Greetingof Love and Peace from North America,

The second North America Regional Assembly, titled “Reconciliation with Self,Others, and the World,” took place the second week of May, and the great spirit lingers on.  I want to share with you some of what happened and let you know about the exciting actions taken to nurture and grow our CCs.

Having not met as a Region since 2001, the Assembly was filled with jubilant reunions and joyful new unions as we met at LutheridgeCenter in Asheville, North Carolina.   Lutheridge is a serene yet energizing setting, perfect for holding the work and celebrations of the nearly seventy Assembly participants.  We were a group of diverse religions, ethnicities, ages, and geography.  Our local host, URI of Henderson County CC, exceeded all definitions of U.S. southern hospitality. Our hats are off to each and every one of the Henderson County CC volunteers!

I can't begin to list all the memorable activities. There was a great balance between the “open space” sessions, which provided opportunities for CC sharing current best practices, presenting new ideas, and learning practical skills; plenary sessions with Bishop Bill Swing,the Trail of Dreams/Beyond the Great Divide, and discussion about a new NA structure; and sacred ceremonies and practices. We honored those who have gone before to join the Celestial CC and those URI pioneers in our presence.  We danced, sang, cried, and laughed.  We deepened our community connection.

Three plenary sessions focused on the important decision of selecting a structure to best meet the needs of URI in North America.  To get us grounded, the first session was titled “Celebrating Who We Are and  From Where We Have Come.”  Six pioneers shared their perspective and history.

From there we moved to “Celebrating Who We Are and How We Are Moving Forward.”  A structure that closely resembled the “Recommended Model”, which was developed after 1 ½ years of input and discussion, was voted on and accepted.  North America will be divided into five to seven “clusters.”  CCs can join the cluster with which they most closely identify. The Region will have a Leadership Council consisting of two representatives from each cluster, the three NA Trustees, the Regional Coordinator, and the Technology/Communication Coordinator.  Duties of the Council include financial management, communications, developing and nurturing existing and new CCs, and program development.

A one-year interim Leadership Council was established to develop the sub-regions and work on the other duties of the Council. Input from CCs on issues of significant importance will be requested throughout this initial process.   It was suggested that the interim Council consist of the Trustees, staff and four volunteers.  However, enthusiasm was high and six people volunteered to be on the interim Council with many more volunteering to assist with specific tasks.

Near the end of the Assembly, Clergy for Compassion and Harmony CC offered to host the next Assembly in Vancouver, B.C. in 2011.  We left with renewed hope, focus, and purpose…a reconciliation of the North America Region that is sure to move us forward as pilgrims for peace.

To those who sent us your prayers during the Assembly, thank you.  Together we will build on this success.

May Peace Prevail on Earth, 

Margi Ness, URI North America Coordinator
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