Compassionate Communication

"Our Unitarian Universalist history from the 60s shows us that it's not enough to want to be compassionate, to want to stand for justice. We have to learn how. We have to learn the skills to hear each other with compassion. Cognitive brain learns quickly. Limbic brain is slow and needs a lot of practice, and it's limbic brain that needs the training. There are weekend workshops that we could have. We could create practice groups meeting monthly to gradually hone the skill of hearing each other with compassion. We can make that happen if we want to." (Rev. Meredith Garmon, CUC Sermon, "Nonviolent Social Change." 2014 Jan 19.)

Rev. LoraKim Joyner now announces BOTH a workshop AND a practice group for learning and honing the skills of hearing each other with compassion -- essential skills if we are to stand for justice and be a positive force in the world.

Practice Group
Nurturing Nature: Saving Ourselves as We Save the World

This is a practice group open to the public and CUC members where we learn how to nurture our selves so that we can respond compassionately to those with whom we share this splendid earth. We will primarily focus on the principles and practices of Nonviolent Communication that help us develop our compassionate consciousness so that we can more easily embody compassion towards ourselves and others. Through our practices together we will grow in our ability to nurture our connections to ourselves, to friends, family members, other animals, and coworkers, and to nature as a whole. By coming together we augment our emotional, social, organizational, ecological, and transpecies intelligences.

The first practice group meets Sat Mar 29, noon at the Parsonage. This is a chance to get a jump start on CUC's involvement with Compassionate Communication, which will formally kick off with a workshop on Sat May 10. During practice session we will have silent meditation, teaching, exercises, sharing and discussion, journaling, and reading. This is chance to grow community and deepen our compassionate consciousness so we can better care for ourselves and others. Come in comfortable clothing, and bring something to write with and a journal (or something to write on).

This is a free offering by Rev. Dr. LoraKim Joyner, Certified Trainer in Nonviolent Communication, wildlife veterinarian, and Unitarian Universalist minister. Donations are gladly accepted so she can sustain her work in the world.

Please RSVP by going to:
http://www.meetup.com/Nurturing-Nature-Yours-and-the-Worlds/events/169654412/.

Workshop
Compassionate Communication: Nurturing Our Lives, Relationships, and World

Sat May 10
9:30am - 3:00pm
Community Unitarian Church
468 Rosedale Avenue
White Plains, NY

This workshop is open to anyone seeking more deeply meaningful and peaceful relationships.

Compassionate Communication, also known as Non-Violent Communication (NVC), is a transformative practice that enriches our relationship with ourselves and others. This workshop will give an overview of NVC as well as opportunities to practice dealing with conflict more effectively and nurture our spirits more fully.

Presenter: Rev. LoraKim Joyner, D.V.M., is a Unitarian Universalist minister now serving as a community minister in Multi-species Ministry and Compassionate Communication. Among her current positions, Rev. Joyner serves as Right Relations Consultant for the UU Metro NY District, is a Certified Trainer in NVC and works as an avian veterinarian in Latin American conservation.

Registration: Registration by Mon May 5 is required.
Fee is $15.00 to cover costs (includes lunch).
Send checks to:
Jane Dixon
Compassionate Communication Workshop
468 Rosedale Avenue
White Plains, NY 10605.

For more information contact Jane at: jrdixon@optonline.net or 914-949-5919.

Flyer of this info (good for printing and distributing, thank you!):
https://docs.google.com/file/d/0Bz4V0S2Af4cBXy1KcGc5RV80dUU/edit

Sat May 17: Workshop: Beyond the Golden Rule

Sat May 17
Beyond the Golden Rule?:
A New Model for Intercultural Competency
Building Capacity for Authentic Diversity

To register for this Workshop: CLICK HERE.

Each of us has culture--conscious and unconscious ways of being in the world.

To become a truly multicultural faith, Unitarian Universalist congregations need leaders who can build relationships effectively across difference including ethnicity, class, sexual orientation, gender, and more.

Come learn about a model of understanding cultural competence which will help you learn these skills.

This is a similar training to that offered to ministers through the UUMA called "Who Are Our Neighbors".

This training is ideal for both congregations that have racial and ethnic diversity and congregations who perceive themselves to be homogenous. This framework will be helpful for all leaders including, Religious Educators, Ministers, Board Members, Music Directors, Social Justice committee members, and more

You will learn:

• a model of understanding how people engage with difference at different developmental levels and how to meet them where they are
• what people at different developmental stages need
• begin to coach your congregation into intercultural capacity
• learn to start with the difference already in the room

We live in a multicultural world -- and we aren't always the most skillful in doing our part to make this reality a good one for ourselves and for those who are different from us. This is a vital issue (a) for our ministry to help the world become more accepting and affirming, and (b) for the long-term viability of Unitarian Universalism itself.

The path from a monocultural mindset to an intercultural mindset involves developing through five stages:

(1) Denial: Comfortable with the familiar. "I don't consider that cultural differences exist at all."
(2) Defense. Us vs. Them. "I defend my home culture because I lose my bearings otherwise."
(3) Minimization. Over-emphasis on commonality. "I minimize differences and focus on how I am similar with others."
(4) Acceptance. Recognize cultural difference. "I am aware of diverse cultural perceptions."
(5) Adaptation. Shifting perspective and behavior. "I adapt my reasoning and actions to the other's culture."

For a PDF with details on these stages (and a sixth stage called "integration"): CLICK HERE.

A number of UUA leaders, ministers, and consultants have now been trained in this "Developmental Model of Intercultural Sensitivity." We'll have a couple of those trained facilitators with us to lead the workshop on May 17. The workshop will also offer different tracks for people with varying degrees of familiarity with the model.

What UU work in this area has found is that most UUs are at stage 3: Minimization. Our third principle must be our guide as we go forward: "Acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth." Accept who we are and where are -- while at the same time encouraging growth. Accept ourselves and each other without blame or guilt -- while also intentionally seeking possibilities for a path toward greater intercultural sensitivity.

The workshop will have THREE different tracks.

Track A requires no extra work and will help people to deepen their intercultural awareness and skills.

Track B requires advance preparation. Those interested should contact Rev. Peggy Clarke at pclarke[@]uuma.org for more information.

Track C is designed for Ministers only.

Registration: $20, scholarships available

To register for this Workshop: CLICK HERE.

Environmental Justice Workshop

“Our Place in the Web of Life”

a two-session curriculum by the UUA Ministry for Earth
will be offered
Sat Mar 29 and Sat Apr 12
10:00am to 3:00pm
Fourth Unitarian Society of Westchester
1698 Strawberry Rd Mohegan Lake, NY 10547

Facilitated by Rev. Karen Brammer (minister of 4USW and Manager for the UUA Green Sanctuary Program)

Register at 914-222-3114
Cost $40 includes both workshops

This highly-engaging, two-session class invites participants to look deeply at the consequences of their actions on people and the environment–close at home and in communities across the nation and world. Through music, participatory research, visual mapping, ethical reflection, meditation and ritual, participants wrestle with what it means to be faithfully and justly part of an inter-connected community of life.

Registration Deadline: Thu Mar 27, 5:00pm.