Rev. Connie Simon Workshop: February 21 and 25, 2021
Join this two part workshop, “Beyond Channing, Parker, and Francis David?” led by Rev. Connie Simon.
Rev. Connie Simon, warm, approachable, and knowledgeable, shared her insights about Unitarian, Universalist, and Unitarian Universalist history from an anti-oppressive lens with the Midwest Leadership school this past fall. Several UCE congregants attended leadership school and were so blown away by what they learned from Rev. Simon, that they wanted to invite her to share her wisdom with the whole congregation. She will be preaching for us on February 21st, followed by a 2-part workshop that we hope the whole congregation will take part in on February 21st, 12:30-2pm and February 25th, 7-8:30 pm. Please mark your calendars! We are so grateful to Rev. Simon for working with us to provide necessary context for the work of Widening the Circle of Concern. Youth and young adults are encouraged to attend.
About the Workshop
How much do you really know about Unitarian, Universalist and Unitarian Universalist history? You might be surprised to hear that there’s more to the story of our movement than a European heretic and a handful of 19th century White men. Our history is broad and rich and deep. It’s interesting, inspiring, confusing, and sometimes disheartening and even downright maddening.
More than two centuries after the start of Unitarianism and Universalism in America, we’re struggling to dismantle white supremacy culture in our congregations, our denomination, and our world. But first we need a little understanding of where we’ve come from. In this two-part workshop, we’ll look at some of the old stories in a new light – through an anti-oppressive lens. We’ll see the origins of white supremacy culture in our faith and how it’s shaped who we are today and informs the work we need to do going forward. And we’ll learn stories that don’t often get shared of Black and Biracial people, Indigenous People, people of color and others of marginalized identities in Unitarian Universalism
Workshop Materials
About Rev. Connie Simon
Rev. Connie Simon was called as minister of First Unitarian Church of Cincinnati in August 2018. An avid history buff, Rev. Connie is a Trustee of the Unitarian Universalist History and Heritage Society and Editor of the Dictionary of Unitarian and Universalist Biography. She also teaches UU History and Theology at Midwest Leadership School and the Extended Leadership Experience. Rev. Connie recently adopted a four-year old Brussels Griffon mix that she named “Rev. Dr. Janeetha Ridley” or “Mama” for short.