Special Events
IDC Summit — July 10 Early Bird Deadline
The Fund for Unitarian Universalist Social Responsibility awarded a $5,000 grant to the UUCA Accessibility Team. The grant will be used to inspire, equip and connect UUs and interfaith partners in the Atlanta area towards full inclusion of people with disabilities. To this end, UUCA will participate in and support the Interfaith Disability Connection’s (IDC) Summit on August 9. The IDC Summit introduces practical resources and will empower participants to transform their communities into places where the gifts, skills, and abilities of people with disabilities are actively engaged to help bring about their inclusion in congregations and communities. Rev. Anthony David will be a faith leader in the conference and we are hoping to have strong representation from our congregation. If you would like to attend, be sure to register by July 10 for the $35 “early bird” fee ($50 after July 10). To learn more about scholarships or the Accessibility Team, contact Beth Valentine. Click here for registration forms and more information about the IDC conference.
Radical Hospitality: Creating Beloved Community for All Children — August 8
The purpose of this one day Involve workshop is to train religious educators, ministers and lay leaders to minister to children with special challenges and insure their successful inclusion into the life of our faith communities. The Involve workshop usually includes 15 hours of training; this one day training will incorporate as much material as possible from the longer training which includes: assessment methods, teaching strategies, sensitivity training, hands-on training activities, and discussions concerning pastoral and congregational care. To register, download and complete the registration form or UUCA members and friends may register online via Access UUCA.
Serving children with special needs is an immensely complicated process. In order to provide an effective and compassionate ministry, congregations need to understand the complex spiritual, ethical and moral concerns that affect how we as a society treat children and youth with special needs. Involve training will help us build a welcoming ministry for all families that want to attend our congregations. Opening our hearts and minds to serving children with special needs strengthens our commitment to the Unitarian Universalist principle of affirming the worth and dignity of every person.
Workshop leader Sally Patton, Ed. M. Developmental Psychology has advocated and worked for children with disabilities for over 35 years. For the past several years, she has written and conducted workshops on ministering to children with special needs in faith communities and on spiritual parenting of children who have been labeled. Sally is the author of Welcoming Children with Special Needs, a Guidebook for Faith Communities. Sally conducts Involve Trainings around the country to train religious educators, ministers, and lay leaders to assist and educate faith communities as to the importance of ministering to children with special challenges. Sally has also started a nonprofit organization, The Creative Soul of Children, Inc to promote seeing past labels to the whole child.
Sixth Annual Cliff Valley Bluegrass Festival — August 22
UUCA is excited to announce that the Sixth Annual Cliff Valley Bluegrass Festival will be Saturday, August 22. The festival is a benefit for UUCA’s Atlanta Progressive Preschool, as well as a celebration of their successful first year. The festival will feature DejaBluegrass. These Decatur residents serve up a fresh song selection of “true grass” piled high with pop and “new grass” lightly salted with some soul-shaking gospel. With their tight traditional harmonies they’ve had great success at the Telluride Bluegrass Festival in Colorado, the same venue that helped launch the careers of the Dixie Chicks and Nickel Creek. Local favorites Tucker Station String Band and Nottaway Connections will perform when doors open at 4 pm at UUCA. Suggested donation is $15 at the door or $20 for a family, and proceeds benefit the Atlanta Progressive Preschool. Come hungry and thirsty as food and beverages will be available at this family-friendly fun event. Childcare is available for children under age four if reserved online at least one week in advance. For more info, contact Pat Kahn.