As the summer winds you away into different routines, and maybe a different pace of life, the Vancouver Unitarians staff team is planning a variety of soul fulfilling, heart mending, and mind stretching opportunities for the fall. Whether you want to deepen your spiritual life, connect meaningfully with new and old friends, grow your leadership confidence, or enrich your racial justice knowledge, we have something for you!
Keep a lookout for registration news in the coming months for the following programs and workshops, here and online, that support UCV’s Vision:
Deepening Our Spiritual Lives
Join a pilot group of UU Wellspring “Sources” for 10-12 Vancouver Unitarians led by Kiersten Moore, DLL. Wellspring is a spiritual deepening and theological exploration course for Unitarians/Unitarian Universalists. Group members experience deep listening and spiritual reflection in small groups of about ten to twelve, inspiring personal and community transformation. The group will meet twice a month for ten months, have access to reading and listening material to delve into our Sources, and are encouraged to strengthen their own spiritual practices.
Kiersten went through the course this past year with fellow professionals and is excited to bring the deep reverence, connections, and thoughtful theological explorations to Vancouver Unitarians. Please send her an email if you are interested in learning more: [email protected]
Vancouver Unitarian Covenant Groups
Small Group Ministry with Covenant Groups has been a vital part of many Vancouver Unitarians life. Groups of 10-12 people meet regularly, usually monthly, to reflect on and discuss significant life topics.
“Small groups are great places to get to know other people and to get to know yourself. Over time, participants build deep connections with one another, with the congregation, and with the sacred. Whether the topic is “good and evil,” “mindful living,” “parenting,” or “letting go,” the conversation is respectful and caring and leads to greater understanding.” UUA.org
We are revitalizing our small group ministry with the help of our new Membership Outreach Coordinator, Derrick O’Keefe. New groups will be formed each September, meet for a year, and then reform again the following September. Groups may decide to have a mid-year open-enrollment period. We continue to subscribe to Soul Matters this year and encourage Covenant Group facilitation using theme materials. If you wonder what groups might be forming this fall, want to lead a Soul Matters group, or if you have an idea for a group topic, please contact Derrick at: [email protected]
Growing Leaders, Sustaining Spirit
Oct 2, 9:30-5:30 pm BC Serving with Spirit: Nurturing UU leaders
The CUC is sponsoring a gathering of BC UUs as we together explore:
- identifying leadership gifts and welcoming ways to express them
- finding creative expression for UU values
- building skills so that our structures reflect our UU principles
Join presenters such as:
- Liz James & Joan Carolyn in discerning what makes you come alive and then finding expression within our UU groups.
- Arran Liddel & Alex Okrainetz as they welcome you to alternative worship ideas and implementation.
- Aukje Byker & Ben Wolfe as they share their passion for Sociocracyand its applicability for so many situations/organizations!
Serving with Spirit: Nurturing UU leaders- Nationwide Intro Training
Do you wish that your life as a volunteer and a leader was a joyful expression of your values, not a task on your to do list? Do you struggle to know how to “steer” in a way that orients you towards a vibrant sense of service? Do you want a deeper sense of connection and spiritual practice in your life?
Join us for an interactive five sessions over a six week learning journey this fall! Each week, you start with learning materials–videos, worksheets, and experiential learning experiences. You’re invited to work through the materials at your own pace, on your own and with classmates online. Each Sunday afternoon/evening, the group gathers on zoom to share and learn together.
Together we will seek to build our capacity as leaders, allowing us to return to our home communities with stronger networks, fresh perspectives, and a sense of rejuvenation.
Facilitation Team: Liz James, Linda Thomson & Joan Carolyn
Sept. 26- Oct. 31 Sunday afternoons [Except Thanksgiving] 1-3 pm Pacific
Advocate for Love and Justice
Widening the Circle of Concern: Nation-wide event 
We are looking to send a team of lay leaders and religious professionals to engage in learning an adapted Canadian version of the UUA’s study guide from the Commission on Institutional Change report. We are looking to send those who have a demonstrated commitment to anti-racism, social justice, and are interested in changing systems in our congregation. Participants will become facilitators for the program to run at UCV beginning next winter or spring.
Dates to mark in your calendar for this training: October 16, 30, November 13, and December 4th from 8:30-10:00 am, 11:30-1, 2:30-4:00. (Pacific Time)
Furthering Racial Justice Work
We have at least two member led groups in the works to deepen individual understanding around implicit bias, understanding radical inclusivity, racial identity and justice work.
- Nan Gregory has offered to lead a small group exploration with Laylaa Saad’s book “Me and White Supremacy”.
- Catherine Strickland has suggested a program based on the book “Deep Diversity,” the second edition comes out this fall.
- We will have a series of books for “Common Read” available in the Library.
Online Opportunities
Beloved Conversations registration is open for the fall term. It is “the signature offering of The Fahs Collaborative at Meadville Lombard Theological School. Beloved Conversations is a program for Unitarian Universalists seeking to embody racial justice as a spiritual practice. In Beloved Conversations, we are here to heal the impact of racism on our lives, in order to get free together.” It is well adapted to Canadian inclusion and the online platform.
https://www.meadville.edu/fahs-collaborative/beloved-conversations/ (coupon codes here)
https://www.meadville.edu/fahs-collaborative/beloved-conversations/within-phase/ (details)
As you can see, we have many opportunities to engage with outside of Sunday Worship, and we are excited to offer these in-person, online, and multi-platform. I hope you come in as you feel called!
–Kiersten E. Moore, Director of Lifespan Learning
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