Mid-South District’s theme this year is Worshiping and Learning Communities, Celebrating Faith Beyond Belief. Making our unique faith more inclusive of all ages and all cultures – and inviting all ages to gather together – is the message here, and we will explore it all year, beginning at two fall events.
On Saturday, October 9th, the 2010 MSD Healthy Congregation Conference will take place in Auburn, AL. Register here for the conference.
Earlier than that – on the weekend of September 17-19 – folks in Mississippi will have A Gathering of Mississippi Unitarian Universalists of All Ages at the Gray Center near Jackson. The weekend is an outgrowth of conversations among the Mississippi Cluster of Unitarian Universalist Congregations in the state. Already sharing PR announcements on Mississippi Public Radio, the congregations have held annual workshops together since 2006. The goal of this 2010 weekend event will be to answer the question, “How can we do intergenerational worship in a way that feeds everyone?” (Look for details and registration info on the MSD web site!)
Featured speaker at 2010 HCC - Gail Forsyth-Vail
The featured guest presenter at the October 9th Healthy Congregation Conference will be Gail Forsyth-Vail. Gail is the 2007 recipient of the Angus MacLean Award for Excellence in Religious Education, and a key member of the UUA staff team developing the Tapestry of Faith online curriculum. She is also the author of Stories in Faith: Exploring Our Unitarian Universalist Principles and Sources through Wisdom Tales and co-author of Harvest the Power: Developing Lay Leadership. She is Master Level Credentialed Religious Educator who served congregations for 22 years before joining the UUA staff.
Many other leaders in our Unitarian Universalist faith community will be involved with both of these events, including Rev. LoraKim Joyner, Rev. Fred Hammond, Connie Goodbread, Eunice Benton, Chance Hunter, Laura de Castro and other inspiring folks!
More detailed information about both these events will continue to be posted!
SO, WHAT ABOUT THIS THEME?
There’s a message of ‘do it together’ in this theme, a suggestion that multigenerational experiences are good and inspiring. There’s also an implication that what we do in congregations is a lot about learning (spiritual and faith development) and worshiping (lifting up those transcendent values that guide us and hold us). Then there’s UUA President Peter Morales’ phrase about our non-creedal religion – a “faith beyond belief,” to remind us of who we are.
Studies tell us that young adults tend to stay with the faith traditions of their upbringing if they have had a positive and affirming experience – if they were known and recognized by the adults in their congregations, if they were allowed to have leadership roles and be appreciated for their gifts.
A small sign propped on a mantle at The Mountain reminds us: “Kids Are Watching – What Are They Learning?” Writer Maria Harris makes the point another way by claiming “The congregation is the curriculum.” MSD Education Director Connie Goodbread says outright: “I think we should be worshiping with our children.”
Juana Bordas writes about her Latino culture of origin as a “We Culture,” different from an individualistic one (like White cultures): “’We cultures’ are impeccably inclusive… they put benefitting the whole before the individual.’” Her book – Salsa, Soul, and Spirit – is an inspiring and accessible book! (It’s available at the October conference bookstore and at the UUA Bookstore).
Mid-South Unitarian Universalists will have the opportunity this year to explore what it really means to be multi-generational and multi-cultural in our congregations!
We’re getting into this ‘We Culture’ stuff!
