CENTER News 2006-07 UUMA Continuing Education Network for Training, Enrichment, and Renewal

Faith, Trusting Our Own Deepest Experience Sharon Salzberg

During these times of global tension and confusion, we need to rely on inner strength and on a shared vision of possibility as we seek renewed inspiration to create a better world. Sharon Salzberg will explore faith as this source of strength. She talks about faith, not as religious adherence or deference to an external authority, but as trust in our inner capacity for awareness and love, and as recognition of the interdependence of all of life. Stripping away negative conceptions that dismiss faith as divisive or requiring blind observance of a belief system, she shows us in practical ways how to combine devotion and the intellect to develop a genuine connection to ourselves and the world. Meditation practice as well as discussion will shape the exploration.

Sharon Salzberg has been a student of Buddhism since 1971, and has been leading meditation retreats worldwide since 1974. She was the Keynote Speaker for the 2006 CENTER Day. Contact sharon@sharonsalzberg.com.

Sustaining Pastoral Excellence Jon M. Luopa

What does it take to keep us sustained in our parish and community ministries. Let’s explore the relation-ship between the clergyperson and the community served. We will look at the deeper dimensions of our vocation, to what or to whom have we been called? Religious communities are evolving. Have you ever felt that you have been called to serve a church that no longer exists? What kinds of transformational leadership skills might be helpful to us as we negotiate these transitions? Rev. Jon M. Luopa is the Senior Minister at University Unitarian Church in Seattle, Washington. He par-ticipated in the inaugural Pastoral Leadership Program at Seattle University’s School of Theology and Min-istry. Contact revjml@uuchurch.org.

Featured Chapter Presenters

The Chapter Presenters Program

A Presenter Program is a 6-12 hour workshop for a UUMA chapter meeting or retreat. CENTER offers three kinds of opportunities for the chapters: Chapter Presenters, Guest Presenters, and Anti-Racism Anti-Oppression Multicultural Programming.

Chapter Presenters ♦ Chosen from within our collegial ranks

and based on identified needs in ministry

♦ CENTER sponsors individual Chapter Presenters for no more than three years

♦ Funding available to chapters: up to $400 toward expense of bringing the presenter to the retreat, and up to $500 honorarium for the presenter

♦ Additional costs are born by the chapter

♦ Program and financial details are worked out between the chapter and the presenter

♦ CENTER reimburses the chapter and pays the presenter after the program is completed and summary evaluations are returned to CENTER

♦ Reimbursement for expenses to the presenter is a chapter responsibility and should be handled with utmost dispatch

Guest Presenters ♦ When a chapter has an opportunity for

a speaker in your area who can address your needs (UU colleague or someone from outside our movement), CENTER offers the same funding assistance as it does to other presenters.

♦ A number of colleagues offer such workshops professionally. You may contact Jan Johnson to receive a list of who is available. If you would like to offer such a workshop, you may contact him to be added to the list. These workshops are not sponsored by CENTER, but the same funding assistance applies as it does to other Chapter Presenters (as long as funds are available).

CENTER Subsidies Contact presenters directly, then contact Jan Johnson to apply for CENTER subsidies. Funds are limited. Subsidies are awarded on a first-come-first-served basis.

Contact Rev. Jan Johnson: janbjohn@astound.net or (925) 691-7221

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2006 New Chapter Presenters The Possibilities and Perplexities of Small Group Ministry

Dr. M'ellen Kennedy, MDiv, Rev. Helen Zidowecki, Rev. Marti Keller

More than half of our congregations have tried Small Group Ministry (SGM) or Covenant Groups as a way of meeting the needs for intimacy and spiritual growth in our congregations. Groups hold the promise for revitalizing our congregations. Yet many of us are encountering challenges and frustrations as we use this approach. We will provide a candid review of SGM and explore ways to successfully run programs to prevent and avoid some of the common pitfalls. We'll explore the hidden, cultural biases that can limit program effectiveness. We'll invite sharing with colleagues on their views of and experiences with SGM. Contact mellen@smallgroupministry.net.

Humor and Truth in Ministry Rev. Meg Barnhouse

Meg Barnhouse is minister of the UU Church of Spartanburg, SC, and a credentialed pastoral counselor. She is also an accomplished writer, composer and performer. Meg is a commentator on the NC Public Radio Program “Radio Free Bubba.” Her books include The Best of Radio Free Bubba, Waking Up the Karma Fairy, The Rock of Ages at the Taj Mahal, and Did I Say That Out Loud? Meg’s workshop demonstrates how she

uses humor to tell the truth in a “Ha-ha-ha-OH!” technique. She has no idea how to teach humor, but she can teach writing and telling the truth, and participants will have a good time in her work-shop. Her methods for changing self-defeating behavior are both profound and easy to grasp, and she mixes in original songs like “The A.D.D. Blues,” “Born Codependent,” and “The Bipolar Waltz.” Meg is a graduate of Duke University and Princeton Theological Seminary. She can be reached at dearmegb@aol.com or 864-585-9230.

Collaborative Worship Ministry - Growing the Minister/Musician Relationship

Jason Shelton

We often speak of the need for greater collaboration between ministers and musicians, but how might such a relationship actually work? In this work-shop we'll explore the roles of the parish minister and musician, looking honestly at areas of potential conflict between the two as well as celebrat-ing the rich, rewarding partnership that is possible when they engage in a truly shared ministry. Topics covered include: ego and worship leadership; full integration of music into the worship planning process; theological development for church musicians (and the minister's role in making it happen); and music, worship and anti-racist, multi-cultural identity. And rest assured, there will be quite a bit of singing, too! Chapters are encour-aged to invite musicians to attend and participate. The Revered Jason Shelton has been Director of Music for the First Unitarian Universalist Church of Nashville, TN, since 1998. Jason holds an M.Div. from Vanderbilt, and was fellowshipped and ordained to the Unitarian Universalist ministry in 2004. Contact music@firstuunashville.org.

Making Relationships Work ~ Community Ministry and Congregations

What happens when a community minister enters into a relationship with a congregation? How does this affect the dynamics of the ministry and the congregation? This workshop will explore how our diverse ministries can come together to enhance and expand the presence of our congregations in our communities and how endorsements and affiliations can work. Presented by the Education Committee of the Society for Community Min-istries. Contact Rev. Kurt Kuhwald, chair at revkak@earthlink.net.

CENTER Committee

Roberta Finkelstein, Co-chair

Portsmouth, NH (603) 436-4762 rfinkelstein@uuma.org

Wayne Walder,

Co-chair Toronto, ON

(416) 691-3230 center-exec@uuma.org

Michelle Bentley, UUA Professional Development Director Boston, MA

(617) 742-2100 mbentley@uua.org

Jan Johnson,

Walnut Creek, CA (925) 691-7221 janbjohn@astound.net

Ed Piper, Secretary Waynesboro, VA (540) 942-5507 edpiper@uufw.org Maddie Sifantus Wayland, MA (508) 358-7091 msifantus@uuma.org Joan Van Becelaere, UUMA Exec Denver, CO jvanbecelaere@iliff.edu (303) 765-3106

Rev. Maddie Sifantus, Editor

Printed on recycled paper

Living by Heart ~ Dr. Laurel Hallman This workshop is based on a video-conversation between Laurel Hallman and Harry Scholefield on spiritual practices for UUs. The workbook designed by Laurel Hallman to accompany the video will be used. The workshop will give you a group experi-ence in a variety of Living by Heart practices, along with guidance in leading spiritual groups and retreats in your church and community settings. Laurel Hallman is the Sr. Minister of the First Unitarian Church of Dallas. She has been trained in individ-ual and group spiritual direction at Shalem Institute. (214) 528-3990 / lhallman@dallasuu.org

When You Least Expect It...Trauma Response For Ministers And Congregations What do you do when disaster—natural or human made—strikes ? How do you handle the situation, what can you do before hand to mitigate the difficulties, and where can you turn locally and nationally in a crisis? Members of the UU Trauma Re-sponse Ministry will present what you can do now, and what you can do when crises strike. Disaster preparedness, death notifi-cation, spiritual crisis care models, and other trauma ministry related skills will be presented in this interactive workshop. Members are: Kate Bortner, Susan Suchocki Brown, Jan Carlsson-Bull, Dick Leonard, Rosemary Bray McNatt, Joel Miller, Danita Noland, Aaron Payson, and (contact) Lisa Presley (248) 446-8155 / lpresley@uuma.org

Financial Wellbeing for Ministers The purpose of this presentation is to encourage and equip colleagues to address their own financial wellbeing as well as that of our congregations and, through socially responsible finances, the world. A member of the Minister Financial Integrity and Wellbeing Committee will be joined by a fully funded member of UURMAPA to provide inspiration and praxis for ALL levels of financial acumen. Leaders include Paul Johnson, Marni Harmony, Bob Kaufmann, Fred Campbell, Sydney Morris, Jim Sher-blom, and others continent-wide. Contact: Sydney Morris (715) 356-0188 /samorris@uuma.org.

Finding a Path to Walk the Talk of Justice-Making ~ Rev. Marjorie Bowens-Wheatley and Rev. Dr. Gretchen Woods How do we offer leadership to those who are ready to proceed with the task of becoming an anti-racist, anti-oppressive, and multicultural ministry? Gretchen Woods and Marjorie Bowens-Wheatley, who have just completed their terms as members of the C.E.N.T.E.R. Committee, will work with chapters as learning communities to sort through the issues, become aware of myr-iad approaches, and gain familiarity with key resources. Gretchen Woods has been working with these issues since 1963 and is a trained trainer from Diversity Works. Her D. Min. focused on congregations as healthy system. Contact: (541) 754-4144 revgwoods@aol.com. Marjorie Bowens-Wheatley, serving San Diego, California, is a former UUA Adult Programs Director. She is co-editor of Soul Work: Anti-Racist Theologies in Dialogue.

The Human Zoo Re-Visited: Family Systems After Friedman ~ Rev. Kenn Hurto This workshop will renew participant's acquaintance with Bowen Family Systems and provide opportunity to experience updates to the theory, particularly with regard to brain function, beyond what Ed Friedman achieved. The focus will be on anxiety modulation and the role of the leader. Kenn Hurto has served our minstry for over 30 years. Privileged to study directly with Rabbi Dr. Edwin H. Friedman, Kenn is knowledgeable both about our ministry and how families work, with a particular interest in the link between personal soul work and leadership within the chronically anxious system that comprises a church. Among us, he has been member and chair of CENTER committee and Vice-President of the UUMA Exec. Contact (941) 561-2700 / Kennzeagle@comcast.net

Issues of Class: Implications for Ministry ~ Rev. Lynn Thomas Strauss How does our socioeconomic background inform our ministries? What class issues go unnamed in UU congregations and in our movement? How many UU families live in secret with drug addiction, relatives in prison, no health insurance, or lack of a financial cushion? Are we truly welcoming of people without college degrees? Are we missing the power of oral culture? Drawing on the work of Tex Sample and radical poets, we will explore our experiences of class and cultural bias through discussion, small group work, and telling our stories. Lynn Thomas Strauss was ordained by Third Unitarian Church, served for 9 years at Tennessee Valley UU Church in Knoxville, TN and is now Associate Minister at River Road Unitarian Church in Bethesda, MD. Contact (301) 229-0400 / lstrauss@rruc.org.

Transforming Congregational Gifts into Mission and Ministry ~ Rev. Roy Reynolds This program can help affirm your congregation’s gifts, empower congregational leaders, and broaden the effectiveness and meaning of liberal religious community. Those shared strengths are the congregation’s gifts, and they form the hub of congrega-tional life. The presentation and group exercises will give clergy and other religious professionals a new tool for leadership. Roy Reynolds served congregations in Virginia and Georgia. Drawing from his former career as an urban planner, has been consult-ing with congregations in the Mid-South and Thomas Jefferson Districts developing this gifts approach to congregational leader-ship. (770) 455-8125 / royreyn@aol.com

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2006 Continuing Chapter Presenters

CENTER DAY 2007 A Paradigm Shift

From Theory to Praxis Reverend Dr. Jeremiah A. Wright, Jr.

Tuesday, June 19, 2007* ~ Portland, Oregon

The 2007 CENTER main presentation will take place in two parts. A Paradigm Shift will lay out the scholarship and research over the past half Century that helps seminarians and pastors to embrace the global view of God's world, God's people and their different cultures as positive tool for doing ministry and for understanding that different does not mean deficient. This is a break with the old North Atlantic model which presumed that only Europe and European models of scholarship had validity. After a short break, From Theory to Praxis will give ministers some examples of doing ministry from a Progressive Faith perspective in a culturally diverse world while not buying into notions of superiority and the

conservative mood of the dominant culture. How "to serve this present age" while maintaining personal integrity and honoring various traditions will be the focus of this presentation

Reverend Dr. Jeremiah A. Wright, Jr. became Pastor of Trinity United Church of Christ (TUCC) on March 1, 1972. Within a matter of months he demonstrated an understanding and deep commitment to help TUCC achieve its motto and vision. The motto, "Unashamedly Black and Unapologetically Christian", was a phrase coined by his predecessor, the Reverend Dr. Reuben Sheares, and was officially adopted by the congregation shortly after Pastor Wright began his ministry.

Trinity United Church of Christ’s membership currently exceeds 8,000 and in May 1997 a new 2,700 seat worship center was dedicated. The membership continues to grow numerically and spiritually with large numbers of members tithing and participating in bible classes. Over 70 ministries are offered to enhance our Christian journey.

Pastor Wright holds a Doctor of Ministry Degree from United Theological Seminary, a Master’s degree from Howard University, an additional Master’s degree from the University of Chicago Divinity School and seven honorary doctorate degrees. He has lectured at many seminaries and universities in the nation, and has represented Trinity and The United Church of Christ around the world. He is recognized as a leading theologian and pastor and has published four books and numerous articles.

He shares his life with his wife, Ramah Reed Wright, and is the father of four daughters: Janet Marie Moore, Jeri Wright-Harris, Nikol D. Reed and Jamila Nandi Wright; and one son, Nathan D. Reed. He is also the grandfather of three grandchildren; Jeremiah Antonio Haynes, Jazmin Lynne Hall and Steven L. Moore, Jr.

Continuing Education

Current information on what’s available for your continuing education is available from: ♦ www.uuma.org/center ♦ CENTERfold of the UUMA News ♦ Continuing Education sections of

the Department of Ministry Packet

Continuing Education Grants Thanks to the Continuing Education Endowment raised through the UUA’s Handing on the Future campaign, Ministry and Professional Leadership Staff Group offers grants for continuing education. Individual grants are available on a matching basis with one third paid by the minister, another by the congregation or organization, and the third through the grant. Leadership teams planning professional education programs may also apply. A maximum of $500 is available to any one participant per year.

Send applications to the Office of Professional Development at UUA with a description and objectives of the program, and a breakdown of costs.

More on CENTER Day 2007

Watch the UUMA News for more information on the 2007 CENTER Day. CENTER will offer worship services and the usual workshops related to various aspects of ministry, as well as those related to the topic of the day.

CENTER Publications

CENTER regularly pub-lishes Annotated Resource Lists and Practical Wis-dom short essays produced by Colleagues, UUA staff, or CENTER Day present-ers. If you have a bibliogra-phy or helpful guide for colleagues please contact any member of the CEN-TER committee.

Annotated Resource Lists and Practical Wisdom are distributed during CEN-TER Day and through the CENTER website:

www.uuma.org/center

* At time of printing the GA2007 dates had not been confirmed. Watch the UUMA News for 2007 date confirmation

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