Below is a list of all papers delivered at Prairie Group during the 2010s. Some papers have links to them and have been saved as a PDF. Some papers may be found in the archives at Meadville Lombard Seminary in Chicago. All papers were delivered except as noted at Pere Marquette Lodge, Grafton, IL.
Howard Thurman – Meeting of the 2010 Prairie Group
“The Life and Slow Death of Liberal Churches in America” – Sydney Morris
Response by Earl Holt
“Child of God: Howard Thurman’s Social Political Contexts” – Daniel Kanter
“Deep River of Faith” response by Marlin Lavanhar
“What’s Love Got to Do With It? – the Mysticism of Howard Thurman” Wayne Arnason
Response by Kathleen Rolenz
“Unity with One’s Fellows: Howard Thurman’s Theological Lineage” Josh Snyder
Response by Nicole Kirk
“What Grounds Our Hope? – Would UUism be Relevant to Howard Thurman Today?” Laurel Hallman
Response by Mary Moore
Apocolyptic Thinking at the 2011 Meeting
For Bibliography/Reading List, click here.
Unveiling to the End – Bill Haney; Respondent: Nicole Kirk
Salutary Crises: When Hope and History Rhyme, writer: Rob Eller-Isaacs
Salutary Sacramentalism: Response by David Keyes
“What Are the Contemporary Aesthetics of Apocalyptic Thinking?”- Daniel OConnell
Respondent: Matt Johnson-Doyle
The Way the World Ends; – Reverend Burton Carley
Respondent: Earl K. Holt III
Personal Testimonies: Writers: Kendyl Gibbons, Justin Schroeder, Martin Wolfe
Pentacostalism – Gathering of the 2012 Prairie Group
Prairie Group Assignments
“A Legacy of Ambivalence and Suspicion: Awakenings, Revivals and Spiritualism in 18th and 19th Century Congregational Life” Alan TaylorResponse by Burton Carley
Spirit Filled Worship” Justin Schroeder; Response by Jennifer Owen-O’Quill
“Gathering at the River – the Common Theology of Pentacostals and Unitarian Universalists”
Wayne Arnason
“Yes, Let’s!” response by Khleber VanZandt
“Aha! And Awe – Movements of the Spirit in All Souls Unitarian Church of Tulsa” Marlin Lavanhar
“Aw-Shucks” response by Mark Christian
“The Gospel of Inclusion and the Promise of the Spirit” – Janne Eller-Isaacs
Prayer – November 4-7, 2013 meeting
Note: As the papers are received, the names of the papers will replace the description of these papers. kcr-editor
1. Prayer in daily life. Author: Mark Christian. Response: Thomas Perchlik. (Note: Mark was unable to be at Prairie Group this year. Thomas Perchlik offered the paper and Matthew Johnson offered a response.)
2. Inter-religious understandings of prayer. Author: Josh Snyder. Response: Martin Woulfe.
3. To whom do we pray? Author: Jim Eller. Response: Sydney Morris
4. How does prayer work? Author: Nicole Kirk. Response: Bill Neely.
5. Praying with the people Author: Kathleen Rolenz. Response: Luke Stevens-Royer.
Schleiermacher – 2014
1. Feelings of dependence and freedom. As we know, central to Schleiermacher’s thought is the feeling of absolute dependence. And yet Schleiermacher remains committed to a sense of freedom. Explicate Schleiermacher’s sense of freedom, dependence, and the feeling of religion. Then comment on the limitations of Schleiermacher’s own freedom, according to his biography (recalling that his work was censured) and socio-political context. The author of this paper should provide it to the author of the second paper as soon as possible. Author: Mary Moore. Respondent: Daniel O’Connell.
2. Unitarians, Universalists, and Schleiermacher. The transcendentalists and other early Unitarians and Universalists incorporated Schleiermacher’s concepts about feeling, religion, and freedom for their own context. Describe and comment on how Schleiermacher’s concepts translated into a more individualistic social and religious environment. The author and respondent of this paper may find it helpful to read The Metaphysical Club by Louis Menard, and to review the first paper. Author: Burton Carley. Respondent: Molly Housh Gordon
3. Schleiermacher’s transient and permanent. In On Religion (Speeches) Schleiermacher’s description of religious feeling is mostly without doctrinal content. Yet in his preaching and in his later more orthodox work, God, Jesus, and traditional doctrines take a more prominent place. Reflect on the transient and the permanent in Schleiermacher’s theory, and in particular on the space for religious pluralism and orthodoxy. How can Schleiermacher be useful in a pluralist, and particularly in a non-theistic, contexts? Author: Bill Neely. Respondent: Janne Eller-Isaacs
4. Today’s cultured despisers. Compose, ala Schleiermacher, a response to today’s cultured despisers of religion: the disillusioned, the uninterested, the militant atheists, and, of course, the “spiritual but not religious.” Author: Roger Bertschausen. Respondent: Justin Schroeder.
5. Once More With Feeling. How and if does Schleiermacher’s theory matter for our own spiritual practice and ministry? In our efforts (and should we make such efforts?) to bring a sense of feeling and awe into our worship, small groups, teaching — and our own spiritual practice as ministers — is Schleiermacher helpful to us now? How so? Author: Luke Stevens-Royer. Respondent: Bret Lortie
Aesthetics: Marlin Lavanhar Chaplain: Thandeka
Papers Presented on “Sin and Confession” 2015
Paper 1: A Short History of Sin—How has the concept evolved, especially in western religious tradition? Presenter: Tamara Lebak; Respondent:Aaron White
Paper 2: Sin and Psychology—Why do we feel guilty, and should we?
Presenter:Daniel Budd; Respondent:Thandeka
Paper 3: Collective Sin—If groups can sin, can groups be absolved?
Presenter:Molly Housh Gordon; Respondent:Barbara Gadon
Paper 4: Sin and Power—How does relational context determine sin,with focus on ministerial misconduct?
Presenter: Matthew Johnson, Respondent:Bonnie Vegiard
Paper 5: Atonement and Absolution—How can we deal with the various forms of sin in a life-giving way?
Presenter: Rob Eller Isaacs; Respondent: Ruth Mackenzie
Chaplain: Luke Stevens-Royer Aesthetics: Roger Bertschausen
2016 Prairie Group: African Theology
Our exploration of African Theology begins. This immense topic will be narrowed by our papers and interests. The goal of this course of study is to familiarize ourselves with as much African Theological approaches as possible knowing that a whole continent, with many cultures and religions, and a history as long as the human being is difficult to completely grasp. Below you will see papers with assignments followed by readings. These readings are the required readings for the whole of Prairie Group and tied to each essay (yes it’s different this year.) Recommended readings follow at the bottom of this document. Happy reading!
Paper One: Get us started, what is the scope of the study? What possible pitfalls and opportunities does this course of study make available to UU ministers serving churches? What most interests you? Without writing the other four papers, take us on a theological reflection about the assumptions in ‘African theology’ and how it impacts us today.
- Paper: Danny Givens
- Response: Barbara Prose
Required Readings
- Essay by James Cox: Methodological Views on African Religion (attached)
- Essay by Elias K. Bongmba: African Theology (attached)
Paper Two: Describe African religions and rituals as represented in African literature. Include the group selections of Things Fall Apart by Achebe and The River Between by Thiong’o, as well as other works determined by the paper writer. Describe the beliefs, practices, and social structures that the religious images and descriptions in the literature reflect.
Paper: Josh Snyder
Response: Sydney Morris
Required Readings:
- Things Fall Apart, by Chuinua Achebe
- The River Between, by Ngugi Wa Thiong’o
- Essay Chapter 5, “Orality, Literature, African Religions,” by Jonathan A. Draper and Kenneth Mtata (attached)
- Essay Chapter 6, “African Rituals,” by Laura S. Grills (attached)
Paper Three: Explore the unique contribution of African women theologians to a global feminism. What models do African women theologians offer us in resisting patriarchy? What correctives to Western feminism do they offer us?
Paper: Mary Moore
Response: Rob Eller-Isaacs
Required Readings;
- Daughters of Anowa: African Women & Patriarchy or Introducing African Women’s Theology by Mercy Amba Oduyoye
- Essay: Feminist Theologies in Africa by Sarojini Nadar (attached)
Paper Four: Explore the themes of resistance and resilience as they emerge in both African theology and Black Theology in the United States. How does the historical and contemporary relationship between African theology and American Black theology contribute to a vision of liberation in both theological traditions?
Required Readings:
- Prophetic Rage: A Postcolonial Theology of Liberation by Johnny Bernard Hill—(Introduction and Chapter 5 only)
- The Cambridge Companion to Black Theology Edited by Dwight N. Hopkins and Edward P. Antonio ( Pp. 3 – 165 only)
Paper: Aaron White
Response: Connie Grant
Paper Five: Explore African UU communities and how they interpret UU theology. What are the promises and pitfalls for UU communities in Africa? The paper writer should consider contacting African UU ministers and exploring these topics with them, as well as listening to or reading sermons from African UU’s for perspectives on the realities and possibilities of African expressions of UUism.
Paper: Bret Lortie
Response: Roger Bertschausen
Chaplain: Ruth McKenzie
Aesthetics: Janne Eller-Isaacs
Required Reading:
- The UU World article, “One Tribe, One People,” by Scott Kraft
- Familiarity with the web site, www.icuu.net (particularly the “News Articles” page)
- familiarity with the web site, www.international.blogs.uua.org (scroll through for African UU stories and information),
- “Watering the Seed of UUism in Burundi and Africa.” A sermon by Rev. Fulgence Ndagijimana (www.a2u2.org), Jan 12, 2014,
- a sermon TBD by Rev. Mark Kiyimba.
Recommended Readings:
- Chinua Achebe, The African Trilogy (books 2 & 3), N.Y., Everyman’s Library, 2010
- Mariama Ba, So Long a Letter—Waveland Press May 21, 2012
- Johnny Bernard Hill, Prophetic Rage: A Postcolonial Theology of Liberation – entire book
- E. Thomas Lawson, Religions of Africa: Traditions in Transformation Paperback – 1998
- Sulayman S. NyangIslam, Christianity and African Identity – Kazi Publications January 1, 2007
2017: Faith and Empire
Paper 1 – A Broad Context of Faith and Empire
Introduce this year’s topic by elaborating on what “empire” is. What makes it attractive? What are its demands and costs? And how have faith and empire challenged, weakened, and strengthened each other over time.
Writer – Matthew Johnson, Respondent – Tamara Lebak
Paper 2 – Ethics and Empire
What are some ethical frameworks and questions for use in assessing, challenging, and replacing empires, empire-aimed institutions, or empire-centered thinking within ourselves? How can liberal religion use ethics to obstruct empire?
Writer – Nicole Kirk, Respondent – Gary James
Paper 3 – Non-Western Understandings of Empire
Western civilization is not alone in living with and under empires. Similarly, the response to empires has not always come from a Judeo-Christian starting point. What are some of the uniquely non-western responses to empire? In what ways do they differ from, and are similar to, Western responses to empire?
“Here in the Heart of Empire” paper by Barbara Prose, “Laying Low and Laying Siege” respondent – Luke Stevens-Royer
Paper 4 – The Doctrine of Discovery and American Empire
Address the history of United States Imperialism through colonization and westward expansion, including the involvement of our own Unitarian forebears in cultural assimilation efforts. Examine the theological and ideological underpinnings used to justify the genocide of native peoples, and what alternative theological understandings we might access for dismantling colonial structures and assumptions?
Writer – Connie Grant, Respondent – “Colonization of the Mind and Atonement” by Rose Schwab
Paper 5 – De-colonizing UUism
Imagine a Unitarian Universalism exorcised of the practices, assumptions, and mindsets of empire. What would it look like – and what would it take – to de-colonize Unitarian Universalism? You may wish to be in conversation with the author of Paper 2.
Writer – Justin Schroeder, Respondent – Jennifer Nordstrom
Chaplain – Barbara Gadon; Aesthetics – Martin Woulfe
Required Readings
Christ and Empire: From Paul to Postcolonial Times, by Jorge Reiger
After Empire: The Art and Ethos of Enduring Peace, by Sharon Welch
Seeds of Peace: A Buddhist Vision for Renewing Society, by Sulak Sivaraksa
An Indigenous Peoples’ History of the United States, by Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz
“Under Our Charge: The Utes and the Unitarians” by Ted Fetter: http://www.uua.org/re/tapestry/adults/river/workshop15/178878.shtml
“UUA Board Report and Resolution on the Doctrine of Discovery”: http://www.uua.org/sites/live-new.uua.org/files/documents/boardtrustees/rrmc/120109_motion.pdf
Faithful Resistance: Gospel Visions for the Church in a Time of Empire, by Rick Ufford-Chase, select the essays that most interest you
“This is a Camp of Prayer and Ceremony” sermon by Rev. Elizabeth Nguyen:
Prophetic Resistance Podcast: “Resisting the Logic and Impulse of Empire” by Rev. Jin S. Kim:
http://propheticresistancepodcast.libsyn.com/website/episode-9-rev-jin-s-kim
Excerpt from Dismantling Racism: A Workbook for Social Change Groups, by Kenneth Jones and Tema Okun (to be sent)
“Spirituality and Liberation: A Buddhist-Christian Conversation,” Masao Abe and Paul F. Knitter (provided)
Highly Recommended
No More Heroes: Grassroots Challenges to the Savior Mentality, by Jordan Flaherty
“Indigenous Youth Are Building a Climate Justice Movement by Targeting Colonialism,” by Jaskiran Dhillon:
Familiarity with resources on the #StandingRockSyllabus:
“The Ideology of Cultured Despair,” (chapter six of A Feminist Ethic of Risk,) by Sharon Welch.
God and Empire: Jesus Against Rome, Then and Now, by John Dominic Crossan
2018 Prairie Group: Octavia Butler
Program Team: Molly Housh Gordon, Josh Snyder, and Justin Schroeder
Paper #1: An artist’s work emerges out of the life and times that they have lived. Share with us the narrative of Octavia Butler’s life. In what ways does that narrative connect or diverge from the stories and experiences in her novels?
Note: this paper will be shorter (3000 words) than other papers to allow time for programming on Monday evening. (Collected Articles at Octavia Butler’s website may be helpful content for this paper.)
Paper prepared by: Kendyl Gibbons. Response: Mary Moore
Paper #2: Introduce us to Afrofuturism as an artistic genre and address its potential or actual use as a prophetic strategy or tradition.
Paper prepared by: Rose Schwab. Response: Daniel Kanter
Paper #3: Explore the theology – and the theodicy – of the Earthseed Chronicles. What do the characters and their scripture teach us about agency & connection, trauma & resilience?
Paper prepared by: Jennifer Nordstrom. Response: Nic Cable
Paper #4: Explore the meaning of memory and ancestry in Butler’s Kindred. How might our own deep re-examination of our ancestry and the memories/stories of our past, remembered, or reconstructed, help us minister more effectively in the present?
Paper Prepared by: Ruth MacKenzie. Response: Brian Mason
Paper #5: So What? Now What? How might the practices of Emergent Strategy and the theme’s from Butler’s writing live in and shape our ministry (whether community or congregational life)? What old habits and practices might they replace?
Paper Prepared by: Marlin Lavanhar. Response: Ashley Horan
Worship/Chaplain: Rob Eller-Isaacs Aesthetics: Danny Givens
Required Readings
Parable of the Sower (Earthseed Chronicles Book 1) by Octavia Butler
Parable of the Talents (Earthseed Chronicles Book 2) by Octavia Butler
Kindred by Octavia Butler
Afrofuturism: The World of Black Sci-Fi and Fantasy Culture by Ytasha L. Womack
Emergent Strategy by Adrienne Maree Brown
Podcast – “Let the Ancestors Speak” from How to Survive the End of the World
Podcast – “The Earthseed Series with Adrienne Maree Brown” from The Lit Review
*Positive Obsession – essay by Octavia Butler
Further Resources/Suggested Further Reading
Collected Articles at Octavia Butler’s website
Entire Podcast Series – How to Survive the End of the World
Bloodchild by Octavia Butler (Short-story collection)
Fledgling by Octavia Butler
Octavia’s Brood: Science Fiction Stories from Social Justice Movements by Adrienne Maree Brown and Walidah Imarisha
Think Progress Afrofuturism Article
The World is a Miraculous Mess, and It’s Going to Be All Right, by Adrienne Maree Brown
HuffPo Afrofuturism Article
2019 Prairie Group: Comedy
PAPER #1: “The Task of the Prophet”
Paper – Nic Cable; Respondent – Luke Stevens – Royer
Walter Bruggemann writes, “The task of prophetic ministry is to nurture, nourish, and evoke a consciousness and perception alternative to the consciousness and perception of the dominant culture around us.” How does the comedian/trickster/court jester use imagination, shock, humor, truth telling to engender a questioning of the current order of things, recognizing our grief, and evoking an alternative consciousness? How does comedy and prophesy intersect?
- Prophetic Imagination-Brueggemann
- Crazy Wisdom
- A Short History of Black Comedy
- Truthiness of Stephen Colbert
PAPER #2: Healing and Humor
Paper – Brian Mason; Respondent – Martin Woulf
The comedian, the joker often surprises us by taking us to places and traumas that are unspeakable. We are tricked into recognition, grieving, tenderness, and strength, laughing and crying all the way. Explore the relationship between healing and humor. Can humor take us deeper into the healing journey?
- Comparing Hannah Gatsby (Nannette), Chris Gethard
- Ali Wong
- Trevor Noah
- Tig Nataro
- People do want to hear those very personal stories
Paper #3: “Where Is the Line?”
Paper – Barbara Prose; Respondent – Matthew Johnson
While an important role of the comedian is to speak truth to power, is it possible to go too far with comedy? If so who decides where “the line” is? Some have asserted it is vulgarity, racist or sexist jokes, or critique of political power during war. This paper will explore what we mean by “crossing the line” in comedy, who determines where that line is, and in what ways comedians themselves are held accountable.
o Louis CK – Joe Rogan reaction
o Anthony Jeselnik
o Michael Richards apology
o White House Correspondents Dinners: Michelle Wolf & Stephen Colbert
o Margaret Cho/Jerry Seinfeld Netflix, Comedian and Cars getting coffee
Paper #4: The Minister as Comedian
Paper – Molly House Gordon; Respondent – Wayne Arnason
Like comedians, ministers stand in front of crowds of people to elicit an emotional response. For comedians that response is laughter; for ministers it is a wider range of emotions – inspiration, sympathy, or joy. Henri Nouwen says that ministers have to be both prophetic and pastoral. Comedians of various kinds have also taken on these roles at times. This paper will explore where the roles ministers take on are informed by comedy and comedians.
Chris Gethard – Career Suicide
Zen Radicals, Rebels and Reformers by Pearl Besserman
H. Nouwen – Wounded Healer
Ron Chernow WH Correspondence Dinner “The role of the comedian”
Readings for Prairie Group 2019
Videos/Clips/Videos:
Movie: Trevor Noah: Son of Patricia (Trevor Noah’s hour long stand up.) Available on Netflix.
Movie: Trevor Noah: Afraid of the Dark
Movie: Ali Wong: Baby Cobra
Movie: Ali Wong: Hard Knock Wife
Movie: Nanette (on Netflix)
Movie: Career Suicide by Chris Gethard
Movie: Tig Notaro: Happy to Be Here (Netflix)
Movie: Jen Kirkman: Just Keep Livin’
Movie: “Private School Negro,” by W. Kamau Bell
Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee S08 E02, Margaret Cho You Can Go Cho Again:
Michelle Wolf’s Full Comments at White House Correspondent’s Dinner, 2018: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DDbx1uArVOM
Stephen Colbert’s Full Comments at White House Correspondent’s Dinner, 2006: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2X93u3anTco
Movie: Aziz Ansari: Live at Madison Square Garden (on Netflix)
Clip: The Colbert Report: The Word: Truthiness: http://www.cc.com/video-clips/63ite2/the-colbert-report-the-word—truthiness?fbclid=IwAR1g_Ozv81IP2dgNkxaxnFb3UETtgoNmmqDQqESsRcNrqPO-RPkk2_2_toI
Hasan Minhaj’s Full Comments at White House Correspondent’s Dinner, 2017: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DHLRj1LaPiQ
Hasan Minhaj’s “White People at Indian Weddings:” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nNx5tnqD9e0
Ellen Degeneres: “Relatable.”
Books:
Born a Crime: Stories from a South African Childhood by Trevor Noah
The Essential Crazy Wisdom, by Wes Nisker
The Prophetic Imagination, Walter Brueggemann
Zen Radicals, Rebels and Reformers, Pearl Besserman
Wounded Healer, H. Nouwen
Articles:
“Louis C.K. and Men Who Think Justice Takes as Long as They Want It To,” by Roxane Gay:https://www.nytimes.com/2018/08/29/opinion/louis-ck-comeback-justice.html
“A Psychotherapist’s Plea to Louis C.K.,” by Avi Klien: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/01/05/opinion/sunday/louis-ck-comeback.html
“The Weaponized Comedy of Hannah Gadsby,” by Carina Chocano, https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-features/hannah-gadsby-interview-796863/
Recommended:
Born Standing Up by Steve Martin
King Lear by Shakespeare
Fun Home by Jeanine Tesori
Wisdom Archetypes: https://stottilien.com/2013/04/03/crazy-wisdom-the-archetype-of-the-fool-the-clown-the-jester-and-the-trickster/
Chaplain – Kathleen Rolenz and Ruth McKenzie will help on Monday night worship
Prairie Group 