WORKSHOPS AT ANNUAL MEETING 2009

Workshops have limited seating.  Please attend only the workshops for which you are registered.

Use Annual Meeting Registration form to sign up for workshops

 

 

MORNING WORKSHOPS

 

 

1. Through the Eyes of a Child                                                                                MORNING

Workshop Leader: Linda Jaramillo

Creating a world fit for children requires that we attend to what is needed to realize such a vision.  The issues are complex and challenging; however, there are clear intersections of one justice issue with another.  Let’s get to the bottom of it for the sake of our children                                                                                                                         

2.  Community Organizing for Economic Justice:

A Higher Education Breakthrough for Underserved Adults                               MORNING

Workshop Leaders: Doug Dunlap and others
            This workshop describes a community organizing effort in Franklin County that brought together leaders in business, manufacturing, health care, tourism, and education to create community-wide promotion of higher education as a key to sustainable employment, and established a seven new host sites for Community College System courses and skill development workshops. Franklin County went from having no community college access sites to having the most of any county in Maine, and over 300 people have enrolled.

 

3.  The Marriage Equality Debate                                                                          MORNING

Workshop Leaders: Stephen Carnahan and Elsa Peters
        This workshop will take a look at the current debate about Marriage Equality in Maine.  We will look at the bill as it is written, the issues raised in the debate, and the theologies that surround them the various points of view.

 

4.  Worship and Just Living:  The Intimate Connection                                      MORNING
Workshop Leader: Rev. Kate Winters
            We will practice and explore worship as a communal spiritual discipline of just living, a counter-cultural event that builds outward-looking communities of justice and love.

 

5.  Bridging Divides Among Us:  Immigration, Trade and the Global Economy MORNING

Workshop Leader: Jonathan Falk, PICA 

PICA’s kNOw US and THEM program is building broader alliances in Maine among workers, immigrants, and their allies, to work together for worker and immigrant rights, fair trade, and social justice.

 

6.  Everything you always wanted to know about the ME State Youth Council  MORNING
Workshop Leader(s) Executive Committee of the ME State Youth Council
            What does it mean to be an Open and Affirming Spirited Youth Community?  Come and find out at this exciting and FUN workshop led by YOUR State Youth Council.  We will share our journey of how we came to be an O & A Spirited Community, explain our different events, learn about youth voice and leadership opportunities in the Conference, and answer any questions you might have.  Everyone is Welcome!

 

WORKSHOPS OFFERED TWICE

 

7.  Restorative Justice Conferencing                                  MORNING AND AFTERNOON

Workshop Leader: Margaret Micolichek
            The use of conferences is an integral part of the Restorative Justice Project of the Midcoast’s work. We will introduce the process, share our experiences and discuss how to utilize the conference process in your community. We will show the film ‘Burning Bridges’ an actual conference and discuss its outcomes.

 

8.  Recognizing White Privilege                                          MORNING AND AFTERNOON
Workshop Leader(s): Susan Davies, Rachel Talbot Ross, Sueli Gaewski, Sarah Pringle-Lewis and Denise Goodman

        We will explore the unearned and unrecognized privilege accorded white people in shopping workplace, law enforcement and other common environments.

9.  Choir Rehearsal                                                               MORNING AND AFTERNOON

Choir Director: Pat Butler

            Join others who like to sing to prepare for participation in Sunday morning’s worship service. All are welcome.  Participation in at least one rehearsal is mandatory before singing on Sunday morning

 

AFTERNOON WORKSHOPS

 

10.  Sacred Conversations on Race                                                             AFTERNOON

Workshop Leader: Virginia Rickeman

        Based on the guidelines posted on ucc.org, we will engage in both conversation and exercises that may help us to appreciate the deleterious impact that racism has had on each one of us, no matter what our ethnicity or how little the diversity in our community. Because race is a topic that arouses deep and sometimes unexpected emotions, there is no guarantee that this will be a comfortable workshop; it will, however, be grounded in prayer and the continual reminder that God is at work for the well-being of every one of God's children. Prerequisites: courage, openness of heart and mind, respect. Strongly encouraged: a sense of humor.

 

11.  ONA:  Open and Affirming!   Just what does that mean???            AFTERNOON

Workshop Leader: Bill Walsh

     Have you ever thought:

            What does it mean to be an ONA Church?

            Where are the ONA churches in Maine?

            What have churches in Maine that have become ONA experienced?

     Or, have you thought:

            How do we become an ONA Church?

            What would it mean for our church to become an ONA Church?

      Join us as we discuss these questions in an open and honest dialogue.  We will explore some of the experiences of ONA (Open and Affirming) Churches in Maine.  Bring your own questions and experiences and we will explore what the ONA movement means for you...

 

 

12.  Raising Awareness for Justice in Darfur                                            AFTERNOON
Workshop Leader(s) Melissa Marquis and Kris Galasyn
            The Tents of Hope Campaign is over but the genocide in Darfur is still happening.  Through photographs, reflections, readings and a time of prayer, hear how a small group of people, from a Maine church, made the journey to Washington DC to stand in solidarity with our brothers and sisters in Darfur.  There will be resources available and up-to-date information on the crisis in Darfur.

13.  A Faith Community Response to Domestic Violence                        AFTERNOON    
Workshop Leaders: Marvin Ellison and Karen Wentworth
        This workshop will increase awareness of domestic violence, offer strategies for response and prevention, and increase knowledge of community resources. Religious and theological concerns of victims/survivors and their questions about suffering, power, forgiveness, reconciliation, and hope will be addressed.

14.  Present on the Street                                                                             AFTERNOON

Workshop Leader: Rev. Mair Honan
        The evolution and mission of Grace Street Ministry, an outreach ministry to the homeless and marginalized in downtown Portland.  Also, a discussion of working “outside the box” wherever your ministry is.

 



 

 

 

 

 

Use Registration form to sign up for workshops (Give top 2 choices)

http://www.maineucc.org/annualmeeting/2009/registrationform.htm