Innovation in Faith Formation

THEME TALK

Transforming Hearts and Minds

Rev. Dr. Tracy Sprowls and Ashley Hamlin

Faith leaders have a special kind of burn-out because it is inherent in the work of caring for others. We receive the stories of others who are vulnerable or in anguish as we carry our own pain. This week we will delve into innovative ways to deepen compassion, enhance resilience, and reduce burnout while increasing our capacity for care. We will use art, poetry, and self-reflection based on the Narrative Medicine process created at Columbia University to offer healing practices to hold you and that you can take back to your congregation.

MORNING WORKSHOPS

Love at the Center

Robin Pugh

Love at the Center invites participants on a transformative journey grounded in Unitarian Universalist values. This unique UU Wellspring program encourages you to explore each value, reflect on how it connects to your own life, and discover what it truly means to live it. By engaging deeply with every value, you will develop a nuanced understanding that empowers you to create innovative congregational programs and embody these values in daily life.

Through guided exploration, storytelling, and shared reflection, each session fosters spiritual growth and meaningful connection. Participants engage with thoughtfully designed resources that open the heart and mind, while group conversation nurtures shared wisdom and community.

To get the most from each session, it is recommended to spend one hour of personal reflection—through reading, journaling, or contemplative viewing—before each session.

EmbraceRace for UU Families

Carey McDonald and Sara Krakauer:

EmbraceRace for UU Families is a workshop for parents, caregivers, and educators to learn how to nurture children to be thoughtful, informed, and brave about race. The curriculum was developed out of a partnership between Unitarian Universalist religious education professionals and staff from EmbraceRace, a national non-profit founded in 2016 that is a true leader in this field.

Through discussion, hands-on activities, and role play, we will cover topics such as:

• How does our own power and privilege come into play in our interactions with children?

• When and how do children learn about race?

• What can a caregiver do to model and guide healthy racial learning?

• How can we talk to children about race most effectively, and how does it vary based on the age of the child?

• Going beyond saying the right things, what can we do to provide a true healthy racial learning environment?

This workshop can support any adult who plays a meaningful role in the life of a child, whether they have a lot of experience with racial justice or are relatively new to this work. The materials are accessible for participants who are white or BIPOC, and for a wide range of family structures, identities and dynamics. If you are a religious professional and/or teacher, this workshop could also provide tools to bolster anti-racism programming with children and/or work with parents and caregivers in your congregation. Unitarian Universalists can be leaders in raising children who are “color brave” able to think critically about race and racial inequality, becoming racial justice advocates in our country, and beyond. Embrace Race for UU Families

AFTERNOON PORCH CHATS

Connecting & Envisioning

Cathy Seggel

All are welcome to this casual, small group for those who care about religious education/faith engagement for all ages, including religious professionals. We will focus on innovation in UU faith development as we listen, laugh, inspire and reimagine, surrounded by the sea and caring people.

You may choose to bring your knitting, crochet, sketch pad, coloring pages, etc.

We will share conversations on topics for our times, facilitated by Cathy Seggel with workshop, UUA, ministry and congregational leaders. There will be time for your questions and concerns.

Relax and rock in a small group to reenergize, encourage and support one another as we feel the ocean tides and renew our commitment to sacred change.

Theme Speaker

Rev. Dr. Tracy Sprowls and Ashley Hamlin

Minister of the Week

The Rev. Claudia Jiménez

Program Fee

$175 per adult

$100 per youth

$75 for nonparticipant adult

Room & Board

The rates below are per person for the full length of the conference.

Adults (18+) 

Standard Shared: $1,325 | Standard Single: $1,890

Motel Shared: $1,665 | Motel Single: $2,435

Youth 

Under 6: Free | 6-11 years: $615| 12-17 years: $880

Financial Aid

We have one full scholarship available each year, the Rev. Dr. Christine M. Wetzel Memorial Scholarship. More information can be found on the Faith Development Week website.

Boat Schedule

Departure from Portsmouth TBA

Departure from Star Island TBA

Questions?

Andrea Lerner andreaperrylerner@gmail.com