Convocation Cancelled
In response to the current coronavirus national health situation, the 2020 Universalist Convocation has been cancelled. We hope everyone remains safe and in good health.
Please plan to join us at the May 2021 Universalist Convocation that will be held at Northwest UU Congregation in the Atlanta area.
Friday, May 15
| Time | Event |
| 4:00 pm | Registration and time to visit |
| 6:00 pm | Supper |
| 7:30 pm | Welcome |
| 7:45 pm | Old Time Universalist Camp Hymn Sing with Jimmy Merritt and friends |
Saturday, May 16
| Time | Event |
| 8:30 am | Registration and time to visit |
| 9:30 am | Welcome and Devotinal |
| 10:00 am | “Arise, My Soul, Shake Off Thy Fears” – Rev. Jake Morrill In the midst of this age, how to sing a song of hope, such as this old Isaac Watts hymn our Universalist forebears sang in the 1800s? In a time such as this, how can one credibly put forth the Universalist gospel, when evidence of disaster, suffering, and oppression are everywhere to be seen? Even more, in a time when even the word “church” seems to have dust on it, through what forms of community and practice might we offer our saving good news, in a way that it could be received? On this morning, we’ll listen to some of our ancestors, as we conjure up a dream for our grandchildren, and all who will come after them. Since 2003, Rev. Morrill, has served as the Lead Minister of the Oak Ridge Unitarian Universalist Church in Oak Ridge, TN. Formerly a Trustee on the Board of the Unitarian Universalist Association and also a Chaplain in the U.S. Army Reserve, Jake has been the Executive Director of the UU Christian Fellowship since 2015. |
| 11:15 am | “I’m Gonna Sit at the Welcome Table” – Rev. Cheryl M. Walker The promise of Universalism is a promise that all are welcome at God’s table. But our table has not always welcomed everyone on earth. How do we continue to expand our table to live into the promise of Universalism? Are we ready or will we leave Universalism up to God? The Rev. Walker has served as the Pastor of the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Wilmington since 2009. Prior to coming to Wilmington, she served four years as the Assistant Minister at the Unitarian Church of All Souls in New York City. Rev. Cheryl is the immediate past President of the Unitarian Universalist Ministers Association. |
| 12:30 pm | Lunch |
| 2:00 pm | A visit with “Keepers of the Southern Flame”
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| 4:00 pm | The Universalist Convocations Annual Business Meeting |
| 6:00 pm | Supper |
| 7:30 pm | “Traditional Music, Song and Dance: From the Swamps to the Mountains” Rodney Sutton is a traditional dancer, caller, musician, and storyteller. His earliest memories of dancing were with his family in Duplin County, NC. He was both a member and director of the Green Grass Cloggers in their early years, and co-founder of and principle dancer with the Fiddle Puppets(now known as Footworks). In demand nationally as a teacher of traditional dance styles, he has been on staff at numerous music and dance weeks including Pinewoods, Augusta, Ashokan, and the Swannanoa Gathering. He served as president of the Madison County Arts Council (MCAC) for five years, and he currently produces MCAC’s Bluff Mountain Music Festival, held each June in Hot Springs, N.C. Rodney’s friendly style of sharing his love of clogging and flatfooting, along with his welcoming “put you at ease” calling, has made him a favorite at festivals, conventions, and retreats for over 40 years. He currently is the director of Joe Shannon’s Mountain Home Music in Boone, NC where he produces 16 traditional music and dance concerts each year. Visit rodneyclaysutton.com |
Sunday, May 17
| Time | Event |
| 11:00 pm | “Back To The Future – Love Leads The Way” – Rev. Claudia M. Frost From our beginnings as a Universalist Sunday School in the 1800’s through a long history of love and service in a rural setting, Outlaw’s Bridge Church continues to embody the Universalist message, “God is Love”. Relationship based in love and human worth and dignity, not ideas, leads the way in the face of the reactivity, conflict, and change facing us in this new century. The Universalist message that spread throughout the south long ago still has an important role today. Rev. Frost has served as minister of Outlaw’s Bridge Universalist Church since 2009. Before that she was Minister of Pastoral Care, Eno River Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, Durham, NC |
| 12:15 pm | Lunch, last visits and goodbyes |
Download Schedule of Events.
