Youth and adult participants in the UUMAC '10 conference can attend one of the workshops
listed below, as well as brief informal workshops led by volunteers from the community
held throughout the week.
1.
From Camelot to Spamalot: The American Musical Theatre
The Broadway theatre has a long and rich
history. You will be taken through this history, decade by decade, with lots of
opportunity to listen to the music and view film clips and interviews. Each day
we will cover an era and learn one song from a show from that era. Perhaps we
can even choose one to perform at the Friday night showcase!
Monday: The Foundation and Development of
American Musical Theatre
Tuesday: Early History: The 1930's and 40's
Wednesday: The Golden Age: (1943-1968)
Thursday: More Recent Eras
Friday: Relevance of AMT; Prepare for
Showcase
Abby Crowley is a long-time UUMACer with a
passion for musical theatre
2. Artistic Expression Workshop:
Use your week at UUMAC to have the freedom
to express yourself creatively. Make a wall hanging, an altered
book, or any combination of the two. The freedom to decide what you would
like to create is yours. Learn a new technique of creating with fabric and
paper each day and spend the rest of our time together expressing yourself using
your hands and both sides of the brain. Bring a sewing machine if you want
to sew and there will be a couple of extras. Piles of fabric will be
provided along with books to alter, paper, paints, embellishments, and many
other items to spur the imagination. There will be a $20 supply fee if you
are able.
Cindy Williams rejuvenates herself in her
spare time by creating. She particularly loves working with fabric,
paints, and all kinds of embellishments to make wall hangings, cards, baskets,
and whatever strikes her at the moment. She uses this opportunity to
express my outlook on life and loves sharing it with people at UUMAC. In
her spare time Cindy works full time in Human Resources, and have two almost
grown girls- Sarah and Lauren -- and a wonderful husband, Steve.
3. Hide and Seek With
Consciousness—A Workshop for Doing Theological Reflection
UUs often experience fervor and discomfort
around theological questions; this workshop was developed as a way to reframe
that discussion. Will discuss our definition of God—a convenient word to
describe a realm of human experience and also grapple with concepts such as
transformation, resurrection, salvation, atonement, redemption, grace,
theodicy-the study of the problem of evil in the world, forgiveness, humility,
karma and reconciliation. consciousness=awareness, which=capacity for choice and
personal responsibility
Monday: Who am I? Body and behavior level;
Brain stem
Tuesday: What is my purpose? (or, Why am I here? or What am I called to do?)
Emotional level; Limbic system
Wednesday: Who or what is in charge? Cognitive level; Cortical level
Thursday: How do I know what I know? Soul
level; Frontal lobe level
Friday: What happens after I die? Spirit
level; ???
Bio--Tara Stephenson, master's degree in
pastoral counseling, Member and Volunteer Coordinator at the Bethlehem UU
church, part time interviewer for a social research project and LONG time
UUMACer. She is married and has 2 sons, ages 21 and 17, all deeply
connected to UUMAC.
4. I Could Never Go Vegan
Maybe not, but perhaps you’re curious why
so many others are moving in the direction of a more compassionate, sustainable,
healthy plant-based diet? Even if you never go completely vegetarian or vegan,
find out why eating more vegan meals more often will benefit your own health,
and the planet and, of course, the animals. Eating this way is about life and
peace and joy. Eating this way helps prevent chronic disease—diabetes, numerous
cancers, and heart disease. Eating this way is delicious and easy.
Sliced barbecue sandwiches, marinated chicken breast, grilled ham & cheese...
Want to try these meatless meals? Jennifer Greene will show you how, in this
lively and informative workshop that’s part cooking show, part spiritual
practice and part social justice toolkit. Happiness is knowing you’re
doing your part to reduce suffering and planetary harm as you sit down to
scrumptious, nutritious, cruelty-free chow. You have the power of your plate,
every day! Food cost per participant: $6 (payable at UUMAC)
Longtime UU Jennifer Greene was just a kid
when her family attended Cedar Lane UU Church, in Maryland. Living in New
York now, she’s served the South Nassau UU Congregation as their Director of
Religious Exploration since 2008. She is also on the continental Board of
the Unitarian Universalist Animal Ministry.
5. The Enneagram:
Understanding Ourselves and Each Other in Community
The Enneagram is a powerful and dynamic
personality system that describes nine distinct and fundamentally different
patterns of thinking, feeling, and acting. Two ancient concepts, the
Enneagram symbol from the classical Greek thought and the nine Divine attributes
that gave us the seven deadly sins, were brought together in the mid twentieth
century and studied in personal growth and religious settings to give us the
Enneagram system that we have today. We will examine each of the nine
types and the system that relates each one to the others. Videos by
leading teachers of the Enneagram followed by discussions will help each of us
discover our type and learn what it says about us and how we behave in community
with others. I have found the Enneagram to be a valuable tool in
understanding myself and others in my personal and spiritual growth work.
No previous knowledge or experience of the Enneagram is needed. Recommended book
(optional): The Wisdom of the
Enneagram: The Complete Guide to Psychological and Spiritual Growth for the Nine
Personality Types, Don Richard Riso and Russ Hudson.
Rob Dahlstrom is a long-time member of the
UU Church of Silver Spring and a former microwave engineer with the Army
Research Laboratory. He has attended UUMAC many times starting with the
first one in 1982. He has learned the Enneagram through independent study
and participation in workshops given by Helen Palmer, author of several books on
the subject, including The Enneagram:
Understanding Yourself and the Others in Your Life, an early standard
text on the Enneagram. He has led Enneagram workshops at his home church
and at a local retirement community.
6. YOGA AND U
5000 years ago, the spiritual practice of
yoga was developed in India by Vedic Priests. According to yogis, liberation and
enlightenment comes from the union of the divine consciousness with the self.
The relationship between body and mind are enhanced with poses, breath, and
meditation. Over the last 5000 years, yoga has continued to evolve as
India has evolved. We will explore some of the older classical yoga practices.
We'll also experience the newer "livelier" flow yoga, developed recently in the
west. Come dressed to move. Room may be cool or warm, layers are helpful. Bring
a yoga mat.
Kathy Clay has practiced yoga for
over 25 years. Her teacher training explored many of the ancient yoga practices.
She is currently practicing vinyasa style yoga. Kathy is also a Massage
Therapist, and continues to study anatomy and many heath practices.
7. The French Speaking World:
Perspectives and Dialogues on Understanding Cultural Differences
Join me for a crash course in understanding some of the inherent differences
between Americans and the French, including the French-speaking countries in
Africa. Clips from current films will be shown as catalysts for dialogue
concerning the challenges of immigration and integration. Journaling and
discussion will be used as tools in an effort to broaden understanding and
acceptance of cultural differences.
Laura Crowne’s French education began as a child. Her father, an American Jew
and mother, a French Catholic, met in Paris during World War II. Laura grew up
in Italy and Cambodia, as well as the United States where her father worked for
the US Information Agency. She earned a BA in French Education and a Master’s
Dance/Performance Arts. Although she continues to teach young children the art
of dance, her current reincarnation is a French teacher in a culturally diverse
high school in Dumfries, VA.
8. Extended Workshop: Let it be a Song with Jim Scott
Bring your poetry, inspiring texts and melodies and gather with other
songwriters to create new songs and discuss the songwriting process. The
workshop is open to anyone who has written or would like to write contemporary
expressions of UU consciousness. Legendary UU composer Jim Scott will lead daily
sessions considering performance skills, elements of music theory, improvisation
and the business of music. We will perform for each other and for the UUMAC
community and plant the seeds for a regional UU songwriters collaborative.
This workshop will be scheduled M-F from 9:15-noon (during the Theme Talk and Adult Workshops) and MTuTh 1:30-2:30. Limited to 12 participants--$50 special fee.
Composer, guitarist and singer Jim Scott was formerly a member of the Paul Winter Consort and was co-composer of the Missa Gaia/Earth Mass. His hymns, “Gather the Spirit”, “The Oneness of Everything”, “Let This Be a House of Peace” -- are sung in UU sanctuaries everywhere. Jim received a grant from the Fund for UUism to create the Earth and Spirit Songbook, a collection of 110 songs for earth and peace. He enjoys putting participants in touch with their innate creativity and demonstrating the power of musical expression.
