March 7, 2000

Dear Friends,

For my colleagues in other Districts, this "winter" season is their down
time. The snow and ice often mean they are office bound and reflective.
Just the opposite is true in our district. When the snow birds are back, we
want everything to happen. I think you will find the district program
development volunteers try to accommodate your needs. The enclosed flyers
tell you of their responses to your requests. They deserve your gratitude.
I hope you will let them know how much their work means to you.

OWL Training is fast approaching. If you have not signed your team up yet,
please do that as soon as possible. We have a limit of 24 participants at
each training.

Super Saturdays are back! See the flyer enclosed about the April 8 gathering
of religious educators, worship leaders, financial wizards and those who are
considering leadership. Bring your team and grow together! It will be good
for you and your congregations!

The District Annual Assembly flyers are in your congregations now. If you
have not seen them (they are turquoise) then seek them out. We will have the
conference in the Winter Park landmark, The Langford Hotel. Our keynote
speaker, Rev. Stefan Jonnasen, will lead us in an exploration of our diverse
views and how we honor them without losing our centers. The workshops will
be longer this year and offer more in-depth conversations than in previous
years. Join our extended UU community at this wonderful annual event April
28-29.

I will be sharing volunteer management information among other topics at the
NE Cluster meeting in Ormond Beach. Are you wanting to explore this and
connect to the wider web of our communities? If so, I hope we will see you
there.

If you have elected or are about to elect a new President to lead your
congregation, then you will want to make sure they have the information about
the New President’s Forum. We share resources; best practices; conflict and
leadership information; religious education among other topics. This has
been an invaluable tool for past leaders. Please pass on this flyer to the
appropriate person, if you are not s/he.

There is so much more, so please read through the enclosed pages. We
continue to look at the ways to better serve you, the member congregations.
If you have comments or suggestions on that role, please let us know.

In Faith,

Mary Chulak Higgins