The New York State Convention of Universalists 2006–2007 Report to the St. Lawrence and Metropolitan New York Unitarian Universalist Districts The New York State Convention of Universalists was organized in 1825.  Today the Convention administers two large endowments.  One provides “gifts” for retired New York State Universalist ministers and their spouses; the other is used to promote the growth of the UU movement and to uphold the Universalist heritage.  In addition, the Convention appoints the majority of the Board of the Saint Lawrence Foundation for Theological Education, which uses proceeds from a third endowment to support students studying for the UU ministry.  The Convention is pleased to continue its direct support of district programs, providing block grants of $9,000 to Metro NY and $17,000 to St. Lawrence districts.  At the district level the Convention also provided $5,000 to the Iroquois Chapter of the UU Ministers’ Association for continued funding of their innovative ministerial internship program.  This year NYSCU has made a loan of $18,000.  to the All Souls Unitarian Universalist Church of Watertown, NY, for roof repair and water damage. The Convention granted money for the following projects and support this year: Innovative Programs Hamburg UU – ministerial services: $2,000 Canandaigua UU – TV digital conversion: $3,000 District Program or Multiple Congregations St. Lawrence District – general support: $17,000 Metro District – general support: $9,000 Iroquois Chapter UUMA – internship: $5,000 IINYS – supplement to operating budget: $2,000 Murray Grove/SLD/Metro/Ohio-Meadville/JPD &ndash Leadership Team Institute: $550 Universalist History/Significance Rochester Universalist – building centennial celebration: $1,200 Syracuse/May Memorial – history preservation & beyond: $2,500 Winchester Universalist Heritage Foundation – endowment: $500 NC Convention/Rawheiser – history/publication: $750 First UU Richmond/TJ Memorial – publishing: $1,500 The 2006 Annual Meeting was held October 6–7 at the First Unitarian Universalist Society of Albany.  Keynote speaker was the Rev. Michael Schuler, parish minister of the First Unitarian Society of Madison, Wisconsin.  He explained how outreach, excellence, and connections have made that congregation the largest in the Unitarian Universalist Association. The conference theme was “Growing into Excellence”.  The Rev. Schuler and the conference in general were very well received.  Opening worship was led by the Rev. Sam Trumbore.  Workshops included a keynote round table, Archival Techniques, Stitchery for Celebration, a handbell choir concert, Drama in Lay-Led Services, and Outreach and Social Justice. The 2007 Annual Meeting will be held October 12–13 at the Unitarian Universalist Society of Oneonta.  The keynote speaker will be the Rev. John Buehrens. He is a former President of the Unitarian Universalist Association.  His keynote speech is titled “A House for Hope: Liberating the Spirit of Liberal Religion”.  We hope to see you all in Oneonta.  Fred Boreali, Secretary March 2007

Last modified May 07, 2021.
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