Monday, July 12, 2010

Thanks For Helping Make GA Happen!

It's been a whirlwind for me coming home from GA and diving right in to my summer travels. I wanted to relay a quick update to all y'all who have contributed to this project.

What we accomplished as the Free Unitarian Universalist Network:

• Organizations like FUUN, working independently and in right relationship with current UU institutions, are emerging on the national scene with equal significance to regional and national UUYAN + the UUA YaYA office.

• We made connections with the folks organizing the independent non-profit MUUYAN - the Mitten UU Young Adult Network - in Michigan. We have the conversation open to creating a national alliance of such organizations.

• We met folks both in national and congregational leadership that are doing fantastic work within the circle tradition. One young leader said to me: "I have feeling that circle worship will be the norm in 20 years."

• We also learned of folks outside of Unitarian Universalism who have used our circle traditions, as they are "for everybody."


What we accomplished as the Lighthouse Project:

• We found connections with emerging co-operatives in Boston and a minister in Queens who is offering his parish house as a community house, both of whom have also partnered with their local Moishe House for events.

• We also found potential houses in Boulder, CO and Kansas City, and planted seeds in the Twin Cities, Chicago, Ohio, and Olympia, WA.

• The pieces of the national house network have strong foundations, similar intentions, and the potential to grow rapidly.

Again, a big thank you to everyone who contributed funds to make the booth happen. The booth was super-effective at inspiring new people to get involved in the house network by starting houses. I'm excited at the direction we're going. Thanks, y'all!