Search the
JPD Website!

JPD Conferences Committee

The JPD holds a Spring Conference in March or April of each year. The conference is rotated among conference hotels in the District. The Annual Meeting of the JPD is held in conjunction with the Spring Conference.

The JPD Conferences Committee works closely with the District Administrator and the District Executive in developing conference budgets, programming and the scheduling of the conference theme and location.


The Growth and Extension Committee and
JPD Chalice Lighters

The JPD Growth and Extension Committee supports intentional growth of congregations and the development of new congregations. It sponsors development of growth-related training workshops for JPD congregations and is the grants-making panel for the JPD Chalice Lighters Program. The Committee works closely with the JPD Director for Growth and Extension.

Rev. Sandra Fees (Chair)
sandrafees @ verizon.net

JPD Chalice Lighters, administered by the Growth and Extension Committee, is a grant program focused on increasing membership of Unitarian Universalist congregations in the district. More than 49 societies have received over $1.8 million in Chalice Lighter grants. This critical funding is only possible because individual members of the Chalice Lighters movement make a pledge to contribute when asked, three times each year. Although there is no minimum contribution, the Growth and Extension Committee suggests a $20 minimum per “call” per subscriber to fulfill the grant requests. Chalice Lighters Sunday, the most effective recruitment drive, is usually celebrated in the fall of even years. Planning materials are available through the JPD office.

JPD Chalice Lighters grants can be awarded to any size congregation that fulfills the criteria. More information on how to apply for a grant and how to enroll as a Chalice Lighter is available online at www.jpduua.org and click on Chalice Lighters in the left column.

The grant may be for: 1. minister, RE professional, staff; 2. building, land; 3. new congregation organizing; 4. innovative growth. The grants support all kinds of growth: growth in size; maturation; organizational structure and processes; and growth in impacting the surrounding community based on UU values.

* Contact Cristina Sanchis at cristina @ jpduua.org for routine changes in the database.
* For Chalice Lighters information, go to: http://www.jpduua.org/pages/chalice-lighters.php
* For questions regarding ongoing grant payments, contact Cristina Sanchis at cristina @ jpduua.org, or 302-778-4564.


JPD Chalice Keepers

The JPD Endowment Fund for Growth was created by the Board to complement Chalice Lighters and help congregations to purchase land and create inspiring buildings that will nurture our children and grandchildren. It also promotes awareness and growth of Unitarian Universalism in the region and will help to initiate special programs such as campus chaplains for college students and young adults vital to our future. All kinds of gifts are needed and welcomed including tax advantaged planning gifts, bequests, contributions of stock and cash. The Chalice Keepers Planned Giving Committee is chaired by Mike Harris and includes John Gubbings and Stephen Gold.

Over 100 donors have made gifts and pledges to the Endowment Fund, and the investments are handled by the Unitarian Universalist Association in two separate funds. One fund will be used to help congregations purchase land and/or buildings. One fund will be used to make grants for projects that stimulate growth. These grants are not intended to provide operating support. All grant decisions will be made by a committee established by the JPD Board that is chaired by Ellen Cotts and includes Gene Mulligan and Jim Rotherham.

To make donations or receive information about Chalice Keepers, please contact Joan Priest at 610-869-9335, or by e-mail at joan.priest @ rhodes-alumni.net.

John Gubbings (Co-Chair)
jgubbings @ verizon.net

Paul Roche (Co-Chair)
rochepaul @ aol.com


JPD Endowment Management Committee

The JPD Endowment Management Committee invests the funds in the UUA General Investment Fund. When the principal reaches at least $100,000, 70% will be used as a revolving loan fund to help JPD congregations acquire land and buildings. The other 30% of the fund will be used to support program initiatives that are not included in the budget. Contributions can be sent to the JPD office with a notation that the money is for Chalice Keepers.


Ellen Cotts
ellencotts @ comcast.net

Gene Mulligan
gmulligan4 @ aol.com

Jim Rotherham
bevandjim5 @ aol.com


The Finance and Audit Committee

The JPD Finance and Audit Committee of the Board works closely with the Treasurer, District Executive and Administrator in the management of district funds. The committee reviews the District’s annual budget and coordinates audits and other financial oversight practices. The committee works with congregations to encourage participation in the Annual Program Fund of the UUA and fair share contributions to JPD.

Lillian Christman (Co-Chair)
lillyc @ worksong.com

Lloyd Wright (Co-Chair)
LEW52841 @ aol.com


JPD Journey Toward Wholeness Team

As part of our national UU effort to become more responsive to racial justice issues, and to become a more multi-cultural spiritual community, the Journey Toward Wholeness Team consults with District churches and committees to increase understanding of white privilege and institutional racism. The team facilitates connections across the District to provide district-wide workshops, consultants, speakers and study materials. The JTW Team also sponsors the Annual Anti-Racism Sermon Award which is presented at the JPD Spring Conference. They continue to add material to the JPD Resource Library for transforming our congregations.

Paula Cole Jones, Co-Chair
pcolejones @ aol.com

Barbara Johnson, Co-Chair
bjohnsonfilms @ mac.com


Unitarian Universalist Pennsylvania Legislative Advocacy Network (UUPLAN)

UUPLAN is a formed state advocacy network in which under the basic principles that sustained positive change is built through the work of organized activists with the courage to challenge and confront oppression. Through this work UUPLAN seeks to build faith and give voice to Unitarian Universalist principles in the public square.


Casey Gilmore (President)
Casey_gilmore @ vanguard.com

Rev. David Herndon (Vice-President)
dherndon @ first-unitarian-pgh.org


Unitarian Universalist Legislative Ministry of Maryland (UULM-MD)

The Unitarian Universalist Legislative Ministry of Maryland envisions a Maryland free of oppression and injustice, where all are guaranteed their human rights. The UULM-MD address this vision by alerting, educating, activating, and facilitating their state-wide UU base to address several human rights issues before the Maryland General Assembly each year. In 2007, those issues were health care reform, civil rights of same sex couples, global warming, and Darfur.
In order to enhance the effectiveness of UU activism on human rights issues UULM-MD remains mindful of the strong UU traditions of independent thought and witnessing for human rights and civil liberties. Supported and inspired by these traditions, UULM-MD works to achieve consensus among its base, then mobilize and advocate on specific issues before the MD General Assembly.

UULM-MD
info @ uulmmd.org


JPD-UU Young Adult Network Committee (JPD-UUYAN)

The JPD-UU Young Adult Network Committee supports 18- to 35-year-olds in the Joseph Priestley District by building awareness of young adult ministries, increasing young adult involvement in congregations, providing resources such as grants, and organizing district-wide events for young adult leaders. Visit http://www.jpd-uuyan.org for more information.

Patty Gallivan (Co-chair)
Margaret Loebe (Co-chair)
Whitney Novak (Co-chair)
yan-chair @ jpduua.org


The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Concerns Committee
and JPD Interweave

The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Concerns Committee (LGBT) has been charged to facilitate the congregations in achieving or renewing their Welcoming Congregation status. Broadly, the mission of the LGBT Concerns Committee is to encourage congregations in providing safe, supportive environments for LGBT members; to combat homophobia and to participate in the struggle for LGBT civil rights as well as to educate LGBT communities regarding Unitarian Universalism. The committee can provide programming, speakers, printed or electronic materials and other assistance to educate congregations and to support their LGBT members. As of this time the LGBT Committee is being reformed.

The JPD Interweave Chapter is an independent membership organization affiliated with Interweave Continental, serving the needs of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender UUs within the Joseph Priestley District, and their families, friends and allies.


The Music and Worship Arts Committee

The Music and Worship Arts Committee assists congregations in the JPD to enhance congregational life through music and worship arts with a special emphasis on the music component of worship. This committee disseminates information concerning music resources as well as sound music and worship practices; and through its annual music festival it conducts workshops for church musicians, music directors, choir members, music committee members and clergy; workshops on worship theory and practice, right relationships between musicians, ministers and congregations; and enhances the functioning of music committees and worship committees. The JPD Music Festival also incorporates choral repertory sessions.


The Nominating Committee

The Nominating Committee develops a list of nominees for the JPD Board and the Nominating Committee prior to the Annual Meeting in accordance with the JPD By-Laws. This includes nominees to serve as officers and at-large members.

Rev. Kent Matthies (Co-Chair)
kmatthies @ verizon.net

Jacomina de Regt (Co-Chair)
jderegt @ hotmail.com

Chris Chepel
crchepel @ aol.com

Greg Rouillard
slidestorm @ earthlink.net

Jean Wiant
dlre @ uufcc.com


Regional Growth Teams:
Chesapeake UU Growth Committee (ChUUG) & Philadelphia/Wilmington Growth Team (PWGT)

Two regional leadership groups are actively implementing a growth strategy for Unitarian Universalism in the Baltimore/Washington and Philadelphia/Wilmington areas, two metropolitan regions that offer significant opportunities to expand our liberal religious movement with its life-saving, life-affirming message. Connecting congregations through a network of local contacts, the regional growth teams provide leadership and foster growth in vitality and membership, with a focus on Public Outreach, Social Justice, Diversity, resources for Vital Congregations and annual Revivals. More information about ChUUG.

John Gubbings (ChUUG Co-Chair)
jgubbings @ verizon.net

Rev. Scott Sammler-Michael (ChUUG Co-Chair)
minister @ accotinkuuc.org

Rev. Peter Friedrichs (PWGC Co- Chair)
minister @ uucdc.org

Howard Bennett (PWGC Co-Chair)
iamhoward @ verizon.net


The JPD Youth Steering Committee

The Youth Steering Committee (YSC) serves as the JPD coordinating body for high school-aged youth programming throughout the District, encouraging the six components of YRUU: leadership, learning, community, social action, spiritual development and youth-adult relations. Its primary activities include Adult Advisor Training in the Fall and Winter; four weekend youth conferences per year focusing on leadership skills, social justice, worship development and community building; social action advocacy by and for youth; and support of cluster events for youth in their local communities.

The YSC publishes “The Purple Cow,” a quarterly newsletter for youth and their advisors, and operates a website at www.jpduua.org/youth. It provides support for local youth groups by organizing and supporting Caravans between neighboring UU youth groups and encouraging local cluster activities. The YSC runs the annual YES (Youth Empowering and Supportive) Award program, and selects congregational awardees in February for presentation at the annual JPD Spring Conference (see below). It supports UUA National Youth initiatives and works closely with the JPD Coordinator of Youth Activities towards advancement of the Joseph Priestley District Board’s long range goals for youth.


Ben Polson (Youth Co-Chair)
Benpolson.zena @ gmail.com

Shaina Castonguay (Youth Co-Chair)
limitless_tomorrow @ verizon.net

Marge Caton (Adult Co-Chair)
aldomaca @ comcast.net

Youth Empowering and Supportive (YES) Congregations
The YES Award is given annually by the Joseph Priestley District Youth Steering Committee to those congregations nominated by their high school-aged youth groups (YRUUs), and adjudged as demonstrating balanced youth-led and adult-advised programming, containing six essential components of leadership, learning, worship, social action, community building and youth-adult relations in addition to showing youth community interaction on both local congregation and district levels. Information about the requirements for this award and nomination forms will be available in the monthly JPD e-mail, News You Can Use, and on the JPD-YSC webpage.


The Women and Religion Facilitators Circle

The Women and Religion Facilitators Circle is charged with fostering activities and programs within the District toward implementation of the 1977 UUA Women and Religion Resolution.

Women and Religion Mission Statement: Our Mission, as women in community, is to explore our authentic selves, and to work to promote gender equality in our lives, our congregations, and in society.

Anne Slater (Co-Convener)
slater.anne @ gmail.com

Randa Todd (Co-Convener)
wrrt1946 @ yahoo.com

Christina Higgins (Treasurer)
cphiggins14 @ yahoo.com

Designed and developed by Revoluution Media.