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The Transforming Hearts Collective offers faith-rooted trainings and resources on radical inclusion and culture shift at the intersections of gender, sexuality, race, class, ability, age, and spirituality.

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I confess: I am completely unfamiliar as yet!

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The Article II Study Commission is ramping up its input gathering efforts as we approach the 2022 General Assembly. What's Article II? It's the section of the UUA bylaws that serves as the home of our Principles and Sources, the UUA's Purposes, our Inclusion clause, and Freedom of Belief Statement. As a living faith, we must regularly revisit the documents that guide us to be sure they match our values and commitments. During this period of reflection, the Study Commission is connecting with Unitarian Universalists throughout the Association to hear from you about what-if any-changes to Article II might lead us boldly into the future.

The feedback gathered over the past year, through the 2022 General Assembly, provides valuable insight for the Commissioners who will be entering the writing phase of this process in the Fall of 2022. The Study Commission needs your input on key themes related to its work, and has developed conversational resources and opportunities for reflection. After you have participated in reflection with your local community or attended a theological panel discussion, listed below, the Article II Study Commission invites you to share your reflections through the Article II Individual Survey (Google Form).

Congregational and Community Resources

The Article II Study Commission has rolled out a number of resources that can be used at the local level to engage your congregation or community in the decrement of our Association's Purposes and Principles. Two of these programs are geared towards youth and young adults, including a dinner church kit and a workshop on covenant. For small group ministries, a six-week program is available. If you are looking for a more informal activity, the Study Commission has put together a set of slides, with prompting questions that can be used in settings like coffee hour. Access to all of these programs and activities are free. Visit our Congregation and Community Resources page (linked), to download these materials.

The Article II Study Commission has also partnered with UU Wellspring to bring an 8-session program for small groups in congregations. The program follows a UU Wellspring session format with pre-readings and videos paired with reflection questions to allow for a meaningful experience as participants delve deeply into the meaning and impact of Article II. To access UU Wellspring materials or just investigate whether the program is right for your group, complete the Facilitator Interest form (Google Form).

Theological Panel Series

The Article II Study Commission is hosting several public conversations, bring together a panel of speakers and ask them a few questions on a theme. Those in attendance are provided a survey link to think further on the questions being discussed to provide the Study Commission with their thoughts.

Last year, a panel was hosted one on the topic of covenant, featuring Rev. Bill Sinkford, Rev. Susan Frederick-Gray, and Rev. Meredith Garmon.

In Spring 2022, several of these conversations planned:
A Conversation on Covenant Part 2: January 27, 2022
A Conversation on Inspiration: Thursday, February 24, 2022
A Conversation on Purpose: Thursday, March 24, 2022
A Conversation on Values: Friday, April 15, 2022
5:00pm PT / 6:00pm MT / 7:00pm CT / 8:00pm ET 5:00pm PT / 6:00pm MT / 7:00pm CT / 8:00pm ET 5:00pm PT / 6:00pm MT / 7:00pm CT / 8:00pm ET 4:30pm PT / 5:30pm MT / 6:30pm CT / 7:30pm ET
What does it mean to be in covenant? How do we handle the mutual accountability of living in love? What do we need from our shared agreements now and in the future?This conversation will feature an array of voices discussing how covenant figures in our ever-growing faith: Rev. Mykal Slack from BLUU, Dandi Prinsloo from the DRUUM steering committee, Elizabeth Foster with EqUUal Access, and Juniper Meadows, former steering committee member for TRUUsT. Complete this Zoom Registration in advance to attend the panel on covenant.

What are our founts of inspiration? Where have we drawn them from, how have they developed in our history as a faith, and which ones speak to us now? Complete this Zoom Registration in advance to attend the panel on inspirations.

What is our mission as Unitarian Universalists? What are called to do in the world? How do we, as individuals and as an organization, answer that call? Complete this Zoom Registration in advance to attend the panel on purpose.

What shared values do we have as a faith? What common dreams need to be reflected in a new Article II? Complete this Zoom Registration in advance to attend the panel on values.

Open "Office Hours"

The Article II Study Commission want to hear what questions you have about the process of studying-and possibly revising-Article II. Join the Study Commission Monday, February 28 & March 28, to ask any questions you have about the process and how you might be involved in the work! All are welcome, and asked to register in advance at the links below. Hope to see you there!

Monday, February 28, 2022
12:00pm PT / 1:00pm MT / 2:00pm CT / 3:00pm ET
Join February 28 Office Hours Zoom meeting.

Monday, March 28, 2022
12:00pm PT / 1:00pm MT / 2:00pm CT / 3:00pm ET
Join March 28 Office Hours Zoom meeting.

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Getting Involved with the Article II Study

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The Article II Study Commission is ramping up its input gathering efforts as we approach the 2022 General Assembly. What's Article II? It's the section of the UUA bylaws that serves as the home of our Principles and Sources, the UUA's Purposes, our Inclusion clause, and Freedom of Belief Statement.

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Widen the circle - guest musician; other music

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Widen the circle - guest musician; other music

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Re-structuring congregational life: from committees --> mission-based councils & gatherings

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Re-structuring congregational life: from committees --> mission-based councils & gatherings

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learning about radical hospitality

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Different measurement tools - community connectedness, not just attitudes

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Different measurement tools - community connectedness, not just attitudes

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An offer - talking with others about using network mapping tools to not only measure where individual members are in their anti-racism attitudes & learnings, but to map social connectedness between members who identify as highly, moderately, or not highly involved in justice work in the congregation or community.

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People are citing "widening the circle" in meetings when figuring out change

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People are citing "widening the circle" in meetings when figuring out change

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How can members leading segregated lives have a taste of what anti-racist beloved community could actually feel/sound/be like? 

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How can members leading segregated lives have a taste of what anti-racist beloved community could actually feel/sound/be like? 

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It's so hard to bring a vision to our congregation when so many people have not ever experienced joyful, survival-thriving-connecting anti-racist multi-cultural beloved community

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Permission to redesign historically accepted ways of  creating the church's work from the top down.

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Nourishment/support to help balance out the valid growing pains that come with social change

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Nourishment/support to help balance out the valid growing pains that come with social change

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BIPOC group in our congregation is LIFESAVING and faith saving.  

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BIPOC group in our congregation is LIFESAVING and faith saving.  

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Children's programming, work with another congregation, change in board/governance, plans to revisit mission statement and covenant

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Children's programming, work with another congregation, change in board/governance, plans to revisit mission statement and covenant

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ideas from other congregations that have worked and failed

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ideas from other congregations that have worked and failed

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Connections to reparations & transformative justice outside UU

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Connections to reparations & transformative justice outside UU

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Doing Common read and other books to help begin conversations.  Library is now also doing those conversations.

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Doing Common read and other books to help begin conversations.  Library is now also doing those conversations.

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seeing the 8th take root in our programming - immediate and in the future.    The amazing support of our clergy, staff and board.

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seeing the 8th take root in our programming - immediate and in the future.    The amazing support of our clergy, staff and board.

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Making sure that we are thinking of diverse speakers when our part time minister is off.

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Making sure that we are thinking of diverse speakers when our part time minister is off.

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Joint project with other faith communities in our area ... to create cross-cultural sharing and collaborative action (legislative, etc.)

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Joint project with other faith communities in our area ... to create cross-cultural sharing and collaborative action (legislative, etc.)

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Working toward a more diverse selection of guest speakers (we only have a half-time minister) which has been easier to do while virtual. 

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Working toward a more diverse selection of guest speakers (we only have a half-time minister) which has been easier to do while virtual. 

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I would like to connect with other congregations doing or talking about reparations.

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keeping the conversation alive, by meeting together regularly with the 8th principle as our focus

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keeping the conversation alive, by meeting together regularly with the 8th principle as our focus

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Every time teens & parents cite "our 8 principles" 

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Every time teens & parents cite "our 8 principles" 

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And that means we have new aspirations to point to as the foundation of who we are!

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focusing on Widening the Circle in Soul matters Groups

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focusing on Widening the Circle in Soul matters Groups

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How to avoid having the work of living into the 8th Principle fall so heavily on the Black, Indigenous, People of Color minority whose assigned roles seem to be to teach and to push--all the time.  Heavy burdens.  Others seem to be stuck in reading books and talking; not doing what's needed to change.

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How to avoid having the work of living into the 8th Principle fall so heavily on the Black, Indigenous, People of Color minority whose assigned roles seem to be to teach and to push--all the time.  Heavy burdens.  Others seem to be stuck in reading books and talking; not doing what's needed to change.

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How to get more involvement from the congregation

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How to get more involvement from the congregation

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Opportunity to reach people in person again.

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Opportunity to reach people in person again.

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asking folks to become educated about Reparations: Action to Advocacy. (NJ focus) https://tinyurl.com/URT2022

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asking folks to become educated about Reparations: Action to Advocacy. (NJ focus) https://tinyurl.com/URT2022

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More "buy-in" from the *whole* congregation, rather than a sense of "isn't that something our social justice group(s) are taking care of?"

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More "buy-in" from the *whole* congregation, rather than a sense of "isn't that something our social justice group(s) are taking care of?"

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Beloved Conversations, Jubilee, book groups - Mistakes and Miracles most recently

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Beloved Conversations, Jubilee, book groups - Mistakes and Miracles most recently

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Ways to bring out more enthusiasm by more members. I think people want to do it but are stretched thin with all else there is to do especially during this time of virtual services. 

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Ways to bring out more enthusiasm by more members. I think people want to do it but are stretched thin with all else there is to do especially during this time of virtual services. 

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Bringing questions and potential plans of action that people have been thinking about before we even voted to the clergy, staff and board.

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Bringing questions and potential plans of action that people have been thinking about before we even voted to the clergy, staff and board.

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Studies with space for deep reflection (personal) and honest sharing.  

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Studies with space for deep reflection (personal) and honest sharing.  

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Started a very active reparations committee.  Include 8th Principle language in all worship services, throughout the services.

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Started a very active reparations committee.  Include 8th Principle language in all worship services, throughout the services.

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Communication is stretched thin in our congregation - I believe we need more connections, more in-person gatherings, for word to spread. Thicker community bonds carry communication along the web faster. :)

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More marginalized people on right relations.

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More marginalized people on right relations.

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bringing our children and youth into this work

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bringing our children and youth into this work

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just talked with another congregation this afternoon that is a few steps ahead of us and shared resources....also referred by them to yet another congregation.

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just talked with another congregation this afternoon that is a few steps ahead of us and shared resources....also referred by them to yet another congregation.

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using break out rooms to process widening the circle

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using break out rooms to process widening the circle

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Anti-racist reading and programming, *especially* when led/co-facilitated by POC. 

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Anti-racist reading and programming, *especially* when led/co-facilitated by POC. 

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Same few people involved with 8th principle work.  How to get the rest of the congregation to see that it isn't something we "passed" - there is a journey and work to be done.

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Same few people involved with 8th principle work.  How to get the rest of the congregation to see that it isn't something we "passed" - there is a journey and work to be done.

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Participation in worship by congregation

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Participation in worship by congregation

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Looked at communities we wished to reach, such as towns, colleges, partnerships.

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Looked at communities we wished to reach, such as towns, colleges, partnerships.

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How do we celebrate our steps forward, while maintaining our consciousness of our commitment to the 8th principle framing our actions?

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How do we celebrate our steps forward, while maintaining our consciousness of our commitment to the 8th principle framing our actions?

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working on incorporating it into membership

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working on incorporating it into membership

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willingness to meet people where they are and at their convience

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willingness to meet people where they are and at their convience

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searching out ways to be more involved in our local (and larger) community 

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searching out ways to be more involved in our local (and larger) community 

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Having members attend Jubilee Weekend. Widening the circle study circle.

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Having members attend Jubilee Weekend. Widening the circle study circle.

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Implement in small steps.  waiting for a larger or more comprehensive program will takes too long

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Implement in small steps.  waiting for a larger or more comprehensive program will takes too long

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Resources for dealing with volunteer overload in a small congregation in which most leaders are very over-committed.

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Resources for dealing with volunteer overload in a small congregation in which most leaders are very over-committed.

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how to show the congregation this isn't just a "social justice" committee thing.

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how to show the congregation this isn't just a "social justice" committee thing.

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Just taking a look "under the hood" to identify ways in which we have been contributing to systemic racsim.

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Just taking a look "under the hood" to identify ways in which we have been contributing to systemic racsim.

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I want to get marginalized people heard and their influence felt. I selfishly note that it helps depth a LOT

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I want to get marginalized people heard and their influence felt. I selfishly note that it helps depth a LOT

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Growing Anti-Racist UUs children's curriculum

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Growing Anti-Racist UUs children's curriculum

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Highly recommend this curriculum - adapted to Zoom by the local religious educator cluster

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Growing Anti-racist UUs
A Curriculum for Children

This curriculum for ages 4-11 was written by a team of educators in our church (none of whom are African American): Elaine Chapman, Linda Dukes, Ann Forno, Dinny Jensen, Katherine Parsons, and Camille Thompson, under the guidance of Rev. Leia Durland-Jones, our Director of Faith Development. We strongly believed that all of our lessons needed to be vetted by a Black UU religious educator, so with grant funds from the Unitarian Sunday School Society, Greg Carrow Boyd provided editorial revisions to the curriculum.

Growing Anti-racist UUs has four sections: A) Introductory materials, B) 4 preschool lessons, C) 12 primary lessons, and D) 13 upper elementary lessons. To download these materials, click on the links below. Please note that the lessons were carefully developed to follow in the sequences listed.

Please note this material is not to be sold or redistributed in any way. If you decide to use all or parts of this curriculum, we request that you donate to a Black-led organization working for change. One suggestion within Unitarian Universalism is DRUMM: https://www.druumm.org/donate/

We welcome your response and comments. Please send feedback to: Director of Faith Development: redirector@uucharlottesville.org
A. Introductory materials
0. Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Curriculum map
3. Glossary
4. Inclusion strategies
5. The Rainbow Chalice
6. Bios of the curriculum developers
B. Preschool lesson plans in Spirit Play framework
0. Overview
1. We're Different, We're the Same
2. Marisol McDonald Doesn't Match
3. What If Zebras Lost Their Stripes
4. Yoko
5. Background Materials
C. Primary lesson plans for ages 6-9 or grades K-2
0. Overview
1. My Skin, My Heart
2. My Family, My Home
3. My Friends, My School
4. My Church, My Beliefs
5. My City, My Community
6. My Country, My World
7. Looking at the OTHER
8. What are the POSSIBILITIES (the MAYBES)?
9. Who are the THEY?
10. Looking at FREEDOM
11. Remembering the PAST
12. Looking at LOVE, LIBERTY and JUSTICE
D. Upper elementary lesson plans for age 8-11 or grades 3-5
0. Overview
1. Skin Shades
2. Identity
3. Empathy
4. Slavery
5. Segregation
6A. Civil Rights Movement
6B. Action
7. Controversial Historical Memorials (lesson plan)
7a. Controversial Historical Memorials (power point)
8. Wealth Gap
9. Equality vs Equity
10. Stereotyping
11. How does it feel to be stereotyped?
12. Responding to Bias

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Growing Anti-racist UUs A Curriculum for Children This curriculum for ages 4-11 was written by a team of educators in our church (none of whom are African American): Elaine Chapman, Linda Dukes, Ann Forno, Dinny Jensen, Katherine Parsons, and Camille Thompson, under the guidance of Rev. Leia Durla

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continued support from our ministers and their pulpit calls

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continued support from our ministers and their pulpit calls

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exploring different musical forms during worship and visiting other congregations

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exploring different musical forms during worship and visiting other congregations

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Funding so we can support our staff and the work more fully.

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Funding so we can support our staff and the work more fully.

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To learn about what others are doing to further inspire change in ours.

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To learn about what others are doing to further inspire change in ours.

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Looking forward to hearing from other congregations, especially those who passed the 8th Principle a while back, to learn what they've done in their congregations to live into the 8the Principle.

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Looking forward to hearing from other congregations, especially those who passed the 8th Principle a while back, to learn what they've done in their congregations to live into the 8the Principle.

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How to encourage people to stay motivated to do the work and live up to our promise to commit.

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How to encourage people to stay motivated to do the work and live up to our promise to commit.

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Searching for guidance on how to lovingly engage members of dominant groups on working through *unconscious* bias, which is a huge percentage of what fuels systems of oppression. UU's tend to be great at finding and working through conscious bias, while the unconscious can sometimes be a different story. 

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Searching for guidance on how to lovingly engage members of dominant groups on working through *unconscious* bias, which is a huge percentage of what fuels systems of oppression. UU's tend to be great at finding and working through conscious bias, while the unconscious can sometimes be a different story. 

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How to keep the momentum going until Covid passes.

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How to keep the momentum going until Covid passes.

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we are using the UUA Rubric on multicultural congregations, looking inward

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we are using the UUA Rubric on multicultural congregations, looking inward

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How do we engage long-term members who don't see a need for change?

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How do we engage long-term members who don't see a need for change?

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...and then thinking about re-structuring process to center relationship

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We did several activities immediately after passing the 8th Principle, but need new energy to continue the work.

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"The Tool Shed " is a place for dialogue. It is a safe space for learning, sharing, reconciliation, and genuine partnership that brings about real changes in ourselves, our congregations, and our community.

​

We know there are a plethora of other organizations also working on these things, and we support that work; we need all of us working together to make a difference.

"The Tool Shed" was created out of a "sense of need" for grassroots congregational collaboration, to act now. It is the "heart work" of Rev. Dr. Kharma Amos (the minister at Unitarian Universalists of Central Delaware) and Rev. Dr. Erika Crawford (the Pastor of Mt Zion AME Church) as a way of bringing together these communities of faith with others in the community.

Since its establishment, in June of 2020, more than 200 people have joined us and several other houses of faith and community organizations have partnered in this work including, Christ Episcopal Church of Dover; The Office of The Director for Black Church Growth of the U. M. Church, Del Penn; The Presbyterian Church of Dover; and several others.

Watch ToolShed Session on Systemic Oppression

Watch ToolShed Session on White Fragility

Watch ToolShed Session on Anti-Racist

Session on Healing and Trust (N/A due to Technical Issues)

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"The Tool Shed " is a place for dialogue. It is a safe space for learning, sharing, reconciliation, and genuine partnership that brings about real changes in ourselves, our congregations, and our community. ​ We know there are a plethora of other organizations also working on these things, and we support that work; we need all of us working together to make a difference.

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how do we assess where the congregation is now in terms of complying with the principle as well as identifying challenges

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how do we assess where the congregation is now in terms of complying with the principle as well as identifying challenges

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A focused implementation team with strong leadership.

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A focused implementation team with strong leadership.

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exploring the websites of other congregations who had already passed the 8th principle

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exploring the websites of other congregations who had already passed the 8th principle

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What are some resources for polling our congregation about their thoughts/feelings re: racism and other oppressions, what support they need, and about their backgrounds so we know what representation we have in the congregation?

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What are some resources for polling our congregation about their thoughts/feelings re: racism and other oppressions, what support they need, and about their backgrounds so we know what representation we have in the congregation?

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I'm interested in accountability partners and working on developing that relationship with community partners but wondering about a partnership within the UUA. 

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I'm interested in accountability partners and working on developing that relationship with community partners but wondering about a partnership within the UUA. 

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How to create sustainable activities in a small (50-55 members) 

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How to create sustainable activities in a small (50-55 members) 

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Beloved Conversations, ARE resources, Undoing Racism resources, https://pisab.org/

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Beloved Conversations, ARE resources, Undoing Racism resources, https://pisab.org/

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PISAB - The People's Institute for Survival and Beyond

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We stand on the shoulders of generations who served before us as we bring people from all walks of life into a network of anti-racist community organizers. We've been organizing in community to address structural racism and power for over 40 years. Before it was popular. Before it was profitable.

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how do we help congregrants to live into 8th principle and be accountable

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how do we help congregrants to live into 8th principle and be accountable

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How to create a vendor program?  I feel that vendors are one area of specific pro-active action

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How to create a vendor program?  I feel that vendors are one area of specific pro-active action