Thank God for Evolution:
How Science Will Usher Religion into Its Greatness
Michael Dowd, former pastor & Connie Barlow, scientific author
Presenting THE GREAT STORY, a way of telling the history of everyone and everything that honors and embraces all religious traditions and creation stories. It is the sacred narrative of an evolving Universe that offers each of us the opportunity to find meaning and purpose in our lives and our time in history.
What: Presentations and Workshops for all ages and all faiths
When: Saturday, April 14th 9am to 4pm
First Unitarian Church
21600 Shaker Blvd., Shaker HeightsSunday, April 15th 10:30 for service for adults and youth
12:00 noon to 4pm for discussion
East Shore Unitarian Universalist Church
10848 Chillicothe Rd, KirtlandWhy: To understand your place in co-creating the evolution of all life. Using scientific information for their conceptual model, Dowd and Barlow use spiritual beliefs to bring it all together.
Cost: Free, jointly sponsored by Unitarian Universalist congregations in North East Ohio through the united Ministry for earth. Free will donation for
lunch (pre-registration for lunch required)Jointly Sponsored by: East Shore UU Church, First Unitarian Church, UU Church of Kent, Olmsted UU Congregation, UU Society of Cleveland, Southwest UU Church, Urban Hope, West Shore UU Church
Reported in the UU World, Spring, 2006Register: On Line Registration
Poster: Print Ready Poster
We are pleased to present a free program with Rev. Michael Dowd, one of the most popular speakers in UU circles. He and his science-writing wife (and speaker), Connie Barlow, have been on the road as "evolutionary evangelists" for 4 years. During that time they have presented in more than 150 UU churches and fellowships, as well as other venues. Rev. Dowd describes this workshop: "Mainstream science reveals that the universe is going somewhere; there's a direction to evolution, and this has major consequences for humanity and for each of us personally. How can we look square on at the challenges facing us, the likely bad news, and the wild cards — yet emerge with an understanding and trust that inspire us to find and fulfill our own great work at this pivotal time?"
One Attendee of Rev. Michael Dowd & Connie Barlow's Workshop Was Inspired to Write:
"Way beyond cool! This was the best presentation I have ever seen in my life. And I am not kidding. Michael confirmed every hunch I ever had about the universe. A logical and inspirational description of how science and spirituality intersect in the common plane of humanity. I've heard hundreds of speakers and I've never learned as much in one hour. I understood and absorbed every single word. Invite everybody you know and be prepared for him to blow your mind!" — Lisa Earle McLeod, president of the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Gwinnett (Georgia), and syndicated columnist
Saturday for Children and Youth
The River of Life: An Evolutionary Journey: Imagine every species of life alive on Earth today designating a single ambassador to journey back through time—a participatory workshop for 3rd-7th graders led by Connie Barlow (morning)
Evolutionary Psychology: How our human brain contains the foundations of vertebrate brain evolution on the journey from the “lizard legacy” of the reptilian brain to the prefrontal lobes of our higher purpose. Led by Michael Dowd for teens and young adults (afternoon).
Design a Dinosaur/Make a Mammal: Creative art and other activities for 5-7 (morning) and 5-12 year olds (afternoon).
Child care for those under five all day.
Saturday for Adults
Thank God for Evolution: Michael Dowd offers an admirable and satisfying solution to the dead-end debates between theists and atheists with a deep appreciation for how evolutionary theory can it can energize and support our efforts to further the work of peace, justice, and environmental sustainability (morning).
Death Through Deep Time Eyes: Connie Barlow explores the reality of death as natural and generative and no less sacred than life (afternoon).
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