Professor to present workshop on forgiveness

<p>“Understanding and Practicing Forgiveness” will be the focus of a Sept. 25 workshop led by Arizona State University professor Vince Waldron. The event, from 9 a.m. to noon, will be held at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Phoenix, 4027 E. Lincoln Drive in Paradise Valley.</p><separator></separator><p>“Forgiveness isn’t easy, and it isn’t always appropriate. This workshop will help participants decide when and why they should forgive,” said Waldron, a professor of communication in ASU’s <a href="http://newcollege.asu.edu/">New College of Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences</a>. “We will explore the steps of forgiveness-seeking and forgiveness-granting. The material will be useful to anyone who has struggled with forgiveness in a personal or work relationship and to those who simply have an interest in this important topic.”</p><separator></separator><p>Waldron said that forgiveness can be a constructive and hopeful response to the hurt we experience in relationships. “In nearly all theological traditions, forgiveness is recommended as an alternative to grudge-holding and revenge,” he said. “It can also be helpful as we seek relational justice and reconciliation.”</p><separator></separator><p>Waldron has authored or co-authored four books, including one&nbsp;on the communication of forgiveness in&nbsp;romantic and family relationships. He also studies the ways employees communicate during emotional, stressful, or "risky" work situations, and recently co-authored a book examining a series of these situations, such as responding to negative feedback or persuading a resistant boss to accept new ideas.</p><separator></separator><p>In addition to his role as a professor in New College on ASU’s West campus, Waldron serves as coordinator of ASU’s <a href="http://famcom.asu.edu/">Family Communication Consortium</a>. The FCC includes faculty members from numerous ASU departments and all campuses.</p><separator></separator><p>“The FCC is committed to research, teaching, and community service activities that strengthen communication in families of all kinds,” Waldron said. “We&nbsp;recognize that numerous&nbsp;community groups, government agencies, and faith communities provide valuable support for families.&nbsp;One of our operating principles is to build meaningful partnerships with these entities as we share research results, provide instruction, and connect ASU students and faculty with community needs.”</p><separator></separator><p>FCC collaborators help to address issues such as helping family members communicate support to a loved one facing a cancer diagnosis or communicate forgiveness when relationships have been damaged; assisting parents and coaches in providing&nbsp;constructive communication at youth sporting events; and helping parents and children&nbsp;use&nbsp;new communication technologies like Facebook, Smart Phones and&nbsp;computer games in ways that improve family relationships.</p><separator></separator><p>Waldron’s Sept. 25 workshop serves as the culmination to a three-event series on the topic of forgiveness at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Phoenix. More information may be found at <a href="http://phoenixuu.org/">http://phoenixuu.org/</a>.</p&gt;