Keynote Speaker John Buehrens

 

Seminary for a Day

"Yearning for Depth" 

Saturday, January 28, 2012

 9:00am-4:00pm

at First Unitarian Church of Portland 

A Joint Venture of Starr King School for the Ministry
and First Unitarian Church, Portland.   



Venue:
First Unitarian Church "Eliot Center"
1011 SW 12th Ave., Portland, OR 97205 
Directions, Transportation Tips, Parking Info and Campus Map

Are you yearning for greater depth in your spiritual life? If Unitarian Universalism calls your spirit to explore your theology more deeply; if you've always wanted to know more about the Bible and other sacred texts; if you long to grow in your understanding of our Unitarian Universalist history and heritage; if you seek spiritual practice that might inspire and sustain your own bending toward justice --- then Seminary For A Day may be the best way you can spend Saturday, Jan. 28.

You are invited to have a taste of seminary education according to the learning model at Starr King School for the Ministry, one of our two UU seminaries. Rev. John Buehrens, recent member of the Starr King Board of Trustees and former President of the UUA, and a team of local clergy, will offer you a day of theological reflection and spiritual exploration.

Registration, Schedule, and Classes

See Seminary for a Day in Portland web page for the complete schedule, list of workshops and instructors, and registration information. Registration is required.

Over a dozen classes offered in two sessions, led by distinguished instructors including SKSM grads William Sinkford and Marilyn Sewell, and former SKSM trustee and faculty member John Buehrens, and many more.   

Registration is available online at  Seminary for a Day in Portland web page.

  

William Sinkford

Class Roster:

Session A (morning): 

A-1:  UNDERSTANDING THE BIBLE: AN INTRODUCTION FOR SKEPTICS, SEEKERS, AND RELIGIOUS LIBERALS - The Rev. John Buehrens
Why even UU Buddhists still need to know a progressive interpretation of the Biblical tradition. A quick introduction to Jewish, feminist, and anti-oppressive interpretations by the author of a book with the same title as the workshop.

A-2:  PROCESS THEOLOGY I: 
- The Rev. Duane Fickeisen
Part I will introduce Process Theology and consider theodicy - how to explain the presence of evil in the world. Might it be a necessary result of free will? Which of the unlimited powers often attributed to God must we release to understand the existence of evil?
(Note:  This is a three-hour class. Please sign up for both A-2 and B-2.)

A-3:  RUMI, HAFIZ AND RILKE AS ORACLE:  POETRY AND SPIRITUAL PRACTICE
- The Rev. Dana Worsnop.
Using mystical poets as spiritual guides is a time-honored tradition. It can help us expand our religious landscape and understand the cultures and practices that inform our spiritual lives. Mystics speak to the universal human experience, and they invite us to union with the divine in a vital, living and profound way.

A-4:  SPEAKING OUR TRUTH, HEALING OUR LIVES
- The Rev. Marilyn Sewell
 Telling our story makes something magical happen - it can lead us into the domain of the sacred. It can make the seeming chaos of our lives take form and focus. It can help us understand who we are and what we were meant to do. In this class participants will explore how to enter the depths of their own story. Hopefully, they will be inspired to continue with this healing practice, either on their own or in a group. Bring a pencil or pen and a notebook to class.
(Note:  This is a three-hour class. Please sign up for both A-4 and B-4.)

A-5:  DEEP LISTENING
- Mary and Jim Andrews
This workshop will focus on listening skills that can be used to help others discover personal solutions to difficulties they may be experiencing. These skills are used by lay ministers as well as by anyone who wants to convey compassion and spiritual caring to another person.

A-6:  EMBODIED SPIRITUALITY: AFRICAN DRUMMING
- Chata Addy
 Play and practice will include hand positions and beginning techniques as well as more complex rhythms for the experienced. All levels welcome. Bring a conga drum if you have one. The church will provide the rest.

A-7:  THE SOCIAL GOSPEL MEETS OCCUPY
- The Rev. William Sinkford
The last time income inequality was at the top of the national agenda, during what is called "The Gilded Age" at the turn of the 20th century, the response of the religious community was The Social Gospel. That gospel informed much of progressive religious thought and action from Dr. King's Beloved Community through Liberation Theology. It reclaimed a vision for the Kingdom of God in this world. What resources can that gospel offer us in this age of Occupy? We will inspect some of the Social Gospel texts and contexts as we imagine the work ahead.

Registration and Event Details 

Marilyn Sewell

Session B (afternoon):   

B-1:  UNIVERSALISTS AND UNITARIANS IN AMERICA:  A PEOPLE'S HISTORY
- The Rev. John Buehrens
Exploding mythic misunderstandings of our own history, John lifts up forgotten heroes and heroines of liberal faith. Again, the workshop is based on his recent book of the same title. Other resources will be introduced.  

B-2:  PROCESS THEOLOGY II: 
-The Rev. Duane Fickeisen
Part II will continue the introduction of Process Theology and consider God's relationship with all entities. What qualities must God have to be in meaningful relationship? Can God be unchangeable? What is God's role in ever-evolving instances of being and experience?

B-3:  WEAVING CELEBRATION AND RITUAL INTO EARTH CARE
- The Rev. Katherine Jesch
For UUs, caring for Earth can be a sacred experience that heals people and the Earth at the same time. In this workshop, we'll experience and reflect on a variety of techniques and resources for spiritually nourishing ourselves and our communities, through both weekly worship liturgies and alternative practices to enrich our spirits and strengthen our bonds with each other and with the Earth.

B-4:  SPEAKING OUR TRUTH, HEALING OUR LIVES, II
- The Rev. Marilyn Sewell
 This is part 2 of a two-part class. Only participants in Part 1 (A-4) may participate in this class.

B-5: CALLED TO APPEAR
- The Rev.Joel Miller
Trauma and disaster change us, change our way of thinking, change our beliefs, change our identities. For many Unitarian  Universalists, these changes call us to live more deeply connected to each other. How have you been called?

B-6:  SUSTAINING THE SOUL WITH STORIES
- Will Hornyak
Storytelling is an art form, a craft, a teaching tool and a spiritual practice. We all have stories to tell and a unique voice and style as storytellers. Storyteller Will Hornyak will share ideas and techniques for bringing personal and traditional stories to life for a variety of audiences and occasions..

B-7:  POST-MODERN ORGANIZING:  LEADING FROM THE FUTURE AS IT EMERGES 
-The Rev. Kate Lore
What would community ministry look like if there were no hierarchical structures and majority rule gave way to consensus? What will be required of us in order to co-create a world that is life-affirming and sustainable? Using the Occupy Wall Street Movement as a primary example, workshop participants will explore the shifting strategies and tactics now taking hold around the globe.
(Note:  This class is a logical sequence to A-7, though that class is not a formal pre-requisite.)