The Great Story
(The Epic of Evolution)

Presentations for UNITARIAN UNIVERSALISTS

On the Marriage of Science and Religion
for Personal and Planetary Wellbeing

by Connie Barlow and Michael Dowd

    This married couple, America's "evolutionary evangelists", live permanently on the road, teaching and preaching an awe-inspiring, inclusive, science-based message of hope and possibility in churches and living rooms as well as in public and private schools all across North America.

They have presented these programs for some 350 UU congregations, UU summer camps, and minister retreats in the 7 years they have lived on the road.

MICHAEL DOWD and CONNIE BARLOW have also been featured speakers at continuing education programs for UU ministers and directors of religious education at The Meadville-Lombard Winter Institute (2005), for annual retreats of the Mountain Desert UU District (2004), NH/VT-Maine District (2006), Ballou-Channing District (2006, 2007), Southeast UU District (at The Mountain in 2006), UU Washington Area Religious Education Council (2007), SW Chapter of UU Minister's Assoc. (2008), SW UU Summer Institute (2008), Stebbins UU Summer Camp , Asilomar CA (2005), UU Summer Camp at Ghost Ranch NM (2006), Four Corners UU District Summer Camp (2006);Elliot Institute Summer Camp (2009), which serves UU organizations in BC, WA, and OR.

  • VIDEO TESTIMONIALS on You-Tube
        After attending a Unitarian Universalist summer camp in Oklahoma in 2008 in which Michael Dowd and Connie Barlow were guest speakers, a number of individuals offered their testimonials on videotape. This inspiring (and funny!) 5-minute collage of five of those statements was contributed by our colleague Duane Kuss. (posted July 2008)

  • "The Wonder of Evolution" (article in UU World)
    •       
  • The cover story of the Spring 2006 issue of the national magazine of the Unitarian Universalist Association features the work of Connie Barlow and Michael Dowd — "itinerant evolutionary evangelists" — in bringing a sacred understanding of evolution into Unitarian Universalist circles, where it powerfully bridges the spiritual and philosophical diversity inherent in this liberal faith tradition. (written by Amy Hassinger)

  • In addition, Connie Barlow's 1997 book, Green Space, Green Time: The Way of Science, was excerpted for the cover story of the Nov/Dec 1998 UU World.

    • ♦ Click here for list of SERMON & PROGRAM TITLES

    ♦ Click here for ORDER OF SERVICE & HYMN suggestions

    ♦ Click for brief BIOGRAPHIES for introducing Michael or Connie at UU events.

    ♦ Click for list of UU CONGREGATIONS that Connie & Michael have presented at during their seven-year journey.

      

    New Dimensions Radio interview
    with Michael / Connie

    		     Rev. MICHAEL DOWD, a former pastor and author of the 2008 Thank God for Evolution, and CONNIE BARLOW, an author of 4 popular science books, embody the marriage of religion and science as husband and wife. They view themselves as emissaries of a worldwide ecumenical movement that draws from the contemporary wisdom of those on the growing edge of science and meaning.

  • brief UU BIOGRAPHIES for introducing Michael or Connie at UU events

  • Michael Dowd's biography and publications list

  • Connie Barlow's biography and publications list

  • PUBLICITY PHOTOS
    		•   

    ON-LINE FREE AUDIOS of our CHURCH SERMONS

    TO DOWNLOAD ONTO YOUR COMPUTER:
         		   Mac Users: hold option key while you click.
    PC Users: click right-side button of your mouse.


    Sermons: MICHAEL DOWD


    		    

  • 2009: "The Gospel According to Science"
       Bay Area Unitarian Universalist Church, Houston TX

  • 2008: "Evolutionary Good News"
       First Unitarian Society of Milwaukee, WI

  • 2008: "Why I Thank God for Evolution"
       Unity of Marin, CA

  • 2008: "Thank God for Evolution!"
       First Unitarian Church of Dallas, TX

  • 2006: "The Gospel According to Evolution"
       Unity Church of Christianity, Houston TX

  • 2006: "The Epic of Evolution"
       Unitarian Universalists of Hendersonville, NC

  • 2006: "The Great Story"
       Unity of Woodinville, WA

  • More AUDIO and VIDEO of talks/interviews
       can be viewed at ThankGodforEvolution.com


    		•    

    Sermons: CONNIE BARLOW


    		   

  • 2009: "Your Brain's Creation Story"
       UU Congregation of Whidbey Isl, WA

  • 2008: "Evolution: Truth, Beauty, and Utility"
       UU Fellowship of Hendersonville, NC

  • 2008: "We Are Stardust" (intergenerational service)
       Unitarian Universalist Church of Riverside, CA

  • 2008: "Evolution Now: A Manifesto for our UU Congregations"
       Cedar Lane UU Church Bethesda, MD (PDF).

  • 2006: "Celebrating Evolution"
       Second Unitarian Church of Omaha, NE

  • 2006: "An Evolutionary Celebration of Death"
       Unitarian Society of Hartford, CT

  • 2005: "What Is Our Cosmic Task?"
       Yakima Unitarian Universalist Church, WA

  • 2003: "Is This Not Divine?"
       Unitarian Church of Asheville, NC

    		•    

    JOINT SERMON
    DOWD and BARLOW

    		   
  • 2006: "Cosmos, Mysticism, Reverence for Life"
       First Unitarian Society of Denver, CO

    •   

    Michael's book is endorsed by 6 NOBEL LAUREATES and other science luminaries, including noted skeptics, and by religious leaders across the spectrum

    Visit the Thank God for Evolution website for

  • samples of audio and video clips from Rev. Dowd's media interviews and live presentations

  • links to NEWS REPORTS of the book and Dowd's ministry, including articles published in New York Times Magazine and Washington Post.

  • Rev. Dowd's BLOG: "The Evolutionary Evangelist"

  • link for purchasing the book

    "We're fortunate to have Michael Dowd on our side (the 'our' being humanity)."
      — Michael Shermer, publisher of Skeptic magazine


    • ♦ Click for brief BIOGRAPHIES for introducing Michael or Connie at UU events.

      

    Connie Barlow speaking, and Michael Dowd leading an "evolutionary parable"
    at 2004 Meadville-Lombard Winter Institute (UU)

      

    CONNIE BARLOW and THE REV. MICHAEL DOWD are Unitarian Universalists who have been called "America's evolutionary evangelists." For 7 years they have lived entirely on the road, delivering sermons and workshops for more than 350 UU congregations, as well as for other religious and secular groups. Their work was featured as the cover story of our national membership magazine, UU World, in the spring of 2006.

    CONNIE is the author of 4 popular science books that bridge evolution and meaning. Her 2001 book, The Ghosts of Evolution, was Amazon.com's top-recommended science book for several months. Her 1997 book was excerpted as the cover story in the Nov/Dec 1998 issue of UU World.

    THE REV. MICHAEL DOWD, a former UCC pastor and community organizer, is the author of Thank God for Evolution, published in 2008. It has attracted endorsements from 6 Nobel laureates, other prominent scientists, and a host of leaders across the religious spectrum. Reports on the book and Dowd's ministry have appeared in 2008 issues of New York Times Magazine and Washington Post.

    Connie and Michael not only speak about the marriage of science and religion; they live it!

    		   

    ♦ Click for brief BIOGRAPHIES for introducing Michael or Connie at UU events.

    ♦ Click for list of UU CONGREGATIONS that Connie & Michael have presented at during their 5-plus-year journey.

  • For details on past presentations, refer to our LIST OF PAST EVENTS.

  • To see our current itinerary (where we are scheduled to be and when): CURRENT ITINERARY.

  • Click to read enthusiastic PRAISE for our work from scientists and religious leaders and from Unitarian Universalists.

       Click here for a list of
    UU BEST PRACTICES
    that Connie & Michael have
    come upon during their
    visits to UU congregations.

    		      Click for complete list
    of Worship Resources for an
    "Evolution Sunday"    		   

    TITLES OF SERMONS, PRESENTATIONS, OR WORKSHOPS
    (detailed descriptions & publicity templates)

    For Sunday services, only one of us presents a short sermon form of these topics. For 2-hour follow-up workshops, Michael usually offers an adult program by himself. In the rare event that both of us are free to be at your church or fellowship on a Sunday morning, Michael will give the "sermon" and Connie is happy to be invited to offer a (free) R.E. program concurrently for kids.

      

    Connie's SERMON titles: Click for DESCRIPTION of / PUBLICITY for each program

  • Evolution Now (for adults) AUDIO of Connie's 2008 sermon at UU Hendersonville NC
  • Your Brain's Creation Story (for adults and teens) - AUDIO of Connie's 2009 sermon at UU Whidbey Island
  • Celebrating Evolution - AUDIO of Connie's 2006 sermon at Second Unitarian of Omaha
  • Death Through Deep-Time Eyes - AUDIO of Connie's 2006 sermon at UU Hartford CT (Click for Order of Service suggestions for Death sermon)
  • We Are Stardust! for adults or INTERGEN. (Click here for Order of Service for intergenerational Stardust service)

    ♦ DESCRIPTION of / PUBLICITY for each program

    Michael's SERMON titles: or click for DESCRIPTION of / PUBLICITY for each program

  • Gratitude: An Evolutionary Celebration
  • The Gifts of Evolutionary Spirituality
  • Thank God for Evolution

    ♦ DESCRIPTION of / PUBLICITY for each program

    SELECTING A SPEAKER: We each usually speak in different churches on the same Sunday. We prefer to determine which of us speaks where, based on (1) driving considerations (only Michael drives our large van, so Connie has to be dropped off first), and (2) Connie prefers small to mid-size congregations, whereas Michael is happy to present in large venues. Note: Only Connie does intergenerational services.

    Connie or Michael "STORIES FOR ALL AGES" for Sunday Services (6 to 8 minutes)
  • We Are Made of Stardust - Michael or Connie - (how atoms were formed within stars)
  • Animals in Your Brain - (to accompany Connie's sermon, "Your Brain's Creation Story")
  • Who's proud to be related to a reptile?" - (Michael, or to accompany Connie's sermon, "Evolution Now")

    Connie's "RELIGIOUS EXPLORATION LESSONS FOR KIDS and TEENS" concurrently in classrooms as guest teacher (if both Connie and Michael are available to come to your church)

  • A Walk on the Wild Side: Your Brain's Creation Story (different versions for TEENS and elementary)
  • River of Life (elementary age or families)
  • We Are Made of Stardust (elementary age)
    Click for DESCRIPTIONS of all 3 of these children's programs.


    •    


    templates for
    PUBLICITY FLIERS

    		  

    Free follow-up presentation by Michael Dowd (90 minutes, for a weekday evening) CHOOSE ONE:

    1. "THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO SCIENCE: Evolutionary Good News"
       Alternative title: "THANK GOD FOR EVOLUTION"

    In this richly illustrated talk, Rev. Dowd will cover the major themes of his 2008 book, Thank God for Evolution: How the Marriage of Science and Religion Will Transform Your Life and Our World, which received endorsements from six Nobel Prize-winning scientists, as well as religious leaders across the spectrum. Come learn how our modern understanding of this 14 billion year old Universe, as given by mainstream science, builds bridges, provides guidance, and restores realistic hope for individuals and families, for humanity, and for the body of life as a whole.

    2. "EVOLUTION AND THE GLOBAL INTEGRITY CRISIS"

    From crumbling economies to collapsing ecosystems, humanity is experiencing an unprecedented global integrity crisis. In a richly illustrated presentation, Michael Dowd sheds light on a wide range of personal, social, political, and economic issues through the prism of global integrity: humanity in right relationship at all levels, from the personal to the planetary. The evolutionary sciences teach us that throughout life's history, a vital trend is chaos catalyzing cooperation in ever-larger systems of interdependence. Dowd proposes that only an evolutionary worldview can help us co-create a just and thriving future at this new, planetary level of interdependence. The talk is based on his landmark book, Thank God for Evolution, which has been endorsed by 6 Nobel Prize-winning scientists and religious leaders across the spectrum.

    ♦ Rev. Dowd and his wife, science writer Connie Barlow, have been called "America's evolutionary evangelists." Since April 2002 they have lived entirely on the road, visiting churches, schools, and spiritual centers across the USA.

    		     

    LOCAL PUBLICITY: Our PUBLICIST will be happy to work independently (or with you, if you prefer) to secure regional radio/TV and newspaper interviews in advance of the event. Sample the ARCHIVE OF NEWS ARTICLES.

    ♦ PUBLICITY PHOTOS

    ♦ TEMPLATES FOR PUBLICITY FLIERS

    		  

    Rev. Dowd's evening program is partly a powerpoint presentation . Michael brings his own high-lumen, digital projector with him, and he also brings our own large screen and extension cord. The only equipment he needs from the church is a handheld or clip-on microphone.

    		   



    ♦ Click here for DESCRIPTIONS / PUBLICITY templates for each program


    ♦ Order of Service suggestions - i.e., hymns, chalice lighting, readings

    ♦ Click for brief BIOGRAPHIES for introducing Michael or Connie at UU events.



    Rev. Michael Dowd applies "stardust" (glitter) during an Intergenerational
    "We Are Stardust!" service at the Peterborough NH UU Church;
    Connie Barlow describes how the chemical elements now in our bodies
    were created inside ancestral stars.

    The Great Story is the 14 billion year narrative of cosmos, Earth, life, and humanity, which draws upon the discoveries of the full range of sciences. Told in meaningful and dramatic ways, The Great Story becomes our collective sacred story, inspiring individuals from a wide range of religious and secular worldviews. Also known as the Epic of Evolution, this perspective was the topic of Connie Barlow's cover story of the Nov/Dec 1998 issue of UU World.

    Connie and Michael have been working with UU members to link this widespread movement to the science, humanist, pagan, and liberal theistic diversity of our UU heritage. The spiritual and psychological benefits that flow naturally from living within an awareness of this story are experienced as Great News by a growing number of people the world over and draw each of us to participate in, what celebrated cultural historian and geologian Thomas Berry calls, "The Great Work" — the work of ensuring a just, healthy, beautiful, and sustainably life-giving world for future generations of all species.

    Until the spring of 2002, when they embarked on an itinerant ministry of teaching and preaching the Great News of the Great Story, Michael and Connie were members of the First Unitarian Society of Rockland County (New York). They are now members of the UUA Church of the Larger Fellowship.


    Scheduling Presentations

    Michael and Connie are passionate about these topics and will present them wherever there is interest.

  • For GUEST SERMONS/MESSAGES at Sunday morning congregational services, we gratefully accept whatever compensation a congregation typically offers guest ministers or speakers.

  • For church SUMMER CAMPS, DISTRICT MEETINGS, AND OTHER GATHERINGS, we are happy to negotiate fees that will work for your group.

    We try to schedule appearances on a region-by-region basis to minimize transportation time, costs, and energy. Because our ministry also depends on earnings from selling our books and DVDs, we will appreciate access to ONE LONG TABLE in your lobby or Fellowship Hall for setting up our wares.

    Almost all of the communications with you (except for the content of all-day retreats) will be handled by our personal assistant. Please know that we generally book Connie into one UU church on a Sunday morning and Michael into a different church in the same vicinity, so we do not appear together, except for longer church retreats and trainings. In addition, Michael presents a FREE powerpoint, evening talk for each of the two churches on a Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday immediately following the Sunday service. We carry our own portable screen and high-lumen digital projector to use for the evening follow-up program, so the only thing you need to provide is an adequate room and voice amplification. Because book and DVD sales following the presentation are usually substantial (we make the table self-serve, so no assistance is required for that either), we suggest you publicize the event as FREE and consider it as an opportunity to attract newcomers from the wider community. (For especially large or community outreach events, our PUBLICIST will be happy to work directly with you on publicity. But for the most part, congregations have found quite adequate our DOWNLOADABLE FLYERS/POSTERS TEMPLATES.

    Depending on whether we are also presenting for other organizations in your town or city, we may ask you to locate HOME HOSPITALITY for us for the night preceding a morning service and (sometimes) through the morning following the evening workshop. Click here for a handy list of information on our HOME HOSPITALITY needs. We intend this list to supply prospective hosts with all the information they need to feel comfortable in extending us an invitation.

  • To learn more about our work and the impact we are having, click on About Us and What Others Say.

    ♦ Click for brief BIOGRAPHIES for introducing Michael or Connie at UU events.

  • Click here for a Unitarian essay by UU member and Great Story teacher PATRICIA GORDON that imaginatively portrays how the Great Story enriches UU experience.

  • Click here for Connie's essay on her faith as a UU "religious naturalist" (in PDF only).

  • Click here to see WORDS OF PRAISE for our programs expressed by UU ministers, worship coordinators, and members.

  • Click here to view an annotated list of popular & academic WRITINGS BY CONNIE BARLOW.

  • Click here to learn about a free, "We Are Made of Stardust" Curriculum for UU children's R.E. programs.

  • Click here for "Evolution Now: A Manifesto for our UU Congregations", a sermon by Connie Barlow, delivered at the Cedar Lane UU Church (Bethesda, MD) August 2008: PDF or mp3 AUDIO.

  • Click here to view an annotated list of popular & academic WRITINGS BY MICHAEL DOWD.

    •    
        ♦ Click here to preview or purchase
    DVDs of OUR BEST PERFORMANCES.


    ♦ Click here to view or download PUBLICITY PHOTOS.


    ♦ Click here for a handy list of information on our HOME HOSPITALITY needs and requests.


    ♦ Click here for DESCRIPTIONS / PUBLICITY templates for each program


    ♦ Order of Service suggestions - i.e., hymns, chalice lighting, readings

    UU Congregations We Have Presented At

    Since 2002 Michael and Connie have been guest speakers at Sunday services (sermons, and often the children's component as well) and/or offered evening workshops at UU fellowships and churches in:

  • Alabama - Tuscaloosa, Montgomery, Auburn
  • Arizona - Flagstaff, Green Valley, Sierra Vista, NW Tucson, Tucson, Sedona, Chandler, Phoenix
  • Arkansas - Little Rock
  • California - Anaheim, Asilomar Summer Camp, Berkeley, Carmel, Davis, Escondido, Fremont, Fullerton, Goleta, Grass Valley, Laguna Beach, Long Beach, Los Gatos, La Mesa, Mission Viejo, Modesto, Napa, Newbury Park, North Hills, Oakland, Palos Verdes Estates, Pasadena, Rancho Palos Verde, Redwood City, Riverside, Sacramento, San Diego, East San Diego, San Dieguito, San Jose, San Mateo, Santa Cruz, Santa Monica, Santa Rosa, Santee, Stockton, Ventura, Visalia, Vista
  • Colorado - Boulder, Denver, Pueblo, Littleton, Colorado Springs, Glenwood Springs, Durango,
        Grand Junction, Durango, Bayfield, Golden
  • Connecticut - Hartford, W. Hartford, Danbury, Manchester, Westport, New Haven, Woodbury
  • Delaware - Mill Creek, Newark
  • Florida - Bradenton, Miami, Vero Beach, Fort Myers, Odessa, Orlando, Valparaiso
         Tallahassee, Jacksonville, Ft. Lauderdale, Boca Raton, Palm Beaches, Plantation,
         Greater Naples, Sarasota, Valpariso, Pensacola, Panama City, Bonita Springs, Tampa
  • Georgia - Lawrenceville, Augusta, Atlanta, Hilton Head, Athens, Savannah, Statesboro
  • Idaho - Idaho Falls, Twin Falls, Moscow
  • Illinois - Evanston, Springfield, Rockford, Palatine
  • Indiana - Fort Wayne, Hobart, Muncie, Lafayette, Bloomington, Indianapolis
  • Kansas - Lawrence, Manhattan, Salina, Topeka
  • Kentucky - Louisville, Lexington
  • Louisiana - New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Lacombe, Shreveport
  • Maine - Ellsworth, Portland, Sanford, Rockland, Milford, Damariscotta, Yarmouth
  • Maryland - Columbia, Easton, Adelphi, Lutherville, Bethesda
  • Massachusetts - Springfield, Needham, Worcester, Belmont, Northborough, Concord,
         North Andover, Reading, Greenfield, Littleton, Brookline, Winchester
  • Michigan - Flint, Birmingham, Lansing, Traverse City, Ann Arbor, St. Joseph's, Midland, Clark Lake, Kalamazoo, Brighton, Farmington Hills, Muskegon, Sarnia (Port Huron), Ludington
  • Minnesota - Minneapolis, White Bear (Mahtomedi), Duluth
  • Mississippi - Jackson
  • Missouri - Springfield, Kansas City, Ellisville, St. Louis
  • Montana - Billings, Missoula
  • Nebraska - Omaha
  • New Hampshire - Franklin, Peterborough, Milford, Exeter, Tamworth, Portsmouth South
  • New Jersey - East Brunswick, Hunterdon County, Englewood, Ridgewood, Lincroft,
         Galloway County, Titusville, Summit, Montclair, Plainfield, Cherry Hill, Princeton
  • New Mexico - Las Cruces, Albuquerque, Rio Rancho, Ghost Ranch, Los Alamos
  • New York - Rockland County, Sussex County, Long Island, White Plains, Binghamton, Orange County, Poughkeepsie, Kingston, Manhasset, Albany, Washingtonville, Canandaigua, Syracuse, NYC (All Souls), Staten Island, Briarcliff/Croton/Ossining/
  • North Carolina - Asheville, Brevard, Hendersonville, Kitty Hawk, New Bern, Greenville, Greensboro (Jamestown), Durham, Raleigh, Wilmington, Black Mountain (Swannanoa Valley, Charlotte
  • Ohio - Cincinnati, Columbus, Kent, Cleveland (+ Westfield Twnshp), Hopedale, Dayton, Berea, Canto, Miami Valley
  • Oklahoma - Tulsa, Ardmore (SWUUSI 2008), Stillwater, Oklahoma City, Norman
  • Oregon - Hillsboro, Newport, Portland, West Hills of Portland, Hood River, Bend, Klamath Falls, Eugene
  • Pennsylvania - Berks County (Reading), Pittsburgh, South Hills of Pittsburgh, Meadville, Harrisburg
  • South Carolina - Greenville, Clemson, Beaufort, Columbia
  • Tennessee - Nashville, Knoxville, Oak Ridge, Pleasant Hill, Cordova, Memphis, Gray, Chattanooga, Murfreesboro
  • Texas - Dallas, Galveston, Houston (both), North Houston, Stafford, College Station, Denton, Austin, S. Austin, Plano, Fort Worth, San Antonio, Midland, Pasadena, The Woodlands, Huntsville, Waco
  • Utah - Salt Lake City
  • Vermont - Woodstock, Burlington, Norwich
  • Virginia - Newport News, Loudoun County, Sterling, Easton, Norfolk, Reston, Fairfax, Manassas
  • Washington - E. Wenatchee, Whidbey Island, Port Townsend, Bellingham, Kirkland, Olympia, Seattle, S. Seattle, W. Seattle, U District of Seattle, Forest Park, Bellevue, Des Moines, Yakima, Edmonds, Vancouver
  • Wisconsin - Madison (First + James Reeb), Ripon, Racine, Kenosha, Wales, Mukwonago, Milwaukee, Wausau
  • Wyoming - Cheyenne
  • Eastern Canada - Montreal, North Hatley, Halifax
  • Western Canada - Victoria, Naramata, Vancouver, Vancouver Island

    • NOTE: This list may be incomplete. For a complete record of where we have spoken and when, see PAST ITINERARY and ITINERARY.

         

    Click here for a list of UU BEST PRACTICES
    that Connie & Michael have come upon during
    their visits to UU churches and fellowships.



    WWW www.TheGreatStory.org