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Growth and Outreach Service Area We are committed to helping all Mountain Desert District congregations be vital Unitarian Universalist communities and share their good news with spiritual seekers. The people of the Growth and Outreach Service Area are here to help congregations be the best UU communities possible, to live out their vision and to share that with people in search of vital religious experience. We care about growth, not just because we want larger numbers but because people are searching for faith communities that uplift the spirit, embrace diversity, and worship together in freedom. UU churches can be those places. The Growth and Outreach service area has three main projects: Chalice Lighters, Cluster Outreach, and Growth Training. Chalice Lighters helps congregations make leaps to welcome more people – to expand facilities, staffing, and vital programs. UU’s who care about growth make a commitment to support four projects each year, with $10 for each. To sign up, or for more information about Chalice Lighters, see the MDD website. Cluster Outreach works with clusters of congregations to create regional growth strategies. Each cluster has a representative who will work with those congregations to identify how they plan, as a group and individually, to welcome the tens of thousands of people in their communities who are searching for liberal religion. Growth Training puts on programs, growth conferences, and consults with congregational leaders around growth issues. Experts and enthusiasts will work with you to prepare growth plans, identify solutions, and clarify mission. We’re still busy recruiting people to do these important jobs. If you are interested in helping, please contact us. My congregation wants to grow! What can the GOSA do for us? -- If your congregation is growing, and wants to keep at it; if your congregation hasn’t been growing, but wants to; if your congregation has been shrinking, and you want to reverse the decline – we’re here to help. -- If you have an existing growth plan, strategic plan, or long-range plan, send us a copy and we’ll give you our feedback. We’ll let you know problem areas, suggest UUA and other resources, and tell you about how other congregations have accomplished what you are planning. Send it to growth@mdduua.org as a word attachment. -- If you want to create a growth plan, contact your cluster rep. They will work with you to create a plan, and will put you in touch with people from our Growth Training team for expert advice. NOTE: CLUSTER REPS WILL BE TRAINED IN SPRING ’05. UNTIL THEN, CONTACT YOUR DISTRICT EXECUTIVE OR THE SERVICE AREA LEADER. The truth is that the hardest part about growing is making the decision to do so. People need liberal religion, they are looking for it. All we have to do is make the commitment to welcoming these seekers into our community. Growth and Outreach Service Area Roster and Contact info. Service Area Leader: The Rev. Matthew Johnson-Doyle, Colorado Springs. growth@mdduua.org. 719-260-1080. Contact Matthew to have a growth plan reviewed, to volunteer to help with this service area, or if there is not yet a cluster rep for your area. The GOSA is managed by a core team, which includes the SA leader, the project leads, and an at-large member, currently the Rev. Jann Halloran, Parker UU Church. Chalice Lighter Project Lead: Chuck Graves, Sheridan, WY. graves@wavecom.net. Contact Chuck if you have a question about the criteria for Chalice Lighter grants. For questions about becoming a Chalice Lighter, to apply, or about the status of your application, contact Melanie Buck at the district Office: office@mdduua.org, 303-756-1378. Chalice Lighter Project Team members: Jane White, UU Fellowship in Lafayette; the Rev. Marlin Gilbert, Westside UU Congregation in Rio Rancho, NM. Cluster Outreach Project Lead: WE ARE SEEKING A PERSON FOR THIS IMPORTANT JOB. Cluster Reps: Montana and Northern WY: INTERESTED? GROWTH@MDDUUA.ORG. North Plains: Gretchen Snowden, Fort Collins. gretch2@verinet.com Metro Denver: Gary Reser, Jefferson UU, gary.reser@earthlink.net Southern Colorado: Connie Jenkins Arambulo, Pueblo. arambulo1@earthlink.net Mountain: Bill Thiemer, Grand Junction. N. New Mexico: The Rev. Liz McMaster, Albuquerque. lmcmaster@uuma.org S. New Mexico: Lynn and Billie Slater, El Paso. lynn_slater@sbcglobal.net Four Corners: INTERESTED? GROWTH@MDDUUA.ORG. West of Rockies: Evelyn Bertelson, Ogden. evgbert@aol.com Growth Training, Consulting and Conferences: Ellen Germann-Melosh, District Executive. executive@mdduua.org, 303-726-9676 (cell), 303-756-1378 (office). Contact Ellen if your congregation or cluster would like to arrange a consulting visit, a training workshop, or similar services. Note: Ellen may refer you to your congregation’s MDD resource liaison, a trained expert who can work with you on a variety of issues including growth planning. Growth Training Project members: The Rev.’s Peter Morales (Golden, CO), Nancy Anderson (Las Cruces, NM), and Meredith Garmon (El Paso, TX). These ministers work with Ellen to provide training and consulting. |