SPIRITUAL DEEPENING
We welcome you to find a small group that calls you.
These groups are about traveling together through each of our life journeys.
SOUL MATTERS GROUPS
Soul Matters participants meet once a month in groups of up to 12, with a trained facilitator. Topics are built around our worship themes, creating a great way to explore these themes in more depth. Spiritual exercises and readings help us reconnect spiritually with ourselves and the gifts and needs of the world. Group members are asked to commit to regular attendance as community building and trust are major goals, and complete Starting Point prior to joining a group. Interested? We’d love to have you.
To get connected with a group, email Rev. AJ van Tine.
SOUL MATTERS GROUPS
Soul Matters participants meet once a month in groups of up to 12, with a trained facilitator. Topics are built around our worship themes, creating a great way to explore these themes in more depth. Spiritual exercises and readings help us reconnect spiritually with ourselves and the gifts and needs of the world. Group members are asked to commit to regular attendance as community building and trust are major goals, and complete Starting Point prior to joining a group. Interested? We’d love to have you.
To get connected with a group, email Rev. AJ van Tine.
Seasonal Themes 2023-24
September – October
HARVEST
Belonging Together
November – December
DARKNESS
Rest
January – February
FROZEN
Staying Soft
March – April
MUDDY
Living in Between
May – June
BLOOMING
Unabashed Joy
July – August
GROWTH
Widening
UU WELLSPRING PROGRAM
UU Wellspring is a program of spiritual deepening for Unitarian Universalists that originated in our church and has expanded to a national program for congregations and individuals across the US and Canada.
UU Wellspring Group members experience deep listening and spiritual reflection in small groups of about ten, inspiring personal and community transformation. Participants read, view and respond to presession assignments that are focused on spiritual topics and UU Theology. Facilitators are lay leaders or religious professionals who receive clear, complete and easy-to-access and use materials.
Learn more at the UU Wellspring Website!
Wellspring: Love at the Center
The Love at the Center: UU Values and Covenants is a new 13-session foundational UU Wellspring program. It is open to anyone who has been in UU circles of some sort for at least a year, whether or not they have participated in UU Wellspring before.
Like Sources, UU Wellspring’s original foundational program, there is pre-work. Plan for at least an hour of ‘homework’ between the sessions. However, this program is also incorporating more experiences and storytelling into the program. There is less pre-work before the start of the program, and no additional retreat as for Sources. Attendance at the first two sessions are required to continue with the group.
Here are the books used in the program. All are available from the UUA’s Inspirit Bookstore and online retailers also offer them as ebooks. Sacred Nature may also be available from the Public library. You can begin reading Faithful Practices any time and we will assign specific chapters in the other two books.
- Beyond Welcome: Building Communities of Love, edited by Linnea Nelson (2022)
- Faithful Practices: Everyday Ways to Feed Your Spirit edited by Rev. Erik Wikstrom, (2018)
- Sacred Nature: Restoring Our Ancient Bond with the Natural World by Karen Armstrong
(2022)
Please complete this interest form and we will be in touch with you about more details in August. Until then, you might get a copy of Faithful Practices to begin reading. The program will begin on September 24th, and continues meeting on 2nd & 4th Tuesdays (excluding Dec 24th) at 6:30 or 7pm (tbd), for 2 hours.
If you are interested in the original UU Wellspring program: Sources, or one of the Congregational Year Long or Advanced Seeker Series courses, please email Rev. AJ van Tine with which course(s) you would participate in if offered by First Unitarian!
Next session begins fall 2024
Rochester Area UU Young Adults
Rochester Unitarian Universalists Young Adults (RUUYA) is for people age 18-35, to join together in fellowship to help foster personal, professional, and spiritual growth. We seek to provide love, comfort, and support to each other and our community.
Email Rev. AJ van Tine for more information.
First Sunday at 11:30 AM (during Connection)
Third Monday at 6:30 PM
BUDDHIST FELLOWSHIP
The Fellowship is a growing practice community that welcomes people of all faith traditions. Unitarian Universalist (UU) experience with Buddhism has a long history that is rich and varied. Both traditions honor the beliefs people hold based on their own experiences and understandings.
Weekly Meditations
Monday at 7:30PM via Zoom
A 40 minute online meditation that may involve sitting and/or walking, followed by a closing and discussion time. All are welcome. Email Gail or Paul with questions and Zoom link.
wednesday at 7 AM via zoom
A 20 minute online meditation. Contact Barbara with questions and Zoom link.
Meditation Classes with Jan Cook
Email Carolyn for more information.
Weekly Book Groups
A variety of Buddhist-themed books have been read. Current classes are full.
Tuesday at 4:30 PM
Contact Eleanor about future offerings.
thursday at 9 am
Contact Hugh about future offerings.
Buddhism 101
This class will introduce you to basic Buddhist teachings. including: mindfulness practice, tolerance for suffering, sitting meditation, and setting intention. Current class is full.
Email Barbara Gorski for more information.
Additional Opportunities
Occasionally the First Unitarian Buddhist Fellowship sponsors Meditation retreats, one-time programs streamed from well-known teachers, and Contemplative Services at Solstice time. Email us to learn more.