In this episode of The Pamphlet Susan and Sean are joined by Gail Forsyth Vail, Adult Program Director at the Unitarian Universalist Association.

The discussion focuses on Rev. Athalia Lizzie Johnson Irwin who was one of the first women in the American South to be ordained to the Universalist ministry. Serving churches across the country she pioneered creative way to use print media for evangelical purposes.

http://www.pamphletpodcast.org/rev-athalia-irwin/

The story of Rev. Athalia Lizzie Johnson Irwin is included in a book co-authored by Gail Forsyth Vail and Polly Peterson called Missionaries, Builders, and Pathfinders Unitarian Universalist Stories from the Midwest, West, and South, 1830-1930 – This book belongs to the Tapestry of Faith Toolkit Series provided by the UUA Faith Development Office. Toolkit Books provide background knowledge, inspiration, and practical guidance to program and lead UU faith development and to help us explore and live our faith in our congregations, neighborhoods, nation, and world.

Polly Peterson authored another insightful book: Stirring the Nations’s Heart: Eighteen Stories of Prophetic Unitarians and Universalists of the 19th Century  – Eighteen compelling stories from the lives of 19th-century Transcendentalists and reformers who played key roles in Unitarian Universalist history. Each story includes introductory material to provide context and quotations that expand the picture of the subject’s life and work. Supplementary materials such as discussion questions allow you to shape a complete program for adult learning or small group ministry.

You can purchase these books at the UUA Bookstore, here: