Have you caught the MultiSite Ministry buzz?  Did you pass on the links to the most recent blog posts on to your congregational leadership teammates?  You know the posts —  the theological grounding and context and the other blog post of the MultiSite Ministries website overview. And now are you wondering “What’s next?!”

 

It may be time to call your Regional MultiSite Ministry Coach.  These are Congregational Life staff dedicated helping midwife new connections and possibilities. They meet regularly as their own learning community in order to better serve you, and they facilitate Innovative Learning Circles with leaders pioneering this powerful and emerging form of religious community and connection. Additionally they are available to help you discern your community’s path and help connect you to other resources, including other congregations.

 

 

New England Region

 

Karen Bellavance-Grace
I served multiple roles as a lay leader, and as a professional religious educator where I cherished finding ways to connect families with our faith. Now as a regional field staffer, I find such hope in working with congregations answering the deep call to collaboration.
(413) 388-4737 kbellavancegrace@uua.org

 

 

Joe Sullivan
I am a member of the New England Region staff team and currently serving through June 2015 as Northern New England District Executive. Multi-site ministries offers creative options for living our covenantal faith adaptively, vitally and sustainably in the 21st Century.
(603) 228-8704, jsullivan@uua.org

 

Central East Regional Group

 

Mark Bernstein
I am member of the Congregational Life Staff of the Central East Region (CERG) of the UUA.  I believe that we are “better together” and am excited about the prospect of congregations collaborating to strengthen our Unitarian Universalist faith and its influence in the world.
(610) 639-3389, mbernstein@uua.org.

 

Rev. Joan Van Becelaere
I am a member of the Central Eastern Regional Group (CERG) Congregational Life Staff Team.  I have a passion for helping congregations and Unitarian Universalist groups of all sizes,  realize their full potential and ability to be a force for good in the world. And I strongly believe this happens best when we are working together as teams of congregations – collaborating with one another, inspiring one another, supporting one another – so we might all thrive in the midst of changing times.
303-641-5896    jvanbecelaere@uua.org

 

Southern Region

 

The Reverend Kenneth (Kenn) Gordon Hurto
I am a member and Lead Executive of the Southern Region – UUA Congregational Life staff. I have served our ministries for over 40 years, in congregations small and large. I am deeply committed to the “second half” of the Cambridge Platform which reminds us that free, autonomous congregations are also accountable to each other for guidance and support. Multisite ministries recognize this in full: we are indeed stronger together than we are apart. If we hope to transform the culture, we need to build on each other’s strengths to be both efficient and effective.  (239) 560-5628 , khurto@uua.org

 

Rev. Carlton Smith
I serve our UUA’s Southern Region on the Congregational Life Staff Team. I live in my hometown in Northwestern Mississippi. Most of the past 20 years I have been a parish minister, serving congregations in Greater New York, the San Francisco Bay Area, Greater Boston and Northern Virginia. I see multi-site ministries as vital components of our tradition’s evolution.
csmith@uua.org

 

Mid-America Region

 

Dori Thexton
I have been serving Unitarian Universalism for over 30 years – in two congregations before becoming part of the field staff team. I am passionate about growing our faith and anything that will help congregations do that.  I believe that multi-site ministry models offer an endless variety of options for congregations seeking partnership, diversity, strength and vitality. Engaging congregations in exploring multi-site opportunities is an exciting next step in my efforts to support growth.
(414) 774-4199 , dthexton@uua.org

 

Pacific West Region

 

Rev. Ken Brown
I have been on the Congregational Life Staff team for 15 years, and a Unitarian Universalist minister for over 40 years.  I serve the Pacific Southwest District in the Pacific Western region.  I have been working with the multi-site model for at least a dozen years because I see it as the best way to spread our Unitarian Universalist Faith.
(818) 370-2390, kbrown@uua.org

 

Director of Congregational Life

Rev. Scott Tayler
I have seen firsthand how congregational partnerships create stronger staff teams, increase program impact and take advantage of economies of scale. But ultimately this is about more than organizational efficiency. It is a way of finally having our organizational systems reflect our theology. As Unitarian Universalists, we believe that a holy creativity and power arises from deep interdependence. Breaking out of our congregational silos and staff isolation makes us not only more efficient, but more imaginative. And what the church of the 21st century needs most is imagination. Watching us shift from an “association of independent congregations” to an “association of networked congregations” not only gives me hope, but also has renewed my call.
stayler@uua.org

 

Call them early, and call them often.  This team is here for you, wherever you are on your MutliSite journey!