SPIRITUAL DEEPENING
Find depth and community in your spiritual journey at
First Unitarian.
These programs 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 seasonal 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 seasonal 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.
Spiritual Deepening Packets 2024-2025
In collaboration with First Universalist Church of Rochester and the UU Church of Canandaigua, these 10-12 page documents, or “packets” for Spiritual Deepening are published each season, as a way for you to connect with, reflect upon, and directly experience the theme of the season. You can always explore the packet on your own, with friends, or in a Soul Matters circle. Click the links below to download the Seasonal Spiritual Deepening Packets as they become available.
This year, our themes explore the six shared values of Unitarian Universalism, centered in love, as recently articulated by the Unitarian Universalist Association
[Shared Values Flower Image ©Tanya Webster (chalicedays.org)]
HARVEST
September – October
Generosity
DARKNESS
November – December
Transformation
FROZEN
January – February
Equity
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 11-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, and is a member of First Unitarian or has submitted an “Intent to Join form” after attending Starting Point and UU 201.
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) - Love at the Center: Unitarian Universalist Theologies, Ed by Rev. Dr. Sofía Betancourt. Skinner House Books. (2024)
- Optional: Reflections Journal: Love at the Center: UU Values and Covenants (2024)
Please complete this registration form to sign up for one of the groups that will be engaging the Love at the Center curriculum this year. The Zoom group will meet on 2nd and 4th Tuesdays from 7pm-9pm, starting Sept 24th. One in-person group is full, and a second one will meet Alternating Thursdays from 6pm-8pm, starting October 10st. Until the course starts, you might get a copy of Faithful Practices to begin reading.
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 like to see First Unitarian offer next year!
Next session begins fall 2024
20s & 30s Young Adult Group
Our 20s & 30s group is a place for Young Adults 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. Join them during Connection on 2nd Sundays, or for an evening gathering on 4th Wednesdays. Sign up here to receive email updates about upcoming gatherings and events!
Email Rev. AJ van Tine for more information.
Second Sunday at 11:30 AM (during Connection)
Fourth Wednesday 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
Please join us in our exploration of the spiritual power of Silent Meditation, every Monday evening in 1st UU Thoreau Room 200, starting promptly at 7:30 pm. Over 30 or so minutes, we gradually extract ourselves from the swirl of everyday thoughts and concerns, moving a step or two deeper into the foundational strata of our consciousness. An appointment with the heart of the matter! We hope we can share this time together. Also available by ZOOM if you can’t make it in person. Please contact Paul or Gail for further informatioA 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.
COVENANT OF UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST PAGANS – ONTARIO SHORES CHAPTER
The Ontario Shores Chapter of the Covenant of UU Pagans hosts rituals and community events at First Unitarian for those interested in nature-based spirituality, earth-centered traditions, and all sorts of Pagan religious practices.
Monthly Gatherings
2nd & 4th Wednesdays t 6:00PM
A twice monthly time for community building and informal discussion of an aspect of natured based spirituality. Meets in the Susan B. Anthony lounge. All are welcome.
Email [email protected] to learn more or request a topic!
Alternating Full & New Moons 8:00PM
These circles meet during alternating Full & New moons to reflect on how the cycles and themes in our lives reflect or are reflected by the moon’s cycles. Meets at church. Email [email protected] to learn more.
Seasonal Rituals
We celebrate each quarter (Solstices and Equinoxes) and cross-quarter (in between those) holiday on the pagan wheel of the year. Often on a Saturday or Sunday afternoon nearest the actual date. All are welcome, including families with children! Email [email protected] to learn more about the next ritual!