Welcome to Wellspring

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Welcome to Wellspring

• Spiritual Deepening
• for Unitarian Universalists
• Presented by
• Rev. Jen Crow
• Joy Collins
• Libby Moore

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Wellspring The Need

• Something more than a once a month small group
• Something less than seminary
• PURPOSE
• Equip participants with practical tools for
  spiritual deepening and development as Unitarian
  Universalists

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5 Spokes of Wellspring
UU History Theology
Small Group
Spiritual Practice
Faith in Action
Spiritual Direction
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Spiritual Practice
UU History Theology
Small Group
Spiritual Practice
Faith in Action
Spiritual Direction
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Spiritual Practice

• It is perhaps not a language of reverence that
  is needed, but a practice of reverence.
• -COA Report 2005
• Many forms explored including Living By Heart,
  Walking Meditation, Prayer, Journaling
• Participants commit to a daily spiritual practice
  of their choice

June 2007 General Assembly
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Spiritual Direction
UU History Theology
Small Group
Spiritual Practice
Faith in Action
Spiritual Direction
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Spiritual Direction

• A guide (a spiritual director/ companion/ mentor)
  to help explore ones personal faith journey,
  intentionally deepening ones relationship with
  the holy
• Monthly one-on-one time accelerates growth and
  provides individual support

June 2007 General Assembly
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Spiritual Direction Nuts and Bolts

• Spiritual Director
• Is NOT your church minister, and often not UU
• Has training in spiritual direction
• Is vetted by sponsoring UU minister
• Fees usually sliding scale
• Church discretionary fund helps those in
  financial need

June 2007 General Assembly
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UU History Theology
UU History Theology
Small Group
Spiritual Practice
Faith in Action
Spiritual Direction
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UU History Theology

• European roots in Transylvania toWaldento Selma
• From Process Theology toHumanism toScience
  Religion toUU Principles
• Keys
• Connect to present life and beliefs
• Ask So what? question
• Commitment Do it

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Sample Resources

• A Hidden Wholeness by Parker Palmer
• Engaging Our Theological Diversity, UUA
  Commission on Appraisal Report
• For Faith and Freedom by Charles Howe
• Sermons, weblinks, poetry, CDs, pamphlets and
  articles

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Wellspring Blog

• www.UUwellspring.org
• Dynamic connection to past, current, and
  prospective participants and facilitators
• Link to our study guide and curriculum
• Weekly posts on spiritual practice, meditation,
  resources, and other Wellspring-related topics
• Come see what were up to!

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Small Group
UU History Theology
Small Group
Spiritual Practice
Faith in Action
Spiritual Direction
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Small Group
It takes a village to raise a soul. Rev. Dr.
Thandeka

• Sacred time when stories are heard and readings
  processed
• 6-8 people
• Initial one day retreat
• 2-3 times monthly, 2 hour facilitated meetings
• Benefits beyond Wellspring

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Faith in Action
UU History Theology
Small Group
Spiritual Practice
Faith in Action
Spiritual Direction
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Faith in Action
The churchs reason for being is to make real
the Beloved Community on earth, nothing
less.Rev Dr. Patrick ONeill
When spirituality is only about the inner life
and does not involve concern for others
especially for the most vulnerable among us
then there is a need to ask if this is truly an
authentic form of religious living. -Rev. Dr.
Richard Gilbert
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Faith in Action

• Each participant encouraged to find his/her own
  expression of service
• Church leadership tocaring for parents
  tolobbying the government

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Nuts Bolts

• Fine line of commitment
• Be clear upfront on commitment
• Recommend our curriculum
• Balance readings with reflective writing
• Facilitation
• Minister for first year
• Groom past participants with facilitation ability
• Minister mentors lay leaders in future years
• Frequency
• No more than 2 weeks between sessions

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Other Explorations

• Written bi-weekly reflections
• Buddy system of meeting
• Group continuance after 10 months

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5 Spokes of Wellspring
UU History Theology
Small Group
Spiritual Practice
Faith in Action
Spiritual Direction
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Questions?