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Workshops
Use the key below to select workshops when you register online!AM Workshops (1 hour and 15 min)
AM 1 - UU Theology - Rev. Susan Smith
This workshop will continue the UU theology thread of the theme talks and explore what religious liberals believe and the challenge to become what we say we are as individuals.
AM 2 - What's on Your Plate - Rev. Russell Elleven
For most of us, choices are made three times each day as to what we will put on our plate. These choices affect the health of our planet, our own personal health, and certainly the health of the sentient beings we choose to eat. We will examine these issues and how the choices reflect our 7th Principle. Additionally, we will learn what some religious texts say about what we put on our plate and why making changes to our eating habits are so difficult for some people.
AM 3 - Standing on the Side of Love Programs for Church Growth - Kevin Taylor and Rita Cusack
I have no doubt that the time is now for UU churches across the country. The "You Matter" Project has taught me that there are many compassionate people who just want to make a difference without expectation, given the opportunity. Quantum Recovery is our chance to reach out to those who thirst for spirituality but have been either rejected by organized religion or just not comfortable with the various doctrines. This recovery method is not specific to any particular addiction. Quantum Recovery deals with the ego and pain baggage we carry. Since the foundation of UU ideology is compassion and tolerance, I believe that this is our time for action and growth. It is our time to become mainstream. Not just a collection of tree hugging hippies, as others may see us. I want the country to hear our united voice for social justice, spirituality without judgment, and compassion for the sake of compassion.
AM 4 - Compassionate Conversations - Rev. Phil Schulman
Compassionate Conversations is an experiential workshop based on the work of Marshal Rosenberg. CC is very simple but very challenging, requiring practice! It is being used by UU congregations nationwide because it really gives ways to develop skills to embody UU values. REMEMBER: this workshop is experiential.
AM 5 - Big Church Websites for Small Church Budgets - Rob Cervantes
Purpose: To educate small congregations about the ins and outs of developing an effective Web program and establishing online workgroups - for less than $80 a year.
Presenter's Note: Yes, you can pay someone hundreds of dollars a year to develop and maintain your website. Or, you can do it yourself for less than $100.
Course objectives: at the end of the workshop, participants will be able to:
- Identify which web hosting service is right for your congregation
- Identify the difference between good expensive websites and great inexpensive ones
- Know Rob's Rules for Web communications
- Build a website using free content management software
Participants should bring a laptop for hands-on training. Presenter will also have a slide show with examples.
AM 6 - Sustainability - Shari Withey
Attainable Sustainability - Practical applications of a more sustainable life style. Including home improvements, energy efficiency, gardening ideas, wildscaping, living more simply and frugally. Living lighter on the earth and sharing real ways to reduce your carbon foot print. Sharing everyday life ways. Using Scott and Helen Nearing as our models.
AM 7 - SWUUSI Choir - Nick Page
Choir Director Nick Page will lead music that explores the beliefs of Unitarian Universalism including some of Nick's original pieces. Nick has directed the UUMN as well as the GA Children's Choir and he conducts Boston's 250 voice Mystic Chorale that performed at the Boston GA. He has over sixty published choral compositions and arrangements including hymns in the LIVING SPIRIT I and II and other UU song collections.
AM 8 - Living Worship: Multigenerational Conversations - Kenny Wylie
We often think of worship as a Sunday morning thing. For many young adults - and many Unitarians, period - worship must be something else, too. Something more. Join Kenny Wiley, the Young Adult Worship Coordinator, in a series of discussions on how we can - and do - make worship more than a weekly experience.
PM Workshops (1 hour and 45 min)
PM 1 - Healthy Congregations - Connie Goodbread
This workshop will continue the systems thinking thread of the theme talks and explore what our UU theology and congregationalist heritage call us to become as congregations.
PM 2 - Spirituality and Popular Film - Rev. Betty McCollum (2 days) and Documentaries You Have Not Seen, But Should Have! - Jim McCollum (2 days)
First, this workshop will explore how often there are spiritual themes present in popular films. We will first discuss what is spirituality so that we have a common definition and then we will explore how certain spiritual themes appear in a variety of films and look at one particular film and its spiritual themes. Then, check out insightful documentaries that impact on current events and the lessons they teach. Participants may bring a DVD copy of a favorite documentary to share with others.
PM 3 - Examining Whiteness: An Anti-Racism Curriculum - Carrie Stewart
One of the ways that racism affects us is by shaping our identity (and this is true for whites and People of Color). These materials, prepared by the Rev. Doctor William Gardiner, are made available to Unitarian Universalists (UUs), particularly white people interested in transforming their whiteness through understanding the complex history of white supremacy of over four hundred years in the United States, and the impact it has on us as individuals and the society as a whole.
Providing an anti-racism curriculum for white people allows deeper understanding of issues that are essential to furthering a white anti-racist identity. The curriculum includes sections on:
- White Power and Privilege
- Different Ways of Being White
- Racial Identity Development
- The Emotional Lives of White People
- Developing a Positive White Identity
- The History of White Supremacy
We will also learn leadership principles for taking on this work from Fred Ditmars, Open Doors Consulting.
PM 4 - Tents Optional: The Art of the UU Revival - Sarah Prickett and Christian Schmidt
Revival is a spiritual practice common in Western religious traditions, including some of the traditions many of us grew up in. Come learn through experience and practice as well as practical how-to advice how to bring the spirit of renewal (renUUwal, if you will) to your own church or fellowship. We will worship together, experience several sampler workshops from UU Church of Little Rock's own revivals, and get resources and ideas to carry back and renew your own congregation. NOTE: We will be "taking back the language" in this workshop. Any and all references to and/or exultations from the religious traditions that speak to us as well as our shared Unitarian Universalist tradition will be encouraged and discussed. Namaste!
PM 5 - Well-behaved Women Seldom Make History: The UU Herstory! - Rev. Chuck Freeman
From the first feminist treatise in 1792, Mary Wollstonecraft's "A Vindication of the Rights of Woman," UU women have made a substantive impact on religion and culture. We will encounter many of these women through their biographies, writings and sermons, along with lively, timely discussion. We will use the book Standing Before Us: Unitarian Universalist Women and Social Reform, 1776-1939, edited by Dorothy May Emerson.
PM 6 - Golf - Chris Perez
Is golf really spiritual? Bring out your clubs and lets find out, or just come and enjoy "A good walk wasted" - Mark Twain
PM 7 - In the Way of Jesus - Rev. Ron Robinson
How is the radical justice-seeking hospitable way of Jesus a way of life for us today? Monday will focus on the unconventional wisdom parables of Jesus; Tuesday on the Lord's Prayer and others; Wednesday on missional communities and relationships; Thursday on communion and worship.
PM 8 - Strings and Things - Nancy Cain
An eclectic mix of people and instruments who come together to share music. If you have a copy of Rise Up Singing, please bring it to class.
PM 9 - On Site Social Action Projects - Coordinator TBA
Like to get your hands dirty doing good things for the environment? The SWUUSI social action will be working on nearby State Park trail sites and clean up around the lake shore. Requires ability to be out in the weather for 1 hour 30 minutes per day, water bottle, sunscreen, work gloves, and a cool hat. An alternative indoor service will be offered for those who need to stay air-cooled.
PM 10 - Dancing - Lindsey Langford (Mon - Wed)
Belly Dancing will be taught on Monday, Ballroom Dancing will be taught on Tuesday, and whichever the class likes the most will be a choreographed session on Wednesday.
PM 11 - Mix Bag Workshop I (Three days, three topics)
Monday - UU Leadership: Learn How to Connect - Frank Roesler
How to move up to new leadership opportunities within your church and district. First hand advice from the man who has done it all. Bring any questions you have.
Tuesday - Praying in Color - Scottie Johnson
"Praying in Color" is a wordless technique for meditation or prayer, which involves drawing and coloring. It requires no special artistic abilities, however, and has been used successfully and enjoyed by men, women and children of all ages, whether or not they feel they are good at either praying or coloring! If you wish you may bring your own colored pencils or permanent marker pens and blank paper; however, markers and paper will be provided for your use.
This workshop will be taught by Scottie McIntyre Johnson, a student at Perkins School of Theology (SMU) and a Candidate for the UU ministry. Scottie has led numerous "Praying in Color" workshops for Unitarian Unversalists, including for the SWUUSI adult program, for the International Convocation of UU Women and for middle-schoolers at U-bar-U.
Wednesday - Movie: Baraka - Aly Tharp
Baraka is a beautiful and unconventional movie that portrays the relationship between humankind and the environment. The film consists of very high-quality footage of religious practices, urbanized and indigenous cultures, and landscapes and wildlife taken all over the world. For a film without any narration, it has a very powerful message. A discussion group will be held immediately afterwards, for those willing to stay (may run after the scheduled workshop time).
PM 12 - Mixed Bag Workshop II (Two days, two topics)
Monday - Marble Magnets - Samantha Nannetti
Calling all crafters, get the low-down on marble magnets. It's a fun, easy way to add a little flair to your fridge.
Tuesday - T-shirt Fun - Patrick Conner Esquire and Celestine Pendrey
Air-brush t-shirt painting and tye-dye. Bring your own shirts!