Saturday Workshops (C) 3:00–4:15
Arts & Creativity
1C: Planning Small Group/Lay-Led Worship Services
Small, lay-led services are an excellent alternative to a
more formal Sunday service in many congregations.
Members of the Worship Associates team from First
Universalist Church in Minneapolis will discuss the
planning and development of our midweek worship
services as well as other lay-led services. Resource lists,
tips for brainstorming topics, methods for increasing
attendance and participant involvement, and ideas for
soliciting congregational input will all be discussed.
Worship Associates, First Universalist Church,
Minneapolis
Justice
2C: Tools for Peacemakers
As organizations grow and change, conflict happens.
Learn basic tools for peacemaking within yourself, your
family and your congregation. Rev. Ted Tollefson,
Northfield UU Fellowship
3C: The Hope and Courage of Restorative Justice
The purpose of the Restorative Justice Ministry Team at
Unity Church–Unitarian is to pursue social justice by
engaging team members, the congregation and the
broader community in healing conversations and
activities. Learn about restorative justice as a concept, its
interface with the criminal justice system and about the
diverse ways it is practiced by this community outreach
team. Restorative Justice Ministry Team members,
Unity Church–Unitarian
Leadership
4C: Diversity’s Challenge: Conflict and Right Relations
It isn’t easy being diverse UUs! In this workshop we’ll
learn about ways to build communities that truly
appreciate differences, what’s often behind typical
congregational conflicts and how to work through some
specific conflicts. We’ll also remind ourselves to
celebrate the spiritual and intellectual growth
opportunities provided by our diversity. Members of the
Prairie Star District Conflict Engagement/ Right
Relations Consulting Team: Sharon Blevins, All Souls
UU Church, Kansas City, Cheri Cody, Second
Unitarian Church of Omaha, Rev. Brian Eslinger, UU
Fellowship of Ames, Dale Handeen, Michael Servitus
Unitarian Society, Fridley
Community
5C: Building a Church Community Through Congregational Singing
This interactive workshop will focus on how important it
is for the congregation to participate in the church’s
music—particularly hymn singing. Come make a joyful
noise together! Sonja Johnston (and others),
Minnesota Valley UU Fellowship, Bloomington
Other
6C: Web Templates for Congregations That Promote Growth
Congregations needing a Web site—or needing a better
Web site—will enjoy seeing the results of a project to
develop Web sites that promote congregational growth.
This project created a set of templates to be used by
various sizes of congregations to create or enhance their
Web sites. The templates are available for free or at
minimal cost to congregations and can be installed with
minimal technical expertise. This project was partially
funded by the UU Funding Program and was sponsored
by the First Unitarian Society Technology Task Force.
Mark Gibbons and Diana Allen, First Unitarian
Society, Minneapolis
Intergenerational
7C: Hands-On Spirituality
One of the most universal symbols of hope and courage
is the “peace crane.” Come and hear the story of this
powerful symbol, then learn to fold an origami crane.
Each participant will leave the workshop with
instructions on how to make a crane (for future folding),
a sheet of ideas for intergenerational activities using the
crane, and a talisman of hope in the form of a hanging
crane. Limit 30 participants. Cheryll Wallace, First
Unitarian Church of Omaha and Lori Allen
Resources
8C: UUA 101: How Our Association Serves All of Us
Ever wondered exactly how your congregation benefits
from supporting our Unitarian Universalist Association?
Here’s your chance to learn! We’ll outline the myriad
ways the UUA serves its member congregations. We’ll
also explain how it’s organized, staffed, and funded.
John Blevins, PSD’s UUA trustee, will briefly
summarize UUA’s anti-oppression initiatives. Liz
Weber, UUA Annual Program Fund Chair for Prairie
Star District, UU Fellowship of Ames, and John
Blevins, UUA Trustee from Prairie Star District, All
Souls UU Church, Kansas City