by Connie Goodbread, UUA Southern Region Congregational Life Staff
Change is life - how it differs from the rocks… - Jefferson Airplane
Change is all around us. In this whirling time and ever changing landscape, it is sometime difficult to find footing. We know that in change there is loss, and yet we also know that change is pregnant with possibilities. Knowing how to keep that which is most valuable while letting go of what is no longer useful is an art form. We know that to grow, we must change. We know that we are only human and so we will make mistakes along the way. We also know that we will achieve much if we dare to be bold.
Fortune favors the bold - Latin proverb.
In 2009 the four District Boards met in Orlando. They talked deeply of their longings and shared ideas and thoughts. They talked about a better world in which the values of Unitarian Universalism had more of an impact. They talked of their faith. The Orlando Platform was born out of this deep sharing. This was a bold move on the part of our elected leaders. They have been brave and bold ever since.
The first step toward regionalization was to become more efficient, identify where the system was redundant, and then reorganize so that work is not duplicated. The second step was to end co-employment of the District staff and give supervision over the staff to the Director of Congregational Life. The third was to examine our relationship with our larger Association and re-covenant. The fourth was to adopt our UUA ends statements. The fifth was to combine our budgets. None of this was easy work. However, it has been accomplished.
Now we find ourselves at the next phase. Our District board members have done more amazing work. They are leaders who care deeply about Unitarian Universalism, the congregations, relationships, and how best to grow our faith. They are leaders who know that growth should not be merely for our glory but rather for all, so that we can be a vital part of affecting and infecting the world with more love, hope, justice, wisdom and joy. They are leaders who are practicing shared ministry. They are leaders who are doing their level best to be the servant leaders we need them to be. They deserve our deepest gratitude and our heartfelt thanks.
I hope you will honor the work and dedication they have put into their service by finding time to attend one of the webinars designed to explain where we are at this moment in our move toward regionalization. The explanation is clear and concise. The times of the webinars are varied. Please look for them here on the home-page of our website.
We live in exciting times. May our lives continue to be blessed with great leaders. May we ever be bold so that fortune favors, or at least smiles, nods, and winks at us.
