UU University 2009 to Join General Assembly Programming
Unitarian Universalist (UU) University, the highly successful lay leadership education program that has been offered since 2006 prior to the start of each General Assembly (GA), will be part of the scheduled GA program grid in 2009.
Roughly nine hours of programming over one day—probably from Thursday 1:00 p.m. to Friday noon—will be dedicated to offering UU University programming. All UU University programs will be included in the regular GA registration fee. General Assembly Planning Committee Chair Elisabeth McGregor said, “We know that offering dedicated programming time in our schedule allows everyone to learn and explore a topic in depth, while allowing leaders to gain a better understanding of how to share learning with their congregations and districts when they return home.”
The UU University concept, remembers Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) Moderator Gini Courter, came from “more than three hundred congregational presidents …who asked for world-class professional development for congregational leaders, and that's exactly what UU University provides.”
According to UU University 2009 planners Terasa Cooley and Harlan Limpert, the idea for joining UU University with GA came out of a collaborative effort initiated by the General Assembly Planning Committee and supported by Moderator Gini Courter, the UUA staff's leadership council, and the individuals who have been involved in planning and evaluating past UU University programs. Team leader Terasa Cooley said, “UU University 2009 is envisioned as an ideal way to nurture the capacity of our UU leaders through skill-building, theological reflection, and a deeper understanding of the mission of Unitarian Universalism.”
The current plan is for six tracks of UU University 2009 programming that participants may choose from. Participants will stay within their chosen track, to gain in-depth knowledge within their particular area of interest. Proposed tracks are:
- Theology through the Arts
- The Multi-generational Church
- Multi-cultural Ministry
- Effective Social Justice
- Stewardship
- Conflict Transformation
Team leader Harlan Limpert added, "Through this programming, participants will come to a greater understanding of their individual skills, faith and capacity for growth, and how to use them for the greater good of our congregations and ministries. We believe that widespread engagement in the UU University 2009 curriculum will result in significantly stronger and more engaged leaders and healthier congregations."
Deans for each programming area will be appointed to develop and administer each track. Deans will be selected on the basis of demonstrated skill in core areas. Nominations for individuals to serve as program Deans are invited through September 1, 2008.
Programming during the rest of General Assembly will generally follow the pattern of recent GAs, with multiple individual programs in competitive time slots.
For more information contact uuu2009 @ uua.org.
Last updated on Tuesday, July 15, 2008.
