“Am I Blue? Congregational Conflict and Depression” with members of the PCD Conflict Management Team (Saturday 10 am to noon, Seminar II)

A look at congregation depression and conflict. When we talk about congregational conflict we often talk more about the "Fight" than we do the "Flight" side of the coin. Depression, apathy, avoidance, and withdrawal are all signs of unresolved "Level Zero" conflict. Join the members of the PCD Conflict Management Team as we examine this lesser known side of managing differences. Topics will also include a review of the basics, and a look at conflict prevention

"Beyond the Cookbook: Alternatives to Curricula Driven Models of Religious Education" with Heather Sawyers, Tracey Fetcher, Sally Ahnger and Yvonne Rochon, PCD Director of Faith Development (Saturday 10 am to noon, Suite D)

R.E. Professionals from throughout the district will present four models of religious education, including Way Cool Sunday School, Spirit Play, Pillars and Rotational Model.

“Churches that Count, COUNT: A Workshop On Collecting And Using Data To Most Effectively Focus Your Membership Efforts” with Linda Laskowski (Saturday 10 am to noon, Suite E)

This workshop is for Membership committee members, church administrators, ministers, and/or board members who are looking for ways to decide which kinds of membership and visitor activities will likely make the most difference to their church’s membership efforts. If you have lots of volunteers and an expansive budget, and have time to implement every good idea you find, this workshop is not for you! But if you need to make choices in how you use your resources, come check this out!

Linda Laskowski is the Membership Chair and member of the Coordinating (management) Team at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Berkeley. She spent 30 years in management for AT&T and its derivatives, including 15 years creating and running start-up organizations.

“Coffee, Tea and Small Talk: The Art of Mingling” with Tiffany Urness (Saturday 3:30 pm to 5:30 pm, Chabot Room)

This is a lighthearted workshop on a serious subject: What can each of us do to convey a positive and welcoming first impression to visitors, and help boost the overall GFQ (general friendliness quotient!) of our congregation? The session is not about membership committees, processes or programs, but gets to the nitty-gritty of how to decode the basic laws of social circulation, initiate conversation with strangers, develop a personal repertoire of all-purpose topics, keep the ball rolling, move beyond small talk to “real” conversation, and, yes, how to exit gracefully.

Tiffany Urness works for a major travel marketing organization and has been observing and compiling the unwritten rules and rituals of casual conversation for more than twenty years.

“Creating Community through Small Group Ministry” with the Rev.Kathy Huff (Saturday, 3:30 pm to 5:30 pm, Suite D)

Small group ministries, sometimes called covenant groups, are one of the meaningful ways we deepen our sense of connection to our faith tradition and grow in community with one another. Rev. Kathy Huff and a lay member from the First Unitarian Church of Oakland will share their experiences and recommendations for making the most out of these small group ministries.

“Dancing with Your Sacred Self” with Karen Araujo (Saturday 1:15 pm to 3:15 pm, Club Room #1)

Are you seeking new ways of exploration as you travel your spiritual path? Join me as we use movement as a means of connecting with that which is greater than ourselves. Let’s discover the possibilities together as we use body movement with music to celebrate the soul, pray, deepen connection with the divine and welcome the joyful unknown. There are no specific steps to learn. There is no “right way” to do it. The only thing you are asked to bring is a willingness to be open to Spirit and to being fully present in your body.

People with physical challenges and/or limitations are encouraged to attend.

“Delegates’ Meeting” with Bonnie Sachs, PCD President, Karen Glikman, PCD Treasurer and Cilla Raughley, PCD District Executive (Saturday 10 am to noon, Chabot Room)

This is the chance for all delegates to the PCD Annual Meeting to discuss the proposed FY 06-07 budget, proposed Bylaw changes, and any proposed resolutions that may be put before the delegates in detail before the Annual Meeting.

“Embracing Our Heritage: A Transylvanian Unitarian Worship Service” with the Rev. Zsolt Solymosi, Rev. Dr. Judit Gellerd, and members of Project Harvest Hope / Partnership Church Council (Saturday 10 am to noon, Club Room #2)

This workshop will address the topic “Embracing our Theological Heritage” by providing an opportunity to experience Unitarianism beyond the United States. Participants will attend a traditional Transylvanian Unitarian worship service led by Transylvanian ministers, and explore opportunities for further involvement with international Unitarianism.

Rev. Zsolt Solymosi, the 2005-2006 Balázs Scholar at Starr King School, is a Transylvanian Unitarian minister who, in addition to being a parish minister, teaches youth in the Unitarian boarding school in Kolozsvar, Transylvania. He conducts a radio program and other media services for the Transylvanian Unitarian Church; Rev. Dr. Judit Gellerd is best known as a founder of the Partner Church movement and as a tireless worker for US–Transylvanian understanding. An ordained minister in Transylvania, she is now doing a parish internship at our San Francisco church. Members of the Partnership Church Council and Project Harvest Hope will also be present.

“Finding the Depths of Spiritual Justice” with the Rev. Kurt Kuhwald, Consulting Minister, Berkeley Fellowship of Unitarian Universalists and Community Minister with Faithful Fools Street Ministry (Saturday 3:30 pm to 5:30 pm, Club Room #1)

In this workshop, we will explore and unearth the central, life-giving, and often hidden, characteristics of spirituality inextricably woven throughout the work of justice. Through a unique form of consensus building---using the power of intuition, life experience, sensitive reason, openness and attention---we will discover some of the core elements that make doing justice spiritually deepening.

Rev. Kurt Kuhwald is the Consulting Minister to the Berkeley Fellowship of Unitarian Universalists and a Community Minister with the Faithful Fools Street Ministry.

“Gathering for PCD Congregational Presidents” with Cilla Raughley, PCD District Executive (Saturday 3:30 pm to 5:30 pm, Seminar II)

All congregational Board Presidents' (or the highest elected office holder, regardless of the title used) and Presidents-Elect are invited to come together for discussion, support, and ongoing relationship building. This is the third such gathering we've had, and it promises to be just as useful to everyone as the previous sessions have been. We hope to see every congregation represented!

Green Sanctuary Workshop, with the Mt. Diablo UU Church Green Sanctuary Committee (Friday April 28, 9:00-10:00pm, Chabot)
The host congregation Mount Diablo Unitarian Universalist Church's Green Sanctuary Committee invites you to meet and share ideas about "greening" your congregations. We will provide information about the Green Sanctuary Certification process and share our experiences of our journey through it thus far. We invite you to come share your own stories, successes, challenges, questions and ideas. All those interested in green issues are welcome; you don't need to be involved in the official Green Sanctuary program.

“Introduction to the Men’s Support Group Experience” with members of the PCD Men’s Council

Like our many male ancestors before us, there has always been a strong yearning to bond together with other men and experience that powerful sense of commonality, unity and support that comes from being with a group of similar minded and supportive men. If you remember the close camaraderie you felt with other men in your past and want to re-experience it, or if you never had the chance to gather together with other men in a safe and supportive setting, join us for this fun and unique experience.

The organizers and presenters of this workshop will be comprised of leaders from the many Men’s groups associated with UU Churches throughout the District. As a group, we also plan and hold a yearly Weekend Retreat each October and will hold our 10th Annual Retreat in October 2006. In addition, a number of us make our living in the fields of Education and Psychology and have extensive experience working in a leadership capacity with groups of various sizes.

“Paganism in our UU Communities” with Carol Bodeau, Ph. D. (Saturday, 1:15 pm to 3:15 pm, Club Room #2)

In this workshop we will increase our awareness as a worshipping community about the presence and prevalence of earth-worshipping persons in our communities; to decrease our level of bias and misunderstanding about this important aspect of our community; and to expand our knowledge about appropriate and inappropriate ways of engaging earth-centered ritual and language in our worship and practices.

Carol Bodeau has a PhD in American literature from UC Davis, with an emphasis on the interface between theology, politics and Native American issues. She is a third year seminarian at Starr King School for the Ministry, and has been Co-Director of Religious Education for 3 ½ years at UU San Mateo.

“Membership / Growth Reception” with Cilla Raughley, PCD District Executive (Friday 8:45 pm to 10:30 pm, Suite E. Please Note: This gathering is by invitation, and requires an RSVP)

This invitation is being extended to anyone working on membership growth efforts, regardless of what they may call things: outreach, growth, PR, marketing, hospitality, new member integration...

Let's all get together after Friday evening's Banner Parade and Opening Worship, to talk to one another about what we're learning about membership growth, and what we'd like to learn. We can bring you up to date about what's been going on with the Bay Area Roundtable and the Regional Marketing Group and the "One Out of Two at Ten" campaign for our Chalice Lighters program. You can tell us about how the District can better support the things you're working on. And we can all talk to one another about new possibilities--how we can both ease and enhance our work by working together.

“Moving Toward Being a Multicultural Congregation” with Karen Eng and Jennifer Ryu (Saturday, 10:00 am to noon, Seminar 1)

Given the cultural and ethnic diversity of the Pacific Central district, why do our congregations remain predominately white? We will begin with a conversation about that feeling of "home" many of us feel at church. What are the cultural elements that support that feeling: language, music, food, decor, etiquette, style? Many of you are already taking steps to become a more multicultural congregation. Join with others to share your ideas and learn new ones.

Karen Eng is a Board Member at the Oakland UU church, and Jennifer is Consulting Minister at the UU Fellowship of North Bay. Karen and Jennifer are both members of the Asian/Pacific Islander Caucus of DRUUMM.

“Planting and Growing Campus Ministry” with Lyn Kelly (Saturday 3:30 pm to 5:30 pm, Suite E)

Young adults are at a time in their lives when they will face many of their most important decisions, and are in need of a spiritual community where they can find support, friendships, and connections. 70% of college students say they are looking for a spiritual home, yet many of our college campuses are lacking a UU presence. Let’s change that! This workshop will provide information and tools to help you get a campus ministry program started, or help you grow an existing group.

Lyn Kelly is the Western Regional Organizing Consultant, (ROC) for campus and young adult ministry, and a student at Starr King School for the ministry.

“Play as Worship and Religious Education: An Introduction to InterPlay and Body Wisdom” with the Rev. Sheri Prud’homme, Allysson McDonald and Kate Arms-Roberts (Saturday, 3:30 pm to 5:30 pm, Club Room #2)

True worship meets more than our intellectual needs, it involves us emotionally and bodily. According to Common Worship, “worship is … a sensitizing process that opens us up to the heights and depths of living.” Play can be worship. Employing incremental forms, InterPlay unlocks the wisdom in our bodies and in our communities. InterPlay is also a method of religious education, drawing out an experience of the connections between mind, body, and spirit. Learn some basic InterPlay forms and body wisdom tools. Discover why growing numbers of UU ministers and lay people are drawn to this fun, life-giving practice.

Sheri Prud'homme is a UU minister of religious education, and has led numerous workshops. She has been an InterPlayer for a decade and is currently on the staff of Body Wisdom, Inc.; Allysson McDonald is the chair of the worship committee at Mission Peak UU in Fremont. InterPlay became her spiritual practice about 5 years ago and she has since completed the InterPlay Leadership Program. Allysson has led workshops and services at Mission Peak.; Kate Arms-Roberts is an actress and InterPlayer. She has lead services and workshops at UU Church of Palo Alto and Starr King School for the Ministry. She completed the Interplay Leadership Program 3 years ago.

“Power in the Ritual Circle: Discovering Deeper Meaning Through Theological Diversity” with Carl Ingram, Ph. D. (Saturday 3:30 pm to 5:30 pm, Baldwin Room)

Ritual enlivens the human spirit by unfolding meaning, weaving community, and bonding connections with our authentic selves as well as with others. This participatory workshop reclaims ritual as an archetypal form for renewal and rejuvenation. Learn how to form “meaning-full” rituals for everyday experiences and life transitions. Bring your curiosity and experience to the ritual circle, exploring our UU theological diversity. Bring your open and willing heart to engage in the flow for deepening meaning for your life. Limited seating for maximum involvement. No latecomers admitted to keep the ritual circle secure.

Carl Ingram, PhD, is the Founder and Principal of WayFinders Group, an executive coaching and organizational consulting firm. With over 35 years of professional experience, Carl applies transpersonal psychology, along with the ancient wisdom of native people, to co-create practical workplace solutions and productive coaching relationships for enhanced business results.

Reaching the Unusual Suspects: A Theology of Growth" with the Rev. Greg Stewart (Saturday 10:100 am to noon, Baldwin Room)

Unitarian Universalism could use a few good men, women, and children (say, at least twice as many as we currently claim, just for starters) but how do we get them to realize they need Unitarian Universalism? This workshop employs a theological basis for numerical growth that challenges justifications for staying small and "intimate." It requires a new or renewed ways of thinking about and acting in favor of growth. Come be challenged, provoked, and maybe even stroked as we share techniques for spreading the word about our liberal religious faith.

The Reverend Greg Stewart serves as Parish Minister of the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Northern Nevada, Reno, a congregation that received two awards for growth and another for building a Culture of Generosity at the PCD's 2005 District Assembly.

“Sacred Dance” with Maureen Atkins (Friday, 8:45 to 10:30 pm, Golden Gate Ballroom)

Maureen Atkins has been doing sacred dance for 13 years and has been teaching for 11 years. She led a Hayward dance group for 9 years. She is currently one of the organizers and the treasurer of the Bay Area Circle Dancers Group in Berkeley. She is studying dance at Cal State University East Bay in Hayward. Other interests are in Middle Eastern dance and music.

“Sing-A-Long!” with Lauren Reneé Hotchkiss (Friday, 8:45 pm to 10:30 pm, Club Room #2)

Bring your favorite songs, your copy of “Rise Up Singing” and the new UU Hymnal Supplement for an evening of singing, sharing, and fun!

“Songs of the Heart” with Lauren Reneé Hotchkiss (Saturday 3:30 pm to 5:30 pm, Tilden Room)

The workshop will examine the songs we sing in our UU congregations that particularly touch our hearts and spirits, and how they function spiritually within our services. Included will be hymns and songs from Singing the Living Tradition, Singing the Journey, Rise Up Singing and other sources, as well as songs written by Lauren for her own congregation. There will be opportunities for group singing, including singing in parts and in rounds. Workshop participants are also encouraged to bring in copies of songs that they have found especially meaningful within their own churches and fellowships and share them with the group.

Lauren Renée Hotchkiss is a composer, singer/songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, poet, and writer of both fiction and non-fiction. She has performed both solo and with various ensembles for over thirty years. She is currently the Music Director of the Berkeley Fellowship of Unitarian Universalists where she frequently performs during Sunday services and special events.

“Spiritual Hospitality’ with Tish Davis-Wick, Ph.D (Saturday 10 am to noon, Tilden Room)

“Hospitality to the stranger, both literally and figuratively, is one underpinning of a person’s spiritual life.” In concert, welcoming and opening our Congregations and ourselves is both an art and a spiritual practice unto itself. Come discuss and examine the heart and compassion of hospitality in you and discover the artful ways of bridging the isolation and reluctance of the human beings in our collective congregational lives.

Tish Davis-Wick, Ph. D. is a senior organization consultant with a background in business and psychology.

“The Small Electronic Church Roundtable” with Ted Pack (Saturday 3:30 pm to 5:30 pm, Seminar II)

This workshop will give web makers from small churches the chance to discuss in person subjects we’ve discussed in E-mail via the UUA Websters mailing list. Suitable for new web makers, too. The leader is verbose and opinionated but not technically advanced, so we won’t get into highly technical issues. We’ll discuss Google Traps, members-only areas, navigation bars, fixed text size, text color, standards and free counters. If there is time we’ll discuss church management software.

Ted Pack designed and wrote the UUF of Stanislaus County Web site, www.stanuu.org in 1999. He has maintained it since then. This will be his first UU workshop. He has presented other topics to other audiences; basic knots to about 600 girl scouts in batches of 6 - 10, for instance.

“The Wolf at Either Side of the Door” with the Faithful Fools Street Ministry (Friday, 8:45 pm to 10:30 pm, Club Room #1)

Dramatic Performance & Guided Group Reflection

In today’s world there are people who can make each of us feel uncomfortable, or even unsafe. These people can be found both inside and outside of our congregations. The Faithful Fools Street Ministry will present Nicaraguan poet Ruben Dario’s interpretation of the Franciscan myth of the Wolf of Gubbio as a starting point for reflection on maintaining responsible relationships with those who we might prefer weren’t a part of our church community.

“UU Legislative Ministry – California” with the Rev. Lindi Ramsden (Saturday 10 am to noon, Seminar IV)

A how-to session to help your congregation connect with the UULM-CA network, plus resources you can take home to strengthen social justice leadership and further current UULM priorities: Water Justice – check out our new six session curriculum; Health Care Reform– building a grass roots movement; Marriage Equality –book groups, house parties, voter ID - let’s stop the wave of anti-gay constitutional amendments! When UUs focus, collaborate, and build friendships as well as justice, our social justice ministries are more effective and more fun!

“UU Palooza: Intergenerational - Music Making - Community Building – Fun!”with the Rev. Michelle Favreault and Michelè Voillequé (Saturday 10 am to noon, Club Room #1)

This workshop will be interactive, inspirational and transferable to YOUR congregational setting. Using music and movement we will share an experience of liberation and wholeness, create beauty together and have a good time doing so! Come one and all, no experience needed!

Michelle Favreault serves as the Acting Minister of Religious Education at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Sunnyvale and is part of the Associate Faculty at Starr King School for the Ministry

Michèle Voillequé directs children's music programs at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Berkeley and also teaches Kindermusik, music and movement classes for young children and their grownups. She passionately believes that every child is musical, and points out that we're all someone's children. In the words of Joe Raposo, "Don't worry that it's not good enough for anyone else to hear, just sing! Sing a song!"

“William Shakespeare: The Religious Backdrop of His Age” with Jean Wilcox, DRE, Starr King Church of Hayward (1:15 pm to 3:15 pm, Seminar II)
In his book Understanding the Bible, our former UUA President John Buehrens declares that “an intelligent understanding of the Bible is indispensable to anybody in the Western world who wishes to think wisely about the problems of being human and living in harmony with other human beings.” Jean believes that the same applies to Shakespeare, who has much to tell us about the problems of being human, particularly in Hamlet. The religious implications of Hamlet are considerable and quite often overlooked. Jean believes that for people of faith a short study of this play could prove invaluable and fuel our own religious connections.
Jean is known to the Pacific Central District as not only as a Religious Educator, but as a speaker, covenant facilitator and presenter. Her theatrical avocation (as an actor and a director) is also well known, and she has performed in many of our churches. Jean has a passion for Shakespeare, and while not officially a “scholar” has read critical works on the Bard extensively and has read or seen nearly all his plays. She leads annual groups to Ashland, OR, and again speaks publicly and facilitates lectures.

“Young Adult Worship” with Lyn Kelly and members of the PCD UU Young Adult Network (Saturday, 10:30 pm, Tilden Room)

You are invited to end your second day of District Assembly with a worship service presented by members of the PCD UU Young Adult Network.

“Youth Worship” with members of the PCD Youth Council (Friday, 10:30 pm, Tilden Room)

You are invited to end your first day of District Assembly with a worship service presented by members of the PCD Youth Council.