Tuesday, January 7, 7 pm to 8:30 pm at the Rockford Grange – Downstairs

The Right of Conscience and the Use of the Democratic Process
Within Our Congregations and in Society at Large – The 5th Principle

This first workshop will focus on elements of the democratic process as we’ve known it in the United States.  We’ll begin our conversation with a panel presenting perspectives on the roots of American democracy including congregational practices in the early colonies, the example of the Iroquois Federation, and the influence of Classical studies on the founders. We’ll ask the panelists to share some of their personal experiences with democratic processes.Participants will then have an opportunity to construct and share a personal timeline of encounters with democratic processes. These might include classroom elections, school debates, ‘Girl’s State’, the first official ballot…. Following small group sharing, we’ll compile a list of highlights.

Participants will also be encouraged to write and share a statement (100 words or less) – suitable for a letter-to-the-editor or a social media post –  about “what democracy means to me.”

Future sessions (Jan 28 and Feb 18 and ?) will focus on how we apply democratic practices in our congregations and our community; we’ll explore consensus and consent processes, Robert’s Rules, encouraging diversity, eliminating barriers to participation, cultivating listening skills and non-violent communication.

Please invite friends and acquaintances to join us for what promises to be a lively discussion.

For more information, contact Dick Withers at president(AT)mcuuf.org