Opportunities at USG for Adults of All Ages

September’s Spirit newsletter

If you have questions about ASD courses and programs, please contact asd@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 is on hiatus for July and August, 2023. In order to continue to meet in the new church year, the program requires a few volunteer leaders. If you (or you and a partner) have a topic or program you would like to give for one of the Fall months, September through December, please contact Janet Haas at ASD@usguu.org. 

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.

Virtual BLUUBox

Usually on Third Sundays. Next: September 24 at 2:00pm

Join online at bit.ly/BLUUBox Questions? Contact endingracism@usguu.org. BLUU Boxes come to us from Black Lives UU and are open to all. They include a reflection on a monthly theme and discussion questions.

Racism Book Study will meet next on September 11 at 7:30-9pm on Zoom to talk about chapter 7 through the end of Ten Lives, Ten Demands by Solomon Jones. There are copies available at USG for purchase or loan. Mr. Jones will be speaking at USG after the worship service on September 17. Email bookstudy@usguu.org for more info or the link.

Offered by the Meadville-Lombard UU Seminary
Fall Term Within Registration: Extended to September 7, 2023 
Fall Term: September 19-December 5th, 2023

Within, the program’s first phase, focuses on the internal work that each of us needs to do as we engage in deeper personal understanding, explorations of race and racism, extracting our souls and spirits from white supremacy culture, and work for racial justice. This work is different for white folks and for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC+) and is done entirely in different courses: Gathering Our Selves for BIPOC+ and Un/Learning for Liberation for white people.

The Within program includes individual Lessons, using videos, music, and readings, accompanied by personal reflection prompts and suggested conversations with a Critical Friend chosen by the participant; bi-weekly small group conversations in a Learning Pod; and larger, monthly, facilitated Meaning Making Sessions on Zoom. More info: https://www.meadville.edu/light/fahs-collaborative/beloved-conversations/within/

Carla Campbell, Treva Burger, Kay Weiser and Margaret Thompson have all attended at least one session; ask them about it. It’s a great program. No one will be excluded due to inability to pay. Financial support is also available from USG; contact dsd@usguu.org if needed.