One of the essential problems that religious institutions have faced for the past forty years has been a depleting cadre of volunteer leadership.  

This depletion stems back to World War Two. Prior to that time volunteer workers were the backbone of every congregation's life. Primarily, this was women who, despite their child raising commitments, spent a high percentage of their "left-over" time supporting religious efforts.Because of the changes in the workforce brought about by the labor necessities of the war machine, women showed they were equal to the tasks traditionally reserved for men. Within a brief time span feminism began creating a revolution.  

That revolution continues to this day. And endemic to it is that women wear numerous hats apart from child-raising. Aside from this revolution are other social forces at work that continue to deplete the volunteer pool of lay workers   of both genders. Not the least of these is the secularization of our lifestyles and the proliferation of social demands on our living. Add to this the continuing decrease of the importance of organized religion as a motivational factor.

In the midst of this social revolution there has been one constant - the central role professional religious leaders have played in the success of organized religion. They have been the key to sustained leadership. This is even truer today than in the past because of the increase in their vocational demands and the constant decreasing lay workforce.

The laity is caught in the same whirl of busy-ness. They have more money to travel and pursue personal interests than in the past. They are heavily committed to important secular social enterprises that support their values. In brief, they are busier than they have ever been.

Here is the principle that has been a constant in human history:

If you want something done well, ask a busy person.

And to get a busy person to invest in a role or activity, the mission of that effort must be compelling. What this means is that a clear and compelling mission is the key to motivating all volunteers - whether they be lay or professional. I salute the busy people who keep our religious enterprise humming. They sustain our district.

Robert

2012 will be the year we focus on Transforming Ourselves and the World. District Assembly (April 27-29, 2012) offers us opportunities to convene and consider how we can transform ourselves, our faith and the world. We are currently taking proposals for 2-hour long workshop slots.

All proposals must be submitted electronically on or before January 15.  Send your proposals to Rev. Jeanelyse Doran Adams with the following information.

1. The workshop title (up to 10 words);
2. The name, email address, and daytime phone number of the Contact Person;
3. A 50 to 100-word description of the program, suitable for promotional purposes;
4. A more complete description of the workshop its objectives and target audience, written so our Selection Committee understands what you have in mind;
5. The names of the presenters, along with a portrait photo (head shot only, please) in a jpg format;
6. Any special logistic needs (such as AV equipment).    

The criteria we will use to select proposals include:

• Grounding in how our faith offers the potential for transformation
• Variety and balance in format
• Usefulness to our congregations (of a particular size or all sizes)
• Incorporation of AR/AO/MC awareness and practice
• Relevance to people of all abilities and of all generations
• Excellence in presentation, fostering engaged participation
• Depth, inspiration and prophetic vision

Please note that District Assembly registration is required for all program presenters.  DA2012 will be held at the Oakland Airport Hilton Hotel.

The mission of the California Interfaith Power and Light coalition of congregations is to promote faithful stewardship of the earth and thwart the destructive force of global warming.

It held its 2011 Energy Oscars celebration at Grace Cathedral in San Francisco on November fifteenth. There were finalists from congregations spanning the length of California in four different areas of education, energy efficiency, advocacy and green building. 

Three PCD congregations were among these finalists: the Unitarian Universalist Church of Fresno (Education), the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Santa Cruz County (Advocacy), and the First Unitarian Universalist Society of San Francisco (Green Building).  

All of these congregations are to be congratulated for applying UU values to their ministry and achieving the status of finalists in this competition of over 500 congregations (plus a few secular groups). A special congratulation goes to the UU Church of Fresno for taking home the Oscar for the category of education.

It was an enlightening and celebratory event underscoring the absolute necessity of a green view of reality if we are to save the planet that has been the womb of our existence.

NATIONAL STANDING ON THE SIDE OF LOVE MONTH: The Story of Us, the Story of Now

This THIRTY DAYS OF LOVE, beginning Martin Luther King, Jr. Day and culminating with Valentine's Day, will be a time for deepening our commitment to our mission through listening, discovery, community engagement, education, inspiration, celebration, lifting up, and daily, direct actions for love.  One crucial element will be working to deepen congregational involvement with Standing on the Side of Love.

To whet our appetites for THIRTY DAYS OF LOVE, the Standing on the Side of Love campaign will hold a webinar on Wednesday, Dec. 7, at 7:30 p.m. Eastern Time to share some ways that you can build on your congregation's social justice work.  The webinar will feature a conversation with two congregations that have used this campaign as a platform for their social justice to tremendous success and renewed congregational energy.   

 Click here to register for the Webinar