Central Midwest District's Podcast

10 Good Ideas About Adult Religious Education

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 15:12:00 GMT

Everything we do is faith development. All we teach is Unitarian Universalism. The congregation is the curriculum. (Connie Goodbread and Susan Smith)

Watch and listen to this on-line session and find out the 10 good ideas for organizing and sustaining an adult religious education (RE) program that seeks to achieve such transformational faith development. Hear from other leaders on which adult RE resources are being used in our districts with success and hear more about emerging resources.

Facilitators

Dori Davenport Thexton, Faith Development and Growth Director, Central Midwest District of the UUA
Nancy Combs-Morgan, Faith Development Director, Heartland District of the UUA

Volunteer Management and Recruitment

Fri, 25 Sep 2009 15:03:00 GMT

A top need of most congregations is to find more volunteers, to use volunteers more effectively and to make volunteering better experience. This workshop will share some basics on the best practices on this subject.

Presenter: Shirley Lundin is a consultant to congregations and other non-profits on working with volunteers. She was a national consultant for the Girl Scouts of the USA; Coordinator of Volunteer Resources for Frank Lloyd Wright Preservation Trust as well as coordinator, instructor and program developer for the Harper College Volunteer Management (now NPO management) certificate program.
This workshop was held on September 19, 2009 as part of a day-long online Leadership Conference. The program runs approximately 70 minutes.

Ten Good Ideas About Working With Volunteers

View more presentations from CMwD Staff.

Volunteers

View more documents from CMwD Staff.

Running Effective Meetings

Tue, 22 Sep 2009 13:13:00 GMT

From basic how-to tips to more advanced leadership techniques, including the importance of role clarification, this workshop focuses on successful facilitation for congregation leaders who wish to accomplish goals and have fun doing it!

Presenter: Patricia D'Auria has served as a consultant in the Central Midwest District since 2007. She is a member of UU Church West in Brookfield, WI, where she coordinates the Small Group Ministry Program, and has served in a variety of other leadership roles. Professionally, she is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist working with individuals, couples and families.
This workshop was held on September 19, 2009 as part of a day-long online Leadership Conference.

Follow along with the slideshow!

Meetings Can Be Fun Ppt03version

View more presentations from CMwD Staff.

Running Effective Meetings Sept19,09

View more documents from CMwD Staff.

Improved Communication Workshop

Thu, 14 May 2009 13:18:00 GMT

This workshop presented by the Rev. Bret Meyers is about improving communications in our congregations by approaching it as a spiritual discipline. It specifically focuses on communications in situations of conflict. It was recorded on April 25th in Waukesha Wisconsin as a part of the 2009 District Assembly.

Evangelistic Thinking Workshop

Thu, 14 May 2009 12:09:00 GMT

There is a spirit stirring in our congregations and with it a powerful desire to have a real impact on our culture. The most powerful way to do this is through reaching new people with our faith. This workshop looks at systems of growth, but more importantly we will explore what it means to lead with a missional mindset.

The Rev. Dr. David Owen O'Quill is the minister leading a church planting effort in Chicago, known as Micah's Porch. This workshop was recorded at the CMWD District Assembly in Waukesha Wisconsin on the 25th of April, 2009

District Assembly slideshow

Thu, 7 May 2009 17:19:00 GMT

Here is a brief slideshow - random images from District Assembly 2009. Photos by the CMwD Media Team 2009: Pat Goller, Dorothy Krause, Gretchen Ohmann, David Pyle

Closing Worship for DA 2009

Thu, 7 May 2009 12:28:00 GMT

This is our closing worship ceremony from the CMWD District Assembly 2009 in Wakusha Wisconsin, lead by the Young Adult Steering Committee and featuring the Youth Choir of North Shore Unitarian Church Church, from Deerfield Illinios. It runs for approximately 50 minutes.

Opening Worship at DA 2009

Thu, 7 May 2009 12:09:00 GMT

This is the opening worship at District Assembly 2009 in Waukesha Wisconsin, recorded on April 24th, 2009. The hymns have been removed for copyright reasons. It runs for approximately 59 minutes.

Sermon by Rev. Drew Kennedy at DA 2009

Thu, 7 May 2009 12:05:00 GMT

This sermon was a part of the Opening Worship at the CMWD District Assembly, on April 24th 2009. It runs for approximately 24 minutes. Rev. Kennedy is the Senior Minister of the First Unitarian Society of Milwaukee, WI.

A Stream of Living Souls

Thu, 7 May 2009 11:59:00 GMT

Stories of our Ancestors, who created the change for the future we are now living, can help us understand how to support the changes we wish to see. Our forebears have lessons to teach and are models of transformation. These stories can be used in Worship, In Sunday School and in sermons to present to Unitarian Universalists positive and affirmative role models for supporting future change.

Cakes for the Queen of Heaven Curriculum - Co-Ed Classes?

Sun, 3 May 2009 15:28:00 GMT

This 3-minute video interview was conducted by CMwD Media Team member Pat Goller (CMwD UU Women's Connection). She asks presenter Nancy Irons (CMwD Women and Religion Committee) about the basics of the workshop, presented at 2009 District Assembly.

Coed Cakes? Can it be done? - Nancy Irons
Cakes for the Queen of Heaven examines, âHow would your life have been different if, when growing up, the divine had been imaged as female?â Participants share their experiences as women in todayâs patriarchal society. Can such workshops include men? Join us as we explore how to offer Coed Cakes. Experienced Cakes facilitators will present.

www.cakesforthequeenofheaven.org

Shared Leadership

Fri, 1 May 2009 14:52:00 GMT

This workshop from District Assembly 2009 was titled "Shared Leadership in Congregations" with presenters Janet Nortrom and Gretchen Ohmann.
Explore the ongoing paradigm shift from a hierarchical or pyramid model of social organization to a horizontal or network style. Utilize consensus building, facilitators, group roles and relationships, tasks, and conflict resolution to help a group accomplish its goals. Plus, organize a kazoo band!
Based on a booklet by Liz Fisher ("Rise Up and Call Her Name") and Robert Fisher, published by the Pacific Central District Women and Religion Task Force.

DA 2009 Lifespan Faith Development Workshop

Mon, 27 Apr 2009 12:47:00 GMT

This workshop, entitled "Fresh Ideas for Lifespan Faith Development Programs" was recorded at the 2009 District Assembly.

Here is the description from the DA Brochure:

"Join a panel of experienced Religious Educators to hear about innovative programs and creative ideas they are using in their congregations. Beryl Aschenberg from First Unitairan - Milwaukee, Maria O'Connor from UU Church West in Brookfield, and Dan Schlorff from Bradford UU Church in Kenosha will share new and interesting appraoches to building UU identity and community for all ages"

Sharon Daloz Parks at the 2009 District Assembly Keynote Address

Sat, 25 Apr 2009 16:59:00 GMT

Our theme this year is "Leadership in Times of Profound Change". This DA welcomed Sharon Daloz Parks, author of "Leadership Can Be Taught: A Bold Approach for a Complex World." Dr. Parks led us in exploring how we discern, inspire, and mentor the next generation of leadership, in this workshop lasting 85 minutes.

10 Good Ideas About Disaster Preparation

Mon, 23 Mar 2009 13:50:00 GMT

This online workshop, "10 Good Ideas about Disaster Preparation" was presented January 15, 2009.

Is your congregation prepared to deal with the potential for a disaster? Whether it's fire, flooding, tornadoes, or hurricanes, every congregation needs to have a plan and be prepared to implement it.

Rev. Kate Seitz Bortner is the affiliated Community Minister with the UU Congregation of York, PA and serves as consulting Parish Minister for the UUs of Gettysburg, PA. A graduate of Lancaster Theological Seminary, Kate recently retired from the York City Police Department after a 22-year career in Crime Prevention. She conducts trainings in Safety and Security in Houses of Worship and serves on a Central PA team for First Responders. She was a founding member of The Interfaith Alliance-York, the York County Community Against Racism, and the York County Hispanic Coalition.

10 Good Ideas about Strategic Planning

Sun, 22 Mar 2009 22:57:00 GMT

This presentation was made at the Keweenaw UU Fellowship of Houghton, in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, by Rev. Dr Ian Evison.

10 Good Ideas About Integrating New Members

Mon, 23 Feb 2009 14:58:00 GMT

An online workshop, "10 Good Ideas for Integrating New Members," was recorded and added to the slideshow. Accompanying information is HERE.

10 Good Ideas About Congregational Polity

Fri, 20 Feb 2009 12:16:00 GMT

This was recorded along with the Stewardship program, at Keweenaw UU Fellowship in Houghton, Michigan. David Pyle and Rev. Ian Evison are the presenters.

Two more podcasts from that session will be posted soon.

10 Good Ideas About Stewardship

Fri, 20 Feb 2009 11:24:00 GMT

This was recorded in a January workshop at the Keweenaw UU Fellowship in Houghton MI. David Pyle is a 4th year student at the Meadville Lombard Theological School, a Candidate for the UU Ministry, and a former UU Church Administrator and Stewardship co-chair.

10 Good Ideas About Adding A Service

Fri, 12 Dec 2008 15:25:00 GMT

This online workshop was presented by Prairie Star District Executive Nancy Heege and Rev. Lisa Schwartz from the UU Fellowship of Topeka Kansas which recently added a service. This recording was made by the CMwD Media Team.

The accompanying Power Point presentation is HERE.

Disaster Preparedness

Wed, 3 Dec 2008 17:22:00 GMT

Disaster Preparedness was a talk given in the Central Midwest District by Rev. Stefan Jonasson on November 19, 2008.

Prepare Your Church for Fall

Wed, 29 Oct 2008 12:57:00 GMT

Prepare Your Church for Fall -- this is one of a series of online workshops presented by three UUA Districts: Central Midwest, Heartland, and Prairie Star. It was recorded August 6, 2008. To register for an upcoming workshop, go to: http://www.psduua.org/Workshops/OnlineSeriesFall2008.

Key Challenges Facing Staff in Large Congregations

Mon, 25 Aug 2008 18:11:00 GMT

Fall 2007 I had the opportunity to work with Rev. Stefan M. Jonasson as he presented a workshop on "Key Challenges Facing Staff in Large Congregations." We've arranged for an audio file of that session. -- Ian Evison

CMwD at GA2008 - Janet

Mon, 30 Jun 2008 11:25:00 GMT

We interviewed some other folks from the Central Midwest District, too -- We caught up with Janet Nortrom of First Unitarian Society of Milwaukee Wisconsin, in the UU Women and Religion exhibit booth. She mentions Cakes Training -- that's the Cakes for the Queen of Heaven curriculum facilitator training. There's more information HERE.

CMwD at GA2008 - Justine

Mon, 30 Jun 2008 11:01:00 GMT

CMwD UUA Trustee Justine Urbikas announced the passage of the Youth and Young Adult Empowerment Resolution at GA2008.

CMwD at GA2008 - June

Sun, 29 Jun 2008 11:40:00 GMT

June Allyson from UUF Decatur talks about their Green Sanctuary certification.

Church of the 21st Century: Shaping Our Religious Future

Sun, 27 Apr 2008 18:22:00 GMT

Tracy Howe Koch was the sermon contest winner for District Assembly 2008.

What? Proselytize? Me? part 1 of 3

Fri, 20 Apr 2007 18:44:00 GMT

Beth Lefever, winner of the district sermon contest and student of Meadville Lombard Theological School presented the sermon of the Sunday morning worship service entitled: âWhat? Prosetylize? Me?â Her thought-provoking sermon challenged us to be open about our beliefs and speak out when we are confronted with views which run counter to our Unitarian Universalist beliefs. It was a great way to end the weekend as well as an inspirational send off to those who attended and felt rejuvenated by this gathering of like-minded souls.

NOTE: This podcast is in three parts.

What? Proselytize? Me? part 2 of 3

Fri, 20 Apr 2007 16:14:00 GMT

Part 2 of 3

What? Proselytize? Me? part 3 of 3

Fri, 20 Apr 2007 14:17:00 GMT

part 3 of 3