"If I had an hour to solve a problem and my life depended on the solution, I would spend the first 55 minutes determining the proper question to ask, for once I know the proper question, I could solve the problem in less than five minutes."
Albert Einstein
This conference will explore the important or powerful questions we need to be asking of ourselves if we are to be a vital and viable religion in this decade.
Three sermons embedded in the morning worship service by The Rev. Jim Robinson, minister at the Unitarian Church of Sharon, Mr. Peter Bowden, BCD Congregation and Faith Development Consultant and Rev. Karen Brammer, Northern New England District Small Church Specialist along with four workshops will provide conference participants an opportunity to discuss the topics in more detail.
The BCD Annual Meeting convening at 1:30 will address the business of the district including electing a new District UUA Trustee, adopting the budget, hearing about several new initiatives to support congregational development, and electing new district Directors and Officers.
What are the Big Questions?
What do you think we Unitarian Universalists must ask ourselves as we go forward? You are invited to help develop the discussion about the big questions. Submit your BIG QUESTIONS (Powerful Question) by April 10 at http://tinyurl.com/bcduua2011bigquestions, complete the form, or email your question along with your name, congregation and a short statement explaining why you think this is an important question to bcdoffice@verizon.net with "Big Question" in the subject line.
Registration
Two ways to register:
n
On line at
http://bcduua2011springconference.eventbrite.com/ [Use credit card or pay by check mailed to BCD Office - follow instructions on the page]
n By regular mail with registration form (below) with check
[must be mailed by April 25 to ensure delivery before the conference]
The is no registration fee to only attend the District Annual Meeting
Schedule
8:15 - 9:00 Registration, Mix & Mingle, Delegate Credentialing, UU Mall
9:00 - 10:15 Worship with keynote sermons
10:15 - 10:25 Announcements
10:25 - 10:45 Break
10:45 - 12:15 Workshops
12:15 - 1:10 Lunch
1:10 - 1:30 Presentation -- the 50th Anniversary General Assembly
1:30 - 3:30 BCD Annual Meeting
Workshops
The Big Questions about:
1. What do we need to ask ourselves to be a vital religion in our region?
People have been invited to submit what they consider to be the Big Question about our faith for this time. This facilitated open forum will provide participants an opportunity to discuss the issues that have been raised and consider what we need to do to be vital and viable
Peter Bowden, Congregation and Faith Development Consultant, Ballou Channing District.
2. How can we maintain our tradition and yet adapt to changes in our society?
Unitarian Universalism and our congregations have a fine faith tradition and we also must address changes that are happening around us and in our congregations. How can we balance the old and the new? This workshop will explore polarity management, a technique congregations can use to make adaptive changes.
Karen Brammer, Small Church Consultant, Northern New England District
3. How do we provide appropriate pastoral care for a changing population?
Research shows that the population demographics within society and within our churches are changing. This workshop will focus on a new model to address pastoral care needs in order to have healthy congregations in new times. Denis Mecham is a counselor and the author of an about to released book about lay pastoral care training.
Denis Mecham, Community Minister and author
4. How can RE meet the needs for children and families in this changing world?
Our society is no longer what it was. Do, or should, our churches just teach religion or should the focus be on developing a child's, youth's or adult's faith in this our changing culture? And how are we to do what we need to do to have and support a first rate program? This workshop is an open forum to discuss these and other question in life-span religious ministry.
Diane Elliot, Religious Professional Development Coach, Ballou Channing District
Other Information
· UU Network Mall: An assembly of informational displays and items for sale, Vendors, congregations, and organizations that wish to have a display should call the BCD office (508) 599-6650 to reserve a space.
· Directions: The church is located at 4 North Main (Route 27) at the corner of N. Main and Depot Street in Sharon Center. Yahoo maps at: http://maps.yahoo.com· Questions: Call the District Office at 508-559-6650 or email bcdoffice@uua.orgThe BCD Congregation Contributions helps provide staff support for the Conference.
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BCD Spring Conference Saturday, April 30, 2011
Name _______________________________________________Do you have a position in
Address ____________________________________________ your congregation?
City ______________________ State ______ Zip __________ ___ Minister ___ President
Email ______________________________________________ ___ DRE ___Board mbr
Congregation ________________________________________ ___ Committee Chair
· Conference registration fee: $25 Adult $10 Youth (under 18)
(Fee includes continental breakfast and lunch)
# adults _____X $25 = $_____# youth _____ X $ 10 = $____ = $______ Total Due
At the door Conference fee is $40 for adults, $10 for youth.
· Annual Meeting Registration fee: No fee
Lunch options: vegetarian ___ omnivore___ Workshop choice: #____
Mail by April 25 to: BCD Office, 325 West Elm St., Brockton, MA. 02301
