Wellspring Wednesdays are coming! Join the exciting Fall schedule of events at UUCA.
The Wellspring Wednesday Fall Program has a variety of courses and activities for all ages. It begins on Wednesday September 5th until November 14, with a break on October 31.
Wellspring Wednesdays provides another area of focus for spiritual growth and community-building for church members and friends. Many UU congregations across the country are finding that Wednesday evenings are an important addition to the life of their church.
You will be able to sign up for classes, and attend workshops and panels that are open to all ages. Childcare will be provided on a reservation basis.
The evening program includes a light supper beginning at 6 pm followed by a Vespers service. We then move on to a variety of courses, activities and discussion panels before the evening concludes at 8:15 with a sending forth.
If you missed the spring Wellspring Wednesday program then join us this fall – look for the details Sunday in the Hall, in the next newsletter and on the church website. Volunteers are needed to help with all aspects of the program, please contact Gaye Ortiz (gwortiz@comcast.net) for information.
Here is a list of what’s happening on Wednesdays at UUCA:
CONTINUING COURSES (these require regular attendance and advance preparation, and may have group size restrictions that require advance registration)
· Building a Beloved Community: Process Perspectives
What practices emerge from Process Theology that bear directly on congregational life? This follow up course will examine specific pathways that deepen spiritual life and cultivate community. The course is open to people from high school age and up. Attendance in the previous course is not a prerequisite. A collection of essays selected explicitly for this course will be available for a voluntary donation. Reading the assigned essays prior to each class is expected. Authors will include (but are not limited to), Parker J. Palmer, Sharon Daloz Parks, Howard Thurman, Martin Luther King, Jr., and Thich Nhat Hanh. Conversations will involve philosophical reasoning and poetic vision, while emphasizing relational practices. This group will be limited in size due to classroom space and registration is on a ‘first come, first served’ basis. Course Facilitator: Rev Roy Reynolds. Meeting dates: Sept 12, 26; Oct 10, 24; Nov 14.
This will consist of a small but core group of people who are interesting in getting an ongoing UU Buddhist "sitting group" started. The series will act as a developmental process of continued practice, learning, but also working out the nuts and bolts of how we would go forward. (Both Atlanta and Savannah have UUBF chapters and regular sitting groups so there would be resources we could draw on from these sister churches).
There will be a limit to the group size, minimum of five but space prevents us from having more than one dozen members in this group for the fall. A sign-up sheet is available in the church hall with the Wellspring Wednesday publicity.
Facilitator: Gerry Bennett. Meeting dates: every week beginning Sept 5.
A woman-honoring journey into global earth-based spiritualities with the female divine in story, image, chant and song, historical data and contemporary artistic expression, open to women and men from senior high school age upwards. Participants will learn about goddesses from a variety of traditions, tell personal stories, create sacred art, participate in rituals, talk about important questions in feminist spirituality and engage in personal discovery.
Facilitators; Gaye Ortiz and Anita Bell. Meeting dates: Sept 5, 19; Oct 3, 24; Nov 14.
A structured but flexible program in two parts. Within a community context, individuals reflect on their religious experiences and knowledge and create their own credos. The process of study, reflection, group discussion, and credo-writing guides participants in examining and articulating their own and the community's theology. Part I is a prerequisite to Part II, since building one's own theology is an evolving, continuing process. Part I invites each person to write his or her spiritual odyssey and examines a structure for a liberal theological model, varieties of religious experience, human nature, ultimate reality, history, ethics, and religious meaning. Part II continues the process of theological meaning-making by examining truth and authority, the holy, good and evil, justice and the beloved community, suffering, death, immortality, and a doctrine of the liberal church.
Facilitator: Andy Reese. Meeting dates: Sept 5, 19; Oct 3, 17; Nov 7.
FREE-STANDING SEMINARS/WORKSHOPS (these are “drop-in activities open to all)
In this beginner's workshop open to all ages, you will create a one-of-a-kind painting using only a few tools, 4 beautiful colors and simple techniques. No previous experience is required. Step-by-step instructions will guide you through the process and in one hour you will have created a unique artwork that you will be proud to display in your home!
Class Supplies Requirement: an 12"X12" or smaller canvass or canvass panel, available at Michael's, Hobby Lobby, and Wal-Mart. (usually less than $7.00)
Instructor: Tracy Craig. Workshop dates: Sept 26; Oct 17.
Three free-standing seminars that each look at a different topic in American ethical debate: the public morality and the social contract, capital punishment, and rights to health care. Texts to accompany the seminars will be available for purchase, proceeds to UUCA.
Facilitator: Robert Grant. Seminar dates: Oct 24; Nov 7, 14.
Gentle but strengthening yoga postures to help maintain healthy bodies, this class is open to all ages and does not require previous yoga experience. Participants should wear comfortable clothing and bring a mat.
Instructor: Joe Scavens. Meeting dates: Sept 5, 19; Oct 3, 17; Nov 7.
The UUCA Women’s Group has met for a number of years and no meeting is ever the same! Join us and bring a friend. The Women’s Group schedule will be published in the UUCA newsletter.
Coordinator: TBA; Meeting dates: Sept 5; Oct 10; Nov 14.
Open to all who have (or want to have) a sense of rhythm – bring your percussion instruments and share in the beat!
Coordinator: Carlos Ortiz. Meeting dates: Sept 12; Oct 10; Nov 14.
Whether you craft your own or are a fan of some one else’s poetry, please bring along poems to share.
Coordinator: Kevin Mahoney. Meeting dates: Sept 19; Oct 17.
Join us for an hour of short films from all over the world that offer inspiration and spiritual growth as well as opportunities for reflection and discussion.
Projectionist/programmer: Gaye Ortiz. Meeting dates: Sept 26; Oct 10.
SUPPORT/DISCUSSION GROUPS (all are welcome to participate on a “drop-in” basis)
Parents and youth will clarify vision and identify emergent leaders. Some programming may be requested, for example, UU 101 offered for this group.
Coordinator: Kyle MacKeigan and the Children’s RE Committee. Meeting dates: Sept 19; Oct 3, 17; Nov 7.
While High School students and young adults are welcome at any workshop and encouraged to attend they also have the option of spending time with each other. The hang out time will be unstructured so that participants can come up with their own activities or topics, or just take the opportunity to be together without interference from certain pesky adults, ie parents. There will be a brief check-in and the rest of the time will be left to the mercy of spontaneity.
Coordinator: Rusty Walton. Meeting dates: Sept 12; Oct 3.
Simple living: working less, wanting less, and spending less, but living life fully and experiencing life as a whole human being. It's also about caring for the earth and finding alternatives to consumerism. If you would like to explore this lifestyle and discuss ways to make your life simpler and more fulfilling then join this group of like-minded people.
Facilitator: Anita Bell. Meeting dates: Sept 26; Oct 10; Nov 7.
This group will meet to discuss how technological and social developments shape the future.
Facilitators: Andy Reese and Don Hostetler. Meeting dates: Sept 12; Oct 24.
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ALL COURSES, WORKSHOPS AND ACTIVITIES ARE OFFERED AT NO CHARGE.
Registration required for some courses due to space limitations. The program schedule may be subject to change.
Reservations are needed for both supper and childcare in order to prepare adequately. You can make reservations up until the Monday before by calling the church office at 706 733 7939; or sign up in person at Sunday service in the Hall. We cannot guarantee food or childcare if you do not register in advance. Voluntary donations for supper are made at the door.
Suggested dinner donation: $5.00 adult; children eat free