July 3: The Unitarian Universalist Retired Ministers and Partners Association will gather in a conference October 21 through 23, 2024. Our theme this fall is “Generative Eldering and Democracy’s Future,” and will be presented by Dr. Sharon Welch in a conversational format. Dr. Welch is the author of After the Protests are Heard: Enacting Civic Engagement and Social Transformation.

In researching this topic, Sharon will focus on a few questions:

∙ What can we as elders do in terms of time and focus to support generative democracy throughout the world?

∙ What are the current risks to democracy? Sharon will devote some time addressing the current research on the rise of authoritarianism and the risks to democracy worldwide.

∙ What leads to an expansive, generative and multiracial democracy? There is a significant difference between competitive and generative forms of democracy. Sharon will explore the differences, and the short-term and long term work that is being done to implement and sustain a democracy.

∙ What is being done now by Unitarian Universalists to create a generative democracy, and what are the particular roles that can be played by elders in this vital work? UU the Vote and UUSJ in collaboration with other organizations, such as the Poor Peoples’ campaign play prominent roles now in support of democracy.

In addition to the presentation by Dr. Welch, the conference will honor our colleagues no longer with us in a service of remembrance, we will experience an odyssey with a minister and one with a partner, small groups will form to discuss the theme, we can engage in virtual socializing, and two worship services are scheduled. We will have several opportunities to go deeper into our theme during Connecting Rooms every day.

This conference will be mediated through Zoom, or in-person with at least four pods. Online registration will begin on August 1; the fee is $45.00, and financial aid is available to defray the cost. To apply for financial aid, send a message to Paul Johnson at treasurer@uurmapa.org

We will have more information about pods later this summer. For now, we believe one will form in Wilmington, Delaware, another in Seabeck, Washington, near Seattle, one in Kingston, Massachusetts, and one in Columbus, Ohio.

We will update the FaceBook page and this UURMaPA web page with information as we develop the conference, so check those occasionally this summer, especially after August 1 to register.