Almost 200 Unitarian Universalists met to participate in the Central Midwest District Assembly April 27-29 in Oak Brook, Ill. Highlights of the weekend were the opening night ceremony featuring the Rev. Bill Schulz, president of the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee (UUSC) and past president of the UUA, and a keynote address by the Rev. Marilyn Sewell of Portland, Ore. Saturday workshops focused on leadership development.

At the opening ceremony, the Rev. Schulz spoke about the work of the UUSC and their current partnership with the UUA in forming the new UU College of Social Justice.

Following worship on Saturday morning, the annual meeting included district business and a presentation and open discussion about regionalism led by District President Rev. Brian Covell and District Congregational Services Director Rev. Ian Evison. The two leaders outlined discussions that are leading to a new and larger regional entity that will combine the Prairie Star, Heartland and Central Midwest districts.

Plan to join us July 15-21, 2012 at Beloit College, Wisconsin!

WHAT IS YOUTH Midwest Leadership School?

Midwest Leadership School is a weeklong intensive experience designed to engage participants in all aspects of leadership in a Unitarian Universalist faith community. For the third year we are pleased to offer Midwest Leadership School for Youth (ages 14-18) in tandem with our Adult School. It will challenge and train Unitarian Universalist youth in three areas: Leadership Skills Development, Worship, and Religious Values & Heritage. This Leadership School is an intentional community and learning experience. It equips young UU’s with a foundation that deepens their religious development and expands their ability to contribute, both in their UU community and beyond.

Youth Leadership School is designed to be an intensive learning experience. The days will be long, varied and demanding, with little free time. The community we create together will be safe, supportive and fun—aiming to give each participant as full a sense of his or her own developing leadership skills as is possible in one short week. This is not a setting for anyone who might be dealing with personal life crises and it is not a conference. Days are highly structured and participation in all aspects of the school is required. The adult to youth ratio is about 1:4, so there will be ample adult support for students. | 2012 YLS Flyer | Register Online |

To Presidents, Ministers, and Administrators of small congregations:

The Rev. Andrew Pakula, theme presenter at last fall's Small Congregation Conference in Des Moines, has been invited to present a series of webinars based on his presentation. Here is another opportunity to hear his ideas. Please forward this to anyone interested.

Andy Pakula is senior minister of New Unity-Unitarians, a small congregation in London, England which has grown from 35 to 100+ members in just five short years. This spring Andy will present a series of webinars for small congregations: The New Unity Story (March 31), Using Social Media (April 21), and Attracting Young Adults (May 19). All on Saturday mornings at 10 AM.

All you need is a high speed internet connection and a separate phone line. Gather a group to experience a workshop together at your home or church.  Registration is free. For more information and registration see: www.MidwestUULeadership.org: a resource for UU congregations in Central Midwest, Heartland, and Prairie Star Districts of the UUA.

MidWest Leadership School
July 15 – 21, 2012

Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations

MidWest Leadership School (MWLS), a part of the Unitarian Universalist Association’s nationwide network of leadership schools, will be held July 15 – 21, 2012 (Sunday thru Saturday), on the campus of Beloit College in southeastern Wisconsin. MidWest Leadership School is sponsored by the Central MidWest District, in collaboration with Heartland District and Prairie Star District of the Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations.

MidWest Leadership School (MWLS) develops lay leaders in the Unitarian Universalist (UU) community. The week-long intense program includes leadership, group and system dynamics, UU history and theology, and elements of worship. The program is designed to provide insights, confidence, and enrichment for each participant’s congregation, work, and personal life.