One of the silver linings in the dark cloud of the pandemic is that love has been reaching out. In the past two years, there have been so many moments of radical inclusion and creativity as congregations’ digital offerings bring new people into connection with Unitarian Universalism and reconnect others for whom in-person participation had been difficult or impossible. Across our Association, we have long known that reaching new people—and retaining the full diversity of our existing membership—demands flexible programming and a strong digital presence. Some of the skills, tools, and changed workflows that we have had to adopt recently are helping us cultivate those relationships. The UUA is committed to supporting this vital work. This newsletter includes a collection of timely tools and ideas for sharing Unitarian Universalism’s life-saving message beyond the walls of our buildings.
With you on the journey,
Rachel
Rachel Walden supports UUA Communications as senior manager for digital & marketing strategy. When she's not brainstorming content with her colleagues, you'll likely find her outside.
“Woven in a Single Garment of Destiny” is a new worship service that explores covenant and repair in Unitarian Universalism. It includes a homily by UUA President Rev. Susan Frederick-Gray and beautiful new music created just for this service. UUA Minister of Worship Arts, Rev. Erika Hewitt, developed this offering for congregations as a way to support worship leaders in their multiplatform worship endeavors.
Unitarian Universalist trainer and coach, Peter Bowden, specializes in media and digital strategy and is known for creating the popular Video Ministry Academy training. In a new series of five video sessions sponsored by the UUA, Peter shares core strategies from that training updated for today’s multiplatform congregational environment. Get all five videos, sign up for handouts, and help your congregation implement a video engagement strategy that’s fun, workable, and sustainable for the long term.
The UUA continues to practice the same flexibility and creative approach to programming that it encourages of congregations. In response to the changed pandemic conditions, we are offering a multiplatform General Assembly this year that will allow for robust onsite and virtual participation. This will be our most inclusive and accessible GA ever, providing more opportunities to deepen your connection with Unitarian Universalism.
We are committed to modeling an exciting and equitable multiplatform GA experience. To make this a success, we will have two special speakers joining us online and in person: adrienne maree brown, the amazing leader, pleasure activist and author of Emergent Strategy, and award winning author, influencer and Boston University professor, Ibram X. Kendi. Don’t miss this unique opportunity—register today!
Whether you will be in person in Portland, or online with the UU the Vote community across the country, the UU the Vote multiplatform rally at GA will be a time of inspiration, motivation, strategy, and grounding. We'll gather on June 23 at 7:30pm for Faith On Fire For Democracy, so save the date—more details will be on the way soon!
Multiplatform GA also means that we do not have to wait to be together in person to start doing the business of Unitarian Universalism. Webinars are available to help you prepare, an online discussion forum is open, and the business mini assembly will take place before GA this year on June 11 at 4pm ET/1pm PT. Join us as we embody our deeply-held democratic values.
Since the pandemic began, the UUA has been journeying with you through the many challenges and opportunities along the way. We have developed a rich collection of wisdom, reflections and resources that are gathered online in our Multiplatform Resources Guidebook. From tips for talking about masks to help setting up a sound mixing board, we offer a wide range of information with ongoing updates.
ICYMI: The news can be hard to read these days. We found ourselves looking back on one hopeful moment recently, when Ketanji Brown Jackson was confirmed to the U.S. Supreme Court—breaking through 230+ years of exclusion of Black women. Read our post on Facebook and share your feelings about what this hopeful moment means to you.
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