PLEASE CIRCULATE THIS INFORMATION AS APPROPRIATE TO ANYONE AND EVERYONE
Christchurch, New Zealand, was hit by 6.3 magnitude earthquake on Monday, February 21. Following on the heels of another quake just six months ago, plus many aftershocks, this quake was the most devastating so far, given that the epicenter was only a few miles from the city center.
News from the Unitarian Universalists’ of Christchurch is quite limited at the moment. ANZUUA President Peter Ferguson has been in New Zealand this week, and reported the following from his contact with Derek McCullough, leader of the Christchurch UU congregation, immediately following the earthquake:
"I have spoken to Derek this morning at 8.30 am NZ time. Derek and Rebecca (his wife), his mother and Rebecca's parents are all physically uninjured. Sadly their home has been destroyed by the earthquake, and at this present time they are leaving for safe accommodation in the country."
ICUU President Brian Kiely sent the following message to Derek McCullough and ANZUUA colleagues:
“Dear Derek and all Members and Friends of the Christchurch community,
It is with deep sadness that I learned of the earthquake that struck your homes and your city today. On behalf of your Unitarian and Unitarian Universalist co-religionists worldwide I send our thoughts and prayers on your behalf. Selfishly we hope that no one in your community has been seriously hurt or suffered great damage, but on a wider scale we hold all Christchurch residents in our hearts.
Tragedies like this anywhere in the world stir our emotions, but those feelings are heightened when it happens to people or places we know or have visited.
In the days ahead may things go as right as they possibly can and may you all find some joys to celebrate.”
PLEASE NOTE A “Causes” page has been set up on Facebook and UUs around the world are encouraged to show their solidarity with our sisters and brothers in New Zealand by joining the cause.
You can also make a donation through the “Cause” and all funds donated will be sent on to Christchurch. You can appreciate they will need our assistance, moral and financial, at a difficult time like this.
The Cause Page can be reached by going to the following web page:
http://www.causes.com/causes/583046
The ICUU will post news and follow-up information as it becomes available.
Thinking of our faith colleagues in distress and need,
Kind Regards,
Steve Dick & Jill McAllister
Thursday, 24 February 2011
Friday, 21 January 2011
Nominations for ICUU Executive and Nominating Committees
To all ICUU Member Groups,
Greetings from the Nominating Committee:
In February 2012, the ICUU Council will meet in The Philippines and will elect a new Executive Committee and Nominating Committee. We hope that all member groups are already considering whether they will nominate a candidate for one of the positions.
Here is some information you may find helpful when you discuss whether to nominate someone:
• The offices are not ceremonial positions, and all members of the Executive Committee are expected to have time to attend regular meetings (mostly online but one meeting a year involving travel) and carry out the work of ICUU, much of which is done using the internet.
• Candidates for the election must be nominated by their own member groups and the nomination must be seconded by another member group.
• More than one person can be nominated for each position.
• All properly nominated candidates will appear on the ballot.
• The Nominating Committee will consider all the nominations and recommend a slate of one or two nominees for each office. The committee works to recommend a slate that is qualified and balanced both geographically and in terms of skills needed to carry out the work required.
• Job descriptions for all positions are available from the ICUU Executive Secretary (execsec@icuu.net).
The seven current members of the Executive Committee of ICUU are the four officers:
• President: Brian Kiely – Canada
• Vice-President: Pauline Rooney – ANZUA (Australia and New Zealand)
• Secretary: David Gyero – Transylvania (Romania)
• Treasurer: David Shaw – Great Britain
and three members-at-large:
• Nihal Attanayake – The Philippines
• Femi Matimoju – Nigeria
• Celia Midgley – Great Britain
All of the current officers except the treasurer have expressed the wish to run again for office. They must be nominated by their own groups. This does not prevent other groups from nominating other candidates for office.
The three current members of the Nominating Committee are.
• Gevene Hertz (EUU – European Unitarian Universalists)
• Pearl Greene Marbaniang (India)
• Gordon Oliver (South Africa)
The members of the Nominating Committee are not allowed serve consecutive terms, so three new members are needed.
Please consider now whether you may want to nominate someone from your group for any of the positions – including the Nominating Committee, which also performs an important role and actually helps shape the future of ICUU.
Timeline
Before Feb 15: If you think you may want to nominate someone, even if you are not sure, please contact me (Gevene Hertz), or the other members of the Nominating Committee, or the Executive Secretary of ICUU, Steve Dick, so that we can discuss the nomination process, send you the proper forms and answer any questions. We can also discuss what offices your candidates might be best suited for.
Email addresses for all of us are at the end of this letter. We can also be available for discussions using Skype.
Remember to check to make sure that the person is willing to be nominated and understands the duties of the office.
Before June 1: You will have to get the official approval of your group and fill out a proper nomination form.
You will also have to arrange to have another group second the nomination.
Both groups may need time to approve the nomination, for example, this may involve talking to your board or other governing body, so you need plenty of time.
We look forward to hearing from you.
Gevene Hertz, Convenor of the Nominating Committee
Frydenlundsvej 49, DK 2950 Vedbaek, Denmark
Telephone: +44 4589 4184 (evenings or weekends)
Email: gevenehertz@gmail.com
Pearl Greene Marbaniang pg_marbaniang@hotmail.com
Gordon Oliver gordonroliver@metroweb.co.za
Steve Dick execsec@icuu.net
Greetings from the Nominating Committee:
In February 2012, the ICUU Council will meet in The Philippines and will elect a new Executive Committee and Nominating Committee. We hope that all member groups are already considering whether they will nominate a candidate for one of the positions.
Here is some information you may find helpful when you discuss whether to nominate someone:
• The offices are not ceremonial positions, and all members of the Executive Committee are expected to have time to attend regular meetings (mostly online but one meeting a year involving travel) and carry out the work of ICUU, much of which is done using the internet.
• Candidates for the election must be nominated by their own member groups and the nomination must be seconded by another member group.
• More than one person can be nominated for each position.
• All properly nominated candidates will appear on the ballot.
• The Nominating Committee will consider all the nominations and recommend a slate of one or two nominees for each office. The committee works to recommend a slate that is qualified and balanced both geographically and in terms of skills needed to carry out the work required.
• Job descriptions for all positions are available from the ICUU Executive Secretary (execsec@icuu.net).
The seven current members of the Executive Committee of ICUU are the four officers:
• President: Brian Kiely – Canada
• Vice-President: Pauline Rooney – ANZUA (Australia and New Zealand)
• Secretary: David Gyero – Transylvania (Romania)
• Treasurer: David Shaw – Great Britain
and three members-at-large:
• Nihal Attanayake – The Philippines
• Femi Matimoju – Nigeria
• Celia Midgley – Great Britain
All of the current officers except the treasurer have expressed the wish to run again for office. They must be nominated by their own groups. This does not prevent other groups from nominating other candidates for office.
The three current members of the Nominating Committee are.
• Gevene Hertz (EUU – European Unitarian Universalists)
• Pearl Greene Marbaniang (India)
• Gordon Oliver (South Africa)
The members of the Nominating Committee are not allowed serve consecutive terms, so three new members are needed.
Please consider now whether you may want to nominate someone from your group for any of the positions – including the Nominating Committee, which also performs an important role and actually helps shape the future of ICUU.
Timeline
Before Feb 15: If you think you may want to nominate someone, even if you are not sure, please contact me (Gevene Hertz), or the other members of the Nominating Committee, or the Executive Secretary of ICUU, Steve Dick, so that we can discuss the nomination process, send you the proper forms and answer any questions. We can also discuss what offices your candidates might be best suited for.
Email addresses for all of us are at the end of this letter. We can also be available for discussions using Skype.
Remember to check to make sure that the person is willing to be nominated and understands the duties of the office.
Before June 1: You will have to get the official approval of your group and fill out a proper nomination form.
You will also have to arrange to have another group second the nomination.
Both groups may need time to approve the nomination, for example, this may involve talking to your board or other governing body, so you need plenty of time.
We look forward to hearing from you.
Gevene Hertz, Convenor of the Nominating Committee
Frydenlundsvej 49, DK 2950 Vedbaek, Denmark
Telephone: +44 4589 4184 (evenings or weekends)
Email: gevenehertz@gmail.com
Pearl Greene Marbaniang pg_marbaniang@hotmail.com
Gordon Oliver gordonroliver@metroweb.co.za
Steve Dick execsec@icuu.net
Wednesday, 22 December 2010
Seasonal Message from ICUU President
Dear Unitarian and Unitarian Universalist friends around the globe,
Looking back at 2010 I can only reflect on what a turbulent place this planet of ours is. Our climate has brought remarkable disruptions what with earthquakes and mudslides, piles of snow covering much of Europe, volcanoes erupting, droughts and floods in different parts of the world.
And then of course there are the human created problems of war and poverty and the like.
In times like these it is easy to sink into despair and wonder why we bother to even try.
And then Christmas comes with all of its promise and hope. For some of us it is the renewal of a divine covenant marked by God's promise fulfilled. For some of us it is the simple miracle of birth. As American Religious Educator Sophia Lyon Fahs once wrote, "Each night a child is born is a holy night - a time for singing, a time for wondering, a time for worshipping."
However you understand the promise of Christmas, I invite you to embrace it this year. Set aside your differences. Make peace when and where you can. Pray for the blessings of the divine and hold your families and friends close.
I have been reminded to celebrate what we have instead of worrying about what we want. This past weekend, four different families in my congregation were touched by death. I am spending this week before Christmas preparing both holiday services and funerals. Each of these services reminds me to approach Christmas with reverence and to celebrate the blessings of the people in my life.
This seems to be a year when the world needs Christmas and all of its blessings. May yours be filled with the warmth and laughter that comes from recognizing the real gifts in your life.
Rev. Brian Kiely
Unitarian Church of Edmonton
President, International Council of Unitarians and Universalists
Looking back at 2010 I can only reflect on what a turbulent place this planet of ours is. Our climate has brought remarkable disruptions what with earthquakes and mudslides, piles of snow covering much of Europe, volcanoes erupting, droughts and floods in different parts of the world.
And then of course there are the human created problems of war and poverty and the like.
In times like these it is easy to sink into despair and wonder why we bother to even try.
And then Christmas comes with all of its promise and hope. For some of us it is the renewal of a divine covenant marked by God's promise fulfilled. For some of us it is the simple miracle of birth. As American Religious Educator Sophia Lyon Fahs once wrote, "Each night a child is born is a holy night - a time for singing, a time for wondering, a time for worshipping."
However you understand the promise of Christmas, I invite you to embrace it this year. Set aside your differences. Make peace when and where you can. Pray for the blessings of the divine and hold your families and friends close.
I have been reminded to celebrate what we have instead of worrying about what we want. This past weekend, four different families in my congregation were touched by death. I am spending this week before Christmas preparing both holiday services and funerals. Each of these services reminds me to approach Christmas with reverence and to celebrate the blessings of the people in my life.
This seems to be a year when the world needs Christmas and all of its blessings. May yours be filled with the warmth and laughter that comes from recognizing the real gifts in your life.
Rev. Brian Kiely
Unitarian Church of Edmonton
President, International Council of Unitarians and Universalists
Tuesday, 14 December 2010
Next ICUU Council Meeting Makes History
History will be made when the next ICUU Council Meeting is held in February 2012 in the Philippines –for the first time outside of Europe and North America!
The Council Meeting will take place from 7 to 12 February 2012 at the headquarters of the Unitarian Universalist Church of the Philippines (UUCP) and at the Southsea Resort in Dumagute City on Negros Island, Philippines.
An optional Pre-Council Meeting Tour in Manila from 3 to 6 February 2012 will include the opportunity to attend services at the two UUCP Fellowships in Manila. Visits to rural UUCP congregations will be a highlight of the Post-Council Meeting Tour on Negros Island from 12 to 15 February 2012.
Further details including pricing and registration information will be available by June 2011. For more information, please contact Executive Secretary Steve Dick at execsec@icuu.net
The Council Meeting will take place from 7 to 12 February 2012 at the headquarters of the Unitarian Universalist Church of the Philippines (UUCP) and at the Southsea Resort in Dumagute City on Negros Island, Philippines.
An optional Pre-Council Meeting Tour in Manila from 3 to 6 February 2012 will include the opportunity to attend services at the two UUCP Fellowships in Manila. Visits to rural UUCP congregations will be a highlight of the Post-Council Meeting Tour on Negros Island from 12 to 15 February 2012.
Further details including pricing and registration information will be available by June 2011. For more information, please contact Executive Secretary Steve Dick at execsec@icuu.net
Tuesday, 30 November 2010
Global Chalice Lighting for December 2010
The International Council of Unitarians and Universalists announces the 88th in its monthly series of global chalice lighting readings. Congregations worldwide are invited to participate.
All ICUU-affiliated groups have been asked to submit brief chalice lightings for the project. Every month, a reading will be distributed to Unitarian and Universalist congregations around the world. We ask each congregation to use the reading for at least one worship service in the designated month, identifying it as the “Global Chalice Lighting” for that month and naming the group which submitted it. Readings will be circulated in English and, where different, in their original language.
It is hoped that the ICUU Global Chalice Lighting Project will enhance the worship experience in our congregations and raise awareness of the international dimensions of our religious movement.
This Global Chalice Lighting is submitted in by the British General Assembly of Unitarian and Free Christian Churches. It is to be used during December 2010.
As we light our chalice
at the ending of one year
and the beginning of another year,
we affirm…
The radiant joy and beauty
of the world in which we live
The unity of all life and our interdependence
with the rest of creation
Our responsibility to care for and sustain
all forms of life on the planet for future generations
The uniqueness and equal dignity of every person
The power of unconditional love to transform lives
The importance of constantly seeking truth and wisdom
Our commitment to support each other
in the task of building the Kingdom of Heaven,
based on peace, justice and love
The divine ground of our being
that connects us with each other and the infinite
and which replenishes and heals us
-Roger Courtney
All Souls Non-Subscribing Presbyterian Church, Belfast, N. Ireland
In faith,
-Lorella
Lorella Thomas Hess
editor, The Global Chalice
ICUU newsletter
www.icuu.net
All ICUU-affiliated groups have been asked to submit brief chalice lightings for the project. Every month, a reading will be distributed to Unitarian and Universalist congregations around the world. We ask each congregation to use the reading for at least one worship service in the designated month, identifying it as the “Global Chalice Lighting” for that month and naming the group which submitted it. Readings will be circulated in English and, where different, in their original language.
It is hoped that the ICUU Global Chalice Lighting Project will enhance the worship experience in our congregations and raise awareness of the international dimensions of our religious movement.
This Global Chalice Lighting is submitted in by the British General Assembly of Unitarian and Free Christian Churches. It is to be used during December 2010.
As we light our chalice
at the ending of one year
and the beginning of another year,
we affirm…
The radiant joy and beauty
of the world in which we live
The unity of all life and our interdependence
with the rest of creation
Our responsibility to care for and sustain
all forms of life on the planet for future generations
The uniqueness and equal dignity of every person
The power of unconditional love to transform lives
The importance of constantly seeking truth and wisdom
Our commitment to support each other
in the task of building the Kingdom of Heaven,
based on peace, justice and love
The divine ground of our being
that connects us with each other and the infinite
and which replenishes and heals us
-Roger Courtney
All Souls Non-Subscribing Presbyterian Church, Belfast, N. Ireland
In faith,
-Lorella
Lorella Thomas Hess
editor, The Global Chalice
ICUU newsletter
www.icuu.net
Thursday, 18 November 2010
Contribute to the Szabó Árpád Memorial Fund
The Consistory of the Transylvanian Unitarian Church announces with gratitude the establishment of the Szabó Árpád Memorial Fund for PhD Scholarships in Unitarian Theology. Following Bishop Szabó’s recent passing to eternity, the intention of the church leadership is to immortalize his legacy by creating a motivational source of support and inspiration in a field that was most dear to him.
Bishop Szabó himself was a recipient of a PhD degree in Unitarian theology, from the Protestant Theological Institute in Kolozsvár; also, he was granted an honorary doctorate from both the Protestant Theological Faculty in Montpellier, France, as well as the Meadville Lombard Theological School in Chicago, USA. Later, as he became a theological professor, he had led the PhD training of some of his spiritual successors, acting as a model for a theologian of dedicated research and prolific writing.
The creation of the memorial fund aims to provide financial and professional support for those choosing to enter a PhD training in Unitarian theology. The fund will act as an endowment, sharing its annual benefits among those enrolled in such a program. The coordination will be done by the executive committee of the Consistory; for inquiries on the fund, please write to ekt@unitarius.com.
Contributions in US dollars should be sent to the Unitarian Universalist Partner Church Council, PO Box 88, Bedford, MA 01730-0088. Please make the check payable to UUPCC and note Szabó Árpád Memorial Fund on the memo line.
Contributions can also be made in other currencies or using credit cards via PayPal through the International Council of Unitarians and Universalists (ICUU). To arrange this, please contact Treasurer David Shaw at treasurer@icuu.net.
Bishop Szabó himself was a recipient of a PhD degree in Unitarian theology, from the Protestant Theological Institute in Kolozsvár; also, he was granted an honorary doctorate from both the Protestant Theological Faculty in Montpellier, France, as well as the Meadville Lombard Theological School in Chicago, USA. Later, as he became a theological professor, he had led the PhD training of some of his spiritual successors, acting as a model for a theologian of dedicated research and prolific writing.
The creation of the memorial fund aims to provide financial and professional support for those choosing to enter a PhD training in Unitarian theology. The fund will act as an endowment, sharing its annual benefits among those enrolled in such a program. The coordination will be done by the executive committee of the Consistory; for inquiries on the fund, please write to ekt@unitarius.com.
Contributions in US dollars should be sent to the Unitarian Universalist Partner Church Council, PO Box 88, Bedford, MA 01730-0088. Please make the check payable to UUPCC and note Szabó Árpád Memorial Fund on the memo line.
Contributions can also be made in other currencies or using credit cards via PayPal through the International Council of Unitarians and Universalists (ICUU). To arrange this, please contact Treasurer David Shaw at treasurer@icuu.net.
Friday, 5 November 2010
Pray For Indonesia
Dear UU friends world wide,
I would like to share information and request of prayer from Indonesia.
Recently, Indonesia was beaten by several numerous disasters - started with Mud Flood at Wasior, Papua; then Tsunami Flood at Mentawai, West Sumatera; and the biggest Merapi Mountain Eruption at Central Java and Jogja. There was also a land slide at Toraja, Southern Celebes. We inform you that all of our church members - especially in Jogja, Klaten (central java), and Toraja - are safe from this disaster, not to neglect that this serial disasters create a deep wound and lost for a lot of people in our country.
The Volcano activity that pushes the merapi eruption seems to wake several other active mountains around Java - Krakatoa, Semeru and Bromo.
The Unitarian Christian Church of Indonesia - as a body - will send a donation through the Red Cross or a social organization named Jalinan Informasi Lingkar Merapi (Merapi Circle Information Network). We will also soon organize a volunteer among the youth to go to Jogja and join the national volunteer.
Please pray for Indonesia, especially for the victims of the disaster and their family, with hope that they can recover soon.
Regards,
Aryanto Nugroho
Unitarian Christian Church of Indonesia
(ary.nugroho@yahoo.com)
I would like to share information and request of prayer from Indonesia.
Recently, Indonesia was beaten by several numerous disasters - started with Mud Flood at Wasior, Papua; then Tsunami Flood at Mentawai, West Sumatera; and the biggest Merapi Mountain Eruption at Central Java and Jogja. There was also a land slide at Toraja, Southern Celebes. We inform you that all of our church members - especially in Jogja, Klaten (central java), and Toraja - are safe from this disaster, not to neglect that this serial disasters create a deep wound and lost for a lot of people in our country.
The Volcano activity that pushes the merapi eruption seems to wake several other active mountains around Java - Krakatoa, Semeru and Bromo.
The Unitarian Christian Church of Indonesia - as a body - will send a donation through the Red Cross or a social organization named Jalinan Informasi Lingkar Merapi (Merapi Circle Information Network). We will also soon organize a volunteer among the youth to go to Jogja and join the national volunteer.
Please pray for Indonesia, especially for the victims of the disaster and their family, with hope that they can recover soon.
Regards,
Aryanto Nugroho
Unitarian Christian Church of Indonesia
(ary.nugroho@yahoo.com)
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