All are welcome to join our small groups!

Gathering Circle: A Pagan Small Group

4^th Monday of the month; 6:30-8:00pm CST

Zoom link HERE or call in 312-626-6799 using meeting ID: 814 0144 4885 and passcode: 290016

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 for questions.

Joyful Mind Zen Sangha
Saturdays 7:00 am CST, Zoom link: HERE
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
Open to all who identify as male
First Wednesdays and Third Tuesdays; 7:00-9:00 pm CST
Although we miss meeting with each other in person, at least we can stay comfortably at home and have the snacks we prefer. (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 Zoom information or with questions.

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

• Singing with the Fellowship Choir (online, most Wednesdays at 7:00 pm)
• Discussing music (online, occasional Wednesdays at 7:00 pm CST)
• Putting together small-group special music, i.e. mUUse (online, scheduling TBD)
• Offering an audio or video musical contribution for prelude music

Remember, there’s a difference between physical distancing and social distancing. Even while we’re apart physically, let’s connect with one another socially in song.

PoC
We recognize that as a majority-white congregation, it can often feel isolating for People of Color/Brown & Black folx who love our theology but might not identify with some other aspects of the community. Join the PoC small group once a month or more as we gather to have fun and discuss topics that we can identify with. This is a great way to meet and connect with people and avoid isolation. This is a group for PoC only. At this time, we are focusing on unlearning the harm that has affected PoC. We are not focusing on educating nor spending time with white-led organizations.

PoC/Brown & Black folx of all ages are more than welcome to join us! We also encourage young people to get involved. Email PoC.global.majority@gmail.com for more details and for meeting information.

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, 6:00 – 7:30 pm CST, Zoom link:  HERE

Our usual format is sitting meditation for 25 minutes, brief introduction of ourselves, then reading and discussion. We are currently reading Love Your Enemies: How to Break the Anger Habit & Be A Whole Lot Happier by Sharon Salzberg and Robert Thurman.

A description of the book: When people and circumstances upset us, how do we deal with them? Often, we feel victimized. We become hurt, angry, and defensive. We end up seeing others as enemies, and when things don’t go our way, we become enemies to ourselves. But what if we could move past this pain, anger, and defensiveness?

Inspired by Buddhist philosophy, this book introduces us to the four kinds of enemies we encounter in life: the outer enemy, people, institutions, and situations that mean to harm us; the inner enemy, anger, hatred, fear, and other destructive emotions; the secret enemy, self-obsession that isolates us from others; and the super-secret enemy, deep-seated self-loathing that prevents us from finding inner freedom and true happiness.

In this practical guide, we learn not only how to identify our enemies, but more important, how to transform our relationship to them. Love Your Enemies teaches us how to:

• Break free from the mode of “us” versus “them” thinking
• develop compassion, patience, and love
• Accept what is beyond our control
• Embrace loving kindness, right speech, and other core concepts

Throughout, authors Sharon Salzberg and Robert Thurman share stories and exercises for achieving finding peace within yourself and with the world. Drawing from ancient spiritual wisdom and modern psychology, Love Your Enemies presents tools that are useful for all readers.

We are looking forward to exploring these ideas and welcome anyone else who is interested to join us. You do not need to be a Buddhist or have meditation experience. We start our meetings with a 25-minute period of silent meditation and then begin the reading and discussion. You can join us for the meditation or link in after that. If you have questions, email smilingdandelion@gmail.com.

Spill It Sister
Second Thursday of the month 6:30-8:00 pm CST
Zoom link: HERE; Or call in: 312.626.6799; enter 837 2525 5634, followed by 642200
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.

Third Thursday Book Club
Third Thursday of the Month, 2:30 pm CST
Not meeting in June, July, or August. For more information, contact Cyndi Polakowski at 920.731.0849

UU Parenting Support Group
On hiatus.
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.