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| Serving the spiritual and intellectual needs of Unitarian and Universalist ministers since 1927. | |||
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Greenfield GroupSince 1927
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| For decades, a steady group of current and former JPD clergy, bound by a covenant, has met each mid-November for a few days of intriguing study and good collegiality. The group is named after the original site for the sessions, in Harpers Ferry, WV, but since 2003 they have met in Cacapon State Park just south of Berkeley Springs, WV. The past several years' programs and reading lists are available at the Harper's Ferry link above. |
Prairie Group has met for over 50 years. Prairie Group, a Unitarian ministerial study group was founded by several Unitarian ministers, including James Luther Adams, Leslie Pennington, and Robert Raible.
Prairie Group is patterned after the Greenfield Group that meets in New England, and its purpose, like that of the Greenfield Group, is to further in the Midwest the learning of Unitarian—and later Unitarian Universalist—ministers. Members choose a topic every year on which they agree to study, prepare papers, and discuss the following year.( Source: Harvard Square Library )
Collegium is a mutually supportive network of academic and independent scholars, ministers, and students, most but not all of whom are Unitarian Universalists. This group of women and men involved in scholarly pursuits related to liberal religion has met annually since 1975 to share mutual interests and work in progress. Members gather for a weekend each October, alternating between a Boston-area location (recently Cape Cod), and one near Chicago or one in the San Francisco area. Sessions include a presentation by an invited Distinguished Scholar and meetings of separate groups interested in one of three focus areas - theology; ethics; and history - to hear and discuss papers presented by members. Manuscripts benefit from friendly critique, ideas are sparked, and resources are shared in conversation with one another.
Distinguished scholars who have honored Collegium over the years include James Luther Adams, George Huntston Williams, Kendra and Huston Smith, Clare Benedicks Fischer, and Sharon Welch. From time to time the association sponsors the publication of conference proceedings and other scholarly work related to liberal religion.
Collegium has an online collection of past papers.
Berkshire Study Group for Unitarian Unitarian Ministers
The Berkshire Group was founded in 1995 and is comprised of UU clergy in the Western Massachusetts area and close by areas of adjoining states. Tere are about eighteen members though that varies wiht many more at some gatherings. they meet in the fall each year.
Information about the group has beenhard to find as it is mostly anecdotal - a reference in minister's columns or articles. There is some indication that they now hold their gatherings at Rowe Camp. Rev. Sheldon Bennett wrote, "This is a study group of about 18 Unitarian Universalist colleagues, which I helped co-found ten years ago. We meet each year in October - in the Berkshires. Each year we select a topic, develop a reading list, and assign ourselves papers to write and present for discussion." (2005)
We are still seeking more definitive information for this group.
Fraters of the Wayside Inn Study Retreat, Sudbury, Massachusetts
Rev. James Ford wries, "The inaugural gathering of the Fraters took place in 1903 at the First Parish in Malden, MA. The minister of that parish, James Albion, and Vincent Tomlinson, who served in Worcester, invited a number of Universalist clergy for a pre-Lenten retreat. The following year the retreat moved to the Wayside Inn in South Sudbury, which before long would give the retreat it's name. The retreats have continued since that time . . . "
"The Retreats have a three-fold purpose – spiritual growth through worship, intellectual stimulation through presentations and discussion, and interpersonal bonding through fellowship.”
The Fraters was originally a Universalist clergy study group. Following merger, Unitarian Universalists who had been ordained Unitarian were admitted, and in good time Unitarian Universalists were admitted. Lore dictates that the first Unitarian admitted was Brad Greeley, or as the group would say, "Frater Greeley." The first women was voted into membership in 1989. There are about 18 members. Ministers become a member by being invited to and attending two meetings in a row. Membership is for life.
Use the link above for a reverently irreverent history of the Fraters by James Ford, taken from the History of the Fraters written and privately published by Charles Howe.
The ORG meets annually in the fall, currently at Bergamo Retreat Center near Dayton, Ohio.
The purpose of the ORG is to study thought as it affects religion, religious experience, the church, in any relevant aspect: science, philosophy, political science, history and any other. It has a special interest in worship and the church and its ministry.
A minister may contact the scribe to make arrangements to attend and will be welcome one time as a visitor. The following year, if there is an opening, s/he may then choose to become a member and share in the privileges and responsibilities or membership. Membership in the ORG is open to all ministers affiliated with the Unitarian Universalist Ministers Association, interns/students for the UU ministry, and ministers service Unitarian Universalist churches. Group membership is limited to thirty-five.
Cedar Hill Study Group
This group was founded at Cedar Hill in Duxbury, Massachusetts and met there for many years before moving. There is little information about the group. We would like to know its history and if it is still active.
From time to time we hear of other UU Clergy study groups but have a hard time tracking their leadership down for information. If you belong to a UU Clergy Study Group and you would like it listed here, please contact our Scribe.
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