Workshops for the 2011 Annual Conference

The following workshops are scheduled for the 2011 Annual Conference. This is preliminary information -- room assignments and a final schedule will be posted closer to the date of the conference, October 7-9. Please click here for a schedule as of September 7, 2011.

Click here for more information and registration!

Compassionate Communication for Families: Sharing the Gifts of Compassion, Connection and Choice

Ellen & Barry Johnson-Fay

Interactions among family members can sometimes be frustrating, disappointing and even painful. Our goal is to enable participants to move beyond power struggles, to foster trust and inspire dialogue that promotes mutual understanding so that everyone’s needs have a better chance of being met. Through presentations and interactive experiences we’ll explore ways that family members can understand their own needs and feelings, choose how to respond, and strengthen relationships.

Lord of the Dance: Making Icons for the Liberal Church

Roger Butts

In this workshop for all ages, we'll think about who we would include among the dancing UU saints. We'll draw, paint, dance and talk about the icons we would celebrate. We'll share our images, paintings and stories of people who inspire us, draw us out to our best selves, and in the process of sharing learn more about each other and those who inspire us.

Bridging the Generations

Gia Henery & YAC Leaders

The 2011-2012 YRUU Youth Adult Committee is in overdrive! We're planning two amazing multigenerational immersion trips this year, a heritage trip to Boston and a reverse mission trip to the border to learn about immigration issues. The purpose of this workshop is to make Connections between youth and adults so that we can make these events a reality. Come be part of the youth revolution! We'll play games, sing songs and worship together...YRUU style.

Spiritual Disciplines of Liberal Religion

Mike Morran

For too long our congregations have left the spiritual lives of their people to chance. 1st Unitarian Denver has been developing a series of adult classes on the spiritual disciplines of liberal religion, and the results have been pretty amazing. Come learn what we’re up to, and how to bring it home.

Mission Manifesto: A Multi-Age Trip for Every Congregation

Katie Covey

The Boulder Valley UU Fellowship was transformed when 18 adults and youth raised $45,000 and built a school in Guatemala with the "Sienna Project." This multi-media presentation and Manifesto will help others create their own trip. Visit www.uure.com.

Social Networking

Meg Riley

Following up on Friday evening’s presentation, our featured speaker addresses how and why digital connections build community. Facebook, the seventh largest “country” in the world, is a powerful social networking tool. How do we use this fact to change the world? How do we tell this new nation who we are?

Small Group Ministry & Social Change

Deborah Holder

A paradigm shift is underway as an increasing number of UU congregations embrace covenant groups or small group ministries as a container for reflection on their social change activities. When organized to express the values of empathy, respect, humility, spiritual growth, and solidarity, small groups become the unit of personal and communal transformation. When supported by small groups and grounded in restorative justice, our congregations become powerful and effective social change agents. 

Gathered Here: Claiming the Best of our Faith

Sue Parilla & Sue Gonzales

Discover our common aspirations and claim the best of our faith by engaging in a national UUA initiative - Gathered Here. Using the tools of Appreciative Inquiry, an approach to organizational change that builds on what's working rather than trying to fix what's not, this process will engage you and other UUs across the country in conversations that forge new relationships and create possibilities for the future of Unitarian Universalism. Be a part of shaping a shared vision for all UUs. Learn how your congregation can be included among the voices which will guide our UU faith forward locally and nationally. THIS SESSION REPEATS IN THE AFTERNOON.

Creative Engagement & REVEALation

Wendy Mike 

Creative Engagement inspires even the most linear thinker to think and act in ways they never thought possible. People see creative solutions to entrenched problems, resulting in individual and organizational behavioral change. Discover how artistic perspective and visual vocabulary can make a profound difference in the realization of our UU dreams! Hands-on, collaborative, surprising, and fun! This is a multi-session workshop.

Theme-Based Ministry

Kirk Loadman Copeland & Jeannie Shero

Learn about the program materials that First Universalist and MDD are jointly providing to congregations to explore a monthly theme in worship and in small group discussions. The materials include an 8-page journal on the theme, worship resources, and a discussion guide. Theme-based ministry can enhance your programming.

Standing on the Side of Love

Jann Halloran & Interfaith Allies

UU congregations are becoming more deeply engaged in interfaith coalitions organized around immigration, marriage equality and worker justice issues. In preparation for the 2012 Phoenix General Assembly, come learn more about these exciting and transformative campaigns and how you can get involved. This is also an opportunity to meet and greet Kierstin Homblette, our district community ministry intern (shared with First Unitarian Denver), who will be organizing UU congregational participation in the coming year. 

Hilaria: Improv Theatre

Kevin Landis

Looking for a fun and creative way to hone your communication skills? Improv theatre is an exciting and fun way to learn to think on your feet. Don't think you are funny? You will KNOW that you are after you take this workshop. Whether an extravert or introvert, age 9 or 90, come explore the world of improvisational theatre with the director of the theatre program at UCCS.

Bringing Presence: Community-Based UU Ministries

Jude LaFollette

Community ministers use their gifts in diverse ministries in our multi-faith world. One genre of community ministers are those that serve as spiritual directors, pastoral counselors or chaplains in hospitals, prisons, hospices, the armed forces, senior care. Regardless of setting, community ministers bring an unqualified compassionate presence to their care for others. Learn about community ministry, and engage in a practice of bringing compassionate presence to our selves and each other.

In Harmony

Joe Uvegas

Singing together builds community. Bring your copy of the MDD Songbook, “Open Your Heart” (available on site at the bookstore) and join in the fun and celebration of Unitarian Universalist unity!

Posted Wednesday, 20 July 2011 14:38 Written by Jess Cullinan