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Social Justice Council
Below are brief descriptions of social justice workshops, sermons, talks and consultations Rev. Gilbert offers to St. Lawrence District congregations and clusters. Unless otherwise stated, these programs can be formatted for an entire day or a half-day.
Up to Our Steeples in Politics What is the proper relationship between church and state? Politics and religion? Faith and social action? Congregations need to know the “real rules” of what churches can and cannot do in the public arena. Walking the Talk: Basic Workshop in Congregational Social Justice Unitarian Universalists are eloquent in talking about peace and social justice. However, we have our problems in “walking the talk.” This workshop explores the spiritual roots of social action, a perspective on the unique UU mission, organizational tools for a congregation and a practicum on planning for change. Participants are asked to come with a Congregational Self-Analysis Survey completed. This workshop is designed as a fundamental orientation to congregation-based social action. “Giving Life the Shape of Justice”: A Level Two Workshop These words from our Unitarian Universalist song “Spirit of Life” are central to the task we face as justice-makers. The workshop is designed for congregations which have developed social justice programs, but would like to evaluate and expand them. This workshop is in effect a consultation. Being the Change We Want to See: A Workshop on Spiritual Growth Ghandi once said that we have to be the change we want to see. In working on society, we first work on ourselves – what does that entail? This workshop explores the process of spiritual growth through peace and justice work. Participants will be invited to tell their stories and gain perspective on their personal narratives. The Prophetic Imperative: Organizing for Change An exploration of the history, theology, ethics and sociology of social change through Dick Gilbert’s book, The Prophetic Imperative: Social Gospel in Theory and Practice. This program requires a full weekend. From Principles to Politics with Justice A workshop on religious advocacy. How does advocacy differ from lobbying? How do we mobilize our people to apply our ethical principles to the social order? What are the pitfalls? Should we do it at all? How do we respond to the effective advocacy of the Religious Right? We'll talk about how to mobilize the congregations in our district for more effective social action - through New York State Interfaith Impact. Should the Church Speak Out? One of the most common and most controversial issues in faith-based social action is the corporate role of the church in the public square. Should a congregation take a stand? Does it violate individual conscience? If it does speak out, how? This workshop is a discussion of the pros and cons of speaking out and different ways to approach the problem. Talking the Walk: Why We Do What We Do in Social Action We are often admonished to “walk our talk,” to live out our values in the world. However, we are seldom challenged to “talk our walk,” to discern why we do what we do to repair it. What are the theological and ethical underpinnings of social justice work – how do we change the world and how does that work change us? Issue-Oriented Workshops and/or Sermons/Talks Politics in the Pulpit – Possibilities and Pitfalls Does the Earth Have Moral Rights? An
ethical exploration of environmental How Much Do We Deserve? An Exploration in Distributive (Economic) Justice What Is a “Just War” – a UU Perspective on War and Peace The Eighth Day of Creation: Charles Darwin’s “Intelligent Design” A Conversation with the Religious Right Growing People of Prophetic Power: Social Justice and Religious Education Building the Beloved Community – in the Congregation and Beyond The Jonah Complex: Why Should I Be Involved? “War Is a Force that Gives Us Meaning” – and Peace? Justice-Making in the Empire State: Applying UU Values to NYS Issues Martin Luther King, Jr. – Shaping the Conscience of the Nation Meriting the Wind We Inherit: A History of UU Peace and Justice Work The Social Gospel According to Jesus The Moral State of the Nation “No Consorting with Angels” – the Religious Life of Susan B. Anthony Gentleness in Living: What Knoxville Can Teach Us Reproductive Justice: Where Do We Go from Here?
REQUEST FOR SERVICES - St. Lawrence UU District - Social Justice Program Please send the following information to Dick Gilbert, SLD Social Justice Coordinator, at Rsgilbert@uuma.org or call 585-244-7403 for further information Requested Date(s): Name of Congregation or Group making request: Contact Person: Contact Information: E-Mail & Phone Address: Type of Service: (See above or specify your request) Sermon topic Workshop (theme) Lecture (topic) Consultation (purpose)
Cost according to District policy is $250 a day (with travel expenses paid by the District). Congregations are encouraged to utilize clusters to share expenses.
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