METRO NEW YORK DISTRICT ANNUAL MEETING 2005

The Unitarian Universalist District of Metropolitan New York annual meeting was held in Stamford, Connecticut at the Marriott Hotel on April 29 and 30. The welcoming address was given by Lynda Bluestein, President, completing the fourth and final year of her term. Ms. Bluestein said that “Achieving Change Together” was the District’s theme this year. A revision of policies and governance of the District was the Board’s focus in 2004-2005 and these changes have been successfully implemented. She announced that Jerry Muntz would succeed her as District President.

District UUA Trustee The Rev. Charles Blustein Ortman said in his annual report “…Challenges before us have been clarified through the progress of a restrictive political and social environment in our country and by our own inability to gather momentum and growth.” This echoes remarks and concerns made recently by UUA President Bill Sinkford at the UUA General Assembly in Fort Worth in June. Rev. Ortman also stated that the Board devotes much effort to “ministry with and for youth.” as well as attention to the 1997 UUA mandate to become an anti-racist, anti-oppression, multicultural institution. He emphasized the importance of getting our liberal message heard “in this illiberal age.”

Among the written reports, was that of The Anti-Racism and Diversity Committee, which mentioned in some detail a committee program hosted by All Souls: “Growing an Anti-Racist UU Identity.” The event took place in February and attracted more than 100 participants of all ages. There were workshops, lectures and networking. David McClean, Professor of Philosophy at Malloy College was the keynote speaker. His topic was: “Beyond the Problem of the Color Line.” Several workshops chronicled and examined All Souls’ Journey Toward Wholeness experiences. The committee supplies training materials and instructors and identifies resources to enhance education within District congregations.

The Rev. Alison Miller, who just completed a year as Assistant Minister at All Souls, will assume the ministry of a congregation in Morristown, NJ, in September. At this year’s District Annual Meeting, she served as the ministerial representative of our church. Melaney Mashburn, our Director of Religious Education, spent considerable time before the evening session with the District RE Committee to discuss a number of topics including training RE leaders for children with special needs and administration and curriculum planning. Another interesting report was submitted by the Junior Youth Steering Committee. The committee organizes and operates a fall retreat and a spring conference. Their mission is, “to save the world, one middle-schooler at a time.”

After a few introductory talks Friday evening, a rousing jazz presentation called “‘Divine Jazz’—an inspiring exploration of Unitarian Universalism through jazz,” was led by keynote speaker Tom Stites. Saturday morning was well spent in workshops and lectures, followed by a festive luncheon attended by a goodly number of UUs. The business meeting followed.