Touchstones Project
a theme-based ministry program
for Unitarian Universalist congregations
For Your Consideration
An Intriguing Way
of Doing Church
A Unitarian Universalist congregation can transform the people it serves, inspiring them to help transform the world. This requires an intentional, sustained, integrated, holistic process of deepening that informs, nurtures, and challenges.
Developed over eleven years, this theme-based ministry project has been dramatically expanded to make a meaningful difference in people's lives within your congregation.
We invite you:
1. To browse our website to learn how
what we offer can transform
your programming.
2. To request our materials for the
theme of beauty to facilitate a
comprehensive review by your staff and key volunteers.
3. To schedule a call with us so that we
can answer any questions that you
may have.
4. To order a trial-subscription for
three months to implement and
evaluate our program.
5. To extend your subscription for the
balance of the program year, which
ends in August of each year.
Click here for information about subscriptions.
August Theme
Ambiguity & Paradox
We could insist on straight lines, alternative facts, unchanging clarity, and comforting deceit to hold back time and change, and everything else that induces fear and anxiety in the world. Instead, we live with ambiguity and embrace paradox because this leads to truth, even if tentative, and wisdom instead of certainty.
Video
Dealing With Ambiguity
Bill Crawford, Ph.D. (4:54)
“The secret to happiness is a high tolerance for ambiguity.” Sam Buser, Ph.D.
“I’m not absolutely sure that Sam is the original source for this quote, but he is the professor I first heard it from when I was getting my Ph.D. about 25 years ago. Ever since then, I have reminded myself of the wisdom of this quote when I find myself in situations that aren’t going exactly as planned, or when I am being asked to change my plans or adapt to others change of plans at the last minute.”
Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l15DRMkt9pk
Monthly Themes
for 2022-2023
Our theme-year begins in
September 2022. Please click on
the pdf icon to access the monthly
themes for 2022-2023.
Annual theme for 2022-2023
Regeneration
Themes for 2023-2024 are now being selected. Email us. We would love to see your suggestions!
Being a People of Paradox & Ambiguity
Rev. Susan Frederick-Gray
…In this time of uncertainty, the idea of paradox can be helpful. A paradox is when a seemingly contradictory idea, when more deeply explored, is found to be true. …I am a firm believer that our lives are always more uncertain, ambiguous, and informed by paradox than we like to think. Therefore, these moments when the uncertainty is so present and clear, we have opportunities to grow and develop in how we welcome and live in the midst of the unknown.
…The definition being used in the UU White Supremacy Teach-Ins …is “the set of institutional assumptions and practices, often operating unconsciously, that tend to benefit white people and exclude people of color.” It is my hope that as a larger faith community, walking into very difficult conversations in order to guide profound and deep change—that we can foster a greater openness, a willingness to hear the truths we each hold, to hold room for multiple perspectives and yet through listening and a willingness to be changed by our listening, create new ways of sharing, living and practicing our faith.
In “Brave Space,” African-American …Micky ScottBey Jones …writes:
“Together we will create brave space
Because there is no such thing as a “safe space”
We exist in the real world
We all carry scars and we have all caused wounds.
There is paradox in these words, particularly in the line that we all carry scars and all have caused wounds. …We live amidst paradox and change, ambiguity and uncertainty, yet this is not an excuse not to act, nor to wait, nor to avoid challenge.
Source: https://www.phoenixuu.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Paradox-Ambiguity-June-2017.pdf