Unitarian Universalist: The UU Perspective

 COP21  Paris – Will Unitarian Universalist Congregations Become Organized to Ensure Earth’s Future for Our Descendants? Hear what the results of the Paris COP21 UN talks were from our UU representatives William McPhearson and Jan Dash. Aly Tharp, Program Mangager for Commit2Respond is co-hosting and asking the improtant questions that we want to know the answers to. Are we organized as UU Congregations to make a difference when it comes to Climate Justice? Can UUs have an influence over Climate Justice locally? Emissions – what does the trajectory look like between now and 2100?    Co-Host, Aly Tharp –  is the Program Manager for Commit2Respond and has been  staff network coordinator for the UU Young Adults for Climate Justice, a covenanting community of activists aged 18 to 35 years old, supported by the UU Ministry for Earth. Aly graduated from Austin College in May 2012 with a Bachelors of Art in Environmental Studies and has devoted most of her time over the last three and a half years to grassroots movements for environmental and climate justice. Aly resides in North Texas with her family and twelve pets. Webpage: UU Young Adults for Climate Justice Twitter: @UUYACJ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/uuyacj LinkedIn: Aly Tharp   Jan Dash – links to important sites the Climate Portal the Paris Conference blog on the Climate Portal The talk with slide on CO2 emissions by different countries 2nd edition of my book with the chapter on Climate Change Risk Management Dr. William McPherson is a retired environmental diplomat. Author of books on ideology and environment, he has participated in international conferences on climate change and worked on a number of environment issues, including coal use, petroleum transportation and renewable energy.   Links: Sabotaging the Planet: Denial and International Negotiations: Ideology versus Science: Climate Change Denial:   UU Coalition of State Advocacy Networks UU-UNO Envoy Program   Final Credits: music thanks to: “Carefree”, “Open Those Bright Eyes”, “Sweeter Vermouth” Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Youth have a great opportunity to find out if becoming a minister is what they want to do. The Summer Seminary Program provided through the UUA is a way to experience what it would be like to attend a seminary program. The attend workshops that introduce them to a variety of areas within the ministry and experience the preparation it takes to speak in front of their peers inside of the “Preach-Off”.  They discover if it’s their calling or it can create more engagement in their own congregations worship committees. Luminary Leaders is an invitation that sprouts from attending the Summer Seminary Program. They further develop leadership skills through the support of their peers. Steven Ballesteros and Alex Jensen are alumni of these programs after attending in  2014 and 2013. They share there experience and what other youth can expect to gain from the experience. Both are going into the ministry and this has added to the growth of their abilities in preaching and ministering in areas they are passionate about.   Steven Ballesteros Bio: “I was born and then raised in Tucson, Arizona by my two adoptive moms, along with my biological sister. I spent most of my teens in a variety of athletic and artistic extracurriculars while traveling, hiking, and attending churches with my family. I have spent the last 6 years involved in Unitarian Universalist leadership from the congregational to national level. I have dedicated my time and talent to a variety of leadership roles, including dozens of committees spread between two churches, volunteering at the UU Camp DeBenneville Pines, and attending UU leadership schools. I currently serve as member of the UUA Nominating Committee, co-chair of the General Assembly Right Relationship Team, and as Faith Development Intern to the Edmonds Unitarian Universalist Church of Edmonds, Washington.” Steven on LinkedIn Favorite Quote: “We are often called to do the difficult, if not the seemingly impossible, and it is vital to our spiritual growth that we not ignore these challenges.”— Janice Marie Johnson Alex Jensen Bio: Alex Jensen is a second year student at California State University, Monterey Bay, where he studies Human Communication. Alex has been a Unitarian Universalist since middle school, where he joined Mission Peak Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Fremont, California. A graduate of the UUA’s first Summer Seminary (2013) and a Luminary Leader alumnus, Alex is discerning a call to ministry. Links: Alex on facebook Alex on linkedin Email: [email protected] Favorite Quote: “I do not pretend to understand the moral universe, the arc is a long one, my eye reaches but little ways. I cannot calculate the curve and complete the figure by the experience of sight; I can divine it by conscience. But from what I see I am sure it bends towards justice.” ~The Reverend Theodore Parker, Unitarian Minister   Here’s where you can learn more about Summer Seminary Final Credits: music thanks to: “Carefree”, “Open Those Bright Eyes”, “Sweeter Vermouth” Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.

Answers to the question “How is Unitarian Universalism as a religious denomination uniquley positioned to serve and impact society,” along with some favorite quotes from former UU Perspective guests: Bart Frost, Kenny Wiley, Brian Tideman, Elizabeth Mount, Gleb Tsipursky, Fred Small, Anita Mills, Kathy Smith, Patty MacAfee, Domonic Giafagleone, Cyllis Dreamer, and Micaela Corcoran. Check out more about them and hear complete episodes by clicking on their names! Favorite Quotes:  Lisa Presley: – Surprised people behave badly – Transparency, transparency, transparency – Feed health, starve dysfunction – Diversity: where you count the people; Inclusion: where the people count. – Whether you think you can, or think you can’t, you’re right  – Henry Ford Bart Frost But love is really more of an interactive process. It’s about what we do not just what we feel. It’s a verb, not a noun . –Bell Hooks Rev. Fred Small “When conditions are sufficient things manifest. When conditions are no longer sufficient things withdraw. They wait until the moment is right for them to manifest again.” –Thich Nhat Hanh Anita Mills: Gracias a la vida que me ha dado tanto -from a song by Violeta Parra Translation: Thank you to life which has given me so much (my own – soon to be bumper sticker!) You can change the world! Kathy Smith: The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice. – Theodore Parker  Kenny Wiley: Strong people don’t need strong leaders. – Ella Baker     Final Credits: music thanks to: “Carefree”, “Open Those Bright Eyes”, “Sweeter Vermouth” Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Did you realize that 7/12 of the AA 12 steps have a religious reference and can be a put-off to those non-believers. Even though Alcoholics Anonymous says a Higher Power can be anything you want...a door knob....yeah right! Higher power itself doesn't align with great number of Athiests, UUs and such. So what's the alternative where you can get support if you want to live a sober life? Secular Organizations for Sobriety is available for that purpose. Valerie White (episode 42) give us insight into her journey of becoming sober when she hit bottom in 1985. 28 years sober and the experiences of creating her own group of SOS, has given her the opportunity to be open with others in way that helps them to live a sober life. She writes quarterly articles to support others who suffer with the disease. Links: The movie: The Anonymous People LifeRing Secular Recovery SMART recovery James Christopher Books Unhooked How To Stay Sober   Final Credits: music thanks to: "Carefree", "Open Those Bright Eyes", "Sweeter Vermouth" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Polyamory: It is the idea that you can love more than one person as long as you’re doing it openly, honestly and with the full consent and participation of all involved. Valerie White will tell you all different aspects of Polyamory. Where do people find each other who are poly amorous? Why would you get involved in Polyamory? Is it a choice or orientation? Does the 3rd person live with the first couple? How does that work? Anyways, it’s a fascinating subject no matter if your are a part of it or not. Bio: Valerie White has been a Unitarian Universalist for 53 years, lawyer, and director of Sexual Freedom Legal Defense and Education Fund, Valerie White has spoken on polyamory at many national and regional conferences.  She has written for many periodicals, including Loving More, The World and The Humanist, and served on the boards of Church of the Larger Fellowship, Unitarian Universalists for Polyamory Awareness (their first president), Interweave and UU’s for Jewish Awareness.  She has been president of the Unitarian Church of Sharon, MA and currently chairs the worship committee.  A long-time sexual rights activist, she was president of the Vermont Civil Liberties Union.  She has lived in an open triad for 21 years and is helping raise 13-year-old twins. Favorite Quote: “My feeling about technique in art is that it has about the same value as technique in lovemaking. Heartfelt ineptitude has its appeal and so does heartless skill; but what you want is passionate virtuosity.” John Barth, Giles Goat Boy Website Links: Sexual Freedom Legal Defense and Education Fund Unitarian Universalists for Polyamory Awareness Loving More Books of interest: Loving More: The Polyfidelity Primer  Sex at Dawn: The Prehistoric Origins of Modern Sexuality By Christopher Ryan  Sex at Dawn: How We Mate, Why We Stray, and What It Means for Modern Relationships  The Ethical Slut  More Than Two  Opening Up   Final Credits: music thanks to: “Carefree”, “Open Those Bright Eyes”, “Sweeter Vermouth” Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

The COP 21 UN Climate Talks in Paris are where decisions are made...or not among 200 Nations. How do they get everyone to agree. How will fossil fuels be dealt with. There is so much happening between Nov30- Dec 12 and Aly Tharp and Ethan Bodnaruk are two Young Adult UUs who dig deep into what's happening as they attend the 2015 COP 21. Ethan's Cohert will be inside attending workshops and being directly involved, while Aly will be at the 2nd half attending activist events outside the building in solidarity with others from around the world. Once they are back I'll bring you a recap of their experience. Aly's Bio: Aly Tharp is the staff network coordinator for the UU Young Adults for Climate Justice, a covenanting community of activists aged 18 to 35 years old, supported by the UU Ministry for Earth. Aly graduated from Austin College in May 2012 with a Bachelors of Art in Environmental Studies and has devoted most of her time over the last three and a half years to grassroots movements for environmental and climate justice. Aly resides in North Texas with her family and twelve pets.   Webpage: UU Young Adults for Climate Justice Twitter: @UUYACJ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/uuyacj LinkedIn: Aly Tharp  Favorite Quote:   "Dream lucid and wide awake" - Gini Von Courter, in a speech she once gave in Texas    Ethan's Bio: Ethan Bodnaruk is a Ph.D. Candidate in Ecological Engineering at SUNY-ESF in Syracuse, NY and is a co-leader of the Religions for Peace, North American Interfaith Youth Network.  He is active in Citizens' Climate Lobby which advocates for a revenue neutral carbon fee and will be attending the Paris COP with a small cohort of interfaith youth sponsored by Religions for Peace USA.  He has a MS in Nuclear Engineering from North Carolina State University and a BS in Engineering from Harvey Mudd College.  He lives in snowy Syracuse, NY with his wife and two dogs.  Webpage: www.ethanbodnaruk.com Twitter: @ethanbodnaruk LinkedIn: Ethan Bodnaruk  Favorite Quote: "Know the rules well so you know when to break them"  - Gandhi Other Links:  The Condor and the Eagle video Final Credits: music thanks to: "Carefree", "Open Those Bright Eyes", "Sweeter Vermouth" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Favorite quotes from former guests, Margalie Belizaire, Cal Frye, Phillis Smith, Connie Goodbread, LoraKim Joyner, Hal Walker, Kathleen McTigue, Darlene Pagano, Jyarleen Daniels, Peter Morales, Rachel Gore Freed, Janet Mason, Ariel Hunt-Brondwin, and Susan Katz Miller. Plus answers to the question, How is Unitarian Universalism as a religious denominiation uniquely positioned ot serve and impact society? Want to find out more about one of the guests? Click on the name to go to their episode! How would you answer this question? Leave your answer in the comment section below or use speakpipe (the tab on the right) and I’ll play it on the next episode! List of Quotes: Margalie Belizaire Let us be kind to one another for most of us are fighting a hard battle. – Ian MacLaren LoraKim Joyner You do not have to be good. You do not have to walk on your knees for a hundred miles through the desert, repenting. You only have to let the soft animal of your body love what it loves Tell me about despair, your, and I will tell you mine. Meanwhile the world goes on. – Wild Geese, by Mary Oliver They who bind to themselves a joy Do the winged life destroy; But they who kiss the joy as it flies Live in eternity’s sun rise. – William Blake   Connie Goodbread Faith development is all we do. Unitarian Universalism is the faith we teach. The congregation is the curriculum. – Connie’s creation (it is also the mantra of the UUA Southern Region) Hal Walker “Don’t Believe Everything You THINK!” Rev. Kathleen McTigue “If our religion plays a significant role in our lives, then it must do more than simply reinforce the values of our culture. In fact, …our values are often deeply counter-cultural. Articulating the ways these values challenge certain cultural ideas about wealth accumulation…for example, is part of what it means to be prophetic….Given the public dominance of conservative religious voices today, if religious liberals don’t speak up, no one else will know that there is another religious perspective.” – Paul B. Rasor from his book – 

Guided by Unitarian Universalist principles, TXUUJM educates and organizes member congregations, and partners with sympathetic organizations in order to advocate effectively for public policies that: Uphold the worth and dignity of every person; Further justice, equity, and compassion in human relations; Ensure the use of the democratic process; Protect religious freedom; and, Promote respect for the interdependent web of all existence. The areas of focus in the future are economic justice, reproductive justice, and immigration and refugee rights. Are you in one of the 23 States that has a Justice Ministry? Rev. Chuck Freeman Bio: Rev. Chuck Freeman has been in the ministry since 1977 serving Church of Christ and Unitarian Universalist congregations.  He is the founding minister of the Free Souls Church in Round Rock,Texas.  Chuck is a founding member of the Texas Unitarian Universalist Justice Ministry and its Executive Director. Chuck is also a certified Chaplain who has ministered in the Texas Medical Center in Houston and with Hospice Austin.  He is the co-founder of Hospice Austin’s Bereavement counseling program. He is the creator; producer and host of the radio program “Soul Talk” which has been broadcasting since 1996.  The show currently streams live 24/7  Soultalkradio.com. Chuck is the Founder and President of the Free Souls Project, promoting the integration of spirituality, democracy and ethics from a liberal faith perspective. His blogs on Politics & Religion have appeared on Fire Dog Lake/The Seminal,  & The Huffington Post. His Op Ed Pieces have been published in the Austin American Statesman, Austin’s NPR affiliate, KUT, and The Washington Post/Newsweek “On Faith” blog. Chuck was a panelist on the 2009 Netroots Nation workshop “A New Progressive Vision for Church & State.” You can keep up with Chuck’s media ventures at ChuckFreeman.org. Chuck is a lively, reflective, down to earth man who combines irreverence, compassion, and a playful humor in his life and work. Favorite Quotes: “Organized error will outdistance unorganized truth every time.”- Rev. James Billings, Universalist Minister/Missionary in Texas, 1889 "Why talk forever? What shall we do? Now is the time to push and be active. There will never be a better time ‘til we make the times better." —Rev. Theodore Parker Links: TXUUJM Coalition of Unitarian Universalist State Action Networks   Final Credits: music thanks to: "Carefree", "Open Those Bright Eyes", "Sweeter Vermouth" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Peggy Gill of Horizon UU Church of Carrolton, TX created the Candle Lighters, a 4 hour weekly gathereing for those in the early stages of Alzheimer’s. It may be respite for spouses and caregivers but it enriches and gives diginity to those suffering from Alzheimer’s. As they sing in their own special way, “We are the Champions” as friends pass on, they champion each other as they continue to gather. Description of the Candle Lighters Program: Candle Lighters, an outreach ministry of Horizon UU Church, is a meeting place for adults with memory issues. Open to persons of all faiths, races and ethnicities, Candle Lighters provides a time for those who participate to enjoy and activity-based program each Friday, and gives a respite for caregivers. Activities include exercise (Tai Chi), creating a Memory Book, games and music and art. Bio: Peggy Gill is a retired professor of educational leadership. During her teaching career, she focused on the needs of students with learning difficulties. She continues to work with future teachers but spends most of her time in volunteer work. She currently volunteers as a teacher of adult ESL classes, in Candle Lighters (a fellowship for those with early stage Alzheimer’s) and in rural Belize helping teachers learn the skills to be successful in challenging conditions. She is married and the mother of 3 children and 8 grandchildren. Favorite Quote: “Better to light one candle, than curse the darkness.” Contact Peggy at: [email protected] Links: Alzheimer’s Association Horizon UU Church on Facebook   Final Credits: music thanks to: “Carefree”, “Open Those Bright Eyes”, “Sweeter Vermouth” Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Kenny Wiley, Senior Editor of the UU World and avid activist. He has explored faith and identity as a youth and it helped him develop the core of who he is. His struggles as a Black UU when he was young had him avoid what later would be a significant friendship. He found his friendship with Raziq to be powerful and healing. Bio: Kenny Wiley, a UU World senior editor, lives in Denver and works at Prairie Unitarian Universalist Church as its director of faith formation. A 2011 graduate of the University of Missouri, Kenny loves college football, women’s and men’s basketball, and playing ultimate frisbee. He also the founder of the Denver Black Lives Matter chapter. Favorite Quote: Strong people don’t need strong leaders. – Ella Baker Each night a child is born, is a holy night.- Sophia Lyon Fahs   Final Credits: music thanks to: “Carefree”, “Open Those Bright Eyes”, “Sweeter Vermouth” Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Peaceful, Non-violent Protest through song from the Common Ground Street Choir of Dallas, Texas.   Kathy Smith, Anita Mills and Pat McAfee lead this activist singing group around the Dallas/Fort Worth area. They hope to expand with new chapters of the Common Ground Street Choir in other counties in the near future. From civil rights to job rights all songs have various verses to fit the moment. In February of 2015 they went to Austin to lobby legislators on inequallity in pay and reproductive rights, singing in the rotunda. Pat will tell you, "The Common Ground Street Choir has been a joyful process since it’s inception at GA in Providence and one into which I can pour my peace and justice passion and off-key alto." Here's How It All Started: Emma’s Revolution threw down the gauntlet at their workshop at GA. They said we’ve lost the peaceful nonviolent protests of the 60s and 70s. Now, no one seems to know the songs – or sings at protests and marches.  Now it’s the three-word chant, which is confrontational. They challenged congregations to start Revolutionary Street Choirs to show up at protests to SING the message, and teach the old songs and bring some new ones, too. Singing evokes emotion.  It’s a peaceful, nonviolent way to convey a message.  And it can create magic. The take-away if you feel the slight bit interested in creating a similar group: Holler along, harmonize at will, and you're a passionate street choir. Bios: Anita Mills is a lifelong Unitarian and is currently serving as President of the North Texas Unitarian Universalist Congregational cluster. She is a co-founder of the Common Ground Street Choir, which fields members to sing at protests and rallies. Anita works with Grow North Texas to help urban agriculture efforts succeed, particularly in food deserts. Kathy Smith is currently the Director of Religious Education for Children and Youth for the Community Unitarian Universalist Church in Plano, TX. She has been a lifelong musician, educator, and social activist. Pat McAfee signed her first Book on Christmas Eve 1980 in Lubbock, TX and is now a member of the UU Church of Oak Cliff in Dallas, TX. As those who prefer small congregations understand, many hats have decorated her head in service to both these churches over the years. Currently Pat serves as the UUCOC representative to the North Texas Unitarian Universalist Congregations cluster and co-chair of NTUUC’s Education Committee. Favorite Quotes: Anita: 1. Gracias a la vida que me ha dado tanto from a song by Violeta Parra Translation: Thank you to life which has given me so much 2. (my own - soon to be bumper sticker!) You can change the world! Kathy: The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice. - Theodore Parker Links: Video of our Legislative Action Day - incl. choir singing in rotunda of Texas State Capitol http://www.ntuuc.org/events/ntuuc-event-videos  It's story and songsheets can be accessed at: www.commongroundstreetchoir.org https://www.oakcliffuu.org/common_ground/ Link to our FaceBook page "Common Ground Street Choir" https://www.facebook.com/CGStreetChoir?fref=ts Final Credits: music thanks to: "Carefree", "Open Those Bright Eyes", "Sweeter Vermouth" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.

From Full Time Minister to Persuing his Passion for Climate and Enviornmental Justice. Founder of the Creation Coalition, Fred Small begins gathering the masses for the political force that will bring about change.   As a singer/songwriter you'll hear his performance  of an all-time favorite among many ensembles, Everything Possible.   Bio: Honored by Bill McKibben as “one of the key figures in the religious environmental surge,” Rev. Fred Small is the founder of the Creation Coalition, a new organization to mobilize people of faith as an irresistible political force for climate and environmental justice. Senior Minister of First Parish in Cambridge, Unitarian Universalist, since 2008, Fred is also a singer-songwriter and environmental lawyer.  One of the first to engage in civil disobedience to draw attention to climate change, he was arrested with 21 others in prayer outside the US Department of Energy in Washington, DC, in May 2001.  In March, 2007, he was a lead organizer of the Interfaith Walk for Climate Rescue from Northampton to Boston, Massachusetts. Grist Magazine has named him one of 15 Green Religious Leaders worldwide. Favorite Quote: “When conditions are sufficient things manifest. When conditions are no longer sufficient things withdraw. They wait until the moment is right for them to manifest again.”--Thich Nhat Hanh Links: Creation Coalition website Questions about the Creation Coalition: [email protected] Listen to more songs on the Fred Small Music Page on Facebook   Final Credits: music thanks to: "Carefree", "Open Those Bright Eyes", "Sweeter Vermouth" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

The last installment from the attendees of OPUS. Micaela Corcoran and Brian Tideman share finding Unitarian Universalism, impressions sharing UUism with other, searching for community and connectedness in a foriegn country where UUs are at a minimum, and the experience bridging out. Opus wishes do come true!  Learn what wishes are! Micaela Corcoran  - Her first Opus and what she's experienced! She received support, love, fulfilling wishes and more! She discovered UUism at age 14 and for her to "do church in a way that's comfortable."       Brian Tideman - Working overseas teaching English in China, Brian came back to the States to enjoy his last OPUS before bridging out. Learn about his journey living in China were UUs aren't as prevalent and how how he fulfills his need for community.       Final Credits: music thanks to: "Carefree", "Open Those Bright Eyes", "Sweeter Vermouth" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Bart Frost, UUA Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministries tells what Youth are enjoying most inside of our church walls. Also what do they want in order to feel included? Do you offer a Junior Membership?Is the symbol of that relationship important to you? Do you include them in your governance, worship or other activities that move the church forward? Have you heard of the Summer Seminarian program for high school kids interested in the ministry? Young Adult programs are available through the UUA and feel free to call Bart and talk to him (he says he doesn't get many calls, so go for it!) (617) 948-4359 Ask for what you need! Bio: Bart Frost is a lifelong Unitarian Universalist, and has served the UUA in various leadership positions for almost fifteen years. He currently serves as Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministries at the UUA. Bart lives in Boston with his fiancé and their three cats. Bart’s passion is creating opportunities for younger leaders in our faith to share their skills and spirit with the world. Favorite Quote: But love is really more of an interactive process. It's about what we do not just what we feel. It's a verb, not a noun. -Bell Hooks   Links: Bart: Phone (617) 948-4359  |  [email protected] uua.org  |  Twitter  |  Facebook http://www.uua.org/re/youth http://www.uua.org/re/youngadults http://blueboat.blogs.uua.org/ Twitter: @yayauua Instagram: @instayayauua Facebook: UU youth ministry facebook page https://www.facebook.com/CampusUUs The Hub: UU Young Adults facebook page   Final Credits: music thanks to: "Carefree", "Open Those Bright Eyes", "Sweeter Vermouth" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Opus is a spiritual retreat and summer camp for Unitarian Universalist Young Adults age 18-35.   They worship, have workshops, touch groups, and social justice oriented activities. It runs 5 days and is held in one area for a 2 year period and then moves on to a new area. The past two years it has been located in the mid Ohio area and I had the opportunity to visit for a few hours and do some love interviews. I heard from YAs in their 20's to one aging out this year and enjoying his final year at Opus. By the way if you wonder what Opus stands for...well it's not an acronym for anything. It's just the name of the group. Dominic Giafagleone gives his passionate and  heart felt thoughts on life and what it's like to be a Young Adult in this day and age. Loving  to name drop he's one that shows his appreciation and admiration for those who are thought provoking and inspirations to his life and involvement as an activist. He is a member of Beverly Unitarian Church in Chicago.       Final Credits: music thanks to: "Carefree", "Open Those Bright Eyes", "Sweeter Vermouth" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Finding Meaning and Purpose from a Science Based Perspective. Are you using the three broad area of activities to gain meaning and purpose? 1. self reflection 2. community bonds and community belonging 3. serving others   UUs do a great job in these 3 areas but we could do more especially in interfaith activities.   Bio Gleb Tsipursky, PhD, is the Co-Founder and President of Intentional Insights (www.intentionalinsights.org), a UU-friendly nonprofit that empowers people to refine and reach their goals through providing research-based content about improving thinking, feeling, and behavior patterns. He is also a tenure-track professor at Ohio State University and a member of the Decision Sciences Collaborative there. As a historian of science working at the intersection of history, psychology, and cognitive neuroscience, he researches emotions, decision-making, meaning and purpose, agency and conformism, community, youth, social control, fun and leisure, and civic engagement in historical contexts. He published dozens of peer-reviewed essays in academic venues in the US, UK, France, Germany, Russia, and elsewhere, as well as numerous popular articles, and serves on a number of boards.   He has been active in the Unitarian Universalist movement for a number of years, and currently worships at the First Unitarian Universalist Church in Columbus, where he has participated in and led a number of Religious Education Classes and Covenant Groups. His nonprofit is collaborating with the UUA Faith Development Office and the UU Humanist Association to provide resources for UU youth, young adults, and adults.   Get in touch with him at [email protected] intentionalinsights.org Facebook Page Gleb TsipurskyTwitter Youtube Gleb Tsipursky Pinterest Gleb Tsipursky  

How Do We DO BETTER as congregations? We are such a mix of individuals and yet we work together fantastically! So what happens when don't agree to disagree? Lisa Presley will give you insight into conflict resolution and what it takes to exist beyond knowing what we support as individuals and DO BETTER as a congregation. It's no longer about saving the day. It's how can we recognize conflict sooner rather than later? Younger generations aren't about the old way of socializing in the church which was inside of committees. People want to be out in the world doing something! They want to know their lives has value and meaning.  The nature of religious community has to change.  We'll have to reflect new ways to organize our congregations and new ways to be, if we are going to be relevant. Bio: Lisa Presley is a born and bred UU from the Midwest, who also spent 20 years of her life in Canada (and also holds dual citizenship). She has held almost every role in lay leadership, and is entering her 25th year of ordained ministry. In that ministry, Lisa has served as called minister and interim, as well as for the UUA in the MidAmerica Region. She holds a BA from University of Toronto, an M.Div. from Harvard Divinity School, and a D.Min. from Meadville/Lombard Theological School. She currently lives in Michigan with her partner and their cat.   Favorite quotes: - Surprised people behave badly - Transparency, transparency, transparency - Feed health, starve dysfunction - Diversity: where you count the people; Inclusion: where the people count. - Whether you think you can, or think you can’t, you’re right. - Henry Ford Links: Mid America Region Lisa Presley   [email protected] Final Credits: music thanks to: "Carefree", "Open Those Bright Eyes", "Sweeter Vermouth" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Opus is a spiritual retreat and summer camp for Unitarian Universalist Young Adults age 18-35. They worship, have workshops, touch groups, and social justice oriented activities. It runs 5 days and is held in one area for a 2 year period and then moves on to a new area. The past two years it has been located in the mid Ohio area and I had the opportunity to visit for a few hours and do some love interviews. I heard from YAs in their 20's to one aging out this year and enjoying his final year at Opus. By the way if you wonder what Opus stands for...well it's not an acronym for anything. It's just the name of the group. This episode you will hear from Elizabeth Mount and Cyllis Dreamer, as he likes to be referred to. Both are activists and they share their experiencesfrom stopping the Shell drilling ship in Portland to mental health support.   Elizabeth - one of the Bridge Climbers of the Shell Drilling protest in Portland Oregon.           Final Credits: music thanks to: "Carefree", "Open Those Bright Eyes", "Sweeter Vermouth" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Susan Katz Miller UU "fangirl" and ally presented at GA Portland to clergy about interfaith families and their roles and responsabilites to them. How is your congregation interacting with interfaith families? What are clergy doing to be more inclusive of interfaith families in the congregations? Children in interfaith families can be taught both religions. This allows youth to explore and experience a wealth of tradition and culture inside their families. Bio: Author and journalist Susan Katz Miller is both an interfaith child and an interfaith parent. Her father is Jewish, her mother is Protestant: she grew up in Reform Judaism. After marrying a Protestant, Miller and her husband decided to raise their children in both religions, in a community of interfaith families. Miller served as Board Co-Chair of the Interfaith Families Project of Greater Washington DC. Miller graduated from Brown University, and began her journalism career at Newsweek in New York. After working in the Los Angeles and Washington bureaus, she moved to Dakar, Senegal for three years. While there, she wrote travel pieces for the New York Times, was tear-gassed in the streets while covering an election, interviewed the President of Senegal for Newsweek International, and wrote Christian Science Monitor pieces from Benin, Togo, the Gambia, and Sierra Leone. On returning to the States, she became a US Correspondent for the British weekly magazine New Scientist. She then spent three years freelancing from northeastern Brazil. After her two children were born, she and her husband settled in the Washington, DC, area, and she founded the first blog devoted to interfaith family communities and interfaith identity, onbeingboth.com, and began blogging at Huffington Post Religion. Miller’s writing has also appeared in Time, Slate, Utne Reader, Discover, Science, National Wildlife, Health, Moment, Jewcy.com, interfaithfamily.com, and many other publications. Miller studied photography at the Maryland Institute College of Art, and her photographs have been published in the New York Times, the Christian Science Monitor, and International Wildlife. Her work on interfaith families has been featured on NPR’s All Things Considered, NPR’s Here & Now, NPR’s Diane Rehm Show, on the PBS program Religion & Ethics Newsweekly and on HuffPost Live, and in dozens of other media outlets. Miller also writes for the Jewish Daily Forward‘s interfaith relationship advice column, The Seesaw. Susan Katz Miller is available for speaking, book group appearances, and facilitating workshops for interfaith couples, teens or grandparents. She has spoken at the Humanist Community of Harvard, Georgetown’s Berkley Center, the University of Virginia, Lafayette College, Jewish Community Centers, interfaith peacemaking groups, and many other venues. Favorite Quote: “Unitarian Universalists are neither a chosen people nor a people whose choices are made for them by theological authorities--ancient or otherwise. We are a people who choose.” --Theologian Forrest Church. Links: Being Both: Embracing Two Religions in One Interfaith Family Website susankatzmiller.com Twitter @beingboth Blog onbeingboth.com On Facebook Final Credits: music thanks to: "Carefree", "Open Those Bright Eyes", "Sweeter Vermouth" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Ariel Hunt-Brondwin of the CUC gives insight into the Youth program that crosses borders - GoldMine. UU Young Adults are expressing there needs and are involved in the creation of the Faith Architects Program to fulfill what they're up to. What's the story about how UUs in Canada and the U.S. went seperate ways  and were no longer under one umbrella of the UUA? Bio: Ariel Hunt-Brondwin is a life long UU who grew around Vancouver's lower mainland on un-ceaded Coast Salish territories. She currently makes her home in Toronto, Ontario, traditional territory of the Anishnabe, where she serves as the Youth and Young Adult Ministry staff for the Canadian Unitarian Council. Ariel delights in working with the UU youth and young adults of Canada, where she supports both regional and national conference planning as well as congregational Young and Young Adult ministry. This is a great mixture as it provides so many great outlets for creative collaboration with UU keeners and leaders of all ages and experience levels, as well as regular opportunities to participate in the magic of late night circle worships at Cons. Contact Ariel: [email protected] Links: Canadian Unitarian Council (CUC) cuc.ca   Final Credits: music thanks to: "Carefree", "Open Those Bright Eyes", "Sweeter Vermouth" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/