Homily: “Mixing and Huddling” by Gail Forsyth-Vail,
Adult Programs Director, Unitarian Universalist Association, and
co-author of the UUA’s Tapestry of Faith Curriculum
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 a Master Level Credentialed Religious Educator who served congregations for 22 years before joining the UUA staff.
The Healthy Congregation Conference is designed for training lay leaders in congregations and is structured into “tracks” or areas of expertise that all congregations include. These areas are Leadership, Stewardship, Membership/Communications, Faith Development (Religious Education), Youth and Worship. Presenters include Rev. LoraKim Joyner, Rev. Fred Hammond, Connie Goodbread, Eunice Benton, Chance Hunter, and other inspiring folks! Read about the featured tracks here. 2010 MSD HCC Featured Tracks
Registration opens at 8:00 A.M. (Bookstore, Exhibits, and Coffee)
Online Pre-registration is closed, but you can register at the door ($40).
Remember to bring cash or your checkbook – we cannot accept credit cards.
1. Ingathering
2. Part 1 of Gail Forsyth-Vail
3. Part 2 of Gail Forsyth-Vail
4. Eunice Benton
After clicking on each video to play, there is a download button at the top of the page to download the video to your computer. (Click here to reach the main video gallery.)
Thanks to Darrell Crutchley for recording and posting these videos for all of us to enjoy.
There will also be opportunities to buy books, visit related exhibits, worship and share with other members of your congregation as well as other congregations in the district. Directions to the conference site. Check out some of the titles that will be available in the bookstore! Cash or checks only. |
This is THE place for training and networking for a congregation’s current and emerging leaders! A team of half a dozen folks from each congregation should plan to attend this annual Mid-South event! The conference is designed to be an accessible one-day event, beginning at 9am and finishing by 4pm (Central Time).
The Homily and Morning Worship begins at 9:00 A.M.
View or print the 2010 HCC Schedule in PDF format
It is the custom of the Mid-South District conferences to honor a local charity of the host congregation’s choosing by dedicating the collection plate during the worship service to that charity. The Food Bank of East Alabama is the charity that has been selected for the Healthy Congregation Conference donation. We hope participants will be generous.
The Food Bank of East Alabama is a not-for-profit food distribution center committed to efficiently and reliably distributing donated and purchased food to hungry people through qualified soup kitchens, senior programs, shelters, emergency food pantries, and community centers. The Food Bank also manages a number of programs to safely and conveniently channel food to feed insecure people in the area.
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BREAKOUT SESSIONS –
Each session will be offered in the morning and in the afternoon
View 2010 HCC Featured Tracks in PDF format.
FEATURED TRACK and FAITH DEVELOPMENT :
THE CONGREGATION IS THE CURRICULUM: NURTURING AND SUPPORTING FAITH DEVELOPMENT IN ALL WE DO
Presenter: Gail Forsyth-Vail, Adult Programs Director, Unitarian Universalist Association
Description: At the intersection of our personal stories, our communal stories, and the wisdom from our Unitarian Universalist tradition lie the practices of theological reflection and faithful action. This workshop explores ways to create space for theological reflection and faithful action- for faith development- in all aspects of our congregational life and work. It invites consideration of how we equip people of all ages, life stages, cultures, and circumstances to carry their Unitarian Universalist faith into the world.
COMMUNICATIONS/JUSTICE TRACK:
COMPASSIONATE COMMUNICATION: BEING THE PEACE WE WISH IN THE WORLD
Presenter: Rev. LoraKim Joyner is a Certified Trainer in Nonviolent Communication and a Unitarian Universalist Community minister serving in Multispecies Ministry and Compassionate Conservation.
Description: In this workshop we will learn the basics of Compassionate Communication (based on Nonviolent Communication developed by Marshall Rosenberg) and apply them to real situations. Participants will have a chance to bring up personal situations so that we can see how to nourish ourselves and our relationships so that we may in turn nourish our congregations, organizations, public activities, and world. Our goal is to see how we can apply this techniques to social justice efforts in our congregation and in the society at large.
MEMBERSHIP & COMMUNICATIONS:
BEST PRACTICES IN MEMBERSHIP COMMUNICATIONS
Presenters: Chance Hunter, MSD Communications Trustee and Director of Welcome Ministries at the UU Congregation of Atlanta.
Description: This track invites all who manage communications with congregation members — especially church staff administrators! — to join in a discussion of the smartest and best ways of doing this important work in our congregations! Are you considering new ways to do your newsletter — or, perhaps, creating a Facebook page for your congregation? How’s your website doing? Or, have you recently made some changes and have experience to share? Do you keep membership data? Manage news and announcements? Chance invites you to join in for sharing and an opportunity for further networking!
LEADERSHIP TRACK:
WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE AN ELDER? (morning)
Presenter: Eunice Benton District Executive of the Mid-South District
Description: What does it mean to be an ‘elder’ in our religious tradition? (Hint: it’s not just about being old!) Where did this notion come from in our history, and how can we use it well and appropriately today? How can we ‘raise up elders,’ honor them, and invite their wisdom to guide our congregations?
THE TIMES THEY ARE A’CHANGING. WHAT ABOUT ALL THE PROPOSED CHANGES IN OUR UUA GOVERNANCE? (afternoon)
Presenters: Gail Sphar, President of the Mid-South District, and Nancy Bartlett, UUA Trustee from Mid-South
Description: Delegates to the 2011 General Assembly in Charlotte, NC, may be voting on bylaw changes to reduce the number of UUA board members, change GA from an annual event to a biannual one, and put much greater selection and training requirements on congregations’ GA delegates. At the same time, districts are being asked to creatively re-examine their relationship to the UUA and other districts. What do these things mean for your congregation?
WORSHIP/MINISTRY & YOUTH TRACK:
WORSHIP – THE CELEBRATION TABLE
Presenters: Rev. Fred Hammond, the MSD Youth Adult Committee, Scott Weaver, and Connie Goodbread Description: Worship is the time when we celebrate that which we find most worthy. It is the time that we uphold our deepest values. Worship is a community celebration of Unitarian Universalism. Everyone should be fed. Everyone should find something that is just right, something that is their dish. Look around at worship who is there and who is not? Ask yourself, “why?” Come and explore the ways young people like to be fed by worship.
Join leaders and friends for Closing Worship in the Sanctuary at 3:30 PM.
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