Southern Region Consolidation Plans Take Shape

By Margie Manning and Kathy McGowan, Southern Region Communications Task Force

Last month, the UUA Southern Region moved closer to consolidation among the four Districts after several days of meetings in Austin, Texas.

Congregations throughout the region will be asked to dissolve District governance at Annual Assemblies, April 17-April 19, 2015. The goal is to grow Unitarian Universalism in the Southern Region, by developing more relationships across geographic lines, allowing UU’s to learn from each other and better collaborate on issues of importance.

Working in covenant at the meeting in Austin, Executive Lead Rev. Kenn Hurto, Congregational Life and administrative staff, and the presidents of the four Districts talked about their visions for regional operations after the April votes. Also present were Rev. Scott Tayler, UUA Director of Congregational Life, and Vail Weller and Norrie Gall, UUA Stewardship & Development.

A multi-district task force is ascertaining the legal and financial issues that must be addressed in order for District governance to be dissolved. During the Austin meeting, Rev. Hurto and Rev. Tayler discussed a proposal to have the Southern Region become a “branch office” or “field ministries office” of Congregational Life, while also protecting regional assets.

Clusters and Elders are key parts of the structures that are emerging as the Region moves toward consolidation.

Congregational Life staff members have begun identifying the services they can provide to clusters of congregations that share a common geography, common interests or are working on common issues.

A multi-district task force is fine-tuning a plan to set up a structure that will ensure there is an active group of Elders (both lay leaders and religious professionals) who, in concert with Congregational Life staff, can serve and grow the faith by working with congregations and clusters.

Our elected leaders feel that regional consolidation is the best way forward, keeping in mind the vision of the Orlando Platform that recognizes duplication in governance, a thirst for more covenantal relationships, and a hunger to grow our faith. We ask you to stay informed about this work through communications on the Southern Region newsletter and website, and discuss it with your congregation and cluster.

The Southern Region Communications Task Force includes Margie Manning (Florida
District), Carrie Stewart (SWUUC), Kirk Bogue (MidSouth), and Chris Reid (Florida),
working in shared ministry with Kathy McGowan
(Congregational Life Staff member), and Christine Purcell (IT Specialist).