Opportunities at USG for Adults of All Ages

April’s Spirit newsletter

If you have questions about ASD courses and programs, please contact USG’s Director of Spiritual Development, Rev. Kevin DeBeck (Rev. Kev) at dsd@usguu.org.

The Adult Spiritual Development (ASD) Committee of USG is committed to offering a variety of programs that deepen and broaden the range of spiritual practices in our congregation. ASD seeks to promote offerings that engage the heart and stimulate the intellect and create opportunities for USG members to share their talents and wisdom, as we strengthen the bonds of our Unitarian Universalist community. We are now offering some things in person, outdoors and indoors, and we are still offering many things on zoom.

Practice-based spiritual development – meditation, yoga, conscious dance – can be found on the Center for Mindfulness at USG page. This page has discussion-based spiritual development.

Exploring Elderhood
THURSDAY, March 18, 1–3 pm, Edna Jones Room 
Greetings to those folks interested in Exploring Elderhood! Just a reminder that Elderhood is meeting until summer (in April, May and June) every third Thursday from 1-3 PM. Cheese and crackers will be provided–bring the beverage of your choice and join us for excellent conversation and fellowship. The topic of discussion will usually be the monthly Soul Matters theme. Hope to see you all!

Feminist Perspectives on Spirituality and Thealogy
Women Artists from a Feminist Perspective
Sunday, May 19, 12:00-1:30pm
Edna Jones Assembly Room
Speaker: Clare Pisoni
We will discuss women’s rights and the lives of Frida Kahlo and Georgia O’Keefe, including their spiritual beliefs and the obstacles they had to overcome as women.

Find Black Lives UU resources for Black UUs linked here.

Unitarian Universalism 101 in person on 3rd Sundays at 12 noon; or by appointment on Zoom
An introduction to Unitarian Universalism for visitors and friends. Attendees will receive a free copy of The Unitarian Universalist Pocket Guide. Please contact Eric Foster and Charles Gabriel at uu101@usguu.org if you are interested.

BLUU Boxes contain historical and inspiring treasures from the Black Lives of UUism and are available to everyone. If you would like to receive them and notices of times to gather and discuss, please contact bookstudy@usguu.org.

Racism Book Study will meet next on April 8 from 7:30-9pm on Zoom. For March, we are reading part 2 (though chapter 18) of The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store by James McBride. Email bookstudy@usguu.org for more info or the link.

Offered by the Meadville-Lombard UU Seminary

Registration for our Spring Within programs is closed. They will offer the next session in the fall.

They are currently building new communities of learners in both of our Gathering Our Selves programs (for Black, Indigenous, People of Color participants) and our Un/Learning for Liberation program (for white participants). Join us for a deep dive into the personal, transformative, spirit-growing work each of us needs to do around issues of race, identity, and justice, in relationship with other folks who share some similar experiences!

Within is a 12-week spiritual formation program that mixes multi-media learning and reflection at your own pace, processing in small groups, and worshipping together in community! You can access it entirely online and the materials are accessible for up to a year after the start of the program.

Please read below for more details about Beloved Conversations, our three Within programs, and this upcoming Spring Term. You are welcome to use any of the information in this email to promote in your congregation or share with other folks you think might be interested. You can also us at belovedconversations@meadville.edu to request a promotional packet or ask any questions you might have! 

Check out our Beloved Conversations website for lots of information about Within and all of our exciting programs!

Follow our Beloved Conversations page on Facebook for updates!