocacy” was a webinar hosted on February 17, 2022 by the UU@UN (Unitarian Universalist Association’s office at the United Nations). This event showed how art can be used to build community and inspire change in chaotic times. Art can result in profound social change when used...

Continue reading "Event Recap: Using Art as Advocacy"

☐ β˜† βœ‡ UUA.org Updates

Starting Fresh

By: Lynette Yetter β€”
A woman stands, eyes closed and hands up in a meditative pose, on a crosswalk with the blurred impressions of passersby around her

Lynette Yetter

I was often being a stern taskmaster over my mind. I yearned for more openness and joy.

Continue reading "Starting Fresh"

☐ β˜† βœ‡ UUA.org Updates

Lessons from a Crisis

By: Beth Casebolt β€”
Image of a tree covered in ice, with branches around it on the ground and over a small play area for children

Beth Casebolt

Last week I skimmed over an article that talked about how Americans love to be the heroes but never want to do the long term work to make lasting change. And I wondered about that. Was it true? And then the storm of this past weekend happened.

Continue reading "Lessons from a Crisis"

☐ β˜† βœ‡ UUA.org Updates

Claiming My Worth

By: JeKaren Olaoya β€”
From the back, a Black woman is seen with her arms raised, wrists crossed. Her top is made from traditional west African fabric.

JeKaren Olaoya

I affirm that I am worthy of being good enough to touch hearts and souls, and connect others to Spirit.

Continue reading "Claiming My Worth"

☐ β˜† βœ‡ UUA.org Updates

Opportunities for Connection ~ February 2022

By: Central East Region of the UUA β€”
image: Four hands holding sidewalk chalk draw a lightbulb symbol on a blue concrete background. text reads, "Faithify, crowdfunding Unitarian Universalist projects."

Central East Region of the UUA

Find out what's happening in the Central East Region! This month - Faithify, COVID-19 Strategies, GA 2022, Second Slice of Pi, Widening the Welcome, Jubilee 3 and more!

Continue reading "Opportunities for Connection ~ February 2022"

☐ β˜† βœ‡ UUA.org Updates

Need Funding for a Project? Check out These Options

By: Central East Region of the UUA β€”
CER Chalice Lighter Logo

Central East Region of the UUA

There have been a lot of questions recently about fundraising options for congregations in different situations, so we thought a blog to help you understand the different types of grant vehicles we have available and when to use which ones would be helpful.

Continue reading "Need Funding for a Project? Check out These Options"

☐ β˜† βœ‡ UUA.org Updates

Love Is Showing Up

By: Melissa Jeter β€”
Two Black women pack toys into a box, as though preparing a donation

Melissa Jeter

Every time someone showed up for me, I learned that love is greater than skin deep.

Continue reading "Love Is Showing Up"

☐ β˜† βœ‡ UUA.org Updates

A Time to Simplify

By: Megan Foley, Evin Carvill Ziemer β€”
A minister speaks during online worship on a home laptop.

Megan Foley

,

Evin Carvill Ziemer

January 2022 is a time to simplify. Your regional staff have been saying β€œnow is the time for easy programs” for months now. This month we mean it more than ever. We don’t know how this omicron surge will impact every congregation, of course, but the very high case numbers mean we’re all...

Continue reading "A Time to Simplify"

☐ β˜† βœ‡ UUA.org Updates

Telling Our Stories to Cope with COVID

By: Evin Carvill Ziemer β€”
four yellow balls, one with a frown face, one with a smile face, one with a worried face, one with an angry face

Evin Carvill Ziemer

As the omicron surge–tsunami–hits the United States I am grateful for the protection of vaccination and yet I am braced against less deadly, but still deep impact. The impact of a form of trauma called β€œmoral injury” or β€œmoral distress”. I’m worried for all of us.

Continue reading "Telling Our Stories to Cope with COVID"

☐ β˜† βœ‡ UUA.org Updates

Opportunities for Connection ~ January 2022

By: Central East Region of the UUA β€”
Four photos illustrating climate change-caused disasters: aftermath of a hurricane showing destroyed houses in top left, trees burning in a forest fire in top right, houses and trees almost submerged by flooding in bottom right, and crops bent and destroyed by drought in bottom left.

Central East Region of the UUA

Find out what's happening in the Central East Region! This month - Disaster Relief Fund, Small Congregations Conference, Music Resources, Jubilee 3, Winter Institute, Widening the Welcome and more.

Continue reading "Opportunities for Connection ~ January 2022"

☐ β˜† βœ‡ UUA.org Updates

A Village of Strangers

By: Laura Shay β€”
On a nest of straw and holiday tinsel three white paper stars, or Froebelsterne, are nestled.

Laura Shay

May we continue to find ways to connect while keeping safe this holiday season.

Continue reading "A Village of Strangers"

☐ β˜† βœ‡ UUA.org Updates

Happy Holidays from the CER Staff

By: Central East Region of the UUA β€”
Central East Region staff, masked and at a gazebo.

Central East Region of the UUA

Happy Holidays, Central East Region!

Continue reading "Happy Holidays from the CER Staff"

☐ β˜† βœ‡ UUA.org Updates

The Grace within a Pecan Pie

By: Jake Morrill β€”
In the foreground, a slice of pecan pie and a hot beverage sit on a table. In the background, there's a merry decorated Christmas tree.

Jake Morrill

For me, β€œsurrendering everything tenderly” brings an awareness of grace.

Continue reading "The Grace within a Pecan Pie"

☐ β˜† βœ‡ UUA.org Updates

Join Us For COMPASS

By: Central East Region of the UUA β€”
Words: Compass, Navigating the paths to liberation together. December 11-12, 2021. Program Highlights: Dr. Alexis Pauline Gumbs, Rising Appalachia (Trio), Worship, Article II Study Commission, Caucus Gatherings, Panel Discussions. Black background with green half a compass rose on top, green background on bottom.

Central East Region of the UUA

Have you heard about COMPASS? This virtual gathering on December 11 and 12 promises to be an exciting event

Continue reading "Join Us For COMPASS"

☐ β˜† βœ‡ UUA.org Updates

Laying Dreams to Rest

By: Leslie Gatto β€”
In a nest woven from twigs and leaves, a small spotted eggshell is broken.

Leslie Gatto

Acknowledging that our dream was not happening didn't end the grief, but it did offer closure.

Continue reading "Laying Dreams to Rest"

☐ β˜† βœ‡ UUA.org Updates

With Gratitude

By: Central East Region of the UUA β€”
2018gratitudecloud

Central East Region of the UUA

With Thanksgiving just past and the holiday season approaching, this marks the beginning of the season of thankfulness and gratitude. And so we want to take this opportunity to say Thank You. First of all, thank you to all of those who stepped up when the pandemic became a reality for our...

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Opportunities for Connection ~ December 2021

By: Central East Region of the UUA β€”
Graphic with icons of people, computer, tablet and phone over a double-circle background

Central East Region of the UUA

Find out what's happening in the Central East Region! This month - Livestreaming and Copyright Resources, COMPASS, OWL Offerings, Small Congregations Conference, CERSI Job Applications, Faithify Opportunities and more.

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An Atheist's Prayers

By: Sally Fritsche β€”
A person in a medical coat, mask, and gloves braces themselves on a balcony, head bowed as though in prayer.

Sally Fritsche

May we release ourselves from the need to fit every truth neatly into our own language.

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Dealing with Anger

By: Evin Carvill Ziemer β€”
ocean waves hitting rocks and creating spray

Evin Carvill Ziemer

If you’re a congregational leader, you may be wondering why you can’t do anything right and it seems like someone is always angry with you right now. It’s not you. You’re not alone.

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Words Fail

By: David Glasgow β€”
A young teen lies on their bed, eyes closed, listening to music on headphones. A guitar lies on the bed next to them.

David Glasgow

Spirit of Life who dwells before and between and beyond all words… we open ourselves to you.

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News from the CER Advisory Council

By: Laura Conkle β€”
Central East Region UUA Logo

Laura Conkle

Our Central East Region Advisory Council is pausing our ministry. Much has changed since we began our ministry in 2015. And now we must seek a new way forward together.

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The Work That's Ours to Do

By: DanaLee Simon β€”
Bright red-orange kokanee salmon swim in the water of a shallow stream flanked by foliage

DanaLee Simon

We already have everything we need within us to meet the life that is before us.

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Are You Tired?

By: Beth Casebolt β€”
an orange cat sleeping on a lavendar pillow with her paw over her face

Beth Casebolt

I am tired. Are you tired? I'm tired and cranky and just want all of this craziness to stop.

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Opportunities for Connection ~ November 2021

By: Central East Region of the UUA β€”
A book titled "Defund Fear" by Zach Norris is held in the hands of someone whose hands are light brown; only their torso is showing.

Central East Region of the UUA

Find out what's happening in the Central East Region! This month - Common Read, COMPASS, 8th Principle Presentation, Jubilee 3, Open Enrollment, Fall Chalice Lighter Call, Screening The Condor & The Eagle and more.

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UU Pittsburgh Assembly to Explore the 8th Principle

By: Sunshine Jeremiah Wolfe β€”
Image is a bridge with a chalice above it

Sunshine Jeremiah Wolfe

On November 6th, UUs of Greater Pittsburgh- a membership organization of 12 congregations- will gather to discuss the 8th Principle and what it can mean for our congregations. The keynote will be one of the co-authors of the 8th Principle, Paula Cole Jones. This online Assembly is open to all.

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