Hope for Us is the vision of the late Rev. Dr. Hope Johnson. Hope for Us works within a Unitarian Universalist theological framework, offering partnership in difficult times.
Widening the Circle of Concern report (UUA webpage link) includes a call for the development of a Congregational Life conflict team see page 119-120. “Methods for encouraging and channeling productive conflict should be established and promoted to decrease harm.”
The formation/development team of Hope for us included Rev. Megan Foley, Connie Goodbread, Rev. Dr. Hope Johnson, Dr. Janice Marie Johnson, Rev. Tandi Rogers, and Jessica York.
Hope for Us works in collaboration as a team made up of coaches, congregational leaders, Congregational Life Staff and the Co-Directors.
Co-Directors:
Connie Goodbread- Is a credentialed Religious Educator. She studied Healthy Congregations development and Bridgebuilder conflict identification and transformation with Rev. Dr. Peter Steinke. She developed a conflict process called Pathfinder. Connie served as Co-Lead of UUA Southern Region for three years, starting in 2018. She has served in one capacity or another in every region of our Association. Connie is in her 18th year of service within the UUA.
Jacquis Robertson - Jacquis Robertson has extensive experience in conflict engagement; While she holds certifications in multiple mediation disciplines, she is also trained in Restorative Justice practices and Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM). Before her work at the UUA, she helped establish a community restorative justice program and a restorative justice program specifically for keeping youth out of the criminal justice system. Jacquis also has experience as a Director of Religious Education, serving the Unitarian Universalist Community Church from 2014-2018.
Hope for Us is the culmination of many things:
- Years of training in different processes for conflict management and restorative practices.
- Developing and practicing a variety of models for conflict engagement.
- The iterative process of comparing and improving those practices.
- The maturational growth of Unitarian Universalism.
- A deep understanding of the Transformational power of the theology of Unitarian Universalism.
- Experiencing times of conflict as opportunities to deepen relationships and promote positive change.
- The practice of collaborative ministry.
Core to the design is a paid nationwide team of specialized coaches to help congregations engage in conflict, covenant, re-covenant, and love boldly and faithfully.
How can you access Hope for Us: Conflict Engagement Team? Through your UUA Congregational Life regional staff.
