Workshops

Serving with Grace: Lay Leadership as a Spiritual Practice

 (led by Bonnie)

Erik Wikstrom’s Serving with Grace is an important book for anyone considering deepening their relationship with their congregation, and also for anyone who fears they may have gotten in too deep! Wikstrom encourages us to think of our commitment to volunteering our time to our congregation as a spiritual practice; part of our spiritual life rather than an obligation that comes from having a spiritual life. As such, the discussion about the book led by Bonnie Friedmann was a valuable one. The workshop covered:

• how we often agree to take on a job at church because we think nobody will do it,
• how our work style can impact whether we prefer ‘planning’ vs ‘doing’ activities, and
• how to say no when something does not seem like a good fit for meeting our spiritual needs.

Attendees left the session better prepared to seek volunteer roles that are enriching and transformative, and armed with a brilliant 8-page summary that the facilitator compiled for attendees.

Adam Slate

When Beliefs Meet the Bench: Should UUs Use the Courts to Advance Justice and Human Rights?

(led by Susan Loy and Dallis Radamaker)

“We hope UUs will inform themselves about key cases in which the court can either advance or obstruct justice and human rights, and use that knowledge to tell the world where our values point us as a progressive people of faith. We all have the power to side with love, to side with the oppressed, and shift the scales toward justice.” Rev. Dr. Susan Frederick-Gray, past president of the UUA

Susan and Dallis reviewed the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA) and a few court cases, followed by a discussion on issues such as (1) the separation of church and state, (2) the appropriateness of religious organizations participating in the political or judicial arena, and (3) the RFRA and how it has been and can be used to advance or obstruct justice, human rights, and UU principles.

Susan

Harvest Gathering of Crones

(led by Kim)

Debra gathered these comments from participants to give us a sense of the workshop:

17 women-wild, adventurous lives, fully supportive-love Crones!!!

A beautiful, honest, and enriching circle with a warm light and breeze flowing in from the garden – a harvest indeed.

This worship was great to share a lot of joy and concerns in life and to practice vulnerability.

I loved the warmth and vulnerability shared by all the women; the wisdom, humor, and honesty were refreshing.

Thanks, what a wonderful sharing from beautiful crones ….. honest and heartfelt harvest of crones

The workshop for me was a refuge: a place of trust, vulnerability, and acceptance.

Authentic communication, respectful acknowledgment.

It was great sharing wisdom with other crones.

Drawing inspiration from my fellow crones.

Leaving with gratitude for the sacred time together.

A free and heartwarming circle of sharing thoughts, experiences of joy, and transitions.  Loved and enjoyed how sharing our female energy and experiences sustains us.

I’m taking with me the idea that if you want to let go of something, remember to invite a replacement! Or else that thing which you let go of returns.

The crones’ group was a lovely intimate sharing.  It was deeply moving to be able to talk about things I usually can’t put my voice to, and it was affirming to hear other voices with the same needs.

Relative that the way we see ourselves is not at all how others see us.

I heard interesting ideas, listening, and widening my thoughts.

Thank you for the crone circle. Many wise words were spoken. Blessed be.