Developing UU Leaders With Vision!

NORTH EAST LEADERSHIP SCHOOL
provides the opportunity to integrate UU history and principles with the practical work of congregations. It is a carefully designed, highly structured program, which combines three areas of importance: leadership development, theology and worship. From formal lectures, to small group discussions, and from personal reflection to community worship, NELS is active and experiential. Participants have the opportunity to meet and share ideas with lay leaders and ministers from all over New England and the eastern Canadian provinces.  After an intense week, participants leave with a deeper understanding of how to put the seven principles into practice in their lives at many levels. 

LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT
The leadership development (LD) curriculum explores the challenges and opportunities of working with people. The material is tailored to speak directly to UUs and to the work they do at all levels within committees and congregations.  NELS participants work within small LD groups to put theory into practice.  The skills of managing volunteers, the ability to deal with conflict and an understanding of different leadership styles all provide benefits in participants' professional, personal and spiritual lives. 

THEOLOGY
The theology curriculum explores both the history and current experience of Unitarian Universalism.  With an understanding of the struggles of our liberal religious ancestors, NELS participants are better able to clarify their own personal beliefs.  As one participant put it, "The Unitarian Universalist tradition and history is vital to the whole experience of embracing this faith."  Through reflection, writing, meditation and sharing in small group discussions, each person has the opportunity to articulate a personal credo.

WORSHIP
In many congregations, lay people share and assist in the responsibilities for planning and producing worship services.  By  examining and understanding the elements of a worship service, using many resources and points of view, lay leaders are able to be intentional and inspirational in their choices of reading, music and rituals.  In addition to the presentations of theories and ideas, each participant works within a small group to create and lead one of the daily worship services for the NELS community.  The opportunity to learn, worship, and reflect together is a deeply spiritual experience.