Missionalism & Unitarian Universalism - Study Group for Religious Educators 

Often we think of church as a noun, a place to go on Sundays or in times of seeking.  What if we considered church as a verb, a way of being in the world through our engagement with each other?  How might doing church impact other people, and would the impact mainly be felt by those within our congregations or the larger community?  If we were to create a groundswell of staff and lay-leaders to help us do church, how would we go about honing the best partnerships possible?

Join us for a study group focused on creating a missional church approach to religious education that has the ability to deeply engage with our congregations, neighbors, and own spiritual selves.  We'll use the book Simple Church to examine how clarity, movement, alignment, and focus in church programming can build a stronger, more cohesive congregation that can be doers of Unitarian Universalism seven days a week.

The retreat costs $90 per person for a shared room with queen size and single beds in each room.  The single rate is $140.  Cost includes lodging as well as lunch and dinner on November 4 and breakfast and lunch on November 5.  Registration and payment is due October 30. 

Please note that linens are not provided; please bring your own set of single or queen sheets (including pillowcase) and a shower towel.

Required:

1. Book: “Simple Church” by Thom Rainer & Eric Geiger, B & H Books, Updated Edition 2011, $11.99 (Amazon, paperback); Updated Ebook, 2013, $1.99 (Amazon, kindle).
2. Video: This Missional Church...simple (2:00) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=arxfLK_sd68
3. Video: Joanna Fontaine Crawford asks how Unitarian Universalist theology might respond to and intersect with the Missional Christian movement. (5:53) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jpSROVi6ud8
4. Article: The Liberal Church Finding It's Mission: It's Not About You by Rev. Peter Boullata - http://peterboullata.com/2011/12/29/the-liberal-church-finding-its-mission-its-not-about-you/
5. Blog: The Missional Church and Unitarian Universalism by Peacebang - http://www.peacebang.com/2012/01/04/the-missional-church-and-unitarian-universalism/

Recommended:

1. Book: "Missional Renaissance" by Reggie McNeal, Jossey-Bass 2009.  $16.58 (Amazon, hardcover); $13.99 (Amazon, kindle).
2. Video: "Loving the Hell Out of this World, GA 2013 Workshop. (1:03:09) Red Pill Brethren Revs. Tony Lorenzen, Joanna Fontaine Crawford, Jake Morrill and Eric Posa explain missionalism and how you can love the hell out of the world at General Assembly 2013 in Louisville, KY. - http://redpillbrethren.tumblr.com/post/53954324235/loving-the-hell-out-of-the-world-ga-2013-red-pill
3. Blog: Missional Church: A Unitarian Universalist Case Study by Peacebang - http://www.peacebang.com/2013/06/20/missional-church-a-case-study/
4. Paper: At hte Intersection of Missional and Unitarian Universalist Theologies by Joanna Fontaine Crawford, May 2010 - http://jfcdocuments.files.wordpress.com/2012/01/missional-theology-rpb1.pdf