Beloved Conversations

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At UUCV, our mission statement reminds us that we gather to transform lives and care for the world.

One of the most transformational ways we can live into our mission this fall is through participating in Beloved Conversations. 

Designed as a tool for faith formation through a small group ministry format, this program “offers participants a chance to rediscover the sacred and important presence of compassion, grace, risk-taking, vulnerability, and the healing joy when cross-racial relationships are reconciled.”

THIS IS A BIG – BUT IMPORTANT – ASK.

We strongly encourage you to sign-up if at all possible for this important program.

But if you do sign-up, we ask that you commit to being present for the full curriculum, both the initial retreat and the 8 two-hour follow-up sessions.

What?

  • Beloved Conversations is an experiential curriculum that provides a space to re-form the brokenness of racism into new patterns of thought and behavior ushering in social and spiritual healing. New ways of being are learned through the actions of conversation and probing dialogue.

  • Designed by UUs for UUs. The curriculum was created by Dr. Mark Hicks, a professor of Religious Education at Meadville Lombard Theological School, our UU seminary in Chicago. He holds a doctorate degree in philosophy and education and a Master’s degree in higher and adult education from Columbia University in New York City.

  • Since 2010, more than 100 UU congregations have participated in the Beloved Conversations curriculum, which is now in its third iteration as part of an ongoing process of revision.

Why?

  • There is a major need both in the culture generally and in Unitarian Universalism specifically to dismantle white supremacy as a part of living into a multicultural future of Collective Liberation with economic, racial, and gender justice for all. This curriculum will equip members and friends of UUCV with a shared experience and language for moving forward with our commitment to encourage spiritual growth, build beloved community, and act for peace and justice.

When?

The program will begin at UUCV with a 1.5 day retreat, Friday, October 11 (6-9pm) – Saturday, October 12 (8:30am-5pm) and will be facilitated by the Rev. Ashley Horan.

  • The retreat will start with a simple catered dinner at 6pm on Friday evening, followed by the first part of the program from 7-9pm.

    • Saturday will begin with a light breakfast at 8:30 a.m. (coffee/tea, bagels, fruit, etc.), we will break for lunch (again, provided) around Noon, then wrap up by 5:00 p.m.

  • The retreat will be followed by 8 two-hour sessions (held roughly every other week following the retreat) of guided dialogue/experiential exercises (with small groups of 9-12 participants), which will be facilitated by staff and members of UUCV. The dates/times of the 8 follow-up sessions will be selected in order to accommodate, as much as possible, the schedules of all who register for the opening retreat. Depending on the schedules of participants, we hope to offer the follow-up sessions on:

    • Saturdays from 10 AM – Noon – October 26, November 9 & 23, December 7, January 4 & 18, February 1 & 15

    • Wednesdays from 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM – October 23, November 6 & 20, December 4, January 8, 15 & 29, February 12

    • First come, first served as there is limited space available.

Details

Each session poses questions that connect with both the sources of inspiration as well as the challenges of race/ethnicity that slow our human journey toward building a society of peace, liberty, and justice for all. As such, the curriculum differs from many approaches to anti-racism/multicultural work in that it frames the discussion not only in terms of demographic urgency or cultural critiques (both of which are useful to understand!), but how developing skills and the habits of an anti-racist mind helps everyone heal from the wounds of racism–both those in dominant groups as well as those who are targets of oppression.

Topics include:

  • The Footprint of Racial & Ethnic History in Your Community

  • Exploring the Dynamic of Racism and Privilege

  • Racism Today: Micro-Aggressions

  • Interrupting Racism

  • Community Audit: The Experience of Race & Ethnicity in your Community

  • The Legacy of Racism

  • Toward a New Identity: How Can We Be-in-the-World?

  • Collecting our Wisdom: A Celebration of Learning and Commitment

Testimonies

  • “One of the most beautiful aspects of Beloved Conversations was seeing its transformative potential come to bear…. I was moved to my core witnessing Unitarian Universalism come alive to members of my congregation.” Rev. Manish Mizra-Marzetti, Senior Minister, UU Congregation at Cherry Hill

  • “Many [participants] said that this was the first time, or the first time in a long time, when they had been part of a conversation about race that left them hopeful. Out of these conversations, we are beginning to shape a way forward to address and ‘interrupt’ racism is all its forms: institutional, cultural, and individual.” Rev. Kate Lore, Minister for Social Justice, First Unitarian Church, Portland, OR

  • “I watched as people struggled with concepts of privilege, institutional racism and stereotyping in ways they hadn’t until that point. More importantly, I witnessed most staying fully engaged despite that struggle.” Jennifer Kelleher, Intern Minister, UU Congregation at Cherry Hill

Cost

$40 (or pay what you can) – this fee will help us to pay for the meals for the opening retreat, but we do not want finances to prevent anyone from attending.

Registration

Contact the office at UUCV [email protected] or 717/249-8944.   Our Church Administrator, Pam Martin, will:

  • record your participation for Wednesdays or Saturdays

  • accept payment for meals for the retreat

  • record dietary requirements

  • note if childcare is needed

More Information

  • In case of a weather-related cancellation, this retreat will be rescheduled to the next available date.

  • Contact Cindy Terlazzo for more details: [email protected]