Composing Our Unitarian Universalist Future:
Where Are We Now, What's Possible, What's Next?

April 8–9, 2011

First Church in Boston (Unitarian Universalist)
Boston, Massachusetts

  • Overview
  • Speakers
    & Panelists
  • Friday, April 8
  • Saturday, April 9
  • Video & Text

Theme Speaker and Moderator: The Rev. Lawrence Peers, Senior Consultant, the Alban Institute

As Unitarian Universalism celebrates its fiftieth anniversary, it is time for us to reflect on where we are and where we want to go as we move toward our future.

On April 8–9, 2011, the Minns Committee brought together UU clergy leaders from around the country who each have experiences and perspectives to offer to the larger questions that will help shape the future of our religion and our religious movement.

More than 100 members of the broader UU community, including seminarians, lay leaders, and parishioners, attended this event to explore together our Unitarian Universalist future by reflecting on these guiding questions for our theme talks, presentations, and dialogue:

  • What gifts will Unitarian Universalism most likely carry across the threshold into its next fifty years?
  • What does the future require us to shift and change?
  • What limits our capacities to enter fully into the world religious dialogue?
  • What are some possible futures for the Unitarian Universalist faith?
  • What is the Spirit calling us to be and to become?
  • What is next for Unitarian Universalism and its congregations?

 

Speakers & Panelists

Rev. Larry Peers

The Rev. Larry Peers
Senior Consultant, the Alban Institute

Rev. Rob Hardies
The Rev. Rob Hardies
Senior Minister, All Souls Church, Unitarian, Washington, D.C.
Rev. Rosemary Bray McNatt
The Rev. Rosemary Bray McNatt
Senior Minister, Fourth Universalist Society in the City of New York
Rev. Christine Robinson
The Rev. Christine Robinson
Senior Minister, First Unitarian Congregation of Albuquerque
Rev. Marilyn Sewell
The Rev. Marilyn Sewell
Minister Emerita, First Unitarian Church of Portland, Oregon
Rev. Vanessa Southern
The Rev. Vanessa Southern
Parish Minister, the Unitarian Church, Summit, New Jersey
Rev. Kenneth Beldon
The Rev. Kenneth Beldon
Lead Minister, Wellsprings Congregation, Exton, Pennsylvania

Friday, April 8, 2011

Opening Worship
The Rev. Stephen Kendrick, Senior Minister, First Church in Boston
Charles Perry, Chairman, Minns Lectures Committee
Video
Theme Presentation 1: Our Unitarian Universalist Future: What Are We Now?
The Rev. Larry Peers, Senior Consultant, the Alban Institute
Video || Text
Extending the Conversation: Where Are We Now?
The Rev. Marilyn Sewell, Minister Emerita, First Unitarian Church of Portland, Oregon
Video || Text
Deepening the Dialogue: Reflecting on "Where Are We Now?"
Panelists and conference participants
Gathering Our Insights
The Rev. Larry Peers, facilitator

Saturday, April 9, 2011

Welcome
The Rev. Stephen Kendrick
Video
Theme Presentation 2: Our Unitarian Universalist Future: What’s Possible?
The Rev. Larry Peers
Video || Text
Extending the Conversation: What’s Possible?
The Rev. Rosemary Bray McNatt, Fourth Universalist Society in the City of New York
Video || Text
Extending the Conversation: What’s Possible?
The Rev. Christine Robinson, First Unitarian Congregation of Albuquerque
Video || Text
Extending the Conversation: What’s Possible?
The Rev. Vanessa Southern, the Unitarian Church in Summit, New Jersey
Video || Text
Deepening the Dialogue: Imagining What's Possible
Panelists and conference participants
Theme Presentation 3: Our Unitarian Universalist Future: What's Next?
The Rev. Larry Peers
Video || Text
Extending the Conversation: What's Next?
The Rev. Rob Hardies, All Souls Church, Unitarian,  Washington, D.C.
Video || Text
Extending the Conversation: What's Next?
The Rev. Kenneth Beldon, WellSprings Congregation, Exton, Pennsylvania
Video || Text
Deepening the Dialogue: Discerning Directions for Our Future
Panelists and conference participants
Closing Worship
The Rev. Kristin Grassel Schmidt, Assistant Minister, King's Chapel
Video

Videos

Opening Worship, Friday, April 8
The Rev. Stephen Kendrick, Senior Minister, First Church in Boston
Charles Perry, Chairman, Minns Lectures Committee
Video
Theme Presentation 1: Our Unitarian Universalist Future: What Are We Now?
The Rev. Larry Peers, Senior Consultant, the Alban Institute
Video || Text
Extending the Conversation: Where Are We Now?
The Rev. Marilyn Sewell, Minister Emerita, First Unitarian Church of Portland, Oregon
Video || Text
Welcome, Saturday, April 9
The Rev. Stephen Kendrick
Video
Theme Presentation 2: Our Unitarian Universalist Future: What’s Possible?
The Rev. Larry Peers
Video || Text
Extending the Conversation: What’s Possible?
The Rev. Rosemary Bray McNatt, Fourth Universalist Society in the City of New York
Video Text
Extending the Conversation: What’s Possible?
The Rev. Christine Robinson, First Unitarian Congregation of Albuquerque
Video || Text
Extending the Conversation: What’s Possible?
The Rev. Vanessa Southern, the Unitarian Church in Summit, New Jersey
Video || Text
Deepening the Dialogue: Imagining What's Possible
Panelists and conference participants
Theme Presentation 3: Our Unitarian Universalist Future: What's Next?
The Rev. Larry Peers
Video || Text
Extending the Conversation: What's Next?
The Rev. Rob Hardies, All Souls Church, Unitarian,  Washington, D.C.
Video || Text
Extending the Conversation: What's Next?
The Rev. Kenneth Beldon, WellSprings Congregation, Exton, Pennsylvania
Video || Text
Deepening the Dialogue: Discerning Directions for Our Future
Panelists and conference participants
Closing Worship
The Rev. Kristin Grassel Schmidt, Assistant Minister, King's Chapel
Video