Calendar

The BUUF Board meets monthly, usually on the second Sunday of the month. Members and friends are welcome to attend.

BUUF Board members include (from left to right): Dave Sarra, Rev. Jim McConnell, Treasurer Harvey Johnson, Secretary Beth La Fleur, President Lisa Fuller and DRE Katharine Lion

General Assembly is the annual meeting of our Unitarian Universalist Association. Attendees worship, witness, learn, connect, and make policy for the Association through democratic process. Anyone may attend; congregations must certify annually to send voting delegates. The 2019 General Assembly will be June 19-23 in Spokane, Washington. Most General Assembly events will be held in the Spokane Convention Center.

The Power of We

What do we want Unitarian Universalism to be? It is a time when we are asking big questions in our faith, and GA 2019 will be focused on digging into those questions together. It is a critical chance for congregational leaders and passionate UUs to set new goals and aspirations for our religious community. Help begin to reshape our Association and our congregations in new and powerful ways.

This year’s theme is about collective power, “The Power of We,” as well as the possibility, the purpose, the struggle and the joy of what it means to be together in faithful community. In the past two years, Unitarian Universalism has recommitted to the work of liberation inside and outside our faith community. The antidote to a time of dangerous dehumanization is a love that connects us to our deeper humanity. Come to Spokane to experience what our shared faith can become when we embrace the Power of We.

Registration and Housing Open March 1

GA Registration and the GA Housing Reservation System open at 9 a.m. PST at www.uua.org/ga

Spokane

The Spokane region is the gateway for adventure and exploration in the Intermountain Northwest. Located driving distance from Glacier National Park and Yellowstone, Spokane is nestled in natural beauty.

Spokane is located on interstate I-90, 110 miles from the Canadian border and 18 miles from Idaho. It is the largest city between Seattle and Minneapolis.

Spokane International Airport (GEG) is serviced by Alaska, American, Delta, Frontier, Southwest, and United Airlines. Nonstop service is offered to 17 destinations, including Minneapolis, Chicago, Dallas, Phoenix, and LAX.

Spokane is accessible by rail via Amtrak’s Empire Builder route (Chicago – St. Paul/Minneapolis – Spokane – Portland/Seattle). It is also reachable by Greyhound Bus.

Excellent Programming

GA will offer more than 100 programming selections over the course of five days. This year, in addition to Theme-Based Programming, the schedule will feature Role-Based Track Programming, including time for discussion among attendees, sharing inspiring models and stories, and concrete suggestions for how to further the work or “take it home.” More programming details are available at www.uua.org/ga.

Financial Aid Available

The UUA is committed to the goal of making GA accessible to as many attendees as possible. Go to uua.org/ga in the month of March to learn about scholarships to support delegates – particularly those from marginalized groups – and volunteer opportunities (work in exchange for registration).

2019 Dates: Jan 6, Feb 3, March 3, Apr 7, May 5, June 2, July 7, Aug 4, Sept 1, Oct 6, Nov 3 and Dec 1.

Bring a dish to pass, or just bring your appetite. Not everyone brings a dish every time, but everyone is encouraged to enjoy the food and fellowship.

Registration for Chalice Sparx Family Camp & Retreat is now open. Join us July 11-14 in Sturgis, Michigan for an amazing all ages experience at lovely Amigo Centre in southwestern Michigan.

At Chalice Sparx camp and retreat for families you will experience a truly multigenerational community. There are no camp counselors here to whisk away the children separate from their families. Here we learn together, worship together and explore together in a community of all ages – including elders who complete our multigenerational village.

We also have fun together. Swimming, hiking the trails and the labyrinth, canoeing, archery, popcorn popped in a kettle over an open fire, and of course, S’mores and singing camp songs.

Check out the website of our non-profit organization run by Unitarian Universalist religious educators, ministers and lay persons from all over the Midwest: www.chalicesparx.org. Like us on facebook at https://www.facebook.com/chalicesparx/ and join us in Michigan July 11-14.

The BUUF Board meets monthly, usually on the second Sunday of the month. Members and friends are welcome to attend.

BUUF Board members include (from left to right): Dave Sarra, Rev. Jim McConnell, Treasurer Harvey Johnson, Secretary Beth La Fleur, President Lisa Fuller and DRE Katharine Lion

Part of the Unitarian Universalist Association’s nationwide network of leadership schools, MidWest Leadership Schoolis a week-long intensive program in leadership and group dynamics. Led by lay and ordained staff with a deep understanding of UU congregations, MWLS

• develops both youth and adults into congregational leaders
• provides leadership tools and skills
• deepens Unitarian Universalist identity

This is an extremely intense week of workshops, discussions, intimate small groups, worship preparation, personal theological exploration and growth.

In exchange for wholehearted commitment to a strenuous schedule, MWLS offers a life-changing and congregation-nourishing opportunity.

Berrien UU  Fellowship serves lunch at the Benton Harbor Soup Kitchen the first Saturday of every even-numbered month (February, April, June, August, October and December). Berrien UU volunteers prepare the meal, greet guests and help clean up the kitchen. This is a terrific opportunity to serve the greater community, support our Social Justice mission and enjoy the company of fellow BUUFers and guests at the kitchen. Rev. Jim McConnell generously leads the group in planning the meal and dessert and he will gladly find a role for all volunteers, whether they’ve helped dozens of times or this is their first time. Please consider coming to the Soup Kitchen to help, even if it’s only for an hour or two.

The Soup Kitchen is located at 233 Michigan Street in Benton Harbor.

2019 Dates: Jan 6, Feb 3, March 3, Apr 7, May 5, June 2, July 7, Aug 4, Sept 1, Oct 6, Nov 3 and Dec 1.

Bring a dish to pass, or just bring your appetite. Not everyone brings a dish every time, but everyone is encouraged to enjoy the food and fellowship.

Note: Gretchen Ohmann is attending this event and would be willing to carpool with other participants.

The BUUF Board meets monthly, usually on the second Sunday of the month. Members and friends are welcome to attend.

BUUF Board members include (from left to right): Dave Sarra, Rev. Jim McConnell, Treasurer Harvey Johnson, Secretary Beth La Fleur, President Lisa Fuller and DRE Katharine Lion