Schedule

Workshop Descriptions & Leadership

Morning Workshops 10:00 a.m.– 1:30 P.m.

01        2018:  Why “ONA” Still Matters—In a time of increased visibility and rights for gays and lesbians, the ONA designation can seem like a relic of an earlier time.  Join us for an exploration of why being visibly ONA is more important than ever.  (Eliza Buchakjian-Tweedy)

02        Art for the Soul:  Prayer Beads and More!— Engage your spirit and experience prayer through motion, color, ribbons, and beads.  A guided sitting motion prayer will begin the workshop involving music, color, and ribbons, and then each participant will choose from a variety of meaningful beads to create a prayer bead chain.  $12 materials fee is required to be paid with registration.  (Kristin Putney, Suzanne Seekell)

03        Transgender 101—This workshop provides a chance to listen to, and ask questions of, a transgender woman.  We'll discuss some scriptures, why we should welcome trans-persons, and how we can include them in our fellowship.  (Danielle Allen)

04        Walking the Labyrinth—Prayer in Motion—Across centuries and civilizations, people have used a labyrinth as a tool for prayer and discernment.  Come learn about how one church made and uses its labyrinth within its community, and walk it to give yourself a restorative, spiritual treat.  (Eleanor MacLellan, Gayle Murphy)

05        Mandala Journaling as Spiritual Practice—Drawing and coloring within a sacred circle provides an entry into spiritual mystery in virtually every religious tradition.  Discover for yourself how the practice of mandala journaling can deepen your exploration of scripture and tap into a healing spiritual reservoir.  $12 materials fee is required to be paid with registration.  (Linda Carleton)

06        African Drumming—Join us for a drum circle!  Don't know where or how to start?  Bring your Djeimbe or hand drum or use one of mine.  This workshop is for those who are new to drumming and for those who have been in a drum circle before.  Join us for the fun!  (Rev. Leslie Chatfield)

07        Let’s Write for Runners and Children!—The prophet Habakkuk suggests we write so clearly that a runner could read it while sprinting past, and Psalm 102 reminds us to write our faith for generations yet unborn.  What do you want to write?  A prayer for opening a meeting or for a friend's online obituary/guestbook?  A memory of your childhood for your grandchildren?  A spiritual autobiography?  A humorous short story?  A book review for social media?  An original poem for someone you love?  A prayer journal?  This workshop shares some simple tools available to anyone for clear and lasting occasional writing.  Bring your laptop or your pencil.  (Rev. Maren Tirabassi)

08        A Bible Study Resource Progressives Can Love—Believe it or not, everyone should know the Bible.  That is the tagline for “Exploring the Bible:  The Dickinson Series,” a new educational resource from the Massachusetts Bible Society.  Come learn about this highly-acclaimed new series of Bible studies for small groups, which can be used in ecumenical and interfaith groups and is welcoming for the “nones” in our communities.  Easy to lead, inexpensive to run—come and get a free set of course materials.  (Rev. Anne Robertson)

09        Are Your Dreams Surprising You?—Join Rev. Lee Ireland to learn how our night dreams offer us information to help us make decisions and/or offer insights into some of the riddles of our lives.  She will share some historical dreams and some basic guidelines on interpreting our dreams.  Come and share if you have a recurring dream or one that has puzzled you for a while.  Learning their messages can bring relief and/or liberation, and many times with a humorous twist.  (Rev. Lee Ireland)

10        Intergenerational Community—Getting ALL the Women Together—We will explore how the era in which one grows up affects one's understanding of community.  Using that knowledge, we will practice multi-generational conversations and activities that can be taken back to your faith community.  (Rev. Jennifer Geary)

11        Finding Her Place—As we ask questions of women in the gospels, they ask questions of us as well.  Have you found your place in the community and the world, the role or niche that feels right for you? In scripture, we hear from women who serve, who disturb, who conceal, who choose their place or who are put in their place, who are even displaced or misplaced.  Let us explore our own places in relation to God's beloved community; let us look through the lens of faithful women whose encounters with Jesus often signaled a crossing of boundaries, a shift in perspective, an unexpected change in their "place at the table."  (Rev. Ruth Martz)

12        Re-Imagining Church—Planting a new ministry gives one both the opportunity and the impetus to re-imagine everything about church.  Join Sarah Buteux, founding pastor of Common Ground, for a frank discussion about the joys and challenges of responding authentically and adapting organically to the place where God has called you to plant your ministry.  From worship style to the role of the pastor, how you fund a new ministry to the question of who church is for, we'll inspire one another to think outside the 2000-year-old box we call church, and envision something new.  (Rev. Sarah Buteux)

13.       Authentic Spiritual Support in Prison Ministry—This workshop will provide insight and tools to be able to effectively provide help to those who are incarcerated or recently released, and their families.  (Chontell Washington)

14        Guess Who’s Not Coming to Dinner?— What has being born white got to do with racism?  Lots!  As 2018 European Americans, most of us do not think we are racist, but there are both implicit biases we have absorbed that favor whiter skinned people and laws and practices that have given white people an economic advantage over people of color, particularly over African Americans who trace their history back to being enslaved.  Being "rich" is not the same as being "privileged."  Come and be at the table of justice!  (Rev. Dawn Berry)

15        Welcoming People Experiencing Mental Illness to the Table—Each year one in five of us experiences a mental illness.  "People with mental health problems are our neighbors.  They are members of our congregations and our families; they are everywhere in this country.  A problem of this magnitude will not go away.  Because it will not go away, and because of our spiritual commitments, we are compelled to take action." (Rosalynn Carter)  Positive, easily implemented actions and activities will be shared.  (Peggy Matteson)

16        Understanding Our Refugee Neighbors—As our state becomes increasingly diverse, people want to know more about our neighbors who have come here from different countries.  In this session, three speakers will share their expertise about refugees resettling in the Granite State.  (Amy Marchildon, Becky Field)

            Photographer Becky Field will show images of the lives of new Americans.  Amy Marchildon, from the resettlement agency—Ascentria Care Alliance—will talk about the path that refugees take to be resettled in the Granite State.  A refugee from New Hampshire will share personal experiences of the opportunities and challenges faced in resettling in New Hampshire.

17        Interfaith Dialogue:  Children of Abraham—The dialogue seeks common ground as it honors differences.  (Rev. Robert Fellows, Rev. Robert Thompson, Imam Mohamed Ibrahim)

18        Preble Street Resource Center— 

Afternoon Workshops 2:30 p.m.–4:00 p.m.

19        2018:  Why “ONA” Still Matters—In a time of increased visibility and rights for gays and lesbians, the ONA designation can seem like a relic of an earlier time.  Join us for an exploration of why being visibly ONA is more important than ever.  (Eliza Buchakjian-Tweedy)

20        Art for the Soul:  Prayer Beads and More!— Engage your spirit and experience prayer through motion, color, ribbons, and beads.  A guided sitting motion prayer will begin the workshop involving music, color, and ribbons, and then each participant will choose from a variety of meaningful beads to create a prayer bead chain.  $12 materials fee is required to be paid with registration.  (Kristin Putney, Suzanne Seekell)

21        Transgender 101—This workshop provides a chance to listen to, and ask questions of, a transgender woman.  We'll discuss some scriptures, why we should welcome trans-persons, and how we can include them in our fellowship.  (Danielle Allen)

22        Walking the Labyrinth—Prayer in Motion—Across centuries and civilizations, people have used a labyrinth as a tool for prayer and discernment.  Come learn about how one church made and uses its labyrinth within its community, and walk it to give yourself a restorative, spiritual treat.  (Eleanor MacLellan, Gayle Murphy)

23        Mandala Journaling as Spiritual Practice—Drawing and coloring within a sacred circle provides an entry into spiritual mystery in virtually every religious tradition.  Discover for yourself how the practice of mandala journaling can deepen your exploration of scripture and tap into a healing spiritual reservoir.  $12 materials fee is required to be paid with registration.  (Linda Carleton)

24        African Drumming—Join us for a drum circle!  Don't know where or how to start?  Bring your Djeimbe or hand drum or use one of mine.  This workshop is for those who are new to drumming and for those who have been in a drum circle before.  Join us for the fun!  (Rev. Leslie Chatfield)

25        Let’s Write for Runners and Children!—The prophet Habakkuk suggests we write so clearly that a runner could read it while sprinting past, and Psalm 102 reminds us to write our faith for generations yet unborn.  What do you want to write?  A prayer for opening a meeting or for a friend's online obituary/guestbook?  A memory of your childhood for your grandchildren?  A spiritual autobiography?  A humorous short story?  A book review for social media?  An original poem for someone you love?  A prayer journal?  This workshop shares some simple tools available to anyone for clear and lasting occasional writing.  Bring your laptop or your pencil.  (Rev. Maren Tirabassi)

26        Conversation with Traci Blackmon—Enjoy a smaller group discussion with Traci Blackmon.  (Rev. Traci Blackmon)

27        Be Still—Moving from doing to being is an intentional awareness that can save your life.  Being still requires a set of natural behaviors that we often ignore.  Learn how to "Be Still" and experience God's presence and peace.  (Rev. Cleo Graham)

28        Dismantling Racism Is Not a Spectator Sport—This workshop will be an overview on racism "then" and "now."  We will look at what is needed to dismantle racism in our communities.  We will explore together, as people of faith, the work ahead.  (Rev. Renee Rouse)

29        Multi-Religious Activism in an Age of Climate Change—Climate change activism has reached unprecedented heights in the past year or so, and faith groups, including interfaith groups, are at the forefront of the struggle!  We will look at the religious reasons for this activism in many religions, and at the reasons for success of this multifaith activism.  (Barbara Darling)

30        Sacred Spaces—Sacred Places—What makes you stop and breathe?  Where do you go to offer up prayer and to listen for God's faithful encouragement?  Some people build altars in their gardens.  Some arrange a table with plants, words, special books, and sculpture.  Some create labyrinths they can hold in their hands; others place rocks in their yard to make a path where they might return to the center of God's heart.  With hands, hearts, spirits, and prayer, we will ponder and create sacred spaces… take home tools for creating sacred spaces at home, at work, and in our churches.  (Rev. Deborah Blood, Rev. Diane Wendorf)

31        Undocumented Immigrants:  Do You Really Know Who They Are?—This workshop will discuss root causes for immigration, the tortuous path of our broken immigration system, the many ways hopeful people are ensnared by it, and what you can do to help them.  (Rev. Nancy Pape, Rev. Sandra Pontoh, Eva Castillo, Margaret Fogarty)

32        Our Wounded Veterans—The Truth, the Healing, the Hope—Founded in 2008 by Pam Payeur, the Wounded Heroes Program of Maine was started due to the experience Pam and her son, Mike, had when he returned home from war as a wounded veteran.  Hear the TRUTH about what our veterans face when they return home, what is involved in the HEALING process, especially when not all wounds are visible, and what HOPE is on the horizon for them.  (Pam Payeur)

33        We Are All Connected—Lakota Wheel of Life and Worldwide Connections—As a guest of the Lakota in South Dakota, I was drawn in by their central constant that everything happens in a circle and is, therefore, connected.  When people gather in a circle, everyone is equal.  Everyone is connected.  Join us to hear stories of exclusion and inclusion.  (Janet Simmon)

34        Mindfulness 101—Are you searching for ways to improve your health and decrease stress?  Come learn what mindfulness is and how it reduces the symptoms of stress and anxiety and can have significant, profound benefits in health and well-being.  (MJ Allen)

35        The “Art” of Self-Compassion—Many of us are easily able to feel compassion for others, but struggle with finding compassion for ourselves.  Participate in creative exercises designed to increase your capacity for mindfulness and self-compassion, which will also increase your compassion for others.  Through art-making we will learn how to open our hearts and experience our interconnectedness. (Bodhi Simpson)