Downloadable color Workshop Flyer

We are offering eighteen selected workshops during three sessions on Saturday, May 19. Details below.

Acronyms Defined

Below are acronyms used to indicate credentials, titles, UU organizations and geographical locations.

AK - Alaska

AZ - Arizona

CO - Colorado

CRE - Credentialed Religious Educator, Master Level

DRE - Director of Religious Exploration

GA - General Assembly of the UUA

ID - Idaho

MA - Massachusetts

MTNDD - Mountain Desert District of the Unitarian Universalist Association

MDiv - Master of Divinity

MSW - Master of Social Work

OR - Oregon

PNWD - Pacific Northwest District of the Unitarian Universalist Association

PSWD - Pacific Southwest District of the Unitarian Universalist Association

Rev. Dr. - Doctor of Ministry

RE - Religious Exploration

UU - Unitarian Universalist or Unitarian Universalism

UUA - Unitarian Universalist Association

UUC - Unitarian Universalist Church/Congregation

UUF - Unitarian Universalist Fellowship

WA - Washington

Age Appropriateness

Workshops are typically suitable for most UU audiences, although some may be more appropriate for specific age groups, as follows:

Adult

Young Adult (18-35)

Youth (Junior - 6th-8th grade; Senior - 9th-12th grade)

Children (Elementary, Kindergarten - 5th grade)

UU Knowledge Level

Workshops are typically suitable for most UU audiences, although some may be more appropriate for various levels of familiarity with Unitarian Universalist principles, operation and organization:

UU Newcomer

Experienced UU

UU Leader

Subject Areas

Workshops focus on one or more of the four broad subject areas.

Faith in Action (Social Justice/Action)

Congregational Leadership

Spiritual Development/Practice and UU Identity

Youth, Young Adult & Family Ministry (including Religious Exploration/Education topics)

SESSION ONE (11:15 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.)

1A UPDATED 4/17/12
1A. & 2A. Nurturing the Fire of Commitment: Building Beloved Community

This two-part, interactive workshop will help leaders shift the dominant activist paradigm in our congregations from a focus solely on political realities to a paradigm that offers both spiritual and political focus. Participants will learn about  congregation-based justice ministry (regardless of issue), using small groups as the power source for personal and communal transformation. When designed to express the values of empathy, humility, spiritual growth and solidarity, we gain insight into social change in the context of religious community. Spiritual leadership tools and practices are shared to integrate two yearnings today― for social change and for spiritual integrity.

PLEASE REGISTER FOR BOTH PARTS OF THIS EXTENDED WORKSHOP: 1A and 2A

[1A was formerly "Nurturing the Fire of Commitment: Small Group Justice Ministries"]
 

1B. Sharing the Good News of Unitarian Universalism

Ages: High School - Adult; UU Knowledge: Newcomer - Leader

Focus: Spiritual Development/Practice and UU Identity

Rev. Dr. James Kubal-Komoto, Minister, Saltwater Unitarian Universalist Church (WA)

This entertaining but highly practical, interactive, multi-media workshop offers participants an easy-to-remember, tested and 100-percent guaranteed method for talking about Unitarian Universalism with strangers, with children and youth in their congregations, or with anybody. Participants will never again wonder what to say when asked about Unitarian Universalism.

1C. Growing the Flame: Growth Tune-up with Tandi      

Ages: Youth - Adult; UU Knowledge: Newcomer - Leader

Focus: Congregational Leadership and Spiritual Development/Practice and UU Identity

Tandi Rogers, CRE (Master Level), Growth Strategy Specialist, UUA Office of Strategic Growth; and Program Specialist, PNWD

With an contagious, evangelical vibe, this presenter unpacks the dynamics of growth using a simple framework. Participants will learn what is possible and imperative with resources to help instill an urgency to create vibrant, relevant UU religious community. Participants will be (Re)introduced to Meade’s model of growth using examples and stories. Leaders will connect to resources, including other congregations and leaders.

1D. The Transgender Experience: A Call to Social Action       

Ages: Young Adult - Adult; UU Knowledge: Newcomer - Leader

Focus: Faith in Action (Social Justice)

Hayden Nevill, Board of Directors President, Fairbanks UUF (AK)

This interactive workshop discusses transgender people and associated social justice issues from the perspective of a transgender man. The presentation can improve how congregations welcome transgender members/visitors and provide opportunities for social action. Participants will: a) learn supportive terminology for gender differences; b) recognize situations that may be uncomfortable for gender non-conforming people; c) become familiar with social and legal challenges faced by transgender people and d) examine personal understanding of, and experience with, gender.

1E. Carriers of our Free Faith

Ages: Youth - Adult; UU Knowledge: Newcomer - Leader

Focus: Spiritual Development/Practice and UU Identity

Rev. Dr. Terasa Cooley, Director, Congregational Life, UUA (MA)

We participate in a faith made whole by the sum of its parts. The Unitarian Universalist Association is just that ― an association. How can we strengthen our faith by strengthening the ties between us? If we were to create an association today to promote our values in the world, what would that look like? How can everyone make our faith vital and alive? Participants will learn how to participate in a larger UU faith, how the UU denomination works and how to build a vital UU identity.

1F. Transforming Nominating Committees . . .
to Leadership Development Teams

Ages: High School - Adult; UU Knowledge: Newcomer - Leader

Focus: Congregational Leadership

Rev. Nancy Bowen, District Executive, MTNDD (CO)

Small nominating committees with the short-term goal of developing a slate of elected leaders do not meet the needs of dynamic and healthy congregations. This workshop explores another model for recruiting, developing, orienting and supporting religious leaders in UU congregations. Concepts include leadership development as a ministry, and the integral relationship between governance and ministry in a healthy congregation. Participants will walk away with a follow-up strategy for discussion within their congregations.

Reading Recommendations: 

Governance and Ministry by Dan Hotchkiss

The Almost Church Revitalizedby Michael Durall

Healthy Congregationsby Peter Steinke

Leadership in Anxious Times by Peter Steinke

SESSION TWO (1:45 - 3:00 p.m.)

2A UPDATED 4/17/12
2A & 1A. Nurturing the Fire of Commitment: Building Beloved Community

This two-part, interactive workshop will help leaders shift the dominant activist paradigm in our congregations from a focus solely on political realities to a paradigm that offers both spiritual and political focus. Participants will learn about  congregation-based justice ministry (regardless of issue), using small groups as the power source for personal and communal transformation. When designed to express the values of empathy, humility, spiritual growth and solidarity, we gain insight into social change in the context of religious community. Spiritual leadership tools and practices are shared to integrate two yearnings today― for social change and for spiritual integrity.

PLEASE REGISTER FOR BOTH PARTS OF THIS EXTENDED WORKSHOP: 1A and 2A

[2A was formerly "Feeding the Flame: Right Resources Right Now for Religious Education"]

2B. Rekindling the Flame: A Continuing Conversation

Ages: Youth - Adult; UU Knowledge: Newcomer - Leader

Focus: Spiritual Development and UU Identity

Rev. Dr. Tom Chulak, life-long UU and retired UU minister, District Executive (St. Lawrence), UUA Director of New Congregations, seminary teacher, Alban Institute board member, and more

This workshop continues where Tom Chulak's Friday evening keynote address left off. Given that evolution is necessary to a progressive faith, how do we understand our past and present as context for welcoming the future? Participants will delve into the journey of Unitarian Universalism from Liberal Christianity, to Humanism, to Post-Modernism, and discuss these roots as factors for rekindling growth in the future.

2C. Carry the Flame: UU Faith for Life

Ages: Young Adult - Adult; UU Knowledge: Newcomer - Leader

Focus: Spiritual Practice (Technology); YOUTH/YOUNG ADULT APPEAL

Rev. Jeanelyse Doran Adams, Congregational Services Director, Pacific Central District

The provocativeFaith Formation 2020study challenges us to re-imagine “R.E.” as faith formation for a changing world. This interactive workshop will examine 13 trends affecting our future, explore four scenarios for the next decade, and discuss implications for UU, lifespan religious exploration and faith formation. Participants will gain context toenvision new opportunities for religious exploration for UUs of all ages and for family ministries. 

Reading Recommendations:

Fashion Me A People: Curriculum in the Church by Maria Harris

Acts of Faith: The Story of an American Muslim, the Struggle for the Soul of a Generation by Eboo Patel

2D. Speech Choirs as a Worship Tool

Ages: Children - Adult; UU Knowledge: Newcomer - Leader

Focus: Spiritual Practice; YOUTH/YOUNG ADULT APPEAL

Rev. Lois Van Leer, Minister, Woodinville UUC (WA)

This workshop reviews crafting, rehearsing and performing a speech choir as a tool for worship. This reader’s theater type of art form focuses on words and intonation as opposed to facial expressions or dramatizations. Speech choirs typically perform as the sermon part of a worship service. They are designed to teach as well as create ways for people of all ages to engage in worship. Participants will practice as members of a speech choir.

Reading Recommendations:

“A Winter Speech Choir” on the UUA Worship Web

2E. Covenantal Governance for UU Congregations

Ages: Youth - Adult; UU Knowledge: Leader

Focus: Congregational Leadership

Janine Larsen, District Executive, PNWD; 20+ Veteran Nonprofit Organization Management & Philanthropy Consultant

Traditional business models are insufficient for church governance today ― we no longer live in a technical world, where good management will save the day. This workshop focuses on adaptive leaders able to thrive in uncertainty, cultivating wisdom and discernment more than skill and decision-making. Participants will: a) review traditional governance models common in UU congregations; b) hearkey concepts of Carver Policy Governance ™; c) discuss congregations as emotional systems; d) review key concepts of technical and adaptive challenges; e) learn the meaning and value of covenant in UU congregational polity; and f) explore concepts of covenantal governance to support adaptive leadership in UU congregations.

Reading Recommendations:

Boards that Make a Difference by John Carver

Governance as Leadership by Richard Chait et al.

Governance and Ministry by Dan Hotchkiss

Moving on from Church Folly Lane by Robert Latham

Leadership Can Be Taught by Sharon Daloz Parks

The Practice of Adaptive Leadership by Ronald A. Heifetz

The Nature of Adaptive Leadership – YouTube video by Ronald A. Heifetz

2F. Faith on the Move:
Creating and Sustaining Service/Learning/Reflection Trips

Ages: Youth - Adult; UU Knowledge: Newcomer - Leader

Focus: Faith in Action (Social Justice)

Rev. Tera Little, MDiv, Pastor of Faith Formation & Adventure Ministries, PSWD (CA); and UUA Field Staff

This workshop is aimed at UUs wanting to create a justice experience outside the four walls of their congregation that will engage hands, hearts and hands and transform members and the world. Participants will learn how to effectively plan and lead a trip that is grounded in UU values and steeped in theological reflection. The presentation includes basic event planning steps, coalition building, theological reflection preparation, and multi-generational (teen - adult) program development.

Reading Recommendations: