2005 Report of the Minister for Lifespan
Learning
Report to the CLF Board
March 2005
from Lynn Ungar
It’s been an exciting six months since I took on this
position (originally “cyberminister for lifespan religious
education). Many projects that were only dreams have come
to fruition, and new dreams are in the works. Here is a sample:
Covenant Groups had been long in the planning stages,
and getting them up and running was my first priority. Four
volunteer facilitators who had been working on the process
for over two years were instrumental in making the groups
happen: Julie Bonser, Sarah Martin, Jan Hernly and Patrice
Hallock. When the overwhelming response from the membership
made it clear that we would need additional groups, I recruited
two additional leaders. One of these two had to drop out due
to computer access problems, but the other, Schera Chadwick,
has proved another strong leader. I am temporarily in charge
of the group which lost its leader, with the expectation that
a group member will take over next month.
The covenant groups are now in their third session, and appear
to be going well, although there has, not surprisingly, been
some attrition. Some members have requested a less formal
tone, and several would like it if there were opportunity
for real-time communication. In April we will find places
for the 13 people on our waiting list who have expressed continuing
interest. One observation I would note is that it seems to
take longer to build relationships via the internet, and that
factor needs to be taken into account in scheduling expectations
about when group members might become leaders, and when groups
are ready to take in new members.
Special Interest Groups (SIGs) were created as a first
step toward building intentional on-line communities. Some
(“Novels” and “Meaning”) have lapsed
due to lack of participation. Others, like the “Retirees”
group, have recently taken on new members and are going strong.
The “Eclectics” group seems steady and fairly
stable. A SIG for Free World Prison Pen Pals is ready to start
as soon as I have all the e-mails. Prison minister Kathy Reis
and Chaplain Patty Franz will facilitate. I asked the Rev.
Chris Fry, a UU minister who recently joined CLF after leaving
her MRE position for intensive treatment for breast cancer,
to lead a group for those facing chronic or life-threatening
illness. The “Healing” group has become an example
of the potential power of on-line communities to connect people
in deep ways across great distances. As an example, I’ve
gotten permission to share this recent posting to the group
from a CLF member in Australia:
Dear Cyber Friends,
Yesterday we watched a short movie on listening and
discussed the importance of it in our lives. This morning
I got goose bumps from Chris's lovely postings. Chris, you
listen better than any e-mail correspondent I have ever
witnessed. Thank you for that gift. Your generosity in the
face of your own illness is truly humbling. I loved the
story about the puzzle pieces, and thank God every day for
my association with Unitarian Universalists, past and present.
Chris, you are in my prayers today as you plan for your
regular check up and spend teenage time with your daughter.
You are truly one of God's beloved ones.
[Name removed], it sounds to me as though you need a
good rest. Have you considered taking some time for yourself?
After I experienced a spasming coronary artery some years
ago, the doctor told me to take a holiday, and it turned
my situation around. We are so pushed and focused in today's
world, with so many demands on our time and emotional energy,
that many of us forget to put ourselves in the centre of
our concern. I am praying that you can find a path to some
peace and healing.
[Name removed], how are you doing this morning with
your infection? I would think your bugs would give up in
despair considering the amount of white light they are being
inundated with!
Love, [name removed]
RE on the Web Site is changing and expanding at a
rapid pace. I hope that you have seen the KidTalk page, which
changes monthly, and has sections on holidays around the world,
UU historical figures, suggestions for social action and a
child-friendly spiritual discipline. The “Ask CLiF”
section solicits and answers questions from children and the
“KidTalk Blogspot” provides a place where kids
can post their own responses to a question. As of yet there
is very little traffic from kids on the blog, and we are in
conversation as to how we can promote this offering.
I am working on making the site ever more appealing to kids
through links to games and fun activities, but we would like
to be able to put in UU-themed games as well. I have begun
conversation with Susan Conrad about how we might apply for
a grant to develop these games.
Other new RE features on the website include a much-needed
initial page which explains and provides links to the various
RE offerings and a FAQ page which anticipates common questions.
I have also been experimenting with creating child-friendly
resources such as the seven UU principles in limerick form.
On-Line Courses are a developing area. Some 413 people
from 21 different countries have registered for the “A
Chosen Faith” self-study guide and at least accessed
the site. Most of those have not posted to the forum section,
but there is no way to know whether they completed the course
without sharing their responses.
Art Ungar and I developed and led a four-session “The
New UU” class. Ten people have registered, although
some of them came in after the class started, and never posted
to the group. Again, we have no way of knowing whether people
read the materials and even answered the questions on their
own time. We will lead the class again in May.
Linda Berez will teach a class entitled “Living the
Principles” starting April 18th. Other classes which
people have verbally agreed they want to teach, but for which
I have not been able to get precise dates, include Felice
Nightengale teaching a class on the Bible, the Rev. Roy Phillips
leading a class which connects historical sources to people’s
personal theology, and the Rev. Wayne Walder teaching a class
on meditation which would include audio files of guided meditations
set to music.
Communications with members have included a number
of people looking for either general advice on doing RE at
home or specific information about issues such as the Boy
Scouts Religion in Life badge.
Technical Matters are not my strong suit, but I meet
with the ECC and am involved in ongoing discussions about
our Web needs.
Of course, there are always plenty of good ideas that have
not gotten the time and attention to see the light of day:
a CD or audio files of hymns or other songs to sing at home
in worship or RE, podcasting of stories or homilies, SIGs
for homeschoolers or children of aging parents, etc., etc.
Special thanks go to Lois Rebourne, who regularly sends me
ideas. You all are welcome to do the same.
Respectfully submitted,
Lynn Ungar
Last updated June 12, 2005
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