We’ll be taking the summer off but plan to be back in action in September. Planning has already started. Right now, we’re expecting this faith development opportunity to continue on Zoom next year. See you in September!
Adult Faith Development Planning Team: John Bloomer, Kim Collins, Sherry Lundquist, Jim Steffe, Kelly Wedell, with staff liaison Rev. Claudia Jiménez.
Vespers: Join Rev. Claudia for the final Vespers of this congregational year. We will explore the theme “nurturing beauty” engaging the question: How does the power of beauty affect your work for justice? Vespers will resume in September. Have a great summer!!
Program 7 PM: Ecotheology & the Interplay Between the 1st and 7th Principles; Facilitator – Rev. Claudia
Vespers: Nourishing Our Spirits. “What a gift we can give ourselves by paying attention to what our souls need and doing our best to give them that.” ~ Steve Garnaas-Holmes Led by Rev. Cathy 
Program 7 PM: Gene Lambirth will talk about hiking as a spiritual practice and his journeys on the Camino de Santiago and other pilgrimages. What is it about this experience that can feed your soul and what lessons can you take from it that will allow you to lead a richer and more meaningful life?
Next Week:
Vespers Wed April 27 at 6:30 PM: Join Rev. Claudia for the final Vespers of this congregational year. We will explore the theme “nurturing beauty” engaging the question: How does the power of beauty affect your work for justice? Vespers will resume in September.
Program Wed April 27 at 7 PM: Ecotheology & the Interplay Between the 1st and 7th Principles; Facilitator – Rev. Claudia
Vespers Wed April 13 at 6:30 PM: “The God of Our Understanding”
Bill Wilson, the co-founder of Alcoholics Anonymous, was highly skeptical of the existence of a personal God. To help make AA accessible to persons of all beliefs (or none), he wrote the 12-step program with the suggestion that we “turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understand [God].”
As Unitarian Universalists who have many different beliefs (or none) regarding the existence of a higher power, who or what is the ultimate guiding principle, force or being in our lives? What practices do we have to help us cultivate or enlarge the existence of this guiding principle, force, or being in our daily lives? How can our practices help heal our hurting hearts and world?
Rev. Terry Davis invites us to reflect upon these questions and then share our thoughts and feelings.
Program at 7 PM: Liberation Conversations. Join us for an update on the final congregational assessment report that will be shared at the end of the month. We will also discuss next steps and brainstorm ways to welcome all levels of experience into the work of collective liberation/anti-racism. Facilitator: Rev. Claudia
Next week: Vespers Wed April 20 at 6:30 PM: Nourishing our Spirits
“What a gift we can give ourselves by paying attention to what our souls need and doing our best to give them that.” ~ Steve Garnaas-Holmes Led by Rev. Cathy
Program Wed April 20 at 7 PM: Gene Lambirth will talk about hiking as a spiritual practice and his journeys on the Camino de Santiago and other pilgrimages. What is it about this experience that can feed your soul and what lessons can you take from it that will allow you to lead a richer and more meaningful life?
Vespers 6:30 PM: Join Anna Martin in exploring our April theme of “Awakening” with poems, singing, sharing, and Lea Morris’ story of The Empty Cup.
Program 7 PM: Welcome to Awakening – Our program will explore Awakening, the theme for April. Does awakening arise slowly from experience, or is it more like an epiphany that hits us like a ton of bricks? Are awakenings more apt to happen when you are younger or older? What is your experience of awakening? Facilitator: Jim Steffe
Next week: April 13
Vespers Wed April 13 at 6:30 PM: “The God of Our Understanding”
Bill Wilson, the co-founder of Alcoholics Anonymous, was highly skeptical of the existence of a personal God. To help make AA accessible to persons of all beliefs (or none), he wrote the 12-step program with the suggestion that we “turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understand [God].”
As Unitarian Universalists who have many different beliefs (or none) regarding the existence of a higher power, who or what is the ultimate guiding principle, force or being in our lives? What practices do we have to help us cultivate or enlarge the existence of this guiding principle, force, or being in our daily lives? How can our practices help heal our hurting hearts and world?
Rev. Terry Davis invites us to reflect upon these questions and then share our thoughts and feelings.
Program Wed April 13 at 7 PM: Liberation Conversations. Join us for an update on the final congregational assessment report that will be shared at the end of the month. We will also discuss next steps and brainstorm ways to welcome all levels of experience into the work of collective liberation/anti-racism. Facilitator: Rev. Claudia
Vespers: One of this month’s Soul Matters spiritual practices on the theme of Renewing Faith is, “Tell It.” Other peoples’ commitment to justice renews our own faith that a better world is possible. Their compassion and kindness renews our faith in humanity. Their bravery reignites our faith in ourselves. Whose faithfulness renews your own? And most importantly, have you told them?!
Vespers Leader: Bob Wilson
Program: Join Rev. Claudia for an exploration on forgiveness.
Is it an opportunity or an obligation?
What are the obstacles to forgiveness?
We will begin with these opening words: “Forgiveness is not forgetting- it is healing; it is freedom; it is being restored to wholeness; it is reopening our hearts to love.” – Rev. Wells Borg, Editor of “The Forgiveness Handbook”
March Calendar
2
Vespers Leader: Rev. Claudia
Program: Renewing Faith Theme Talk, Rev. Claudia
9
Vespers Leader: James Gamble
Program: Liberation Conversations: Final Listening Circle;
Facilitator: Eleanor Lane, Scribe: Ed Prestemon
16
Vespers Leader: Rev. Cathy
Program: Spiritual Practices – Cooking, Kim Collins
23
Vespers Leader: Bob Wilson
Program: Theology Ablaze – Forgiveness and Reconciliation, Rev. Claudia
30
Vespers Leader: Ruth Christie, Rev. Claudia (Transgender Day of Visibility)
Program: Theology Ablaze – Rev. Claudia
6:30 PM Vespers: Join us as we launch this month’s theme: Renewing Faith
using the story “The Magical Yet” by Angela DiTerlizzi. Vespers leader: Rev. Claudia
7:00 PM Program will explore the concept faith. We begin exploring what faith means to us.
How has our faith been strengthened, renewed or weakened during this pandemic time?
Facilitator: Rev. Claudia
March Calendar
2
Vespers Leader: Rev. Claudia
Program: Renewing Faith Theme Talk, Rev. Claudia
9
Vespers Leader: James Gamble
Program: Liberation Conversations: Final Listening Circle;
Facilitator: Eleanor Lane, Scribe: Ed Prestemon
16
Vespers Leader: Rev. Cathy
Program: Spiritual Practices – Cooking, Kim Collins
23
Vespers Leader: Bob Wilson
Program: Theology Ablaze – Forgiveness and Reconciliation, Rev. Claudia
30
Vespers Leader: Rev. Claudia
Program: Theology Ablaze – Rev. Claudia
Vespers at 6:30pm: Widening the Circle led by Sharon LeDuc
Program at 7pm: Widening the Circle Theme Talk, led by Rev Claudia. Matters theme: Widening the Circle. We will explore what it means to “widen the circle” in our search for meaning. A few questions to consider for our time together:
Are you a circle maker, circle joiner or circle avoider?
When has someone “widening the circle” made a difference in your life?
Who needs you to “widen the circle” for them?
February Calendar
2
Vespers Leader: Rev. Claudia
Program: Listening Circles, Eleanor Lane and Melissa Murphy
9
Vespers Leader: Kelly Wedell
Program: Listening Circles, Ed Prestemon and Eleanor Lane
16
Vespers Leader: Rev. Cathy – Mourning the Earth
Program: Spiritual Practices – Zentangle, Colleen Finegan*
23
Vespers Leader: Sharon LeDuc
Program: Widening the Circle Theme Talk, Rev. Claudia
6:30 Vespers: Join Vespers leader Kelly Wedell in honoring Buddhist monk, peace activist, author, poet and teacher Thich Nhat Hahn.
7 PM Program – Listening Circle: come prepared to share your feedback on the draft report shared by the Racial Justice Advisory Council. If reading time is limited, focus on Sections 2 & 3. Facilitators: Ed Prestamon, Eleanor Lane
February Calendar
2
Vespers Leader: Rev. Claudia
Program: Listening Circles, Eleanor Lane and Melissa Murphy
9
Vespers Leader: Kelly Wedell
Program: Listening Circles, Ed Prestemon and Eleanor Lane
16
Vespers Leader: Rev. Cathy – Mourning the Earth
Program: Spiritual Practices – Zentangle, Colleen Finegan*
23
Vespers Leader: Sharon LeDuc
Program: Widening the Circle Theme Talk, Rev. Claudia
*Supplies needed for Zentangles
1) Something to draw with: #2 pencil or Zentangle kit pencil
2) Something to draw on: Zentangle tiles available at Amazon or 4X4 pieces of white paper
3) Black Micron Pen .05. (the .05 is very important- nothing larger)
Or very thin black sharpie type marker
4) Something to shade with: #2 pencil and Q-Tip NOTE: There are Zentangle kits available on Amazon. Some art stores sell them.
Join Rev. Claudia for 6:30 Vespers as we launch this month’s theme: Widening the Circle
7 PM Program – Listening Circle: come prepared to share your feedback on the draft report shared by the Racial Justice Advisory Council. If reading time is limited, focus on Sections 2 & 3. Facilitators: Ed Prestamon, Eleanor Lane
February Calendar
2
Vespers Leader: Rev. Claudia
Program: Listening Circles, Eleanor Lane and Melissa Murphy
9
Vespers Leader: Kelly Wedell
Program: Listening Circles, Ed Prestemon and Eleanor Lane
16
Vespers Leader: Rev. Cathy
Program: Spiritual Practices – Zentangle, Colleen Finegan*
23
Vespers Leader: Sharon LeDuc
Program: Widening the Circle Theme Talk, Rev. Claudia
*Supplies needed for Zentangles
1) Something to draw with: #2 pencil or Zentangle kit pencil
2) Something to draw on: Zentangle tiles available at Amazon or 4X4 pieces of white paper
3) Black Micron Pen .05. (the .05 is very important- nothing larger)
Or very thin black sharpie type marker
4) Something to shade with: #2 pencil and Q-Tip NOTE: There are Zentangle kits available on Amazon. Some art stores sell them.
6:30pm Vespers Leader- Rev. Cathy Harrington – Living with Intention.
7pm Program Spiritual Practice – Meditation. Facilitator: Virginia Bower
January Calendar
5
Vespers Leader: Rev Claudia
Program: Theme Talk, Rev Claudia
12
Vespers Leader: Sherry Lundquist
Program: RJAC Liberation Conversations
19
Vespers Leader: Rev. Cathy
Program: Spiritual Practices – Meditation, Virginia Bower
26
Vespers Leader: Joyce Hooley-Gingrich
Program: Theology Ablaze – The Question of Evil, Rev. Claudia
6:30pm Vespers -Sherry Lundquist- As the wheel of the year turns and we move into the new year, let’s explore the idea of opening to Joy. How do we find and hold the joy in our lives when we live in a broken and wounded world?
7pm Program will provide and update on the work of the Racial Justice Advisory Council and invite us to engage in Liberation Conversations.
6:30pm Vespers – Join Rev. Claudia to welcome the new year with a meditative service exploring goals vs intentions as we welcome a new year.
7:00 pm Program – We will explore this month’s theme: Living With Intention using the Soul Matters Packet.
January Calendar
5
Vespers Leader: Rev Claudia
Program: Theme Talk, Rev Claudia
Zoom Host: Jason Smith
12
Vespers Leader: Sherry Lundquist
Program: RJAC Liberation Conversations, TBA
Zoom Host: Steve Carter
19
Vespers Leader: Rev. Cathy
Program: Spiritual Practices – Meditation, Virginia Bower
Zoom Host: Steve Reines
26
Vespers Leader: Joyce Hooley-Gingrich
Program: Theology, Rev. Claudia
Zoom Host: Jess Fox
In the bleak and cold winter,
We gather ourselves in
To light the fire to warm our spirits,
To kindle the flame of love and hope.
~ by Cynthia Landrum.
Join Rev. Cathy for reflection and music to warm your spirits during our last Vespers service of the year.
Program – 7 p.m. Centering Love: “Loving-Those-We-Don’t-Yet-Know.” All are welcome to join with Nancy Bragg to center our action-oriented spiritual practice of “loving-those-we-don’t-yet-know.” As UUs, justice is our love-in-action spiritual practice in our wider community.
There will be no Vespers & Program Dec 22 & 29.
We welcome 2022 with Vespers & the monthly Theme Talk Program focused on “Living with Intention” on January 5th. Join us.
Enjoy the holidays!
6:30pm Vespers-“It’s not joy that makes us grateful, it’s gratitude that makes us joyful.”~David Steindi-Rost. Join Rev. Claudia for a meditative, music Vespers exploring the connection between joy and gratitude.
7pm Program –We are not offering our own program at 7pm. Instead we are inviting you to register for an important talk by Dr. Mtangulizi Sanyika offering a powerful opportunity to revisit UU history from the perspective of Black UUs. We invite you to attend the talk. The Zoom link for the Vespers service will be in Monday’s Worship eNews.
Then, the following day, Rev. Claudia will open a Zoom Room at 8pm (12/9) for those of you interested in discussing what you learned (Zoom link will be shared that Thursday in the Weekly eNews).
Click here to learn more about Dr. Sanyika.
December Calendar
1
Vespers Leader: Rev. Terry Davis
Program: Theme Talk – Rev. Claudia
Zoom Host: Steve Carter
8
Vespers Leader: Rev. Claudia
No UUAvl program. An invitation to explore UU history
The Black UU Movement in the 1960’s; 7:00-9:30 PM
An invitation from the 8th Principle Project
Register here:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZMrc-6rpzMsEtedgnpr3LgKNdbnAA45MAgM
Zoom Host: Jason Smith
15
Vespers Leader: Rev. Cathy
Program: Spiritual Practices – Nancy Bragg
Zoom Host: Steve Reines
22 and 29 No Vespers or Program
In the Disney Pixar movie Up, the end is the beginning for Carl Fredrickson, a balloon salesman who loses his beloved wife Ellie and discovers what author and Franciscan priest Richard Rohr calls “the second half of life” – one that is characterized by necessary suffering or “falling upward” to enter a deeper spirituality and a more mature understanding of the essence of living. Join Rev. Terry Davis as we explore what is meant by Rohr when he says that “the way down is the way up.”
7 PM Program: Exploring this month’s theme – Opening to Joy. Facilitator: Rev. Claudia
December Calendar
1
Vespers Leader: Rev. Terry Davis
Program: Theme Talk – Rev. Claudia
Zoom Host: Steve Carter
8
Vespers Leader: Rev. Claudia
Program: Anti-racism conversation – Exploring UU history
The Black UU Movement in the 1960’s
An invitation from the 8th Principle Project; 7:00-9:30 PM
Register here:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZMrc-6rpzMsEtedgnpr3LgKNdbnAA45MAgM
Zoom Host: Jason Smith
15
Vespers Leader: Rev. Cathy
Program: Spiritual Practices – Nancy Bragg
Zoom Host: Steve Reines
22 and 29 No Vespers or Program
Join Rev. Claudia for a Vespers that invites us to reflect in virtual community on the joys and challenges of this past year. There will be no 7 PM program.
Looking to next month..
December – Opening to Joy
1
Vespers Leader: Rev. Terry Davis
Program: Theme Talk – Rev. Claudia
Zoom Host: Steve Carter
8
Vespers Leader: Rev. Claudia
Program: Anti-racism conversation (TBA)
Zoom Host: Jason Smith
15
Vespers Leader: Rev. Cathy
Program: Spiritual Practices – Nancy Bragg
Zoom Host: Steve Reines
22 and 29 No Vespers or Program
Join Vespers leader Nancy Bragg for reflection on the month’s theme: Holding History
Program – Centering Love: “Loving-Those-We-Know.”
All are welcome to join with Nancy Bragg to center our action-oriented spiritual practice of “loving- those-we-know,” including our inherently worthy relatives, friends, and neighbors – not always easy!
Wednesday Vespers & Program themes:
1st Wed. Theme Talk or Special Program
Discussion about the monthly Soul Matters theme.
2nd Wed. Liberation Conversations: Pursuing our Congregational Goals to practice Anti-racism. These conversations will provide updates on the work of the Racial Justice Advisory Council and an opportunity to ask questions and discuss why the work of liberation at UUAvl matters.
3rd Wed. Spiritual Practices: Centering Love
Centering Love – Love is a core value of our UU faith. On the 3rd Wednesdays this fall at 7 p.m., we will center our spiritual practice of love-in-action with self, others, and the world.
4th Wed. Theology
We began with an introduction to theology: What is it? Do UUs do Theology? Future sessions will focus not theological themes: Hope, Death, Forgiveness, Reconciliation, Evil, Covenant.
November Calendar – Theme: Holding History
3 Vespers Leader: Rev Claudia
Program: Theme Talk, Rev Claudia
10 Vespers Leader: Rev. Cathy
Program: Anti-racism conversation, Noah Hall, Rev Claudia
17 Vespers Leader: Nancy Bragg
Program: Spiritual Practices, Nancy Bragg
24 Thanksgiving Vespers Leader: Rev Claudia and/or Rev. Cathy
No Program
Join Rev. Cathy for a meditative service exploring the theme: Holding History.
7PM Liberation Conversations with Noah Hall and Rev. Claudia will continue to keep us informed about the work of the Racial Justice Advisory Council. This will be a time of listening, reflecting and learning.
Wednesday Vespers & Program themes:
1st Wed. Theme Talk or Special Program
Discussion about the monthly Soul Matters theme.
2nd Wed. Liberation Conversations: Pursuing our Congregational Goals to practice Anti-racism. These conversations will provide updates on the work of the Racial Justice Advisory Council and an opportunity to ask questions and discuss why the work of liberation at UUAvl matters.
3rd Wed. Spiritual Practices: Centering Love
Centering Love – Love is a core value of our UU faith. On the 3rd Wednesdays this fall at 7 p.m., we will center our spiritual practice of love-in-action with self, others, and the world.
4th Wed. Theology
We began with an introduction to theology: What is it? Do UUs do Theology? Future sessions will focus not theological themes: Hope, Death, Forgiveness, Reconciliation, Evil, Covenant.
November Calendar – Theme: Holding History
3 Vespers Leader: Rev Claudia
Program: Theme Talk, Rev Claudia
10 Vespers Leader: Rev. Cathy
Program: Anti-racism conversation, Noah Hall, Rev Claudia
17 Vespers Leader: Nancy Bragg
Program: Spiritual Practices, Nancy Bragg
24 Thanksgiving Vespers Leader: Rev Claudia and/or Rev. Cathy
No Program
Join Rev. Claudia for Vespers at 6:30 as we reflect on what it means to “hold history”. The 7PM theme talk will continue with the theme as we explore what happens when the history we have learned is incomplete. It may have been written by “the victors” and it is not the final word.
Wednesday Vespers & Program themes:
1st Wed. Theme Talk or Special Program
Discussion about the monthly Soul Matters theme.
2nd Wed. Liberation Conversations: Pursuing our Congregational Goals to practice Anti-racism. These conversations will provide updates on the work of the Racial Justice Advisory Council and an opportunity to ask questions and discuss why the work of liberation at UUAvl matters.
3rd Wed. Spiritual Practices: Centering Love
Centering Love – Love is a core value of our UU faith. On the 3rd Wednesdays this fall at 7 p.m., we will center our spiritual practice of love-in-action with self, others, and the world.
4th Wed. Theology
We began with an introduction to theology: What is it? Do UUs do Theology? Future sessions will focus not theological themes: Hope, Death, Forgiveness, Reconciliation, Evil, Covenant.
November Calendar – Theme: Holding History
3 Vespers Leader: Rev Claudia
Program: Theme Talk, Rev Claudia
10 Vespers Leader: Rev. Cathy
Program: Anti-racism conversation, Noah Hall, Rev Claudia
17 Vespers Leader: Nancy Bragg
Program: Spiritual Practices, Nancy Bragg
24 Thanksgiving Vespers Leader: Rev Claudia and/or Rev. Cathy
No Program
Join Bernise Lynch for 6:30 Vespers exploring this month’s theme: cultivating relationship. Learn how one Zulu word could change our world
At 7:00 PM join Rev. Claudia in the launch of our second year exploring theology. This first session will offer an introduction to theology and explore its role in our non-creedal faith. Is it true that “UUs don’t do theology?”
Wednesday Vespers & Program themes:
1st Wed. Theme Talk or Special Program
Discussion about the monthly Soul Matters theme.
2nd Wed. Liberation Conversations: Pursuing our Congregational Goals to practice Anti-racism. These conversations will provide updates on the work of the Racial Justice Advisory Council and an opportunity to ask questions and discuss why the work of liberation at UUAvl matters.
3rd Wed. Spiritual Practices: Centering Love
Centering Love – Love is a core value of our UU faith. On the 3rd Wednesdays this fall at 7 p.m., we will center our spiritual practice of love-in-action with self, others, and the world. As Cornel West says, “Justice is what love looks like in public.”
4th Wed. Theology
We will begin with an introduction to theology: What is it? Do UUs do Theology? Participants will select theological themes for future sessions. Examples: Hope, Death, Forgiveness and Reconciliation, Evil, Covenant.
October Calendar:
6
Vespers Leader: Rev. Claudia
Program: Theme Talk: Rev. Claudia
13
Vespers Leader: Anna Martin
Program: Liberation Conversations: Eleanor Lane, Jensen Gelfond
20
Vespers Leader: Rev. Cathy
Program: Spiritual Practices: Nancy Bragg
27
Vespers Leader: Bernise Lynch
Program: Intro to Theology: Rev. Claudia
Join us for a meditative Vespers led by Rev. Cathy.
Our 7PM Program launches our Spiritual Practice series focusing on Centering Love because LOVE is a core value of our UU faith. We will begin the series by centering our spiritual practice of love-in-action with self.
Wednesday Vespers & Program themes:
1st Wed. Theme Talk or Special Program
Discussion about the monthly Soul Matters theme.
2nd Wed. Liberation Conversations: Pursuing our Congregational Goals to practice Anti-racism. These conversations will provide updates on the work of the Racial Justice Advisory Council and an opportunity to ask questions and discuss why the work of liberation at UUAvl matters.
3rd Wed. Spiritual Practices: Centering Love
Centering Love – Love is a core value of our UU faith. On the 3rd Wednesdays this fall at 7 p.m., we will center our spiritual practice of love-in-action with self, others, and the world. As Cornel West says, “Justice is what love looks like in public.”
4th Wed. Theology
We will begin with an introduction to theology: What is it? Do UUs do Theology? Participants will select theological themes for future sessions. Examples: Hope, Death, Forgiveness and Reconciliation, Evil, Covenant.
October Calendar:
6
Vespers Leader: Rev. Claudia
Program: Theme Talk: Rev. Claudia
13
Vespers Leader: Anna Martin
Program: Liberation Conversations: Eleanor Lane, Jensen Gelfond
20
Vespers Leader: Rev. Cathy
Program: Spiritual Practices: Nancy Bragg
27
Vespers Leader: Bernise Lynch
Program: Intro to Theology: Rev. Claudia
Join us for Vespers led by Anna Martin exploring this month’s theme Cultivating Relationship.
Our 7PM program will be “Liberation Conversations.”
Join Eleanor Lane and Jensen Gelfond to discuss what is happening with the Racial Justice Advisory Council and discuss your thoughts on the anti-racism work that is happening or could happen at UUCAvl. We are calling our conversations “Liberation Conversations” to uplift what we are for and move beyond focusing only on what we are against.
Wednesday Vespers & Program themes:
1st Wed. Theme Talk or Special Program
Discussion about the monthly Soul Matters theme.
2nd Wed. Liberation Conversations: Pursuing our Congregational Goals to practice Anti-racism. These conversations will provide updates on the work of the Racial Justice Advisory Council and an opportunity to ask questions and discuss why the work of liberation at UUAvl matters.
3rd Wed. Spiritual Practices: Centering Love
Centering Love – Love is a core value of our UU faith. On the 3rd Wednesdays this fall at 7 p.m., we will center our spiritual practice of love-in-action with self, others, and the world. As Cornel West says, “Justice is what love looks like in public.”
4th Wed. Theology
We will begin with an introduction to theology: What is it? Do UUs do Theology? Participants will select theological themes for future sessions. Examples: Hope, Death, Forgiveness and Reconciliation, Evil, Covenant.
October Calendar:
6
Vespers Leader: Rev. Claudia
Program: Theme Talk: Rev. Claudia
13
Vespers Leader: Anna Martin
Program: Liberation Conversations: Eleanor Lane, Jensen Gelfond
20
Vespers Leader: Rev. Cathy
Program: Spiritual Practices: Nancy Bragg
27
Vespers Leader: Bernise Lynch
Program: Intro to Theology: Rev. Claudia
Join us for Vespers Oct 6, 6:30 to celebrate re-gathering after a summer hiatus. Our theme will be “Cultivating Relationship” inspired by the work of Priya Parker recently interviewed by Krista Tippett. Listen here https://onbeing.org.
After Vespers Rev. Claudia will lead a 7PM “Theme Talk: Cultivating Relationships” exploring healing and re-connecting during this COVID time. We will begin our time together reflecting on the words of bell hooks
“”Rarely, if ever, are any of us healed in isolation.
Healing is an act of communion.”
Wednesday Vespers & Program themes:
1st Wed. Theme Talk or Special Program
Discussion about the monthly Soul Matters theme.
2nd Wed. Liberation Conversations: Pursuing our Congregational Goals to practice Anti-racism. These conversations will provide updates on the work of the Racial Justice Advisory Council and an opportunity to ask questions and discuss why the work of liberation at UUAvl matters.
3rd Wed. Spiritual Practices: Centering Love
Centering Love – Love is a core value of our UU faith. On the 3rd Wednesdays this fall at 7 p.m., we will center our spiritual practice of love-in-action with self, others, and the world. As Cornel West says, “Justice is what love looks like in public.”
4th Wed. Theology
We will begin with an introduction to theology: What is it? Do UUs do Theology? Participants will select theological themes for future sessions. Examples: Hope, Death, Forgiveness and Reconciliation, Evil, Covenant.
October Calendar:
6
Vespers Leader: Rev. Claudia
Program: Theme Talk: Rev. Claudia
13
Vespers Leader: Anna Martin
Program: Liberation Conversations: Eleanor Lane, Jensen Gelfond
20
Vespers Leader: Rev. Cathy
Program: Spiritual Practices: Nancy Bragg
27
Vespers Leader: Bernise Lynch
Program: Intro to Theology, Rev. Claudia
We’re almost back. Can’t wait! If you’re on our email list you’ll get the Zoom link on October 6. On this return to Wednesday Thing programming we will explore October’s Soul Matters theme, Cultivating Relationship. Here’s how our Wednesdays will be structured at least through December.
1st Wed (Oct 6) – Soul Matters Theme Conversation – October is Cultivating Relationship – see the full year’s themes below.
2nd Wed (Oct 13) – Liberation Conversations (Anti-racism defines us by what we are against; liberation defines us by what we are for. Let me know what you think of making a name change)
3rd Wed (Oct 20) – Spiritual Practices
4th Wed (Oct 27) – Theology: Exploring Core Theological Themes (During the first session, “Theology 101,” we will discuss which themes we will explore in future months. Beauty, Evil, God, Peace & Non-Violence, Suffering, Joy, Prayer, Forgiveness & Reconciliation, are just some examples. Our resource will be Theology Ablaze by UU minister, Rev. Tom Owen-Towle.
Contact Rev. Claudia if you have questions or would like to lead Vespers. An outline and support are provided for Vespers leaders.
The Soul Matters Themes for 2021-22:
Oct. – Cultivating Relationship
Nov. – Holding History
Dec. – Opening to Joy
Jan. – Living with Intention
Feb. – Widening the Circle
March – Renewing Faith
April – Awakening
May – Nurturing Beauty
June – Celebrating Blessings
Your Adult Faith Development Team (Jim Steffe, Kelly Wedell, Sherry Lundquist, John Bloomer, Linda Topp, Kim Collins and Rev. Claudia) will continue planning for the fall. Please reach out to Rev. Claudia faithdev@uuasheville.org if you have ideas for programs and/or are interested in leading Vespers. Resources and support for Vespers are provided each month. Notice we will resume programs in October. Our Soul Matters themes for next year:
Oct. – Cultivating Relationship
Nov. – Holding History
Dec. – Opening to Joy
Jan. – Living with Intention
Feb. – Widening the Circle
March – Renewing Faith
April – Awakening
May – Nurturing Beauty
June – Celebrating Blessings
Have a healthy, happy summer!
Join us for Vespers led by John Bloomer as we reflect on voyages and adventures in our lives.
The 7PM program will be the last in our Theology Series. Rev. Claudia will facilitate an exploration of Mujerista (Moo-her-ista) Theology. Don’t know what that is? Join us and find out!
This will be our last Wednesday Thing Program for this liturgical year. We will resume Vespers and Program in September. If you are interested in leading a Vespers service in the fall or have suggestions for a program contact Rev. Claudia faithdev@uuasheville.org.
Join us for Vespers as we continue exploring the theme of Story. We will reflect on the Iroquis creation story of Skywoman and discuss how the stories we tell shape our understanding of the world and our place in it. Vespers Leader: Rev. Claudia
The 7 PM Program will be the final session in the Spiritual Practices series. The topic will be prayer. Do UUs pray? Joins us for what will be a rich conversation. Facilitator: Rev. Claudia
Next week will be our final Vespers. Join Vespers Leader John Bloomer in a final reflection on journeys and voyage sagas. Our program will be an exploration of Mujerista Theology, the final session in this year’s Theology Series. Facilitator: Rev. Claudia
Vespers and Programs will resume in September. Have a wonderful summer!!!
Join Vespers leader Kelly Wedell exploring this month’s theme: Story.
The 7PM program Anti Racism Conversations facilitated by Ed Prestemon will create space to discuss the Racial Justice Advisory Council’s invitation to review the glossary and participate in the Racial Justice Assessment tool survey. This is important work that we will do together. Join us!
May – Theme: Story
5
Vespers Leader: James Cassara
Program: Theme Talk – Being Shaped and Created by Stories; Facilitator: Rev. Claudia
12
Vespers Leader: Kelly Wedell
Program: Anti-Racism Conversation; Facilitator: Ed Prestamon
19
Vespers Leader: Rev. Claudia
Program: Spiritual practices – Prayer, Rev. Claudia
26
Vespers Leader: John Bloomer
Program: Mujerista Theology; Facilitator: Rev. Claudia
This Wed. at 6:30 Vespers leaders Eliza and Anna Martin invite you to continue exploring this month’s theme: Becoming.
7PM Program: Join Lead Minister Rev. Mark Ward in a discussion of
Religious Naturalism,a view of religion that welcomes science and all
that the natural world teaches while celebrating awe, wonder,
compassion and care. To explore ahead of time, click on this link: https://religiousnaturalism.org/
May – Theme: Story
5
Vespers Leader: James Cassara
Program: Theme Talk – Being Shaped and Created by Stories; Facilitator: Rev. Claudia
12
Vespers Leader: Kelly Wedell
Program: Anti-Racism Conversation; Facilitator: Ed Prestamon
19
Vespers Leader: Rev. Claudia
Program: Spiritual practices – Prayer, Rev. Claudia
26
Vespers Leader: John Bloomer
Program: Mujerista Theology; Facilitator: Rev. Claudia