Online Calendar
2008 Minns Lecture
Minns Lectures started in 1942 and are an annual series of lectures on religious topics. “Unitarian Universalism and Class: A Faith for a Few?” by Mark W. Harris, Minister, First Parish of Watertown, UU. Rev. Harris is the author of the Historical Dictionary of Unitarian Universalism and of the UUA pamphlet "UU Origins: Our Historic Faith." He is also an adjunct professor at Andover Newton Theological Seminary and Starr King School. View flyer for dates, topics, and locations
Universalist Convocation 2008
Universalist Convocations is an Independent Affiliate of the Unitarian Universalist Association. Our purpose is:"…to explore and draw from the heritage of Universalist experience and faith to inform Unitarian Universalism today and help light its way toward the future."
Universalist Convocation 2008 is May 2-4 (Friday evening through Sunday lunch) at the Barton Center for Diabetes Education, Clara Barton Road, North Oxford, Massachusetts. The theme will be "Being of Service: Path to Fulfillment." Specific topics will include the distinctively Universalist notion that doing good is the key to a fulfilling life, the career of Clara Barton (founder of the American Red Cross), and the work of the Barton Center for Diabetes Education. North Oxford is a village in the town of Oxford, MA, where the Universalist denomination was organized in 1793 and where its most important leader, Hosea Ballou, was ordained in 1794. The building where these events took place still stands and is the oldest Universalist church building in existence (constructed in 1792), but it is no longer used as a church. Tentative plans for the Convocation program include:"Universalist Spirituality," a paper by Richard Trudeau
A pre-GA preview of the video "Our Universalist Heritage," produced by the Universalist Heritage Foundation
Tours of the Clara Barton Birthplace
More specific program information, along with information about airports, lodging, and meals, will be posted in early March at http://nmuc.org/Convo/2008Convo.htm.
Spiritual Parenting Workshop for Parents of Children with Special Needs
Location: Unitarian Universalist Church of Greater Lynn Boxes and Labels are for Products, Not Children Spiritual Parenting Workshop for Parents of Children with Special Needs Labels 10:00 a.m. – NoonIf you are a parent, teacher, religious educator or minister— take advantage of this important learning opportunity. This workshop will explore how to change our thoughts about our child rather than trying to change our child. The Unitarian Universalist Church of Greater Lynn is sponsoring this event at no cost, but you must RSVP in order to receive workshop materials. Please do so to Rebecca Kelley Morgan before or on April 30.
From Sally Patton, Embracing the Spirit of the Child: "As a parent of a child with a special needs label, I struggle to balance using the label to get needed services with refusing to see my child as defective as the label implies. Many parents continually struggle to do this, but most succumb to the relentless message that their child has deficits which need to be fixed, ameliorated or managed. Each time we, as parents, refer to our children by their diagnostic labels, we are saying they are less than whole, we are taking something away from their humanity. We are saying that the label we give this child is more important than anything else. And when we do this, we are giving permission to others to do the same. The change in helping others to seeing the whole child instead of a mass of deficits to be fixed must first start with parents. Seeing past the label to the whole child, using language that focuses on the positive instead of the negative, and avoiding generalizations and assumptions that come from the use of labels can be immensely freeing and healing for all concerned - child, parent, teacher and therapist."
Installation of Rev. Marjorie J. Matty
Location: First Universalist Society of SalemThe First Universalist Society in Salem will install the Rev. Marjorie J. Matty as their settled minister at a ceremony beginning at 4:00 p.m. Reception to follow.
List of Events
Unitarian Universalist Statewide Forum on Immigrant Rights
Location: Arlington Street Church, UU11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Speakers from immigrant and immigrant rights organizations: Centro Presente and MA Interfaith Committee for Worker Justice. The award-winning 20 min. documentary “Detained” about the New Bedford ICE raid (Immigration & Custom Enforcement) will be shown.
Learn about Welcoming Massachusetts initiative, the New Sanctuary Movement, moratorium on ICE raids, immigration reform and what you and your congregation can do. A Latino lunch will be provided. RSVP to Audra Friend at afriend@uua.org; be sure to include the name of your congregation and your town/city and put “ Immigrant Rights Forum” in the subject line.“Majority Speaks: Global Perspectives in Mission”
Location: Andover Newton Theological SchoolAs interest and involvement among Unitarian Universalists in international engagement increases, we can benefit tremendously by learning from lessons of the past and new visions of the future for this work from an interfaith perspective.
The conference is designed for lay leaders and local church mission committees, as well as pastors who are interested in developing missional churches. Download the informational flyer for more details.Frederick Buechner "Thin Places" Lecture
Location: Old South Meeting House in BostonThe Trust for Public Land presents "Thin Places," a lecture on the connection between people and place by the Reverend Frederick Buechner at 7:00 p.m. Reverend Buechner is an ordained Presbyterian minister and the author of more than 30 works of fiction and nonfiction including Wishful Thinking, The Alphabet of Grace, and Telling the Truth. He has been a finalist for both the Pulitzer Prize and the National Book Award. Honored by the American Academy of Arts and Letters, Reverend Buechner is among our foremost storytellers.
Seating is limited, please RSVP to buechnerevent@tpl.org or (617) 371-0508.UU Spring Revival- CANCELLED
The Spring Revival has been cancelled due to low enrollment.