Introduction
The Northern New England District (NNED) of the Unitarian Universalist Association was created by the consolidation of the Northeast District (Maine) and the New Hampshire Vermont District of Unitarian Universalist Societies in July 2008. We have 73 congregations within the boundaries of the states of Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont including federated and community churches being served by our new district.
The Northern New England District is one of nineteen Districts authorized under the by-laws of our Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA). Our new district is governed by a board of directors consisting of four officers and five at-large board members.
Purpose of our NNED
Our District shall devote its resources and exercise its corporate powers for religious, educational and humanitarian purposes. The primary purposes of our District are
- to serve the needs of its member congregations,
- to organize new congregations,
- to promote the religious life within its member congregations, and
- to assist member congregations to carry on active and effective programs within their respective communities
- to work actively to support and sustain diverse and anti-oppressive congregations.
There is a wonderful staff here in NNED to serve the purposes of our district. They include:
A District Executive, Joe Sullivan
A Smaller Congregation and Justice Specialist, Rev. Karen Brammer.
A Multigenerational Ministry Director, Kimberly Paquette
An Office Administrator, Joy Blanchette
A Part-Time Administrative Assistant, Jennifer Army
The Office Administrator and Part-Time Administrative Assistant are paid entirely with funds from the District, but the three program staff members are co-employed by our district and the UUA. This is one of the primary ways our Annual Program Funds dollars are returned to our region to strengthen our member congregations here. Your generosity to both the district and the UUA is directly responsible for the level of support we provide to your congregational members to help develop specific skills, provide inspiration and cultivate a deep appreciation for the various ways our UU faith and its healthy churches can change lives inside and outside the congregation.
When to call the District Office
There are times in the life of every congregation when they need help to unpack a thorny issue, get straight information, have a coaching session, acquire sound planning advice or share a joy that their congregation is experiencing. Those are the general times when you call our office and our staff. More specifically, we hope you will call when you:
- need a consultant……. We have a great cadre of consultants to support you
- are thinking of building a new building or adding on to your current one;
- experiencing conflict or disruptive behaviors in your congregation;
- planning a board or staff retreat and want outside facilitation;
- need to revisit your mission and vision;
- have a board or committee which needs to develop or deepen a skill in order to lead effectively;
- are financially troubled or need canvass or fund raising assistance;
- are going through ministerial, or transitions of other religious professionals;
- want to start a small group ministry program;
- need pulpit supply or part time ministerial support;
- are trying to find appropriate ways to welcome marginalized groups and individuals;
- are befuddled about who to call at our UUA to get the answers you need;
- just want to talk and explore your options……………
We welcome your calls and never want you to worry that you are bothering us when you reach out. We are here to serve you and your congregation. We are in this together and connecting you to the available resources means that you can use your particular talents to lead.