How about broadcasting our UU messages on the public airwaves?

The new UUs and Allies Nationwide Community Radio Network is forming now.

Can you imagine UU community radio stations across the U.S. sharing the good news of our religion along with great local programming?

Can you see us partnering with other like-minded groups in our towns to create a resource that strengthens our outreach and highlights clear thinking, sensible news casting, and local talent?

Thanks to the work of many people, the Low Power Community Radio passed in 2011, paving the way for the release of the LAST 2000-3000 low power FM broadcast frequencies that will be awarded by the FCC to communities in the U.S.

The time to prepare is now. There will be a very short window of time for the applications to be filed this year. Be ready! Some preliminary actions are needed immediately. Prometheus Radio is gathering information on interested applicants in February, 2012. Be one of them! Start talking with interested people and potential partner organizations. Keep abreast of the latest information from the FCC. Sign up for info and training here: http://prometheusradio.org/want_to_start_a_station

Submit the Group Profile of your congregation here: http://prometheusradio.org/content/applicant-support.

This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity in 2012 that will not happen again.
This is an opportunity we don’t want to miss.
If we don’t capture these airwaves, the radical right will.

Kindra Muntz, Co-Chair
UUs and Allies Nationwide Community Radio Network
kindra_muntz@uulmf.org
941.497.1764

Board Members:

  • UU Mary Francis OK (has 2 Construction Permits from the 2007 window, and possibly another to be awarded)—Co-Chair
  • UU Kindra Muntz FL (Co-Chair, UU Legislative Ministry of Florida, Election Reform Activist and author of successful 2011 AIW re: Citizens United)—Co-Chair
  • UU Rev. Chuck Freeman TX (Host of ‘Soul Talk’ radio and activist minister, Live Oak Unitarian Universalist)
  • Ally Sue Wilson CA (Emmy Award winning Writer/Producer of Documentary “Broadcast Blues”)
  • Ally Matt Joplin OK (Founder of Food for Thought–food and learning site for the homeless)
  • Ally Todd Urick CA (Common Frequency Radio Engineer and author of a definitive study on LPFM)
  • UU Tom Killorin WA (Board Member of KSER, and Eliot Institute, a UUA camp)
  • UU David Barbour NM (has 2 full-power radio stations in NM)
  • UU Teresa Allen TX (Member of Pacifica Board and KPFT board in Houston)
  • Ally Al Davis NY (Radio Engineer at WGXC community radio, Hudson, NY and WXPI in PA)

“Congregations and Beyond” vision from UUA President Morales

Rev. Peter MoralesThe Rev. Peter Morales has issued a white paper detailing what he sees as “a historic opportunity for our faith.” Released by the UUA on January 19, 2012, you may read the paper on uua.org or  download as PDF  below.

I very much look forward to the conversations “Congregations and Beyond” will stimulate.  Download it, read it, then join the conversation.  Connect with me via Twitter, Facebook Page and UU Growth Lab group on Facebook.

https://twitter.com/#!/UUA/status/160111031660707840

Radical Spirit and “Sh*t Seminarians Say”

A new UU publication, the RADICAL SPIRIT, is about to launch.  To hold you over the publishers have produced the following video spoof entitled “Sh*t Seminarians Say.”  Note there are a number of videos circulating online with similar titles.  High marks for jumping on that meme before its old news. Radical indeed!

Get THE RADICAL SPIRIT

Video Description
The Radical Spirit, in a bout of uncontrollable ridiculousness, brings you “Sh*t Seminarians Say,” or “Assertions Seminarians Posit.” We love seminary, including its moments of grace and absurdity. Visit our online Journal of profound and provocative reflection on the future of Unitarian Universalism at: www.theradicalspirit.org. A special note of gratitude to Robin Barraza and Andrew Linscott.

Social Media for Ministry and Outreach 2/25, Metro DC Area


Social Media for Ministry and Outreach
with Peter Bowden

Saturday, February 25, 2012  *  9AM – 3PM
At the UU Church of Silver Spring  (Website | Google Map)
10309 New Hampshire Avenue  Silver Spring, MD 20903

 Register Online Now
Download & Share Event Flier (PDF)

Social media is fundamentally changing how people form relationships, consume information and make important life decisions.  This has significant implications for congregations. For our ministry to thrive in the 21stCentury, we must understand these changes and learn to use the communication tools of our time with purpose, skill and integrity.

Join us for this day-long social media event for congregational leaders with Unitarian Universalist growth, outreach and media consultant, Peter Bowden. With a focus on ministry and outreach, we will explore major social networking tools including blogs, Facebook, Twitter and Youtube.

Clergy, staff and volunteers from all dimensions of congregational life will benefit from this training.  

Peter Bowden is a consultant working with Unitarian Universalist congregations across the United States, as  as well as a TV producer working on multiple PBS programs.  Known for his work with growth, outreach and media, Peter has led trainings for a growing number of UUA Districts, UUMA & LREDA Chapters, at UUA General Assembly conferences, Ferry Beach and the Star Island conference center. Peter lives in Cambridge, MA with his wife, the Rev. Amy Freedman, and their daughter.

Event coordinated and hosted by
the U Church of Silver Spring

Thoughts on a UU Roku Channel?

Roku XDS
Image by abeckstrom via Flickr

Friends, I just received the following message from a user of my site UnitarianUniversalism.TV inquiring about a the development of a ROKU channel for distributing Unitarian Universalist video content via streaming video.

“Hey guys. I wonder if there’s any news about UUTV potentially creating a channel on the Roku box to stream its way into people’s homes? Roku has a huge user-base and features new channels in its channel store. That would be a great way to get the message of Unitarian Universalism out to millions of people. UUTV could make its way right into millions of American living rooms. Other denominations are doing it – Jews, evangelical Christians, Mormons, Catholics, you name it. Shouldn’t UUs if we’re to be the “religion for our time”? Just a thought. I’ve been using my Roku and would love to have UUTV on there. Regards and thanks for all your hard work.”

He reports there being a growing number of other religious channels using the internet streaming video service, see  SPIRITUALITY section of the Roku Channel directory.

I see the potential of being able to stream high quality UU video directly to people on their TVs.  However,  I do not personally use a Roku Box, don’t many who do,  and it would require serious UU collaboration to make such a thing happen.

When it comes to increased outreach, right now I’m thinking that I can do more by focusing what time I have available into producing social media optimized short Youtube videos about our faith. Videos that can capitalize on the social media technology I know people are using such as Facebook and Twitter, and the increasing number of people with mobile devices.

Questions

  • Any thoughts?
  • Any other tech you think we should be looking at?
  • If you could have a one minute UU video produced about any relevant topic, what would you have produced?  We’re talking outreach and education.

Feedback/Ideas

You may learn more about Roku at www.roku.com and watch web based UU TV at UnitarianUniversalism.TV.


Interested in Unitarian Universalism, social media and technology?  See upcoming events including Feb 25th in METRO DC area and Mid-July STAR ISLAND conference.  Subscribe to my e-newsletter to receive updates. Booking: (617) 744-9784 Office | Email Peter.

Get my tweets @uugrowth

After Tweeting @uuplanet for the last few years I’ve just changed Twitter usernames to @uugrowth.

This is to bring my UU Growth related tweeting in line with this site’s address, uugrowth.com, associated Facebook page at Facebook.com/uugrowth, and all my other UU Growthines into alignment.

Questions about that?  Send me a Twitter direct message via @uugrowth.

https://twitter.com/#!/uugrowth/status/149182952503386112