Adult Religious Exploration Opportunities
Spiritual Practices
Sundays, 10-10:30 a.m.
A contemplative time before the service each Sunday to center and find balance in ourselves. Rev. Carol Bodeau, Wendy Weiss, and others from the congregation will share practices they engage in. Through experiencing these spiritual practices together, we can find greater peace, meaning, and equanimity in our lives and in our world.
Monthly Practice Focus:
January: The Body
February: Arts & Crafts
March: The Breath
Compassionate Conversations
First Sundays, 12:15-1:30
Come discuss topics of interest and importance, using the Compassionate Communication model. We aim to share ideas and perspectives without judgment of differing views and to practice a model of discussion that makes room for connection despite differences.
January: Aging: the Gifts and Challenges
February: Tolerance: How Hard or Easy It Can Be
March: Action and Reflection: A Model for Challenging Times
Please contact Wendy to arrange for childcare if needed. DRE@Westsideuuc.org
Building Your Own Theology
Second & Fourth Sundays,
12:15-1:30
This is a chance to reflect upon, share, and discuss our unique spiritual journeys. In this on-going class, we will use writing exercises, conversation, and other ‘games’ and activities to explore how we each have created a unique theology for ourselves.
We'll be talking about what we believe, what our journeys have been like, and the questions that drive us to continue seeking. Led mostly by Rev. Carol, and sometimes by Wendy Weiss or others from the congregation, this is a great way to explore yourself and your fellow UU's as we think about how we define our own "theologies." Happens after coffee hour, from 12:15-1:30pm on 2nd and 4th Sundays. No registration required, drop-in as you are able.
Need childcare? Email Wendy Weiss in advance: membership@westsideuuc.org
Earth Magic
Earth Magic
A survey of earth-based spirituality
with Rev. Carol Bodeau
Third Sundays, 12:30-1:45 (during and after potluck)
Conversations and practices that engage various earth-based modes of understanding the world and mystical perspectives on life.
Please contact Wendy to arrange for childcare if needed. DRE@Westsideuuc.org
Sabbat Celebrations
A "Sabbat" is a seasonal celebration observed by earth-reverent religions.
Imbolc ritual and celebration with Enodia's Grove
Open to the Public · Hosted by Elaanie S.
Saturday Feb. 1st, 6:30-9:30
Imbolc is traditionally a Celtic celebration in honor of the Goddess Brighid, the healer, the midwife and ruler of all things craft - a time when the first signs of spring are manifest. It was a time particularly important to the shepherds because it was the time of "lambing."
For our community here in East Tennessee we adapt this first of the four fire festivals to a ritual more appropriate for our climate. In the mountains and foothills we yet have a while before spring will begin to peek out from under her wintery winds and snows. For us it is a time when we begin to plan but we yet rest in the hope of spring. Like the ancients, we work to rouse the slumbering goddess who will soon return in her energetic maiden form.
Come chant and Circle with Enodia's Grove as we seek to awaken the Goddess of Spring, the Maiden, in our world and within ourselves. Journey with us to continue our work of balance and healing within and without!
For more information feel free to contact Elaanie Stormbender by private message on Facebook or by email: ElaanieStormbender@gmail.com.
For more information and a rundown of the evening's event, visit the Facebook event page: https://www.facebook.com/events/560475328131454/
Elaanie Stormbender
2020 Saturday Sabbat Dates: evenings on these dates, from 6:30-9:30p.m.
February 1 - Imbolc
March 21 - Vernal Eqinox
May 2 - Beltane
June 20 - Summer Solstice
August 1 - Lughnasadh
September 19 - Fall Equinox
November 7 - Samhain
December 19 - Yule
All events are from 6:30-9:30p.m.
For more information, contact Rev. Carol Bodeau at
revcarol@westsideuuc.org
Compassionate Communication
Compassionate Communication: learn the skills of Marshall Rosenberg’s “Non-Violent Communication” technique – for beginners and those who already are familiar with the technique. Meets at 12:15
Compassionate Communication has concluded its rotation, but our Compassionate Conversations group is similar. See above for details.
Click here for more information about Compassionate Communication
