Wednesday Evening Service

  You've just seen a video of Dr. David Ault, describing what's coming this Wednesday, January 6 at 7 pm. On Wednesday, he will be with us live on Zoom. You'll hear more about his thoughts on practicing Oneness, including the places where it isn't always so easy. After his talk, he'll stay to answer your questions for a bit. Join in on Wednesday for a mid-week bit of inspiration and invitation to be who are you with joy and purpose. Here's the link:  Wednesday Night Live!

  You are invited to begin a 52-week exploration of Mark Nepo's book, facilitated by Rev. Joyce Kinzel and Rev. Tara Steele. Here is the author's description of the heart of his work: how we inhabit the soul on Earth through a messy human life, living tenderly and authentically enough that we can be who we are everywhere and create a path to what matters There are short readings each week with questions to take the readings deeper. It is Revs. Joyce and Tara's hope that you will take this practice into your year, using Nepo's words to deepen your own understanding of what matters to you and how your beliefs support you. You can order the book online in our bookstore for pickup the first week of January.  Wednesdays in January, 12 noon to 1 pm, beginning January 6, no need to register. All are welcome.  The Zoom link is   https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88029232063    

  This year our monthly themes have been about seeing clearly. One of the most important "seeings" is that we are perfect, just the way we are. Wednesdays in December, join Rev. Tara in a conversation about seeing ourselves more clearly, letting go of the stuff that gets in the way. We'll sample some of the chapters in Tara Brach's book, which is available in our bookstore.  Click here to purchase Tara Brach's book December 2: The Trance of Unworthiness and Awakening from the Trance December 9: Unconditional Friendliness December 16: Coming Home to Our Body December 23: Awakening Compassion for Ourselves December 30: Widening the Circles of Compassion   Zoom link for Lunchtime Learning:   https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88029232063          

Now and then, it's vital to pause and take a breath.  On Wednesday, November 4, we come together in spiritual community to be seen and heard, just the way we are. We remind each other that our lives consist of more than our day-to-day experiences. Join with Dr. Edward, Rev. Tara and others in a time of stillness, prayer, reflection, and connection. Wednesday, November 4, 7 pm. The Zoom link is  https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85742768340  

  Photo by Artem Sapegin on Unsplash O ur annual remembrance service is online this year at 7 pm on Wednesday, October 28. We pause to remember loved ones who have passed on in the past year. Rev. Siota Belle, members of our Grief and Loss Support Ministry, and Christopher Fritzsche will host the service. We gather in spiritual community to hold the memories and the tenderness with love and care. The Zoom link is us02web.zoom.us/j/81469301898

Our Wednesday Evening program returns in August. Core members of the Center's Being and Belonging Group facilitate a conversation based upon Valarie Kaur's book See No Stranger.  After three weeks in deep important conversation, on August 25, we celebrate the presence, love, and heart of who we are with New Thought musician and composer Karen Drucker. August  5   See No Stranger: Loving Others August 12   Tend the Wound: Loving Opponents August 19   Breathe and Push: Loving Ourselves August 26   Karen Drucker Plan to participate in this conversation. Valarie Kaur's book is not required though it merits reading.  Here's the Zoom link: tinyurl.com/WednesdayNightWisdom                   

For six weeks, beginning August 5, those who identify as white or have white privilege, are invited to take part in a book study based on Layla Saad's book Me and White Supremacy. We will meet from noon to 1 pm.  Saad’s  book challenges white people to unpack their unconscious biases and privileges based on skin color. If you have friends or colleagues who are interested in doing this work, they are welcome to join. Participants will support each other in discovering and shifting cultural training to stop unconsciously going along with a centuries-old system of white supremacy. August 5         Welcome to the work August 12       The Basics August 19       Anti-Blackness, Racial Stereotypes, and Cultural Appropriation August 26       Allyship September 2   Power, Relationships, and Commitments September 9   Now What? Continuing the Work    The book includes daily reading and journaling about elements of white supremacy so it is important to have access to the book.  Please register

Living our American Spiritual Values Of the many qualities valued in our multicultural nation, this month  focuses   on four values in evidence from the inception of the United States until now: courage, freedom, growth, and inclusion. Yes, we Americans have a way to go in terms of embodying and enacting these values. Fortunately, we can use our values to guide and inspire us to embody and enact the highest version of ourselves, benefiting ourselves and others.  The fifth Wednesday, under the guidance of Practitioner Emeritus Kathleen Kearney, offers the opportunity to reflect on our own personal values.  We hope you'll join us this month to see the value-based good already present in our lives, and inspire each other to expand ourselves and our nation into more good. July 1:  Courage  July 8:  Freedom July 15:  Growth July 22:  Inclusion July 29:  Living My Own Values (with Kathleen Kearney) These gatherings are held on Zoom. https://www.tinyurl.co

Join Ministerial Intern Lawrence Edwards, Practitioner Lili Escovedo, and Practitioner Intern Krista McAtee in a lively and authentic conversation, Wednesdays at noon in June. Gary Simmons' book, The I of the Storm: Embracing Conflict, Creating Peace posits that conflict is an invitation to explore your fears and "solidified" beliefs that get in the way of your connection with Good. The one-hour conversation begins promptly at 12 noon.  You'll find it in Zoom, https://tinyurl.com/LunchtimeLearning.  The introduction to the book is in a Dropbox folder, available here: https://tinyurl.com/LunchtimeLearningResources.  All are welcome.

Join Rev. Tara Steele and Ministerial Intern Lawrence Edwards for a conversation exploring your life's purpose. We'll draw upon Stephen Cope's book, The Great Work of Your Life, over the five April Wednesdays from noon to 1 pm. Cope's commentary draws from the Bhagavad Gita with examples from extraordinary and ordinary lives. Here are the topics for each week of this free class: April 8 - Henry David Thoreau - What's the Big Deal? April 15 - Robert Frost - You Are Your Purpose April 22 - Mary Ann Woodman - Our Aversions: Key to Freedom April 29- Harriet Tubman - There Is Within You That Knows And here are the Zoom details:       Zoom Link      Meeting ID: 660 730 808 All are welcome to this free class.

Photo by  Jordan Wozniak  on  Unsplash Our theme this year is "Beyond 20/20 Spiritual Vision."  In February, we have our first special month-long evening program, celebrating Black History Month. Here are the speakers and topics for Wednesday evenings in February, usually in Waggoner Hall, 7 to 8 pm: February 5   -  Lawrence  Edwards, RScP - The Influence of Black Music on Culture in the US February 12  - Calvin Johnson - Just Mercy, The Work of Bryan Stevenson February 19  - Olivia Kinzler - The Political Scene: How Far Have We REALLY Come?! February 26  - Celeste Austin - A Journey of Family, Prayer, and Transformation, with the Prayer Chapel Singers, in the sanctuary Our Wednesday evening meditation from 6 to 6:45 pm continues.      Rev. Siota Belle leads a meditation circle in Waggoner Hall. This weekly gathering, Inviting the Sacred,  welcomes you whether you are a longtime meditator or new to the practice.

Dawid Zawila, unsplash.com The New Year brings new Wednesday Wisdom experiences. All of these events are free, and love offerings are gratefully received. Every Wednesday from 6 to 6:45 pm, Rev. Siota Belle leads a meditation circle in Waggoner Halls. It's called Inviting the Sacred . Whether you are a longtime meditator or new to the practice, you are welcome. Four months out of the year, you are invited to register for  Lunchtime Learning , a free one-hour class from noon to 1 pm. January's class is led by Dr. Edward Viljoen. For those of you who registered ahead or at the first class, here are the topics: January 8 - Goals January 15 - Vision January 22 - Affirmations January 29 - Release Now and then throughout the year, there are special Wednesday evenings. On January 29, at 7 pm, join Karen Drucker as she leads us in a Sacred Singing Night . In community, we'll enjoy beautiful songs, prayer, and stillness. All are welcome to this free event.

January 2020 Lunchtime Learning, January 8, 14, 22, 29, Noon to 1 pm Dr. Edward “A Fresh Start”, Social Hall January 8 - Goals January 15 - Vision January 22 - Affirmation January 29 - Release Inviting the Sacred, Meditation Circle, January 8, 14, 22, 29, 6 to 6:45 pm Facilitated by Rev. Siota Belle, Waggoner Hall Devotional Singing with Karen Drucker, January 29, 7 to 8 pm