Are you interested in participating in Beloved Conversations? There are two opportunities!
Beloved Conversations—the signature offering of The Fahs Collaborative at Meadville Lombard Theological School—is a program for Unitarian Universalists seeking to embody racial justice as a spiritual practice. In Beloved Conversations, we are here to heal the impact of racism on our lives, in order to get free together. Learn more from our past articles here and here and here.
Within
For those who haven’t participated yet, or wish to again, you can sign up for Beloved Conversations Within. This program focuses on you as an individual and has small pod gatherings, and virtual activities, readings, and more. For those wishing to participate, please register directly here… and don’t wait! Early Bird Registration: get 10% off by using code FALL21BCVEB at checkout (through 8/14).
Among
In this second phase of our program, we take our learnings from Within and focus them on institutional change in our congregations. In spite of our own, personal efforts to end racism, white supremacy culture still thrives in our congregational systems- in the way we make decisions, in the ways we worship, in our efforts towards social justice. What would it look like to work together to dismantle systems of oppression in our own congregations and build communities that center liberation?
In Among, participants will work with a dedicated coach and a core group of up to 20 Within alums from their congregation for 8 months to:
- better understand the ways dominant white culture is woven into the congregation’s systems
- explore possibilities for change in up to two chosen areas of congregational life
- learn from examples of others who have made bold changes
- center the spiritual needs and voices of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color
- create a plan for change that fits the congregation and context
Together, we can move our congregations closer to all our values and a vision of the Beloved Community. We are excited to work with congregations who are looking to transform! With that aim in mind, congregations joining the program must have a demonstrated commitment to anti-racism, a majority of lay and professional leadership who have taken at least one term of Within, and can point to ways their congregation has been accepting of change.
You can register for Among here. Please note, this group MAY become a Board Task Force in which case all participants will need to be an ESUC member and be approved by the Board.