1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:06,440 2 00:00:06,440 --> 00:00:08,189 The Moderator: Now, it's my great pleasure 3 00:00:08,189 --> 00:00:10,830 to welcome the president of our association, the Reverend Peter 4 00:00:10,830 --> 00:00:13,320 Morales, for his report to the delegates. 5 00:00:13,320 --> 00:00:16,408 And he will be joined by some of the senior staff. 6 00:00:16,408 --> 00:00:28,150 [APPLAUSE] 7 00:00:28,150 --> 00:00:30,078 Peter Morales: Good morning. 8 00:00:30,078 --> 00:00:31,320 Audience: Good morning. 9 00:00:31,320 --> 00:00:34,790 Peter Morales: This has been an amazing year of change 10 00:00:34,790 --> 00:00:40,490 for our association, and I would love to tell you all about it-- 11 00:00:40,490 --> 00:00:41,740 but I can't. 12 00:00:41,740 --> 00:00:44,600 There's way too much, and too little time. 13 00:00:44,600 --> 00:00:47,990 But you can read all about the fabulous things your staff has 14 00:00:47,990 --> 00:00:52,180 been doing in the annual report that's on the web. 15 00:00:52,180 --> 00:00:57,300 Instead, I want to tell you about where we are going. 16 00:00:57,300 --> 00:01:01,200 First, we are moving toward greater collaboration 17 00:01:01,200 --> 00:01:04,620 among all of our UUA staff groups. 18 00:01:04,620 --> 00:01:07,270 This is powerfully symbolized by our move 19 00:01:07,270 --> 00:01:11,410 into a modern, open headquarters, 20 00:01:11,410 --> 00:01:14,170 and you'll be seeing more about that later. 21 00:01:14,170 --> 00:01:18,690 The literal removal of walls captures our intent 22 00:01:18,690 --> 00:01:21,460 to work more closely with one another 23 00:01:21,460 --> 00:01:25,900 in order to serve our congregations more effectively. 24 00:01:25,900 --> 00:01:30,890 We now have an energy efficient, accessible place to welcome you 25 00:01:30,890 --> 00:01:34,330 and to celebrate our heritage and our vision. 26 00:01:34,330 --> 00:01:35,840 We've created a headquarters that 27 00:01:35,840 --> 00:01:40,360 embodies our vision for the 21st century. 28 00:01:40,360 --> 00:01:43,670 Second, we are moving toward greater partnership 29 00:01:43,670 --> 00:01:45,650 in the public arena. 30 00:01:45,650 --> 00:01:50,088 Standing on the Side of Love is five years old. 31 00:01:50,088 --> 00:01:58,570 [APPLAUSE] And from its beginning, Standing 32 00:01:58,570 --> 00:02:00,880 on the Side of Love sought partnerships 33 00:02:00,880 --> 00:02:03,670 beyond Unitarian Universalism. 34 00:02:03,670 --> 00:02:06,160 And just look at what has happened, for example, 35 00:02:06,160 --> 00:02:08,300 in the area of marriage equality. 36 00:02:08,300 --> 00:02:11,945 Almost half of all Americans have the full freedom 37 00:02:11,945 --> 00:02:21,470 to marry. [APPLAUSE] That's just amazing. 38 00:02:21,470 --> 00:02:24,240 And we've been at the forefront of that. 39 00:02:24,240 --> 00:02:27,120 A few months ago, UUs from all over 40 00:02:27,120 --> 00:02:32,120 joined in the Mass Moral March in Raleigh, North Carolina. 41 00:02:32,120 --> 00:02:34,805 It may have been the most UUs ever present 42 00:02:34,805 --> 00:02:36,520 at a demonstration. 43 00:02:36,520 --> 00:02:40,960 We think something like 1,500 UUs were there. 44 00:02:40,960 --> 00:02:45,680 Our yellow shirts continue to stand on the side of love, 45 00:02:45,680 --> 00:02:49,470 and we are making a difference. 46 00:02:49,470 --> 00:02:53,780 Standing on the Side of Love is wonderful, 47 00:02:53,780 --> 00:03:01,980 but real love-- true, deep, strong religious love-- 48 00:03:01,980 --> 00:03:04,380 does more than take a stand. 49 00:03:04,380 --> 00:03:07,210 The love that Jesus, and the Buddha, 50 00:03:07,210 --> 00:03:12,780 and Gandhi, and Martin Luther King Junior talked about 51 00:03:12,780 --> 00:03:17,390 is founded on the awareness that we are ultimately 52 00:03:17,390 --> 00:03:20,260 and intimately connected. 53 00:03:20,260 --> 00:03:23,700 That kind of love reaches out. 54 00:03:23,700 --> 00:03:28,660 It is the very nature of love to reach out. 55 00:03:28,660 --> 00:03:32,440 The truth is that for most of us, taking a stand 56 00:03:32,440 --> 00:03:36,570 is a lot easier than reaching out. 57 00:03:36,570 --> 00:03:39,980 We're great at standing on the side of love. 58 00:03:39,980 --> 00:03:41,600 We're not as good at reaching out 59 00:03:41,600 --> 00:03:44,730 to people who we don't know, people 60 00:03:44,730 --> 00:03:49,510 who might disagree with us, people who are different, 61 00:03:49,510 --> 00:03:52,600 people who make us uncomfortable. 62 00:03:52,600 --> 00:03:54,920 And yet, the future of our movement-- 63 00:03:54,920 --> 00:03:58,230 the future of our being able to make a difference in the world 64 00:03:58,230 --> 00:04:00,950 and in the lives of millions of people-- 65 00:04:00,950 --> 00:04:05,820 depends on our learning to reach out. 66 00:04:05,820 --> 00:04:08,630 We're living in the midst of a religious upheaval 67 00:04:08,630 --> 00:04:13,660 unlike anything in the last 1,000 years. 68 00:04:13,660 --> 00:04:14,790 Really. 69 00:04:14,790 --> 00:04:18,120 The religious world is changing faster now 70 00:04:18,120 --> 00:04:20,769 than it did during the Reformation or the Great 71 00:04:20,769 --> 00:04:22,550 Awakening. 72 00:04:22,550 --> 00:04:28,440 We are witnessing nothing less than a mass migration away 73 00:04:28,440 --> 00:04:32,840 from traditional religion and traditional religious 74 00:04:32,840 --> 00:04:34,660 institutions. 75 00:04:34,660 --> 00:04:38,660 Denominations like our United Church of Christ cousins 76 00:04:38,660 --> 00:04:42,860 and Presbyterians lost one quarter of their membership 77 00:04:42,860 --> 00:04:46,020 in just eight years. 78 00:04:46,020 --> 00:04:53,120 America's fastest growing religion is none of the above. 79 00:04:53,120 --> 00:04:56,310 But I believe-- I really believe-- 80 00:04:56,310 --> 00:05:01,850 that this cultural earthquake is a historic opportunity for us. 81 00:05:01,850 --> 00:05:05,500 The culture is moving our way, but it's not 82 00:05:05,500 --> 00:05:09,050 moving into our congregations. 83 00:05:09,050 --> 00:05:11,180 Millions and millions of people align 84 00:05:11,180 --> 00:05:13,310 with our values and beliefs. 85 00:05:13,310 --> 00:05:17,750 They hunger for spiritual depth and religious community. 86 00:05:17,750 --> 00:05:19,530 They want to connect with other people 87 00:05:19,530 --> 00:05:22,580 to work for a world that is just, 88 00:05:22,580 --> 00:05:26,430 compassionate, and sustainable. 89 00:05:26,430 --> 00:05:31,630 And alas, they are deeply suspicious of institutions 90 00:05:31,630 --> 00:05:36,570 that remind them of "church--" at least church as they 91 00:05:36,570 --> 00:05:39,030 have known it. 92 00:05:39,030 --> 00:05:41,960 Love reaches out. 93 00:05:41,960 --> 00:05:45,260 And the flip side is also true. 94 00:05:45,260 --> 00:05:50,840 If it doesn't reach out, it isn't love. 95 00:05:50,840 --> 00:05:53,720 Our Universalist forebears understood this, 96 00:05:53,720 --> 00:05:57,770 and we have to recapture their zeal in taking our message out 97 00:05:57,770 --> 00:06:05,290 into the world. 98 00:06:05,290 --> 00:06:09,090 Everything-- everything that we are doing as your association 99 00:06:09,090 --> 00:06:12,630 staff is aimed at helping our congregations 100 00:06:12,630 --> 00:06:18,830 and our entire movement seize this historic opportunity. 101 00:06:18,830 --> 00:06:21,540 So let me tell you briefly about one initiative we are just 102 00:06:21,540 --> 00:06:24,260 unveiling at this General Assembly. 103 00:06:24,260 --> 00:06:28,310 The UU Ministers Association-- the UUMA-- together 104 00:06:28,310 --> 00:06:31,510 with the UUA is launching a two year program 105 00:06:31,510 --> 00:06:34,030 in entrepreneurial ministry. 106 00:06:34,030 --> 00:06:37,290 This program will take about 30 UU ministers 107 00:06:37,290 --> 00:06:41,800 and religious professionals, along with a few UCC ministers 108 00:06:41,800 --> 00:06:45,500 and reform Jew rabbis-- through a program that's 109 00:06:45,500 --> 00:06:49,580 been designed in collaboration with leading business schools. 110 00:06:49,580 --> 00:06:52,720 We want to take people with a passion for reaching out 111 00:06:52,720 --> 00:06:55,060 in new ways and help them develop 112 00:06:55,060 --> 00:06:59,260 the practical skills to succeed. 113 00:06:59,260 --> 00:07:02,920 But I want to step back from the level of specific programs 114 00:07:02,920 --> 00:07:06,150 and activities, because our real task-- 115 00:07:06,150 --> 00:07:09,970 our true religious challenge-- is 116 00:07:09,970 --> 00:07:14,470 to change our culture so that this movement that we love 117 00:07:14,470 --> 00:07:17,380 can thrive in a new world. 118 00:07:17,380 --> 00:07:23,310 I believe that we have to do three things-- get religion, 119 00:07:23,310 --> 00:07:27,190 grow leaders, and cross borders. 120 00:07:27,190 --> 00:07:32,620 Get religion, grow leaders, cross borders. 121 00:07:32,620 --> 00:07:36,160 And by get religion, I mean living our faith. 122 00:07:36,160 --> 00:07:39,240 And that involves everything from meditation, 123 00:07:39,240 --> 00:07:42,460 to small groups, to spirited worshipped, 124 00:07:42,460 --> 00:07:47,580 to committed public witness, to generous financial support. 125 00:07:47,580 --> 00:07:50,150 We are a religious movement. 126 00:07:50,150 --> 00:07:51,340 We're not a club. 127 00:07:51,340 --> 00:07:53,650 We're not a political action group. 128 00:07:53,650 --> 00:07:58,120 Our story is a story of brave souls giving their lives 129 00:07:58,120 --> 00:08:02,410 in service to something that's far greater than themselves, 130 00:08:02,410 --> 00:08:07,270 and that extends far beyond their lifetimes. 131 00:08:07,270 --> 00:08:09,160 And we have to grow leaders. 132 00:08:09,160 --> 00:08:12,220 That means identifying people with passion, commitment, 133 00:08:12,220 --> 00:08:15,930 and competence, and then supporting them. 134 00:08:15,930 --> 00:08:18,040 That means nurturing youth leaders, 135 00:08:18,040 --> 00:08:22,090 supporting our seminaries, developing lay leaders. 136 00:08:22,090 --> 00:08:26,650 And growing leaders also means allowing leaders to lead. 137 00:08:26,650 --> 00:08:30,720 It means supporting innovation and taking some risks. 138 00:08:30,720 --> 00:08:34,520 We cannot dis-empower our leaders and allow ourselves 139 00:08:34,520 --> 00:08:38,470 to get caught up in endless process and discussion 140 00:08:38,470 --> 00:08:40,746 and debate. 141 00:08:40,746 --> 00:08:48,410 [APPLAUSE] 142 00:08:48,410 --> 00:08:50,950 And third, we have to cross borders. 143 00:08:50,950 --> 00:08:53,350 If we're to prosper in this new world, 144 00:08:53,350 --> 00:08:57,480 we have to learn to cross the borders of race, of culture, 145 00:08:57,480 --> 00:08:59,660 of social class. 146 00:08:59,660 --> 00:09:03,120 Ultimately, this is deep spiritual work. 147 00:09:03,120 --> 00:09:08,250 Crossing borders-- reaching across borders-- takes courage. 148 00:09:08,250 --> 00:09:11,560 Crossing borders always changes us. 149 00:09:11,560 --> 00:09:14,240 We must be open to that change. 150 00:09:14,240 --> 00:09:16,480 We're making progress in doing this. 151 00:09:16,480 --> 00:09:19,060 Just look at Justice GA a couple of years ago 152 00:09:19,060 --> 00:09:21,710 and the College of Social Justice trips. 153 00:09:21,710 --> 00:09:26,160 When love reaches out, it crosses borders. 154 00:09:26,160 --> 00:09:30,580 Get religion, grow leaders, cross borders-- 155 00:09:30,580 --> 00:09:34,030 it informs everything that we do. 156 00:09:34,030 --> 00:09:37,280 Now, I'm blessed to work with passionate, capable, 157 00:09:37,280 --> 00:09:39,910 and creative colleagues in our staff, 158 00:09:39,910 --> 00:09:42,510 and I want you to hear from a few of them. 159 00:09:42,510 --> 00:09:46,530 And I've asked them to share, in two minutes, what 160 00:09:46,530 --> 00:09:49,420 they are excited about as they look ahead. 161 00:09:49,420 --> 00:09:51,710 Let me introduce them to you. 162 00:09:51,710 --> 00:09:55,101 Sarah Lammert is Director of Ministries and Faith 163 00:09:55,101 --> 00:09:55,600 Development. 164 00:09:55,600 --> 00:09:59,690 [APPLAUSE] 165 00:09:59,690 --> 00:10:03,060 Hold your applause till the end, if you can. 166 00:10:03,060 --> 00:10:05,360 Taquiena Boston leads our Multicultural Growth 167 00:10:05,360 --> 00:10:07,830 and Witness staff group. 168 00:10:07,830 --> 00:10:10,780 Scott Tayler leads our field staff 169 00:10:10,780 --> 00:10:14,330 as Director of Congregational Life. 170 00:10:14,330 --> 00:10:17,950 Terasa Cooley is our Program and Strategy Officer. 171 00:10:17,950 --> 00:10:20,260 She coordinates all our program areas 172 00:10:20,260 --> 00:10:22,460 and our strategic initiatives. 173 00:10:22,460 --> 00:10:26,380 And Harlan Limpert is chief operating officer, and actually 174 00:10:26,380 --> 00:10:29,600 the wizard behind the curtain at the UUA. 175 00:10:29,600 --> 00:10:31,160 We'll begin with Sarah Lammert. 176 00:10:31,160 --> 00:10:38,964 [APPLAUSE] 177 00:10:38,964 --> 00:10:40,380 Sarah Lammert: Bucky McKeeman used 178 00:10:40,380 --> 00:10:47,270 to say that ministry is the best seat in the theater of life. 179 00:10:47,270 --> 00:10:50,780 One of the best parts of my job leading our Ministries 180 00:10:50,780 --> 00:10:55,210 and Faith Development staff team is getting a front row seat 181 00:10:55,210 --> 00:10:59,870 in supporting two forming edges of our faith-- military 182 00:10:59,870 --> 00:11:05,420 ministry and summer seminary for our youth. 183 00:11:05,420 --> 00:11:09,460 Here I am in New Mexico with our military chaplains 184 00:11:09,460 --> 00:11:12,450 on a retreat where we joined with our United 185 00:11:12,450 --> 00:11:16,740 Church of Christ colleagues to learn about moral injury 186 00:11:16,740 --> 00:11:20,290 and to create collegial networks. 187 00:11:20,290 --> 00:11:24,830 Particularly in the post Defense of Marriage Act climate, 188 00:11:24,830 --> 00:11:27,520 it is critical that the welcoming and affirming 189 00:11:27,520 --> 00:11:29,920 chaplains have the support that they 190 00:11:29,920 --> 00:11:34,130 need to attend to the spiritual needs of all of our service 191 00:11:34,130 --> 00:11:40,290 members, and particularly those who identify as GLBT. 192 00:11:40,290 --> 00:11:43,710 Join us tonight at the Service of the Living Tradition 193 00:11:43,710 --> 00:11:45,860 to learn more from Chaplain Rebecca 194 00:11:45,860 --> 00:11:51,510 Montgomery about your place in this important ministry. 195 00:11:51,510 --> 00:11:56,800 No program at the UUA gets me more excited than our summer 196 00:11:56,800 --> 00:12:00,830 seminary for youth who feel called to the ministry 197 00:12:00,830 --> 00:12:04,550 or to leadership in religious education. 198 00:12:04,550 --> 00:12:09,050 Here you see our 2013 graduates at Emerson Chapel 199 00:12:09,050 --> 00:12:11,570 at the Harvard Divinity School. 200 00:12:11,570 --> 00:12:14,150 Summer seminary offers youth a chance 201 00:12:14,150 --> 00:12:16,600 to meet with religious professionals, 202 00:12:16,600 --> 00:12:21,810 seminary representatives, participate in a preach off, 203 00:12:21,810 --> 00:12:26,190 and to be taken seriously as leaders of today. 204 00:12:26,190 --> 00:12:29,192 Love made real, indeed. 205 00:12:29,192 --> 00:12:37,880 [APPLAUSE] 206 00:12:37,880 --> 00:12:41,280 Taquiena Boston: I am excited about how the UUA is growing 207 00:12:41,280 --> 00:12:45,020 leaders through two initiatives. 208 00:12:45,020 --> 00:12:51,920 First, the annual Finding Our Way Home retreat, 209 00:12:51,920 --> 00:12:54,730 and the Mosaic Makers conferences 210 00:12:54,730 --> 00:12:58,570 sponsored in partnership with congregations-- UU 211 00:12:58,570 --> 00:13:00,310 congregations. 212 00:13:00,310 --> 00:13:03,610 Equipping leaders is essential to transforming 213 00:13:03,610 --> 00:13:06,680 Unitarian Universalism. 214 00:13:06,680 --> 00:13:10,030 Last March, our Finding Our Way Home 215 00:13:10,030 --> 00:13:14,720 gathered more than 70 religious professionals and seminarians 216 00:13:14,720 --> 00:13:20,450 of color worshipping, fellowshiping, and witnessing 217 00:13:20,450 --> 00:13:23,930 with Boston youth for Living Wage. 218 00:13:23,930 --> 00:13:27,820 Their ministries represent one of the leading 219 00:13:27,820 --> 00:13:31,694 edges of Unitarian Universalism. 220 00:13:31,694 --> 00:13:38,810 [APPLAUSE] 221 00:13:38,810 --> 00:13:44,370 Mosaic Makers Leading Vital Multicultural Congregations. 222 00:13:44,370 --> 00:13:50,880 This conference drew 120 UU professional and lay leaders 223 00:13:50,880 --> 00:13:54,290 in dynamic community to learn from each other 224 00:13:54,290 --> 00:13:58,420 how to start, live into, and sustain 225 00:13:58,420 --> 00:14:02,600 vital multicultural ministries grounded in justice 226 00:14:02,600 --> 00:14:06,510 and social movement building. 227 00:14:06,510 --> 00:14:09,890 These UU leaders are building a new way 228 00:14:09,890 --> 00:14:12,640 in Unitarian Universalism. 229 00:14:12,640 --> 00:14:17,770 They are examples of how our faith can nurture the spirit, 230 00:14:17,770 --> 00:14:21,810 cross borders, and heal our broken world 231 00:14:21,810 --> 00:14:28,130 in multiple languages of spirituality and culture. 232 00:14:28,130 --> 00:14:31,590 And we've heard your request to join in this work, 233 00:14:31,590 --> 00:14:35,370 so in the next three years, Mosaic Makers 234 00:14:35,370 --> 00:14:39,740 will expand to engage more UU congregations 235 00:14:39,740 --> 00:14:46,550 and leaders at General Assembly, at regional gatherings, 236 00:14:46,550 --> 00:14:49,680 and in interfaith partnerships. 237 00:14:49,680 --> 00:14:54,490 So come, bring your ideas, share your learning. 238 00:14:54,490 --> 00:14:59,420 We will grow leaders and cross borders together. 239 00:14:59,420 --> 00:15:03,280 Multicultural ministries and social justice 240 00:15:03,280 --> 00:15:08,484 are two wings of our beloved community. 241 00:15:08,484 --> 00:15:18,816 [APPLAUSE] 242 00:15:18,816 --> 00:15:22,090 Scott Tayler: Well, I definitely want to second Sarah's comment 243 00:15:22,090 --> 00:15:24,400 about the best seat in the house. 244 00:15:24,400 --> 00:15:28,430 And for me, that involves sitting-- well, standing, 245 00:15:28,430 --> 00:15:32,970 really-- alongside others as we pursue major structural changes 246 00:15:32,970 --> 00:15:35,120 out in the field. 247 00:15:35,120 --> 00:15:37,860 Two in particular come to mind. 248 00:15:37,860 --> 00:15:41,430 The first is regionalization-- a national effort 249 00:15:41,430 --> 00:15:45,350 to move from 19 districts into five 250 00:15:45,350 --> 00:15:48,840 stronger, more aligned regions. 251 00:15:48,840 --> 00:15:51,720 This is allowing us to reduce redundancies and take 252 00:15:51,720 --> 00:15:54,690 advantage of economies of scale. 253 00:15:54,690 --> 00:15:59,120 Each region is embodying this shift in their own unique way, 254 00:15:59,120 --> 00:16:04,610 but all-- all-- involve freeing our wonderful field staff 255 00:16:04,610 --> 00:16:08,610 to join together into larger, more creative and flexible 256 00:16:08,610 --> 00:16:09,800 teams. 257 00:16:09,800 --> 00:16:13,650 It also involves a number of district boards combining 258 00:16:13,650 --> 00:16:16,350 into single regional boards, thereby 259 00:16:16,350 --> 00:16:21,760 freeing-- freeing up lay leaders to join staff in direct service 260 00:16:21,760 --> 00:16:23,980 to our congregations. 261 00:16:23,980 --> 00:16:27,810 The second structural change involves a growing number 262 00:16:27,810 --> 00:16:30,820 of our churches reorganizing themselves 263 00:16:30,820 --> 00:16:35,120 into networks of congregations-- a trend many 264 00:16:35,120 --> 00:16:38,660 are calling the multi-site movement. 265 00:16:38,660 --> 00:16:42,070 This, too, is taking many different forms-- satellite, 266 00:16:42,070 --> 00:16:43,950 staff sharing, mergers. 267 00:16:43,950 --> 00:16:47,420 The slogan of these innovative congregational networks 268 00:16:47,420 --> 00:16:53,050 is "One church in many locations." 269 00:16:53,050 --> 00:16:55,300 And friends, it would be easy, I think, 270 00:16:55,300 --> 00:16:57,720 to see both of these organizational changes 271 00:16:57,720 --> 00:17:00,960 as simply about increased efficiency. 272 00:17:00,960 --> 00:17:05,290 But from where I sit, I see something deeper. 273 00:17:05,290 --> 00:17:09,319 Our structures are finally and more boldly 274 00:17:09,319 --> 00:17:12,010 embodying our theology. 275 00:17:12,010 --> 00:17:15,230 We are moving from structures of independence 276 00:17:15,230 --> 00:17:19,520 to structures of greater interdependence. 277 00:17:19,520 --> 00:17:22,900 We've always known that we are stronger together. 278 00:17:22,900 --> 00:17:27,583 More and more, we are living that powerful truth. 279 00:17:27,583 --> 00:17:37,449 [APPLAUSE] 280 00:17:37,449 --> 00:17:38,990 Terasa Cooley: I'm excited that there 281 00:17:38,990 --> 00:17:42,850 are great new opportunities to build a Unitarian Universalist 282 00:17:42,850 --> 00:17:46,570 community literally at our fingertips. 283 00:17:46,570 --> 00:17:49,530 You see how it works? 284 00:17:49,530 --> 00:17:51,630 Advances in internet technology are 285 00:17:51,630 --> 00:17:54,740 allowing us to construct a brand new website that 286 00:17:54,740 --> 00:17:57,030 will be far more interactive than we've ever 287 00:17:57,030 --> 00:17:59,620 been able to have before. 288 00:17:59,620 --> 00:18:03,810 Not only will our new site be cleaner, easier to navigate, 289 00:18:03,810 --> 00:18:06,640 and easier to adapt quickly, it'll 290 00:18:06,640 --> 00:18:11,220 be a tool that you can use-- that everyone can use-- 291 00:18:11,220 --> 00:18:14,820 to connect with Unitarian Universalists or seekers 292 00:18:14,820 --> 00:18:17,790 anywhere and everywhere. 293 00:18:17,790 --> 00:18:20,420 You will be able to create a profile, 294 00:18:20,420 --> 00:18:25,560 register your interests, join or start a discussion group, 295 00:18:25,560 --> 00:18:30,960 upload your videos of your proudest moments as UUs. 296 00:18:30,960 --> 00:18:33,720 And online, also at your fingertips, 297 00:18:33,720 --> 00:18:42,440 with our new Faithify program, the first ever denominationally 298 00:18:42,440 --> 00:18:44,830 affiliated crowd-funding platform. 299 00:18:44,830 --> 00:18:48,410 You can present or fund bold experiments 300 00:18:48,410 --> 00:18:52,620 that will help us cross geographies and generations, 301 00:18:52,620 --> 00:18:56,240 galvanizing the power of the crowd to fuel our faith. 302 00:18:56,240 --> 00:19:03,102 In its first 36 hours, Faithify has already raised $12,300. 303 00:19:03,102 --> 00:19:09,360 [APPLAUSE] 304 00:19:09,360 --> 00:19:12,290 Imagine being able to immediately put out 305 00:19:12,290 --> 00:19:15,870 a call to action on an important justice issue 306 00:19:15,870 --> 00:19:19,470 to all UUs in your community. 307 00:19:19,470 --> 00:19:22,690 Imagine being able to organize a new congregation beginning 308 00:19:22,690 --> 00:19:27,420 with the people that you already know to be UUs in your area. 309 00:19:27,420 --> 00:19:30,190 Imagine being able to join an online small group 310 00:19:30,190 --> 00:19:35,050 ministry with people around the world. 311 00:19:35,050 --> 00:19:37,620 Imagine being able to find funding and support 312 00:19:37,620 --> 00:19:41,530 for your innovative project on Faithify. 313 00:19:41,530 --> 00:19:45,560 Imagine going through a rough personal time 314 00:19:45,560 --> 00:19:49,160 and immediately being able to access inspirational messages 315 00:19:49,160 --> 00:19:53,250 that can speak directly to your heart. 316 00:19:53,250 --> 00:19:56,190 All of our program staff will be busy over the next few months 317 00:19:56,190 --> 00:20:00,760 reorganizing and reorienting our content toward these purposes, 318 00:20:00,760 --> 00:20:02,850 giving you the resources and connections 319 00:20:02,850 --> 00:20:07,240 that you need to do your ministry in the world. 320 00:20:07,240 --> 00:20:09,570 And we've created a new outreach office 321 00:20:09,570 --> 00:20:12,620 and hired a fabulous new director of outreach, Carey 322 00:20:12,620 --> 00:20:23,410 McDonald, to help us develop a comprehensive strategic plan 323 00:20:23,410 --> 00:20:26,780 for communicating to UUs and beyond, 324 00:20:26,780 --> 00:20:28,970 to all those who share our values 325 00:20:28,970 --> 00:20:31,750 but may not be sitting in our pews. 326 00:20:31,750 --> 00:20:36,150 All of this will be coming soon to a computer, a smartphone, 327 00:20:36,150 --> 00:20:39,282 or a tablet near you. 328 00:20:39,282 --> 00:20:47,630 [APPLAUSE] 329 00:20:47,630 --> 00:20:50,280 Harlan Limpert: In my almost 40 years of ministry, 330 00:20:50,280 --> 00:20:53,070 coordinating the move to our new headquarters in Boston's 331 00:20:53,070 --> 00:20:56,850 Innovation District is by far the most exciting project 332 00:20:56,850 --> 00:20:58,540 I've ever led. 333 00:20:58,540 --> 00:21:01,070 A major role of any chief operating officer 334 00:21:01,070 --> 00:21:04,200 is to shape the culture of an organization 335 00:21:04,200 --> 00:21:06,610 and to set the tone for how staff 336 00:21:06,610 --> 00:21:10,120 work to serve its mission. 337 00:21:10,120 --> 00:21:12,800 Your committed UUA staff have always done their best 338 00:21:12,800 --> 00:21:16,530 to work collaboratively, even in buildings better suited 339 00:21:16,530 --> 00:21:20,830 for the 19th century, not the 21st century. 340 00:21:20,830 --> 00:21:25,060 Now, after 100 years, we have a space 341 00:21:25,060 --> 00:21:28,730 that enables us to support you and the congregations 342 00:21:28,730 --> 00:21:31,830 you lead even better. 343 00:21:31,830 --> 00:21:34,120 Our new headquarters has an open layout, 344 00:21:34,120 --> 00:21:37,540 encouraging the sharing of information and collaboration 345 00:21:37,540 --> 00:21:39,500 among staff. 346 00:21:39,500 --> 00:21:43,090 With the newest technology, we easily communicate with leaders 347 00:21:43,090 --> 00:21:47,170 all over the continent and all over the world. 348 00:21:47,170 --> 00:21:51,330 The building will be LEED certified by the United States 349 00:21:51,330 --> 00:21:54,380 Green Building Council, showing our commitment 350 00:21:54,380 --> 00:21:57,384 to the environment. 351 00:21:57,384 --> 00:22:03,530 [APPLAUSE] 352 00:22:03,530 --> 00:22:06,920 And with the new entrance completed this summer, 353 00:22:06,920 --> 00:22:11,488 our building will be accessible and welcoming to all. 354 00:22:11,488 --> 00:22:16,710 [APPLAUSE] 355 00:22:16,710 --> 00:22:20,440 We are modeling a faith that lives and breathes 356 00:22:20,440 --> 00:22:26,610 community, relevance, engagement and spirit. 357 00:22:26,610 --> 00:22:30,240 In just two months, the change has been remarkable. 358 00:22:30,240 --> 00:22:35,550 Our new space will help us serve all of Unitarian Universalism. 359 00:22:35,550 --> 00:22:39,040 I want to share a video with you just released minutes 360 00:22:39,040 --> 00:22:44,340 ago-- moments ago-- on the UUA's Facebook page about our move 361 00:22:44,340 --> 00:22:49,196 to 24 Farnsworth Street. 362 00:22:49,196 --> 00:23:01,360 [VIDEO PLAYBACK] 363 00:23:01,360 --> 00:23:03,140 -John Hurley, our head of communications, 364 00:23:03,140 --> 00:23:04,090 did some research. 365 00:23:04,090 --> 00:23:06,410 And he found an article about the move 366 00:23:06,410 --> 00:23:08,820 from the previous building to this one, 367 00:23:08,820 --> 00:23:10,670 and the reasons are almost exactly the same. 368 00:23:10,670 --> 00:23:13,590 It was about wanting to move into more modern space, 369 00:23:13,590 --> 00:23:16,200 that the old space didn't fit the needs of the organization 370 00:23:16,200 --> 00:23:19,310 at the time, it was limiting the way they could work. 371 00:23:19,310 --> 00:23:21,620 I mean, it was something that he or I 372 00:23:21,620 --> 00:23:23,520 could have written about this move. 373 00:23:23,520 --> 00:23:39,460 [MUSIC PLAYING] 374 00:23:39,460 --> 00:23:41,460 Amazing things have happened in these buildings, 375 00:23:41,460 --> 00:23:44,160 and they're rich with tradition and history. 376 00:23:44,160 --> 00:23:47,970 The Pentagon Papers publishing decision was made here. 377 00:23:47,970 --> 00:23:49,850 We've been leaders in civil rights 378 00:23:49,850 --> 00:23:53,470 and women's rights and LGBT rights. 379 00:23:53,470 --> 00:23:57,430 One of the first same sex marriages in the country 380 00:23:57,430 --> 00:23:59,830 happened right here, on the second floor. 381 00:23:59,830 --> 00:24:02,165 So much has happened here, but we 382 00:24:02,165 --> 00:24:03,540 get to take that history with us. 383 00:24:03,540 --> 00:24:05,970 The history is alive, and it's with us. 384 00:24:05,970 --> 00:24:07,220 It's not part of the building. 385 00:24:07,220 --> 00:24:09,313 It's part of who we are, as our identity. 386 00:24:09,313 --> 00:24:16,558 -Real fragile stuff. 387 00:24:16,558 --> 00:24:19,940 -Oh, thank Jesus. 388 00:24:19,940 --> 00:24:22,390 -We've always been a faith movement 389 00:24:22,390 --> 00:24:24,170 that looks to the future-- that sees 390 00:24:24,170 --> 00:24:25,840 new possibilities in the future. 391 00:24:25,840 --> 00:24:26,710 This is who we are. 392 00:24:26,710 --> 00:24:28,615 We're people who look ahead, who innovative, 393 00:24:28,615 --> 00:24:31,940 and who seize opportunity. 394 00:24:31,940 --> 00:24:34,280 -Environmental sustainability is absolutely 395 00:24:34,280 --> 00:24:37,520 a part of what we do, and it's a part of what UUA does. 396 00:24:37,520 --> 00:24:42,260 If we're only worried about pollution or carbon dioxide 397 00:24:42,260 --> 00:24:45,490 or greenhouse gases, reusing an existing building 398 00:24:45,490 --> 00:24:49,530 is one of the greenest things you can do. 399 00:24:49,530 --> 00:24:51,830 -One of the parts of the new headquarters I'm really 400 00:24:51,830 --> 00:24:54,090 excited about is our Heritage and Vision Center 401 00:24:54,090 --> 00:24:56,044 that we're going to have right as you come in. 402 00:24:56,044 --> 00:24:57,710 It's really going to be a showcase where 403 00:24:57,710 --> 00:25:02,210 we can show not only our history that we're proud of, but things 404 00:25:02,210 --> 00:25:05,220 that are going on now and our aspirations for the future, 405 00:25:05,220 --> 00:25:10,290 and to make this interactive the way it is in a modern museum. 406 00:25:10,290 --> 00:25:13,140 -You'll enter into a gathering space-- 407 00:25:13,140 --> 00:25:16,070 an area that starts to tell the story of UUA. 408 00:25:16,070 --> 00:25:18,720 And the stairs that lead up to the chapel 409 00:25:18,720 --> 00:25:21,125 are immediately adjacent to that, 410 00:25:21,125 --> 00:25:22,830 and part of the experience. 411 00:25:22,830 --> 00:25:27,514 We feel like the chapel is the heart of the building. 412 00:25:27,514 --> 00:25:28,930 -We're going to have a chapel that 413 00:25:28,930 --> 00:25:32,990 allows us to have all kinds of meetings, 414 00:25:32,990 --> 00:25:36,070 to be a real center for Unitarian Universalism, 415 00:25:36,070 --> 00:25:38,290 to use technology to broadcast what we're 416 00:25:38,290 --> 00:25:42,170 doing to all our people in the country. 417 00:25:42,170 --> 00:26:11,990 [MUSIC PLAYING] 418 00:26:11,990 --> 00:26:13,670 -Our new offices are going to be in what 419 00:26:13,670 --> 00:26:16,595 has been called Boston's Innovation District, 420 00:26:16,595 --> 00:26:19,360 and I love that name because it's 421 00:26:19,360 --> 00:26:21,610 all about innovation for us. 422 00:26:21,610 --> 00:26:24,500 We have an opportunity, as Unitarian Universalists, 423 00:26:24,500 --> 00:26:29,030 to play a far larger role in the life of this country. 424 00:26:29,030 --> 00:26:32,030 Our values of openness and acceptance 425 00:26:32,030 --> 00:26:34,350 are really where the culture is going, 426 00:26:34,350 --> 00:26:36,860 but we need to adapt and to change in order 427 00:26:36,860 --> 00:26:39,160 to take advantage of this opportunity. 428 00:26:39,160 --> 00:26:41,250 And to do that, we have to be agile. 429 00:26:41,250 --> 00:26:43,585 And that's what this building is going to let us do. 430 00:26:43,585 --> 00:26:45,490 It's going to let us collaborate in ways 431 00:26:45,490 --> 00:26:48,070 we've never been able to do before. 432 00:26:48,070 --> 00:26:50,240 It's going to have modern technology. 433 00:26:50,240 --> 00:26:53,850 It's going to allow us to have a much more interactive 434 00:26:53,850 --> 00:27:01,770 and dynamic organization. 435 00:27:01,770 --> 00:27:05,740 It's going to be a wonderful and engaging place for people 436 00:27:05,740 --> 00:27:08,890 of all ages to visit, and I'm hoping thousands and thousands 437 00:27:08,890 --> 00:27:12,619 of UUs come and visit their new home once it's ready. 438 00:27:12,619 --> 00:27:22,972 [MUSIC PLAYING] 439 00:27:22,972 --> 00:27:37,762 [APPLAUSE] 440 00:27:37,762 --> 00:27:40,270 [END VIDEO PLAYBACK] 441 00:27:40,270 --> 00:27:43,930 Peter Morales: So I invite you to go to UUA's Facebook page 442 00:27:43,930 --> 00:27:46,190 and like and share that video, and share 443 00:27:46,190 --> 00:27:49,160 the news about our new headquarters. 444 00:27:49,160 --> 00:27:53,710 Your UUA staff has done heroic work this year. 445 00:27:53,710 --> 00:27:57,710 Your Boston based staff has had to do all of their regular work 446 00:27:57,710 --> 00:28:02,670 and pack and move just before General Assembly. 447 00:28:02,670 --> 00:28:06,490 You have a terrific staff, and I would like our staff 448 00:28:06,490 --> 00:28:08,320 to rise as you're able, and receive 449 00:28:08,320 --> 00:28:10,064 the acknowledgement of everyone here. 450 00:28:10,064 --> 00:28:11,105 They're right over there. 451 00:28:11,105 --> 00:28:39,810 [APPLAUSE] 452 00:28:39,810 --> 00:28:42,780 We have a historic opportunity. 453 00:28:42,780 --> 00:28:46,840 We have the capacity to reach out in love and touch 454 00:28:46,840 --> 00:28:51,410 millions of lives, and to help transform our world. 455 00:28:51,410 --> 00:28:55,530 But we can only do this by working together. 456 00:28:55,530 --> 00:28:57,900 We at headquarters can't do it. 457 00:28:57,900 --> 00:29:01,010 Our field staff can't do it. 458 00:29:01,010 --> 00:29:05,550 You can't do it alone, or even in your congregation. 459 00:29:05,550 --> 00:29:10,620 But together-- together, we can do wonderful things. 460 00:29:10,620 --> 00:29:14,110 We've proved that over and over. 461 00:29:14,110 --> 00:29:18,910 I want to challenge every person here, and every congregation, 462 00:29:18,910 --> 00:29:20,380 and every group. 463 00:29:20,380 --> 00:29:26,370 What can you do to help to seize this historic opportunity? 464 00:29:26,370 --> 00:29:31,210 Who do you need to partner with to make it happen? 465 00:29:31,210 --> 00:29:34,500 What are you going to do to get religion, grow 466 00:29:34,500 --> 00:29:37,450 leaders, and cross borders? 467 00:29:37,450 --> 00:29:43,340 What are we going to do together to let our love reach out? 468 00:29:43,340 --> 00:29:46,710 Let's do amazing things together. 469 00:29:46,710 --> 00:29:48,032 Thank you very much. 470 00:29:48,032 --> 00:30:07,240 [APPLAUSE] 471 00:30:07,240 --> 00:30:12,460 But now, like Steve Jobs, I have one more thing. 472 00:30:12,460 --> 00:30:15,970 I want to take a moment to thank and to introduce a man who, 473 00:30:15,970 --> 00:30:20,980 for the past 20 years, has been on your UUA staff, 474 00:30:20,980 --> 00:30:24,520 and for more than a decade, has led the efforts to fund 475 00:30:24,520 --> 00:30:26,900 all of our good work. 476 00:30:26,900 --> 00:30:30,180 All of what we do-- our national and international 477 00:30:30,180 --> 00:30:33,030 public witness work, train and certify 478 00:30:33,030 --> 00:30:36,400 religious professionals, work with congregation, 479 00:30:36,400 --> 00:30:40,140 develop resources like OWL and Tapestry of Faith 480 00:30:40,140 --> 00:30:43,150 can't happen without funding. 481 00:30:43,150 --> 00:30:47,280 It takes a special person to be able to listen to you 482 00:30:47,280 --> 00:30:51,720 and support your passion and our shared vision by raising 483 00:30:51,720 --> 00:30:53,600 the funds that we need. 484 00:30:53,600 --> 00:30:55,290 As head of stewardship and development, 485 00:30:55,290 --> 00:30:57,910 the Reverend Terry Sweetser has helped 486 00:30:57,910 --> 00:31:02,370 us to raise more than $200 million from our congregations 487 00:31:02,370 --> 00:31:06,270 and from almost 100,000 individual donors. 488 00:31:06,270 --> 00:31:10,640 He's traveled more than a million miles-- 489 00:31:10,640 --> 00:31:14,180 that's around the earth about 42 times. 490 00:31:14,180 --> 00:31:16,130 I shudder to think of how many times 491 00:31:16,130 --> 00:31:19,472 Terry has gone through airport security. 492 00:31:19,472 --> 00:31:21,260 [LAUGHTER] 493 00:31:21,260 --> 00:31:24,650 For your many contributions, for your UUA career 494 00:31:24,650 --> 00:31:27,330 filled with commitment and dedication to our faith, 495 00:31:27,330 --> 00:31:28,510 I thank you. 496 00:31:28,510 --> 00:31:30,400 Terry, we're all in your debt. 497 00:31:30,400 --> 00:31:33,390 Please accept our thanks and share a few words with us. 498 00:31:33,390 --> 00:31:39,640 Terry Sweetser, who just repelled off also 499 00:31:39,640 --> 00:31:41,202 the Convention Center. 500 00:31:41,202 --> 00:31:49,566 [APPLAUSE] 501 00:31:49,566 --> 00:31:56,470 Terry Sweetser: Thank you. 502 00:31:56,470 --> 00:32:01,500 Sometimes we don't know how generous we really 503 00:32:01,500 --> 00:32:07,110 are, but our congregations-- our Unitarian Universalist 504 00:32:07,110 --> 00:32:11,690 congregations-- are incredibly generous, 505 00:32:11,690 --> 00:32:17,150 and they share with us to make wonderful things happen-- 506 00:32:17,150 --> 00:32:19,940 the things you've heard about today. 507 00:32:19,940 --> 00:32:22,960 We have individuals who give large gifts 508 00:32:22,960 --> 00:32:27,730 and who give small gifts, and they make a huge difference. 509 00:32:27,730 --> 00:32:32,350 We have foundations and special congregations 510 00:32:32,350 --> 00:32:37,130 who partner with us and with all of Unitarian Universalism 511 00:32:37,130 --> 00:32:39,110 to make a difference. 512 00:32:39,110 --> 00:32:45,670 It is just so moving to have been 513 00:32:45,670 --> 00:32:50,700 able to be a part of that for these many years. 514 00:32:50,700 --> 00:32:53,890 You've welcomed me into your congregations-- 515 00:32:53,890 --> 00:32:55,860 into your homes. 516 00:32:55,860 --> 00:32:59,800 We've had a few meals out together, 517 00:32:59,800 --> 00:33:07,240 which I'll be trying to lose over the next few years. 518 00:33:07,240 --> 00:33:11,880 I am succeeded by the Reverend Mary Katherine 519 00:33:11,880 --> 00:33:22,010 Morn, who will bring wonderful leadership to this work. 520 00:33:22,010 --> 00:33:31,050 I hope she will go over the edge in hope and land, as I have, 521 00:33:31,050 --> 00:33:31,920 in love. 522 00:33:31,920 --> 00:33:33,825 Thank you. 523 00:33:33,825 --> 00:33:44,980 [APPLAUSE] 524 00:33:44,980 --> 00:33:48,270 The Moderator: And let me add my thanks for Terry's service, 525 00:33:48,270 --> 00:33:49,610 as well. 526 00:33:49,610 --> 00:33:51,490 I'll always remember when I was-- 527 00:33:51,490 --> 00:33:54,500 my first-- his first comments to me when my first trip to Boston 528 00:33:54,500 --> 00:33:56,170 as the new moderator. 529 00:33:56,170 --> 00:33:58,100 He took my hand and he clasped them in his. 530 00:33:58,100 --> 00:34:00,660 He looked into my eyes, and he said, "Have you 531 00:34:00,660 --> 00:34:06,060 become a member of the legacy society? 532 00:34:06,060 --> 00:34:10,060 Have you included the UUA in your will?" 533 00:34:10,060 --> 00:34:11,110 How sweet is that? 534 00:34:11,110 --> 00:34:12,130 How sweet is that? 535 00:34:12,130 --> 00:34:14,880 [LAUGHTER] 536 00:34:14,880 --> 00:34:17,937