It has arrived, the time when the 2016 Summer Institute Planning Council (SIPC) welcomes old friends and new friends to join us this summer at Oberlin College.

Our Theme for 2016 is “Covenant and Collective Action” with Matt Meyer who will guide us through the exploration of Unitarian Universalism in the sanctuary, in the house and in the streets.  Through song and rhythm, story and reflection, we’ll explore what a radically inclusive, spiritually alive, and justice centered movement of Unitarian Universalism looks like.

Summer Institute creates space to be engaged, find quiet spots for meditation, share meals with old friends, make new connections, worship and sing together, carry on traditions of tie dyeing, playing Ultimate Frisbee, making music, and eating soft serve three times a day if you like.

Morning seminars for adults range from physically active to intellectually stimulating, from spiritual to musical, educational to entertaining.   Our morning programming for children consists of child care for infants, RE programming for children preschool thru 6th grade,  Youth programming for grades 7-12 and a Young Adult program –evening activities, vespers and the pub round out our day.  All are on the website, please find us at www.omdsi.org for details.

Watch for our new and improved easy to find “Information Center” that will be in the lobby of First Church where morning worship, vespers, evening programming and our Children’s program take place.

A new addition last year at Summer Institute was “The World Café”.   Rev. Renee Ruchotzke,  UUA Congregational Life Staff, along with SIPC members facilitated “Visioning for the Future” with three sessions:  SI Culture, SI Stewardship and SI Covenant.

With feedback we received from The World Café’ and evaluations shared by the larger community, The Summer Institute Planning Council (SIPC)  has created the formation of 2 subcommittees to implement avenues for:  more transparency in how we choose leadership, how we can best plan for our future as a community while still managing the work that needs to get done to make sure that SI happens year to year and to reexamine how we manage breaches in covenant are priorities.

This will by my 31st SI and a saying that I heard all those years ago still rings true “TMTD” –too much to do…..so choose well and we hope to see you in July.
Liz Bright, Chair -2016 Summer Institute