Equip 2019: UU Tools to Teach, Serve, & Lead
A training opportunity for teachers, hospitality teams, small group leaders and other key volunteers
to expand their knowledge and skillset for greater impact on their church and community.
PROGRAM DETAILS:
9:00am
Opening Program: Music in the Air
Experience the joy and inspiration that the universal language of music instills in our hearts.
9:45–11:45am
Workshops (Subject to Change)
Love Beyond Belief
UU Theologian Thandeka uses the UU 7th Principle to link our human experience of feeling, and reflection on what we feel, to all of life and the world around us. Tapping our deep sensations of awe, wonder, and love is the beginning transformational experience. She writes, "The access point to this state of consciousness isn't thinking; it's feeling." The question Thandeka raises is how do we set up opportunities in our churches to help folks convert their personal experiences into life-affirming actions? What we're looking for are ways to equip folks with the capacity to live their lives with deeper compassion, care, love. How do we confirm a sense of being supported and valued in this often-cruel world? How do we inspire acts of lovingkindness? Through work she has called Love Beyond Belief, Thandeka suggests several ways of organizing our time together in small groups to encourage deep reflection and transformative experience. First Church has been experimenting with her suggestions. Come learn more about Thandeka's work, what 's been tried, and how it's going.
Widening the Welcome
Interweave Dallas, an affiliate organization of the First Unitarian Church of Dallas & Interweave Continental, serves the LGBTQA community in the Dallas area by nurturing spiritual growth & fellowship, promoting understanding, and furthering social justice. Interweave is comprised of LGBTQ and allies dedicated to a progressive view of religion and spirituality. Welcoming people of many beliefs, people of many ages, people of many backgrounds, Interweave has been on the forefront of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer inclusion for more than 40 years. We are people of all sexual orientations and gender identities. Learn how this extraordinary adventure of faith and friendship has impacted our lives and how this group serves the LGBTQ community at First Church and strengthens the entire congregation. Bring your questions to this workshop and ponder how other UU congregations in North Texas and their surrounding communities might be transformed by starting similar groups.
Training for Teachers and Advisors of First Unitarian Church of Dallas
Learn about our philosophy of religious education, discover steps to help children and teens achieve self-discipline, learn tricks to enhance your lessons so everyone enjoys them (including you), and find out what the curriculum really is. Get information about new safety technology and important safety procedures in the event of an emergency. Meet and enjoy the company of others deeply dedicated to our free faith.
CPR/AED Training
Come learn the skills you need to respond when someone in your community suffers cardiac arrest. We will practice hands-only CPR, and learn how to use an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) machine. An RN will be teaching the course and will include training on "Stop the Bleed" as well. This is a great workshop for hospitality teams including ushers and greeters.
Small Group Ministry
Small group ministry can be a vital part of your congregation's faith formation and community building programs. Learn about the purpose, covenants, format, topics, training, and structure for an ongoing program. Participants will learn about group ministry programs and resources and experience basic facilitator training. The workshop will also include a short "sample session" to illustrate the power and energy that can develop in small group ministry.
Working for Racial Equity in Our UU Congregations
The Racial Equity Task Force of First Unitarian Church began meeting in the summer of 2018. Come hear their story including their struggles and fumbles, how they re-grouped, what they are doing presently and what they have planned for the future to ensure that the congregation is actively engaged in justice-making and liberation. Members of the Task Force will share definitions they use in their dialogue, their pledge, and their agreement about how they will honor and support each other in their work and answer questions you may have.
Noon
Enjoy a delicious lunch with friends, old and new.
1:00pm
Blessing of Your Ministry and Work
Free childcare is available provided that reservations are made when you click the registration link below.
There will be delicious food for omnivores and vegans. We’re unable to accommodate other special dietary needs. If you’re on a restricted diet, we ask that you bring something tasty that you will enjoy. Children will be served fresh veggies, cheese pizza, and lemonade. If this menu doesn’t meet the needs of your child, please pack a lunch labeled with first & last name. No nut butter of any kind, please.
Registration will be open until Wednesday, August 6th at 11:59 pm:
Please Register Here
The Founding Myth: Why Christian Nationalism Is Un-American
Join us to hear Andrew Seidel, attorney for the Freedom from Religion Foundation (FFRF.org), author, and activist, talk about his new book, The Founding Myth: Why Christian Nationalism Is Un-American.
Do “In God We Trust,” the Declaration of Independence, and other historical “evidence” prove that America was founded on Judeo-Christian principles? Are the Ten Commandments the basis for American law? A constitutional attorney dives into the debate about religion’s role in America’s founding.
In today’s contentious political climate, understanding religion’s role in American government is more important than ever. Christian nationalists assert that our nation was founded on Judeo-Christian principles, and advocate an agenda based on this popular historical claim. But is this belief true? The Founding Myth answers the question once and for all. Andrew L. Seidel, a constitutional attorney at the Freedom from Religion Foundation, builds his case point by point, comparing the Ten Commandments to the Constitution and contrasting biblical doctrine with America’s founding philosophy, showing that the Bible contradicts the Declaration of Independence’s central tenets. Thoroughly researched, this persuasively argued and fascinating book proves that America was not built on the Bible and that Christian nationalism is, in fact, un-American.
Andrew L. Seidel works as a constitutional attorney at the Freedom from Religion Foundation, litigating cases involving religion and the Constitution. He has appeared on Fox and Friends, MSNBC, and The O'Reilly Factor; numerous radio shows; speaks and writes extensively about religious freedom; and has been profiled on BBC News, BuzzFeed, International Business Times, and more. Learn more about Andrew at: @AndrewLSeidel on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
Friday, August 23, 2019 at 7 PM – 9 PM
Pathways Church
481 W Harwood Rd, Hurst, Texas 76054
Hosted by DFW Freedom From Religion Foundation
