Strengthening Ties with the Wider UU Community

The Denominational Affairs Team recently had a retreat to review its purpose and role. We are pleased to present the final product of our discussion. Denominational Affairs (DA):

Seeks to strengthen ties between our congregation and the larger association:
We alert our members to resources offered by the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) and encourage participation in our Chicagoland area, regional and national activities. We aspired to achieve this by:

· Serving as a catalyst for greater connection between UCE and Unitarian Universalism (UUism)

· Being joyful in our work

· Creating fun-filled gatherings

· Advocating for UCE participation in local, regional, and national activities

Monitors External UU Organizations:

· Groups that UCE has representation or participation with, DA monitors for opportunities, including with the UUA, MidAmerica Region, and local Chicago Area Unitarian Universalist Council (CAUUC).

· Continue in leadership role for UUA’s General Assembly delegates and attendees (in-person and virtual)

· Groups that DA monitors for opportunities that UCE members may want to participate in: Black Lives of Unitarian Universalism (BLUU), CAUUC, Unitarian Universalist Advocacy Network of Illinois (UUANI), Unitarian Universalists for Social Justice (UUSJ out of Washington D.C.), 8th Principal Learning Community. See DA flyer of groups posted on website at https://ucevanston.org/?s=denominational+affairs.

· Because the Association is often ahead of individual congregations in social justice causes, DA continues to monitor Unitarian Universalist (UU) social justice organizations for opportunities that might be of interest to UCE groups, e.g., REAL Team, Green Team, etc.

Connects with Internal UCE Groups:

· Educate and encourage UCE groups to consider the opportunities available with external UU organizations and the value of funding participation or access, e.g., Integrated Stewardship Council, Endowment Fund.

· Share information with UCE groups about opportunities available through UU social justice organizations, e.g., Social Justice Council (SJC), various social justice groups listed on DA flyer posted on website at https://ucevanston.org/?s=denominational+affairs.

· Membership Engagement, e.g., UUA and MidAmerica Region resources to support leadership development

· Youth groups

· Expands information on groups DA monitors

To see the current chart of the organizations Denominational Affairs monitors go to our flyer at: https://ucevanston.org/?s=denominational+affairs. Click on the links in the chart to learn more about these organizations.

The Denominational Affairs Committee meets the second Tuesday every month via Zoom at 11:00 a.m. You are welcome to join us any time. Contact Peggy Boccard via REALM or at admin@ucevanston.org.