All are welcome to join our small groups!

Afternoon Book Group (online)
Monthly on the third Thursday at 2:30 pm CT via Zoom

We primarily read fiction, but occasionally read nonfiction, and try to choose easily accessible, not-too-long books. Books are selected before the program year begins each fall from suggestions made by group members. We meet from September through May (except December). All are welcome to join us! Contact Diane Mandler at dsmandler@gmail.com for meeting information and the reading list.

Gathering Circle: A Pagan Small Group
4th Monday of the month in person; 6:30-8:00 pm CT

Does your spirit respond to nature? Do you follow the seasons or find spirituality with the elements? Pagans believe that nature is sacred and that the natural cycles of birth, growth and death observed in the world around us carry profoundly spiritual meanings. Human beings are seen as part of nature, along with other animals, trees, stones, plants and everything else that is of this earth. All who want to explore these topics are welcome to join the reinstated Gathering Circle Small Group. Heather Westley will again be the facilitator, and the group will mostly be conversation, but may include short rituals and outdoor gatherings. Contact Heather at firemoon0812@yahoo.com with questions.

Goddess Group
Mondays; 9:00-11:00 am CT in person

Women of varied ages, interests, & affinities meet for sharing, mutual support, & lively conversation. Contact Connie Swift at conniesueswift@gmail.com with questions.

Joyful Mind Zen Sangha
Saturdays; 7:00 am CT online year-round

We will start with 30 minutes of meditation, followed by a service, dharma talk, and discussion. Please consider joining us as we find fellowship in this time of uncertainty. Contact Jim Bowker, jtbowker@yahoo.com, or Brian Looker, blooker@gmail.com with questions.

Men’s Group
First Wednesdays and Third Tuesdays in person; 7:00-9:00 pm CT

This group welcomes all who identify as male to gather for the chance to talk in a deep, meaningful, and personal way. (Alcohol and other substances are not allowed when attending one of our meetings.) Those in attendance share an update, and then we discuss a topic such as “Sheltering at Home” or “Favorite Movies and Why We liked them.” Contact John Duffin at japple51@gmail.com for location information or with questions.

Music-Making at the Fellowship

Please contact music director Steve Sieck at steve@fvuuf.org if you are interested in:

• Singing with the Fellowship Choir
• Putting together small-group music with our mUUse collective
• Offering music for prelude, postlude, or other special opportunities during the service

Photography as a Spiritual Practice
meeting online

We explore contemplative photography as a spiritual practice through traditional cameras, smartphones, and other means of image and video capture. A key component of this spiritual practice is to reflect on visual images and to discover insights about self, connections with others, and to journey towards spiritual insights.

Our meetings are devoted to each person sharing about 5 minutes of their still images and short videos around the month’s challenges and any insights or discoveries made. The monthly challenges are sprinkled with inspiration from other photographers, writers, poets, and artists and are formatted as “prepare”, “do”, and “reflect” to prompt contemplation.

Any means of photographic ability is welcome. We love smartphones as well as other means of capturing photos like digital SLRs and P&S cameras.

Contact Mary Ellyn Vicksta at mev500@yahoo.com for meeting information and for questions.

Senior Wonders
All senior adults are invited to share in conversation and social time. Contact Janet Hughes at janet.ahma@yahoo.com for meeting information.

Smiling Dandelion Sangha
Sundays online, 6:00 – 7:30 pm CT

Our usual format is sitting meditation for 25 minutes, followed by a teaching and discussion. Currently, we are watching a video or listening to a podcast by a different Buddhist teacher each week, covering a variety of topics and traditions.

We welcome anyone who is interested to join us. You do not need to be a Buddhist or have meditation experience. We start our meetings with silent meditation and then begin the reading and discussion, so you can join us for the meditation or link in after that. Questions? Email smilingdandelion@gmail.com.

Spill It Sister
Second Tuesday of the month 6:30-8:00 pm CT online

This group meets to share our stories and help each other as we walk through this life’s journey. All who identify as women are welcome! Contact Kate Hancock-Cooke at rugbykate@new.rr.com with questions and contact Suzanne Marnocha at marnocha@uwosh.edu to be added to the Facebook group.

UU Parenting Support Group
2nd Monday of the month at 7:15 pm online

People who are parenting or preparing to serve in a parental role, and/or taking care of children as a guardian, grandparent, etc. don’t always get the support they need. Do you long for time to debrief the joys and woes of life with littles? Do you wonder how to manage the day-to-day responsibilities of children? Do you wish for space to talk to other parents about parenting? If so, this is your group! Led by Fellowship members with professional expertise, this peer support opportunity is a wonderful way to get help with all aspects of parenting, including learning how to support kids without ignoring one’s own needs, accessing community resources when necessary, and talking to kids about social development, spirituality, behavior choices, and more. Contact Erin Vandenlangenberg at Erin@dutrirun.com for meeting information.