July 9 - July 15, 2006
Kenyon College, Gambier, Ohio

Morning Workshops

These morning workshops are for the adults of the SI community. Morning workshops are held every day during the week. When you complete the SI registration form, be sure to select one workshop for the week and two alternate choices. Workshops fill up quickly and are on a first-come basis, so register early. There are also morning programs scheduled for Young Adult, Youth and Children. 

Please see the SI Brochure for complete descriptions of these workshops.

1. UNDERSTANDING THE NEW TESTAMENT: A Workshop for Skeptics, Seekers and Religious Liberals
Rev. David Herndon

Who wrote the New Testament, and when was it written? What worthwhile meanings can it have for Unitarian Universalists? How can liberal religious people provide a credible interpretation of the New Testament that offers an attractive alternative to the interpretation offered by the Religious Right? Our primary text for this workshop will be Understanding the Bible: A Guide for Skeptics, Seekers, and Religious Liberals by John Buehrens, former President of the Unitarian Universalist Association. Additional recommending reading: When Jesus Became God: The Struggle to Define Christianity in the Final Days of the Roman Empire by Richard Bubinstein and The Heart of Christianity by Marcus Borg.

Reverend David has served as minister with the First Unitarian Church of Pittsburgh, PA since 1990. A lifelong UU, he holds degrees from Meadville/Lombard Theological School, the College of William and Mary, the University of Chicago, and Carnegie Mellon University. He and his wife Cindy are the proud parents of Rachel and Meredith.

2. I WANT MY MTV!
Bill Brauning

The Beatles, Elton John, the Beach Boys and American Bandstand? Out of the pop song culture was born the Music Video. In 1981, MTV was in operation and playing your favorite Music Videos on its own net-work. But did you know that before MTV, music videos were being made in the 50‛s and 60‛s as well.This class will chronicle the history of the music video, not only in the 80‛s & 90‛s but decades ago. We‛ll view videos from the greatest pop stars & cult heroes. Bring your music memories and dancin‛ shoes.

Bill lives in Akron and has presented previously on the history of pop music and cartoon animation. He presently is serving as a musical consultant to the upcoming film documentary "The Red Wing."

3. Physical Power of Peace
Kari Gunderson

We‛ll nurture our bodies with strength-training, core exercises, and yoga every morning. If the class chooses, we‛ll finish with a clothed backrub. Exercise bands which you can pack with you will be sup-plied for a modest fee. Physician‛s permission is required for anyone with a heart or pulmonary problem, and class members must be able to get up and down from the floor.

Participants should bring a yoga mat, if possible.

Kari is an American College of Sports Medicine-certified Health Fitness Instructor and a Licensed Massage Therapist. She loves sharing vibrant health with yoga and exercise enthusiasts, especially new ones.

4. THE PARABLES OF OCTAVIA BUTTER
Mary Schatzman

Set in the near future, The Parable of the Sower, by Octavia Butter, describes a very believable society where most of the structures we consider ‘civilized‛ have crumbled. The protagonist is a young African American teenager who finds an ability within herself to become a leader, and to create a new religion, called Earthseed. Interestingly, Earthseed has a lot in common with UU-ism! Having read the book would be a plus, but this will be a discussion format, and it is not necessary to have read it in order to fully participate. Some excerpts will be on hand for use during the workshop.

Mary has been a social worker, a women‛s health nurse practitioner, a Girl Scout leader, and a mother – besides being Youth Programs Consultant for the OMD. But through all these incarnations, Mary has maintained and practiced a love of reading. She is a member of the UU Society of Cleveland.

5. WRITE INTO ART
CJ Leavens and Dana Bjorklund

In this workshop, we will start by making a book, then delve into creative writing and journaling, all while turning our books into works of art. Modeled after Sabrina Ward Harrison‛s book, Spilling Open: the Art of Becoming Yourself, this is an exploration of how we can use art and writing to look at our lives and what we might make of them. The book is then a working artistic journal that can later be used
for exploration or a celebration of memories.

CJ works in Sweepstakes, is a collage artist, and has a fantastic Pez collection. Dana is a stained glass artist, wannabe librarian, and doesn‛t collect anything worth mentioning (unless you want to count elderly encyclopedias).

6.LISTENING FOR GOD
Edie Schwede and Rev. Roy Phillips

The book, Listening for God, is a collection of short stories by contemporary American authors, chosen because they reveal “flashes of the spirit” in the lives of ordinary men and women engaged in the mundane activities of everyday life. Focusing on one story per day (for which participants prepare in advance), we‛ll examine many overt and covert religious themes raised in these stories. Included are author profiles on video to help us know the writers.

As suggested in the past when this course has been offered, Edie and Roy will also hold an afternoon session for further discussion with interested people, morning participants and others. The leaders will bring the book, Listening for God, Volume 1, for the participants to purchase for $12.

Edie and Reverend Roy led two six-week classes on Listening for God, Volume 1 during Roy‛s year of interim ministry at West Shore in 2000. Later, Roy offered the course at his church in Tucson. In fall, 2005, Edie co-led the course with interim minister Tamara Lebak. Edie lives in Lakewood, and Roy has retired from parish ministry, still lives in Tucson, and teaches occasionally on-line for Starr King School and the Church of the Larger Fellowship.

7. T'AI CHI
David Clippinger

The class will provide a spiritual (Taoist and Buddhist) foundation for T‛ai Chi practices and will teach a number of complete T‛ai Chi and Chi Kung forms for extended practice. The class will marry the spiritual and martial elements of T‛ai Chi. A great introduction.

Participants should bring lots of Chi.

David is the director of Still Mountain, a Mind, Body and Spirit Center in Pittsburgh. He is also a member of Sunnyhill (UU Church of the South Hills, Pittsburgh) as well as the leader of Ksanti Sangha, a Buddhist group that meets at Sunnyhill.

8. THE SACRED CIRCLE: Ritual Crafting for Everyday
Annabelle Clippinger

Through discussion, writing and creative experimentation, we will create rituals and perform a few, too. Our content could include rituals to honor birth and/or pregnancy, someone who has passed puberty, the season, or the moon. We may choose to explore healing rituals for oneself or others, child or house blessings, and others. We will inquire into the purpose of ceremony and ritual, with readings and using creative music and song. We will create a time of joyful and dignified reverence.

Participants should bring notebooks and ideas for special times or people they wish to honor through ritual.

Annabelle is the founding member of Spiritways CUUPS, the UU Pagan chapter at her UU South Hills Church in Pittsburgh. She has been teaching Earth Spirituality to many students for over 20 years. A poet and professor, she teaches writing and is an arts administrator at the University of Pittsburgh.

9. NAIKAN: The Japanese Spiritual Practice of Gratitude and Reflection
Joel Greene

Naikan invokes self-examination which helps us develop a deep sense of joy, appreciation and gratitude for everyday blessings. These are be stowed on us, but oftentimes go unnoticed and unappreciated. We see our sacredness in the ordinary experiences and interactions that occur in our lives. We see that somehow the universe miraculously supports and nourishes our existence, and we begin to develop ever more gratitude for the gift of life and the people we share it with. The course is based on a book by Greg Krech, as well as materials by David K. Reynolds, Eckhart Tolle and Byron Katie.

Participants should bring willingness to talk and exchange ideas and experiences.

Joel lives in Akron with his family. In April, 2004, after a personal medical experience, he started a year-long transformation in which he learned to be grateful for his life and for the friendships he now has. He has used Naikan material to facilitate a covenant group at his Akron UU Church, and feels that a week-long workshop would give people a rare opportunity to look deeply at their lives in this grateful manner.

10. LOVINGKINDNESS – An Introduction to Buddhist Practice
Jeanne Desy and Tom Tucker

We will explore basic meditation and Buddhist thought, using guided experience, journaling, discussion, and small groups to melt the hindrances to a friendly acceptance of ourselves and others. The aspiration of the class is to build a loving community that will support continued practice through an e-list. The course is based on the book Lovingkindness: The Revolutionary Heart of Happiness, by Sharon Salzberg. Other sources are Entering the Stream: An Introduction to the Buddha and His Teachings, edited by Bercholz and Kohn, and Buddhism Plain and Simple, by Steve Hagen.

Workshop participants should bring a meditation cushion or bench, if you use them, photographs of loved one (including pets) and admired teachers, and a notebook or journal for personal use.

Jeanne and Tom have taught meditation and Buddhist thought for eight years. Jeanne is a published poet and former college teacher. Tom is an environmental scientist. Both are longtime active members of First UU, Columbus.

11. CREATIVE CREATURES: Folk Art Fantasies
Fran Mulkins

Creatures and imaginative beings have had a long career in myth and legend. Artists have created such sculptures for almost as long. The native people from Oaxaca, Mexico create creatures based on their culture, storytelling and myth. In this week, we will use their ideas as a starting point for creating our own symbolic creatures from papier mache.

Participants should bring a pencil and paintbrush, scissors and white glue.

Fran is a long time UU who has taught over 10,000 students in a 35 year career as an art teacher. She is a Fulbright Scholar (Japan) and a Martha Holden Jennings Scholar.

12. EVOLUTION AND INTELLIGENT DESIGN
Christine Mulcarek and Cal Frye

School boards across the country are taking votes on whether to include intelligent design in their science curricula as an alternative to the theory of evolution. Meanwhile, the majority of scientists believe that intelligent design is beyond the realm of science and is, in fact, religion. We will explore the evidence for and against evolution and intelligent design, spending some time outside exploring the natural world. We will discuss the current events unfolding across the country as people debate these issues.

Christine has a PH.D in molecular biology, and teaches and does research in that area at the University of Pittsburgh Medical School. She has given scientific and fun workshops before at SI and at her First Unitarian Church in Pittsburgh. She has read widely on Darwin and molecular evolution. Cal has an MS/ABD in invertebrate paleontology and has taught at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History and Kent State University, prior to his turn to the dark side: he now runs the computer network at Oberlin College. He has given scientific and fun workshops before at SI and congregations in NE Ohio. He has long been involved in science education, focusing on natural selection in particular.

13. “Please don’t tell me to drink carrot juice, meditate to a mantra, and jog 10 miles....I got to have a life”A health awareness program for true skeptics
Germayne Tizzano

The key to understanding one‛s personal journey to health lies in discovering the internal compass that guides all of us towards playfulness and rejuvenation. This work/funshop gives you the opportunity to stretch the contours of your thinking and release (within safe limits) inhibitions, which block change. Come and sample a potpourri of media: music, art, play, and relaxation and in doing so, define your own standards and practices for healthful living. You then can make the choice to live by them.

Participants should bring comfortable clothes, tennis shoes, a water bottle, and a mat or something comfortable to lay on.

Germayne is a member of the North UU Congregation in Leis Center, Ohio for 12 years and prior to that, First UU in Columbus for 10 years. She has spent 24 years professionally exploring, researching and authorizing curricula in the areas of stress, women‛s health renewal and communications. She has taught at the university level and presented at numerous state and national conferences, fostering spontaneity, creativity and fun for the participants.

14. GODS, GODDESSES AND MYTH
Mike Tizzano

Create your favorite figure from the world‛s religions or mythology in clay. Select from Mike‛s huge selection of visuals or bring your own to sculpt from. All other materials will be provided. Your completed clay figure will be fired and shipped to your door, ready for you to paint, stain, or leave natural.

Participants should bring an apron or old shirt to protect their clothing.

Mike is a member of the North UU Congregation in Lewis Center, Ohio. He is a middle school art teacher and a sculptor who will enjoy sharing his passion for clay in this workshop.

15. SANDAL SONG – An Exploration of Pilgrimage
Rev. Lynn Acquafondata (Brodie) and Victoria Dym

Discover pilgrimages throughout the ages and prepare for personal journeys and a group foray in Ohio. This will be an active, multi-media class which taps into you soul and yoursoles.Our outline includes: Monday: Introduction to pilgrimage and personal preparation (outside).Tuesday: Learn about Pilgrimage to Mecca in the Islamic tradition. Wednesday: Journey inward Pagan style (outside).Thursday: Becoming a UU pilgrim. Friday: Field trip in Ohio, TBA. (Barn raising?)

Lynn is minister of the UU Church of the South Hills, fondly known as Sunnyhill. She loves creative endeavors, music and taking long walks. This will be her second year attending Summer Institute. Victoria is a Ringling Brothers Barnum and Bailey Clown College Graduate, a Screen Actors Guild actress, a published poet and an employee of Carnegie Mellon University.

16. ONE STROKE PAINTING
Sharon Marrell

You will learn the basic techniques of FolkArt® One Stroke Painting created by Donna Dewberry. Basic brush strokes include leaves, sunflowers, rosebuds, vines and various flowers. You can expect to create 2-3 completed projects by the end of the week. The class is open to 12 participants.

Participants should bring a small container for water for cleaning brushes, a roll of wax paper and paper towels. Paints, brushes and painting surfaces will be provided.

Sharon is a One Stroke Certified Instructor living in Cleveland, Ohio. She especially enjoys painting with this technique on glass and also creates pastel portraits when time permits.

17. OHM, UUM, UU MYSTICISM
Jane Harkey and Elaine Strawn

This workshop is a brief exploration of what could be called UU Mysticism. It is an opportunity to examine your definition of your religious path. Using lecture, art, movement, dream work and small group sharing, we‛ll examine where we‛ve been, who we are and explore what might come to be.

Participants should bring an open mind.

Jane is a clinical coordinator of adult services at Laurelwood Hospital. Elaine is a minister at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Wayne County. Jane and Elaine balance one doctoral program, two jobs, two cats and three teenagers by taking long walks in the woods to check on what season it is.

18. READING THE EARTH AND STORIES OF GAMBIER GEOLOGY
James Martin-Hayden

A world of information is stored in rocks that can be deciphered by anyone with a short introduction to the language of the earth. A series of hikes around Gambier will allow us to see the stories of the local geology, landscapes, rock types, fossils, soils and rivers in person. No previous knowledge of geology necessary – only sturdy shoes, field clothes and enough wind to make it down the hill along ½ mile wooded paths. Bring water and a rain coat and be aware of poison ivy.

Jamie started teaching geology as a teenaged tour guide in the White Mountains of New Hampshire and has worked his way up to teaching hydrogeology and general geology at the University of Toledo, Department of Earth, Ecological and Environmental

19. Practical Paganism
Kelly Kaufman

A light-hearted yet informational look at the whys and wherefores of Pagan practice. The workshop will include the philosophy behind modern neo-Paganism, and a hands-on overview of tools and practices.

Kelly is a long-time Pagan ritualist and educator, an enthusiastic UU, and a December 2005 graduate of Vanderbilt Divinity School.

20. Writing Down Your Life
Laura Tobias Adams

It has been said that every life is worth a novel. Yet, we rarely take the time to write our memories. The experience of writing not only preserves the memory for posterity, but also helps us to come to an understanding of what makes us unique. Sharing these memories can help us get to know each other is a new and very rewarding way.

Participants should bring writing materials, including a loose-leaf notebook, and photographs of themselves, significant others (including pets) and significant places

Laura counsels people in important life transitions in Columbus, Ohio, where she is an active member of First Unitarian Universalist Church. A Ph.D. in Humanities Education, she has been a memoirist for the last four years. In 2004, she offered this course and participants reported it to be both interesting and valuable.

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Last update May 11, 2006