pre-recorded for use. (Contact Rev. Dowd for permission)
SERMON: "Living Fully in an Age of Endings: Practical Wisdom for Hard Times" (20 minutes)
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DESCRIPTION: No one needs convincing that we are living in hard times and an age of endings. Even those with little understanding of the ongoing nature of biospheric and civilizational unraveling feel the stress. Just to read or watch the propaganda formerly known as 'the news' is a sobering (or un-sobering!) experience. How do we cope? How can we stay inspired? And, perhaps most importantly, how can we be a blessing to others who are confused, angry, depressed, or filled with fear, blame, or guilt?
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The elements in this DROPBOX FOLDER were pre-recorded for use in UU churches and fellowships throughout the United States and Canada.
1. Story for All Ages: "You are much older, bigger, and have a weirder family than you know!"
2. Meditation
3. Readings and Sermon: "Living Fully in an Age of Endings: Practical Wisdom for Hard Times"
4. Closing Words / Benediction
• Being the Calm in the Storm (2023 LIVE sermon)
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MICHAEL DOWD: "This pair of videos (sermon and follow-up Q&A) is especially timely for churches and general audiences interested in the POSTDOOM concept and emotional support that I have been developing since 2019."
Posted September 2023
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Part 1 (Sermon / 30 minutes) Part 2 (Q&A / 25 minutes)
• "Beyond Hope and Fear: Clarity, Compassion, Courageous Love-in-Action"
The content of this program (using various titles) has been the heart of Rev. Dowd's 2021 and 2022 message. The focus: How can a big picture understanding of our predicament (ecological and historical) support people of all ages and backgrounds in moving from confusion to clarity, from blame to compassion, and from desperate activism to courageous love-in-action?
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Initially pre-recorded for West Shore Unitarian Universalists in Cleveland, OH, Dowd also delivered the slide program online — live — at several other churches (Christian and UU).
In all instances this Sunday sermon was followed up by a LIVE Q&A SESSION with Rev. Dowd. The session was scheduled on a weekday evening, with congregants encouraged to watch in advance the companion video titled, "New Serenity Prayer" (see below).
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• "Parenting and Grandparenting in Contracting (Crazy-Making) Times"
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What are some emotionally nourishing and supportive ways of speaking and being with young families, teens, and children to help them in these challenging times? How do we communicate (or not) about worsening elements of their future that are already underway?
Delivered, via Zoom, by Rev. Dowd for First Unitarian Church of Hobart, Indiana.
Recorded online, July 2022 • 27 minutes
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• "The Big Picture: What Every Young Person & Grandparent Should Know"
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Here Michael Dowd offers a practical and compassionate approach to understanding the challenges not only ahead, but manifesting right here and now.
How do we move past blame? How do we find peace, gratitude, and opportunities for still being of service?
Filmed live at Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Flint, MI.
Recorded in the church sanctuary, July 2022 • 32 minutes
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• True Sustainability: Cultivating a Repentant, Pro-Future Heart & Mind
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What are key differences between truly sustainable cultures and today's attempts to greenwash ecocidal industrial civilization? How do indigenous life-ways and practices inspire pro-future thinking, feelings, and actions.
Delivered, via Zoom, for Community Unitarian Universalists of Brighton, MI (CUUB). Educational text and image overlays were added by video editor (Dowd's wife), Connie Barlow.
Recorded online, June 2021 • 16 minutes
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Possible Live Q&A Zoom Session
60 to 90 minutes with Rev. Dowd
(scheduled to follow the sermon within a week or two)
Participants could choose to view in advance this online VIDEO:
• Serenity Prayer for the 21st Century
Emotional Support for Climate Anxiety & Environmental Dread"
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This 25-minute video is a primer on how to stay sane, sober, and heartful in contracting times. It is now the main introduction to my work and resources related to climate change, ecological overshoot, true vs. faux sustainability, and how to discern what to accept and what to passionately engage in.
It is also the main follow-up program to my Zoom and in-person presentations delivered in secular and religious settings throughout 2021 and 2022.
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Rev. Michael Dowd is a bestselling evolutionary eco-theologian and pro-future advocate whose work has been featured in The New York Times, LA Times, Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, Newsweek, Discover, and on television throughout the U.S. and Canada. His book, Thank God for Evolution, was endorsed by 6 Nobel Prize-winning scientists, noted skeptics, and religious leaders across the spectrum. Michael has delivered two TEDx talks and a program at the United Nations. He has also conducted three acclaimed online conversation series: "The Advent of Evolutionary Christianity" (2011), "The Future Is Calling Us to Greatness" (2015), and "Post-doom: Regenerative conversations exploring overshoot grief, grounding, and gratitude" (2020). Rev. Dowd's work provides audiences with applications of evolutionary and ecological wisdom that break through the confusions of these rapidly shifting times.
Connie Barlow is a science writer, evolutionary educator, and professional audio, video, and text editor. Her 2001 book, The Ghosts of Evolution (Basic Books), was Amazon.com's top-recommended science book for several months. Her previous books, Green Space, Green Time: The Way of Science (Copernicus Books), Evolution Extended: Biological Debates on the Meaning of Life (MIT Press), and From Gaia to Selfish Genes: Selected Writings in the Life Sciences (MIT Press), all explore the nexus of science, meaning, and inspiration. Now mostly retired from speaking, Connie is a leader in the rapidly emerging field of assisted migration. (See her "Climate, Trees, and Legacy" video blog.)
Michael and Connie serve on the Board of Advisors of the Religious Naturalist Association (RNA) and have spoken to nearly 3,000 religious and secular groups throughout North America since 2002.
Connie's audio, video, and text publications
Michael's audio, video, and text publications
Michael's personal / media website
