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Annual Conference 2013

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Annual Conference 2013:
Inspire the Future We Envision
Cedar Rapids, Iowa
April 5-7, 2013

Marriott Hotel
1200 Collins Road NE
Cedar Rapids, Iowa
319-393-6600

Video Recordings

See http://www.ustream.tv/channel/psdconf2013 for video recordings of the Judy Lecture, the Keynote, the business meeting, and the closing worship.

 

 

Welcome to the Annual Conference

The PSD Annual Conference is a weekend of coming together for enriching fellowship, inspiring lectures and workshops, and deepening worship. The conference opens at 7:00 p.m. on Friday with our traditional banner parade and keynote speech, but there are pre-conference activities earlier in the day.

On Saturday, we kick off the morning with the Arthur M. Judy Memorial Lecture, followed by your choice of workshops. At the annual business meeting in the afternoon, PSD delegates will vote on a proposal to join with the Heartland and Central Midwest Districts to create MidAmerica Region of the UUA, which would replace the existing three districts.

Saturday evening promises the popular youth-led worship service, followed by more celebration. The conference concludes at 10:30 on Sunday morning after our worship service, which features the always incredible all-conference choir.

 

 

Inspire the Future We Envision

What do we actually hope for in the future?  Can we envision it?  And once we are clear about our vision, how do we go about inspiring it into reality?

We begin this conference on Friday night with a long look backwards at the history of Unitarian Universalism and all we have accomplished as a movement and a district.  On Saturday, our Judy Lecturer will challenge us to think about the future of our denomination, and how to feed our hunger for love, hope, faith, and spirit.

More Conference Information

For information on schedule, workshops, registration, fees, and other details see the menu on the right. Registration is open.

Rev. Stefan JonassonKeynote Address -"In UnBroken Line"

Friday, April 5, 2013

The Keynote Address will be presented by the Rev. Stefan Jonasson.

Both Unitarianism and Universalism in what is now Prairie Star District first appeared in Iowa in the late 1830s, fanning out from there across the northern plains. From itinerant preachers to settled ministers, from state conferences and conventions to regional organizations, in fellowships and churches, and through missionary societies and allied associations, religious liberals employed a panoply of organizational strategies to promote their faith and values across the region. Both nimble and resilient, their efforts proved relevant in the local communities they served and they made a lasting imprint nationally. The genius of any organization involves the capacity to adapt to changing circumstances while preserving, strengthening and promoting its core values.

More information about the Keynote Address and speaker is on the "Friday Events" page.

Rev. Christine RobinsonArthur M. Judy Memorial Lecture -"Unitarian Universalism Faces the Future"

Saturday, April 6, 2013

The Judy Lecture will be presented by the Rev. Christine Robinson.

The religious ecology in which we UU’s are embedded has changed as inexorably as the ecology of the planet, and we must respond, adapt, migrate, and learn….or go extinct.  Christine will describe ways our landscape has changed and some of the things we should be thinking about if we want our faith and our “brand” to thrive.

More information about the Judy Lecture and speaker is on the "Saturday Events" page.

Business Meeting

Saturday, April 6, 2013

All those attending the conference are welcome to attend the Business Meeting, where we will be addressing the historic question of whether to join with the Heartland and Central Midwest Districts to form the MidAmerica Region. Delegates will be voting on proposed regional bylaws, board members, budget, the transfer of ownership of Camp UniStar to a foundation created to operate the camp, and such other matters as may properly come before the meeting. For information about accrediting Delegates see Business Meeting page.
 

Workshops

The Conference will include three workshop sessions on Saturday.

In addition, late Saturday afternoon there will be structured opportunities to Reflect and Connect with others.

Rev. Tom CapoClosing Multigenerational Worship - "The Future of Our Faith"

Sunday, April 7, 2013

Service leader will be Rev. Tom Capo, minister of Peoples Church UU in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Information about the closing worship is on the "Sunday Events" page.		 

Printable fliers

A flier to post on your congregation's bulletin boards is available.

  • Download it here to print and post.
  • To have a color hardcopy of the flier mailed to your congregation, request one from the info [at] psduua [dot] org (subject: Annual%20Conference%20flier) (PSD Office).