Fixin' to Learn
The Ministry Diary of the Rev. Susan M. Smith
  • Home
  • Events & Projects
    • Spirit Speaking at SWUUMA 2016
  • Fixin' to Learn Blog
  • Scraps
  • My Kenyan Sabbatical 2013
    • Travel Plans >
      • Kitengela UUs
      • Worship in Kayole
      • Oliotokitok UUs: A Real Breakthrough
      • My Home in Karen
      • Amboseli & Its Elephants >
        • Birds of Amboseli
        • Amboseli Serena Lodge
        • And Other Animals
      • The Bomas of Kenya
      • The Great Rift Valley

Spirit Speaking -- Extemporaneous Preaching Workshop
Southwest UU Ministers Retreat January 2016

In the world of public speaking, it is acknowledged that the speech (or sermon) given from a manuscript is the most difficult of all for purely practical reasons. The syntax of writing is not that of speaking and often fails to translate into an engaging experience for the listener. The manuscript interferes with eye contact and flow of facial expressions and gestures. It is too easy to lose one’s place and too difficult to make allowances for life happening in real time in the sanctuary. More importantly, there are issues of effective faith development, theological grounding and the psycho-social purposes of worship that make extemporaneous preaching a necessary tool for ministry. These workshops will explore the purpose and practice of preaching and provide opportunities for participants to let their own Spirit Speak.

Before entering ministry, Rev. Smith earned a BA and MA in Speech and Theater from Northwestern State University of Louisiana and taught public speaking courses in the Northwestern and LSU systems. She has been a popular preacher and theme speaker within UU circles for more than 30 years in addition to a prior decade of providing programs in the public, private and civic arenas.

Resources and Readings

Workshop Schedule

Slide Show #1: Why Let Spirit Speak?

The Oscillation Theory of the psycho-social purposes of worship within a healthy society...

Slide Show #2: A Primer for Public Speakers

Prompts for Vibrancy Exercise -- Instructions on Schedule

Slide Show #3: James Fowler's Stages of Faith/Why We Repeat Ourselves

My own explanation of Fowler -- GA 2006...

My own Liturgical Year (perpetually in draft) based on our UUA Principles and Purposes Statement...

Spirit Speaking in Many Voices Order of Service

Proudly powered by Weebly