Welcome to Joseph Priestley District Lifespan Faith Development News.
This issue is packed with information about opportunities for personal
and professional growth and change, as well as a note about changes
with our Unitarian Universalist Association.  Read about the Music &
Worship Arts Festival (registration deadline this Monday morning), a
sample of job openings at UU congregations, training and leadership
development opportunities, youth and young adult ministry, and my
upcoming calendar.  Let me know what's useful and what's not.  You may
call me at 202-262-0485 or e-mail me at l...@jpduua.org.

OPPORTUNITY OF THE WEEK
Music & Worship Arts Festival February 23
The 2008 JPD Music & Worship Arts Festival will be hosted by the
Unitarian Society of Germantown in Philadelphia.  This year's festival
features the fabulous Jeannie Gagné, known for her teaching ability,
world-class performances, and passion for UU contemporary worship.
Volunteers and staff are working hard to make this year's festival the
most welcoming ever for youth and young adult leaders. Visit http://jpduua.org
to download the flyer and registration form.  Registrations are due
February 17.  Since that's a Sunday, deadline is extended through
Monday morning. Consider investing $35 or $40 in worship leaders of
all ages.

JOBS

All Souls Church, DC, Youth Leader
All Souls Church, Unitarian, in Washington, DC, seeks a part-time
professional Youth Leader.  The current position is 6-7 hours per
week, two Sundays per month, and is expected to grow.  Wages are $16/
hour.  Must be at least 25 years of age.  Contact Gabrielle Farrell,
Director of Religious Education Ministries, 202.332.5266 x112, for
more information.

First U Wilmington Youth Coordinator
Applicants who have a solid familiarity with Unitarian Universalism
and good administrative skills are invited to apply for the position
of Youth Coordinator at the First Unitarian Church of Wilmington, DE.
This part-time position will involve about 20 hours per month,
including most Sundays as well as overnights, camping trips, and
intergenerational events.  Contact Catherine Williamson, Director of
Religious Education at Cather...@firstuuwilm.org for more
information.

First UU Columbus, Ohio, DRE
The First Unitarian Universalist Church in Columbus, Ohio, is seeking
a full-time Director of Religious Education.  The congregation is
offering a 12-month salary commensurate with experience plus
benefits.  First UU Columbus is a dynamic congregation with 669
members and 164 children and youth.  The application deadline is April
1.  Visit firstuucolumbus.org or contact Kevin O'Neill, Search
Committee Chair, at dre-sea...@firstuucolumbus.org to learn more.

UU Church in Cherry Hill, New Jersey, DRE
The UU Church in Cherry Hill, New Jersey, is still accepting
applications from professional religious educators.  The full-time DRE
will serve a mid-size congregation of 326 adult members and 110
children and youth.  Contact Paula Horton, Search Committee Chair, at
phorton...@comcast.net or 856-439-9588.

Check http://jpduua.org/pages/news.php for other listings

TRAINING AND LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT

The Teacher Development Renaissance Module is full.  If you have
nominations for next year's JPD-sponsored Renaissance Module, please
contact me at l...@jpduua.org.

Spirit Play Training in Clara Barton District
Join religious education volunteers and professionals from New England
at a Spirit Play training in Massachusetts, Saturday, March 8,
9am-5pm.  Spirit Play is a method of religious education based on the
work of Maria Montessori.  Participants are asked to read the book,
"Teaching Godly Play: The Sunday Morning Handbook," by Jerome Berryman
before the event.  The March 8 Spirit Play training will be hosted by
the Unitarian Universalist Church of Worcester, MA. The registration
fee $150 includes lunch and materials.  The registration deadline is
February 23.  Contact Beth Stadnicki Verhyen 978-840-3653 or
bethstadni...@hotmail.com for further information.

JPD Spring Conference & Annual Meeting
"Voices of Justice, Hands of Change"
March 28-30 at the Doubletree in Bethesda, MD
Registration is now available for the JPD Spring Conference & Annual
Meeting.  Early registration ends on March 4; a late fee will apply
after that date.  We are pleased to feature Rob Keithan, Director of
the UUA Washington Office for Advocacy, as the keynote presenter.
Visit http://www.jpduua.org/pages/jpd-conference.php to learn more or
to register on-line.

Spring Conference Bookstore
One of the fun features of the JPD Spring Conference & Annual Meeting
is the bookstore, managed for the second year in a row by the most
awesome Jean Wiant of the UU Fellowship of Centre County.  Is there a
resource you would like to be able to purchase at the Spring
Conference?  Contact jwd...@comcast.net as soon as possible so that
she can order it from the UUA.

UU University June 24-25
Lay and professional leaders of all kinds are invited to attend UU
University during the two days before General Assembly 2008 in Fort
Lauderdale, Florida.  The topic of this year's UUU is about pluralism
& interfaith partnerships.  The program, "Ministry in the
Borderlands," will be presented by Rev. Dr. Nick Carter, President of
Andover Newton Theological School.  The registration fee of $125
covers materials, lunch on June 24, and light breakfast on June 25.
Visit http://uua.org/events/uuuniversity to learn more.

UU Leadership Team Institute, July 28-August 3
Week-long residential leadership development experiences can be faith-
deepening, skill-building, and life-changing.  Join professional staff
and lay leaders from Metro New York, St. Lawrence, Ohio Meadville, and
Joseph Priestley Districts for the UU Leadership Team Institute, July
28-August 3, 2008, at Juniata College in Huntingdon, PA.  The theme of
this year's institute is "Living the Promise of Unitarian
Universalism: Moving Ever Outward in Faith."  Return to your
congregation with practical tools and prophetic insights!
Registration fees are still being calculated, but organizers are
hoping for fees in the range of $575 to cover a week of programs,
housing, and meals.  Congregations are encouraged to share the cost of
sending leaders to UULTI.  Visit http://www.uulti.org/ to download a
flyer and to get updates as they become available.

CHANGES AT THE CONTINENTAL LEVEL
Young Religious Unitarian Universalists and Continental UU Young Adult
Network both recently announced changes in progress.  I encourage all
lay leaders and religious professionals to learn more about these
changes.  Meanwhile, the Joseph Priestley District staff, Youth
Steering Committee and UU Young Adult Network Steering Committee are
reflecting on what these changes mean for our faith movement, but are
not planning immediate changes to district programs and services.

FINDING LYN
February 23: Music & Worship Arts Festival, Unitarian Society of
Germantown, PA
February 24: Preaching at the UU Congregation of Wyoming Valley,
Kingston, PA
February 27: Chesapeake UUMA, Bethesda, MD
February 28-March 3: NRG Co-Op meeting of staff from MNY, OM, STL, JPD
March 5: Welcome participants to the Renaissance Module in
Buckeystown, MD
March 9: Preaching and Workshop at the UU Congregation of York, PA
March 12: Chesapeake UUMA/ GWAREC combined meeting
March 16: Preaching at the Unitarian Society of Mill Creek, DE

That's the news.  Please keep me updated about growth and faith
development in your neighborhood.

Peace,

Rev. Lyn Cox
Acting Director for Lifespan Faith Development
Joseph Priestley District of the
Unitarian Universalist Association
l...@jpduua.org
202-262-0485