Adam and Eve
VHS
From A&E Television series Biography: an in-depth look at Adam and Eve as a creation legend, morality play and love story. Combines expert interviews, abundant location footage and rare paintings and artifacts to create unique portrait of two people who started it all.
Alchemy: the Art of Spiritual Transformation
VHS
Join Deepak Chopra as he leads you on a voyage of spiritual transformation. Martin Sheen and Robert Guillaume as Arthur and Merlin, dramatically interpret the classic story of King Arthur’s search for the Holy Grail as Deepak Chopra explores the process of transforming your everyday feelings and desires into the realization of everything that you can become. Joanna Cassidy narrates this mystical and spiritual journey. 78 minutes.
Beijing 1995
VHS UUSC
15-minute video offering an overview of the Beijing conference and the UU Service Committee’s presence at the conference. Used with curriculum Gender Justice.
Common Fire: Leading Lives of Commitment in a Complex World
Video and Book
Laurent Parks Daloz, Cheryl H. Keen, James Keen, Sharon Parks
A landmark study that reveals how we become committed to the common good and sustain such commitments in a changing world. Video includes guide for using in single or multiple sessions.
National Education Association Health Information Network Resource developed by NEA to help reduce teenage pregnancy and previewed by Judith Frediani and recommended for use with Our Whole Lives high school and older junior high programs. The video addresses contraception options from abstinence to morning-after ill, and continually points out that most forms of contraception do not protect people from disease or infection. It urges the use of condoms. Because it is aimed at pregnancy prevention it addresses only male/female sexual relations.
Conversation with Thomas More
VHS
In his books, care of the Soul and Soul Mates, Moore demonstrates the virtues of self-acceptance not self-improvement and care not cure. Drawing insights from classical mythology, Renaissance philosophers and his experience as a therapist, Moore stresses that “care of the soul” is not about problem solving but about giving ordinary life depth and value. 60 mins.
Funny, fast paced presentation by John Lee explores just what it is that keeps us from loving, giving, receiving and creating our lives more artfully. Explore how you hold in, hold on, and hold back in order to keep yourself from really being seen, known and loved. Originally aired as PBS television special. 60 minutes
Creativity: Touching the Divine
VHS
Brings together artists and non-artists who have experienced the joyful tandem of spirituality and creativity. Viewers are inspired to rethink the possibility for creativity in their own lives, regardless of their circumstances or abilities. Includes Thomas Moore, Jamey Turner, Madeleine L’Engle and Kent Amos of Urban Family Institute. One hour.
Crystal Cave: Lessons from the Teachings of Merlin
VHS
Merlin leads Arthur along the path we must travel to reach the place in our souls where the desire for freedom and fulfillment live. Join Deepak Chopra as he explores the wizard’s wisdom to unlock the secrets in ourselves that open our true personal potential. Martin Sheen as Arthur and Robert Guillaume as Merlin, dramatically reveal one journey narrated by Joanna Cassidy, as you begin your own personal voyage. 80 min
Discovering Everyday Spirituality
VHS includes videos — Activity, Place, Ritual, Story
This series of videos profiles a variety of people who have done just that. Thomas Moore reflects on how, by following their example, we can all gain greater satisfaction in our lives and come to deep knowledge of what it means to be human. Author Robert Fulghum, Jeff Smith (Frugal Gourmet), poet Kathleen Norris, novelist Dan Wakefield, Tom Chappel (tom’s of Maine), Episcopal priest Barbara Crafton share their insights and experiences. 4 cassettes approx. 2 hours 40 min
Faith in the Free Church
All Souls Unitarian Church, Tulsa, Oklahoma
VHS
Thirteen programs on five takes that can be used for religious education, new-member orientation, discussion programs, and issues forums. Notes and ideas for use are provided. Originally used on VISN, Faith and Values Network to develop a UU series for national cable.
Series I: Salvation, Nature’s God, A Revolutionary Jesus, Fundamentalism and the Free Church, The Light in Their Eyes, Death . . . the Great Mystery, Good Luck and God’s Love, A Pilgrim Heritage, King’s Chapel . . . Christian Roots, A Tradition of Tolerance, Saving All Souls, Our Holy Gifts, A Theology for the Revolution.
Series II: Hands of God, Death . . . the Final Passage, Persistent Questions . . . An Enduring Faith, The Ways of the Spirit, Family Values, The Prophetic Voice, A Revolution of the Spirit, It Takes a Village to Raise a Child, A Faith for the Whole Family, A Light in the Tunnel, A Frontier Religion, Sex and the Free Church, A Wealth of Diversity.
Fashion Me A People: Education as Artistry
Maria Harris from the Meadville Lombard Winter Institute 1991
Topics include Educational Artistry, Differences: Gender as a Case Study, Musical Adventure, Evening with Olympia Brown.
Festivals of Light
UNICEF
This contains 64 slides and tape cassette narrated by Liv Ullman. This program is designed to show the similarities and differences in the way festivals of light are celebrated around the world. Festivals include: Divali, Loy Krathong, Hanukkah, Saint Lucia’s Day, Kwaanza, and Christmas. An accompanying booklet has ideas for crafts, celebrations and further resources.
Fighting Fair
VHS
This VHS tape and accompanying teacher’s guide and activities resource focuses on nonviolent solutions to conflict, and draws from the life of Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. Developed for Grades 4–9, application can be broader.
Flowers from the Heartland
DVD
Documentary Short Film 25 Minutes
Winner best documentary Palm Springs and Sacramento International Festival Short Films. On February 12, 2004, the city and county of San Francisco began issuing marriage licenses to same sex couples. Just days after the first wedding was performed, the flowers started arriving. Flowers sent from the very heart of America, the Midwest. Flowers sent with love and support and addressed simply “to Any Loving Couple”. Experience again the joy of that one magical month when over 4000 gay and lesbian couples were united in matrimony and meet some of the people from the Heartland who together with thousands of others across the country and around the world sent Flowers from the Heartland.
Funding the Dream
Terry Sweetser, Prairie Star District
VHS
Workshop presentation for assessing your congregational dreams; how to serve the dream; how to fund your dream; a dream canvass.
The Global Brain
VHS
Hartley Films
For use with earth centered materials. A strong visual presentation of the organic nature of our planet. 50 minutes
No one in history has been as famous and widely interpreted as Jesus of Nazareth. The official gospels were written many decades after Jesus’ death, by men who may have never known him or heard his teaching. Consequently the actual words of Jesus may have been edited, deleted and altered by the gospel authors. An unusual look at how Jesus’ teachings impact ordinary people in their daily existence. Enjoy fresh insights on Jesus’ message from some unlikely sources: Zen masters, Muslim leaders, Native Americans, liberals and skeptics. Hear Jesus’ words come alive as spoken by poet Maya Angelou and others. Two tapes. 2 hours and 15 min.
I Stood Upon a Mountain
AV: Slides and Book
A set of slides of the illustrations in the book which is used in A Stepping Stone Year and is also an excellent multigenerational source for questions about creation.
Ideas for Worship
UUA
DVD
The best parts of a conference of contemporary worship organized by Michael Tino. Includes excerpts from keynote speaker Dr. Marcia McFee; 6 workshops by multiple presenters (2:10:10); worship services montage (9:15); interview with Rev Wayne Arnason co-author of the book Worship That Works.
Images for Our Lives
VHS
Unity Church Unitarian, St Paul
VHS tapes and study guides give ideas for stimulating discussion and relating the lessons to our lives. Produced by Univision/St Paul
Breath of Wind — This begins with a mother reading an African myth to her two children at bedtime. Mythological characters such as coyote come alive and join the family’s conversation about the value of myths and the ways people have made sense of their worlds through stories. Grade 3–8. 25 minutes.
Winter Light — Explores the theme of light emerging unexpectedly from darkness. Children and families enact scenes that reveal historical background and present-day celebrations of Hanukkah, Christmas and the Winter solstice. Grades 3–12. 30 minutes.
Stories to Live By
1. Stories by Barbara Pescan: a common theme in these five stories is that things are never quite what they seem. Four Jewish and one Japanese tales are told, conveying a message about finding hidden truths, and valuing personal and spiritual growth. Ages 7–adult. 35 minutes.
2. Stories from “A Stream of Living Souls” by Denise Tracy. This series features Unitarian Universalists whose contributions had far reaching importance for the denomination and society as a whole. Each is 30 minutes in length, directed at age 6–adult. Study guides available for each.
Tape 1: Mary Collson, Mary Dendy Joseph Priestly, Emily and Ralph Waldo Emerson.
Tape 2: Antoinette Brown, Daniel Chester French, Sylvia and Elizabeth Freeman
Tape 3: Starr King, Mrs. Josephine Cochran, Theodore Parker.
Please specify which tape you want.
Inanna
VHS
Diane Wolkstein
A master storyteller brings to life the 4,000-year-old epic of the goddess Inanna’s emergence into womanhood.
This ten-minute video combines the title song and culturally diverse photographic images.
Kids Speak Out On “Stuff”
RE Dept UU church of Verdugo Hills
Seeds of Simplicity VHS
A unique seven-minute video containing three “Unstuff” public service announcements created by kids for kids. Many of us are concerned about the impact of our country’s possession obsession on children, so the RE classes at the UU church of Verdugo Hills came up with the idea of producing this professional kids video on values and voluntary simplicity. Voluntary simplicity isn’t about living in trees or telling other people what to do; it simply refers to living deliberately, living an ‘examined life.’ It helps people decide for themselves how to live more sustainably on the planet, fostering greater personal fulfillment and service to others in the process.
Kilowatt Ours
Jeff Barrie
DVD
Kilowatt Ours reveals the often unreported consequences of our predominantly coal and nuclear powered economy. The film opens with Vice President Dick Cheney’s energy policy speech in which he makes the claim that America needs nearly 1900 new power plants in the next 20 years. From here, Jeff Barrie takes viewers on a journey from the coal mines of West Virginia to the solar panel fields of Florida as he discovers solutions to America’s energy related problems. Excellent tool to be used in discussions of Global Warming.
King David
VHS
From A&E Television series Biography: a look at the triumphs, passions and failures of one of the Old Testament’s heroes, tells David’s complete story, drawing on rare paintings and artifacts, interviews with experts and extensive visits to ancient holy lands.
La Marcha
UUSC – DVD
La Marcha – Working for Economic Justice – The Story of the Santa Fe Living Wage Campaign. As the living wage movement in the US grows, it is committed to reversing the economy-wide wage squeeze, stopping tax giveaways to big business, reenergizing the worker movement, and ending the war on those living with poverty. As part of a new workers’ rights movement, living wage campaigns are being built by workers, community groups, religious organizations and business allies. The campaigns represent a vital strategy for promoting economic justice: building and mobilizing community-based coalitions. This film tells the story of one extraordinarily successful living wage campaign – the Santa Fe Living Wage Campaign.
Mary Magdalene: An Intimate Portrait
VHS with study guide
A documentary portrayal exploring the mystery and controversy of Mary of Magdalen. Includes facilitators guide for discussion prepared by Linda Kaufman, Director of Member Services at University Unitarian church, Seattle, and Rev. Marjorie Bowens-Wheatley. 43 minutes
Meriting the Wind we Inherit — The Past is Prologue
Richard Gilbert
Audiovisual, Slides
63 slides with script — a shortened version of the popular history of the UU movement with roots in 16th and 18th century heresies and some of the leaders through the years are highlighted. Good introduction.
Moses
VHS
From A&E Television series Biography: an in-depth portrait of one of the Bible’s most fascinating heroes tells the story of the Exodus in all its majesty, using abundant location footage, rare paintings and artifacts, and interviews with biblical experts.
Native American Video Series
VHS
Includes 5 sixty minutes videos:
Geronimo
Seasons of the Navajo
The Spirit of Crazy Horse
Odyssey — Myths and Mindbuilders
Winds of Change — A Matter of Promises.
Noah
VHS
From A&E Television series Biography: fascinating study of the figure who envisioned a terrible end and new beginning for mankind, using interviews with experts and historians, film footage from the region and rare paintings and artifacts.
One
VHS
This 10-minute video presents a message about ecology in a direct and still hopeful manner.
Our American Roots
All Souls Unitarian Church, Tulsa
VHS and DVD
Includes Study Guide. A 10-session video series drawn from historic footage. Presents an overview of some of the most significant issues, people, and moments in UU history in the early days of our country. This series may be used in small groups and adult RE, newcomers,’ and coming of age classes to educate viewers and spark discussion and reflection. These videos help educate and support UUs in claiming the role our religious forebears played in forming our United States and carrying forward the cause of liberty and justice. The guide offers additional information and resources to support and enrich the videos, including: background story; documentary history, discussion questions, interactive elements, and resources for further exploration.
People Like Me
Unity Church Unitarian, St. Paul
VHS
UU pioneers come to life: Fanny Kemble, 19th century abolitionist; Henry David Thoreau; Beatrix Potter and James Reeb. Grades 5–12. 23 minutes
A Place in the Choir
VHS
Follen Community Church UUA
Features the youth and junior choirs of the Follen Church in Lexington, MA. Includes excerpts from anthems and songs drawn from modern as well s traditional sources and reflects a wide range of cultural, ethnic and spiritual tradition. Choir director’s manual is included. Contains rehearsal and ideas for using Singing the Living Tradition in worship services.
Places to Start
VHS
For Religious Educators — how to create an active, productive for learning and caring classroom community.
Religion in Human Culture
Audio Visual — filmstrips
Includes kits on Buddhism, Christianity, and Islam
Salted With Fire
VHS
Excerpts from the book Salted with Fire taped at General Assembly with various speakers
From A&E Television series Biography: a look at one of Bible’s most tragic stories tells dramatic story of love and betrayal, with abundant location footage, rare paintings, artifacts and interviews with experts and historians.
Slave Reparations: The Final Passage
UUA
DVD
Leading reparations proponents discuss the legacy of slavery and address the most often voiced objections to the current request for reparations. Addresses objections to reparations: Other groups have overcome poverty and prejudice; I had nothing to do with it!; This issue is divisive; We already have welfare and affirmative action.
Sojourner Truth Speaks
VHS
Alice McGill
Actress, poet and storyteller Alice McGill recreates the life and struggles of former slave Sojourner Truth in a series of monologues based on Truth’s narratives about slavery, women’s rights, and freedom. Ages 9–adult. 30 minutes
From A&E Television series Biography: a richly detailed look at a man of towering intellect and legendary passion tells the story of Solomon drawing on interviews with experts, rare paintings and artifacts, and extensive location visits.
Sorceress
VHS
A video appropriate for senior high and adults which portrays the life of a healer in ancient France.
Spirituality: Leading the Congruent Life
Audiocassettes
Six audiocassettes of JoAnn McAllisters lectures at Meadville Lombard Winter Institute February 1989
UU University 2006
UUA
DVD
Includes the following: The Emotional Dynamics of Leadership — four modules, multiple presenters (42:09); Practical Tools for Leadership — 10 modules, multiple presenters (1:04:20).
Deepak Chopra shares the keys to rekindling magic and enchantment in our lives. There have always been wizards, in the form of poets, saints, philosophers and seers. Chopra illustrates the way in which we may ‘change the quality of our attention’. He illustrates his principles with quotes from St Augustine, Neitschze, Emily Dickinson and others. “The wizard seeks what we have always sough deep inside us: freedom. And freedom is to escape the boundaries of space and time, to experience ourselves in our pure essence, which is spirit.” 1 hour 20 minutes
We Are Unitarian Universalist Today
VHS
UUA
From a vibrant and growing congregation in Tahlequah, OK, to the home of a young UU couple in Boston, this engaging video captures the essence of UUism on videotape. Ideal for new and prospective members 13 minutes
What Unitarian Universalists Believe: Living Principles for a Living Faith
Stegman Productions
VHS
Approximately 15 minutes segments on each Principle plus an introduction which can be used with youth or adult for discussion of UU Principles.
Thomas Moore shows how the great religious traditions of the world strive to answer these mysteries. Incorporating the films of Elda Hartley, noted for her penetrating documentaries of the world’s faiths, ordinary Christians, Jews, Hindus, Buddhists, Taoists, Muslims and Sufis discuss their personal quest. Journey along the many fascinating pathways man uses his ultimate journey towards a single goal, enlightenment. Approx. 60 min.
Wisdom of Faith — Huston Smith with Bill Moyers
Hinduism and Buddhism, Islam, Confucius, Christianity and Judaism, A Personal Philosophy
VHS
For fifty years Huston Smith has devoted himself to exploring the world’s faiths, seeking to understand their hold on the human heart. In conversation with Bill Moyers Smith talks about the differences and surprising similarities of the world’s great religions. Smith clearly explains beliefs that often puzzle us. These thought-provoking discussions prove that all religions are windows onto the same transcendent truths. 6 hours on five cassettes.
Women and Spirituality
National Film Board of Canada
VHS
Goddess Remembered examines pre-Christian goddess worshipping religions offering insights into ancient cultures and exploring contemporary women’s spirituality movement inspired by them.
Burning Times explores the dark episode in human history known as witch hunts of 15h to 17th century Europe suggesting that this widespread church and state sanctioned torture and killing of “witches” set the stage for modern society’s acceptance of violence against women
Full Circle examines the latest manifestation of women’s spirituality in the Western world advocating a reverence for the earth which in turn can become a healing process for ourselves.
From 1965 to 1973, filmmaker Elda Hartley produced seven films about her friend Alan Watts, considered to be the West’s foremost interpreter of Eastern thought. She has combed her archives, creating a single program of Watts’ finest work. The full range of his inspiring wisdom presented here includes the basic teachings of Zen, how Zen reflects the images of nature and our oneness with the Universe’s natural rhythms and the art of meditation. 60 mins