1 June 2007 General Assembly

Welcome to Wellspring

Spiritual Deepening for Unitarian Universalists

Presented by:Rev. Jen CrowJoy CollinsLibby Moore

2 June 2007 General Assembly

Wellspring – The Need

Something more than a once a month small group

Something less than seminary

PURPOSEEquip participants with practical tools for spiritual deepening and development as Unitarian Universalists

3

5 Spokes of Wellspring

UU History &

Theology

Small Group

Faith in Action

Spiritual Direction

Spiritual Practice

4

Spiritual Practice

UU History &

Theology

Small Group

Faith in Action

Spiritual Direction

Spiritual Practice

5 June 2007 General Assembly

Spiritual Practice

“It is perhaps not a language of reverence that is needed, but a practice of reverence.” -COA Report 2005

Many forms explored including Living By Heart, Walking Meditation, Prayer, Journaling

Participants commit to a daily spiritual practice of their choice

6

Spiritual Direction

UU History &

Theology

Small Group

Faith in Action

Spiritual Direction

Spiritual Practice

7 June 2007 General Assembly

Spiritual Direction

A guide (a spiritual director/ companion/ mentor) to help explore one’s personal faith journey, intentionally deepening one’s relationship with the holy

Monthly one-on-one time accelerates growth and provides individual support

8 June 2007 General Assembly

Spiritual Direction – Nuts and Bolts

Spiritual Director:– Is NOT your church minister, and

often not UU– Has training in spiritual direction– Is vetted by sponsoring UU minister

Fees usually sliding scale Church discretionary fund helps

those in financial need

9

UU History & Theology

UU History &

Theology

Small Group

Faith in Action

Spiritual Direction

Spiritual Practice

10 June 2007 General Assembly

UU History & Theology

European roots in Transylvania to…Walden…to Selma

From Process Theology to…Humanism to…Science & Religion to…UU Principles

Keys: – Connect to present life and beliefs– Ask “So what?” question

Commitment: Do it

11 June 2007 General Assembly

Sample Resources

A Hidden Wholeness by Parker Palmer Engaging Our Theological Diversity, UUA

Commission on Appraisal Report For Faith and Freedom by Charles Howe Sermons, weblinks, poetry, CDs, pamphlets

and articles

12 June 2007 General Assembly

Wellspring Blog

www.UUwellspring.org

Dynamic connection to past, current, and prospective participants and facilitators

Link to our study guide and curriculum Weekly posts on spiritual practice, meditation,

resources, and other Wellspring-related topics Come see what we’re up to!

13

Small Group

UU History &

Theology

Small Group

Faith in Action

Spiritual Direction

Spiritual Practice

14 June 2007 General Assembly

Small Group

Sacred time when stories are heard and readings processed

6-8 people Initial one day retreat 2-3 times monthly, 2 hour

facilitated meetings Benefits beyond Wellspring

“It takes a village to raise a soul.”

– Rev. Dr. Thandeka

15

Faith in Action

UU History &

Theology

Small Group

Faith in Action

Spiritual Direction

Spiritual Practice

16 June 2007 General Assembly

Faith in Action

“The church’s reason for being is to make real the Beloved Community on earth, nothing less.”–Rev Dr. Patrick O’Neill

“When spirituality is only about the inner life and does not involve concern for others – especially for the most vulnerable among us – then there is a need to ask if this is truly an authentic form of religious living.”

-Rev. Dr. Richard Gilbert

17

Faith in Action

Each participant encouraged to find his/her own expression of service

Church leadership to…caring for parents to…lobbying the government

18 June 2007 General Assembly

Nuts & Bolts

Fine line of commitment– Be clear upfront on commitment– Recommend our curriculum– Balance readings with reflective writing

Facilitation– Minister for first year– Groom past participants with facilitation ability– Minister mentors lay leaders in future years

Frequency– No more than 2 weeks between sessions

19 June 2007 General Assembly

Other Explorations

Written bi-weekly reflections Buddy system of meeting Group continuance after 10 months

20

5 Spokes of Wellspring

UU History &

Theology

Small Group

Faith in Action

Spiritual Direction

Spiritual Practice

21 June 2007 General Assembly

Questions?