Spiritual Growth for Adults

There are many opportunities for spiritual growth and development at PUUC beyond Sunday morning worship. Scroll down to learn what is going on and how to get involved. 

Book discussion Winter 2025 (March)

The winter virtual book discussion for the 2024-2025 program year, led by Rev Lane and Dottie Bauer, is scheduled for Thursday, March 6 from 6:30-8 pm. This season we will consider Julia Watts Belser’s book Loving Our Own Bones: Disability Wisdom and the Spiritual Subversiveness of Knowing Ourselves Whole, published in 2023 by Beacon Press and available in a variety of formats (hardcover, paperback, ebook, audio). Belser was the Ware Lecturer at the 2024 General Assembly of the Unitarian Universalist Association. You can find interviews with her on YouTube as well.

Dr. Belser is a rabbi and a theologian, professor of Jewish Studies and Disability Studies at Georgetown University. She approaches the question of disability awareness from both a personal and scholarly perspective, and offers much for us to reflect on related to ableism and aging.

Rev Lane’s sermon on February 2nd was drawn from Rabbi Belser’s book. You can find the sermon on our website under Recent Sermons. We hope that inspires you to read the book and join us. Zoom link for this virtual discussion will be shared in the Cresset two weeks in advance. If you have questions, contact Dottie (dottiebauer [at] gmail.com).

Previous book discussions:

Fall 2024: 

Sacred Instructions by Sherri Mitchell

One of the outcomes of the Who We Are! process was the expressed desire for increased spiritual growth opportunities. This year Rev. Lane and Dottie Bauer are planning several book reflections that we hope will encourage spiritual growth and sharing among congregants. We have selected Sacred Instructions, by Sherri Mitchell, for our fall reflection.

Sherri Mitchell was born and raised on the Penobscot Indian Reservation in Maine, is an attorney and has advocated for indigenous rights on the state and federal levels. Sacred Instructions provides “a narrative of Indigenous wisdom that provides a road map for the spirit and a compass of compassion for humanity.” 

The Governing Board has been including a land acknowledgement in the Sunday morning Board Welcome for some time, recognizing that we live and worship on land once inhabited by the Western Abenaki. This year they are inviting us to consider “what we are doing to seek wisdom from their elders,” as the acknowledgement says. One way to seek wisdom and address past wrongs is to educate oneself. What are the spiritual values of the indigenous peoples who once inhabited our beloved New England? How might we learn more and find ways to support their descendants?  Sherri Mitchell’s writing is a place to begin this conversation.

Sacred Circle Dance

Second Friday of the month in the Parish Hall, (excluding July and August) from 6:30 to 7:30 pm

PUUC will host a participatory Sacred Circle Dance for members, friends, and the general public.  Beginners are more than welcome on any of the dates and no partner is necessary. Each dance will be patiently taught by Lucy van Leeuwen, who has been teaching Sacred Circle Dance (SCD) professionally for 20 years.

Please bring or wear comfortable shoes. Masks are optional, but most participants are willing to mask if someone prefers that. The program is free, though donations are appreciated and will benefit “End 68 Hours of Hunger.” Please arrive a few minutes early as dance instruction begins promptly; just enter through the back door parking lot and come up the stairs or take the elevator to the Parish Hall.

Please contact lucy [at] poetryofthedance.com (lucy[at]poetryofthedance[dot]com) with questions or to join the SCD email list.

Caregiver’s Support Group 

monthly 

Caregivers share concerns, stresses, tips, laughter, and support with one another in a safe, friendly, and non-judging environment. Contact Peggy Brown (peggy.brown252 [at] gmail.com (peggy[dot]brown252[at]gmail[dot]com)) for more information and to join the group.

Small-group Ministry 

Monthly

Small-group ministry provides an opportunity for congregants to deepen their spiritual experience and develop strong relationships with a consistent group of other members. Groups begin in the fall and meet monthly. They have used the Unitarian Universalist “Soul Matters Sharing Circle” materials as the guide. 

Contact Rev. Lane for more information.