Lives of the Spirit
Because part of the mission of our congregation is to increase opportunities for the transformative spiritual growth of members and seekers, this Fall we will explore the lives and teachings of some of the great religious leaders of the last century.
We are calling this exciting program Lives of the Spirit. Each month, you will have multiple opportunities to participate: a worship service will discuss the spiritual biography of the religious leader; covenant groups in English and Spanish will provide an opportunity to reflect on the significance of their lives; a book group will engage one of the leader’s seminal works; then a lecture or workshop will bring a specialist on the individual to engage and enlighten us.
We are calling this exciting program Lives of the Spirit. Each month, you will have multiple opportunities to participate: a worship service will discuss the spiritual biography of the religious leader; covenant groups in English and Spanish will provide an opportunity to reflect on the significance of their lives; a book group will engage one of the leader’s seminal works; then a lecture or workshop will bring a specialist on the individual to engage and enlighten us.
Past Programs:
September
Introduction to Lives of the Spirit,
Awe and Meaningful Life:
Abraham Joshua Heschel
Rabbi and social justice activist
Worship:
Sunday, September 10
Introduction to Lives of the Spirit
Sunday, September 17
We will observe Rosh Hashanah with a special service done in coordination with Rabbi Scott Hausman-Weiss and Cantorial Soloist Hannah Madeline Goodman of Congregation Shma Koleniu.
Sunday, September 24
Divine Pathos: Abraham Joshua Heschel
The text to Rev. Colin's Sermon can be seen HERE.
Covenant Groups:
Sunday, September 17, 1:00 PM
Tuesday, September 19, 6:30 PM
Grupos de alianza: (Spanish Covenant Group)
Thursday, September 21, 6:30 PM
Tuesday, September 19, 6:30 PM
Grupos de alianza: (Spanish Covenant Group)
Thursday, September 21, 6:30 PM
Minister's Book Group:
Tuesdays, September 12, 7:00 PM
September 26, 7:00 PM
Books to Read:
Abraham Joshua Heschel, Man’s Quest for God;
Albert Raboteau, American Prophets, xiii-25 (recommended).
September 26, 7:00 PM
Books to Read:
Abraham Joshua Heschel, Man’s Quest for God;
Albert Raboteau, American Prophets, xiii-25 (recommended).
Workshop
Thursday, September 28, 2023
6:30 PM - 8:30 PM
"Awe and a Meaningful life: Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel"
led by Rabbi Scott Hausman-Weiss and Craig Oettinger
6:30 PM - 8:30 PM
"Awe and a Meaningful life: Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel"
led by Rabbi Scott Hausman-Weiss and Craig Oettinger
October Programs
Borderlands:
Gloria Anzaldúa
Texas born queer scholar and spiritual activist.
Worship:
Sunday, October 15
"Borderlands: Gloria Anzaldúa"
The text to Rev. Colin's Sermon can be seen HERE.
Covenant Groups:
Sunday, October 15, 1:00 PM
Tuesday, October 17, 6:30 PM
Grupos de alianza: (Spanish Covenant Group)
Thursday, October 19, 6:30 PM
Tuesday, October 17, 6:30 PM
Grupos de alianza: (Spanish Covenant Group)
Thursday, October 19, 6:30 PM
Minister's Book Group:
Tuesdays, October 10, 7:00 PM
October 24 7:00 PM
Book to Read:
Gloria Anzaldúa, Borderlands/La Frontera: The New Mestiza
October 24 7:00 PM
Book to Read:
Gloria Anzaldúa, Borderlands/La Frontera: The New Mestiza
Workshop
Thursday, October 12, 2023
6:30 PM
"Spiritual Activism in Our Times: the Borderlands and Gloria Anzaldúa."
led by Professor Brenda Sendejo
Professor Brenda Sendejo, Ph.D. currently serves as Associate Professor and Chair of Feminist Studies at Southwestern University, and affiliate faculty in Anthropology, Latin American and Border Studies, and Race and Ethnicity Studies.
6:30 PM
"Spiritual Activism in Our Times: the Borderlands and Gloria Anzaldúa."
led by Professor Brenda Sendejo
Professor Brenda Sendejo, Ph.D. currently serves as Associate Professor and Chair of Feminist Studies at Southwestern University, and affiliate faculty in Anthropology, Latin American and Border Studies, and Race and Ethnicity Studies.
Covenant Groups:
Sunday, November 19, 1:00 PM
Tuesday, November 21, 6:30 PM
Grupos de alianza: (Spanish Covenant Group)
Thursday, November 23, 6:30 PM
Tuesday, November 21, 6:30 PM
Grupos de alianza: (Spanish Covenant Group)
Thursday, November 23, 6:30 PM
November Programs
Works of Mercy:
Dorothy Day
Founder of the Catholic Worker Movement
Worship:
Minister's Book Group:
Tuesdays, November 14, 7:00 PM
November 28, 7:00 PM
Books to Read:
Dorothy Day, The Long Loneliness;
Albert Raboteau, American Prophets, 63-94 (recommended).
November 28, 7:00 PM
Books to Read:
Dorothy Day, The Long Loneliness;
Albert Raboteau, American Prophets, 63-94 (recommended).
Workshop
Saturday, November 11, 2023
1:00 PM
1:00 PM
led by Dawn McCarty of Casa Juan Diego.
Professor Dawn McCarty, Ph.D. is the Director of the Bachelor of Social Work Program at the University of Houston-Downtown. She lives part-time in community as a Catholic Worker at Casa Juan Diego where she works directly with Houston's refugee, asylum seeking, and new immigrant communities.
December Programs
The Common Good:
Howard Thurman
Minster, theologian, and civil rights activist
Worship:
Sunday, December 3
"The Common Good: Howard Thurman"
Covenant Groups:
Sunday, December 17, 1:00 PM
Tuesday, December 19, 6:30 PM
Grupos de alianza: (Spanish Covenant Group)
Thursday, December 21, 6:30 PM
Tuesday, December 19, 6:30 PM
Grupos de alianza: (Spanish Covenant Group)
Thursday, December 21, 6:30 PM
Minister's Book Group:
Tuesdays, December 5, 7:00 PM
December 12, 7:00 PM
Books to Read:
Howard Thurman, Jesus and the Disinherited;
Albert Raboteau, American Prophets, 95-118 (recommended).
December 12, 7:00 PM
Books to Read:
Howard Thurman, Jesus and the Disinherited;
Albert Raboteau, American Prophets, 95-118 (recommended).
Workshop
Saturday, December 16, 2023
1:00 PM - 5:00 PM
"Emancipatory Premises"
led by Omowale Luthuli-Allen.
Omowale Luthuli-Allen is a human rights activist and community activist, Along with a core group of student activists, he co-led the fight to bring democracy to the University of Houston, graduating from the University of Houston in 1970- B.A. Political Science.
1:00 PM - 5:00 PM
"Emancipatory Premises"
led by Omowale Luthuli-Allen.
Omowale Luthuli-Allen is a human rights activist and community activist, Along with a core group of student activists, he co-led the fight to bring democracy to the University of Houston, graduating from the University of Houston in 1970- B.A. Political Science.
January Programs
The Practice of Nonpractice:
Thich Nhat Han
Monk and spiritual activist who helped to introduce Zen Buddhism to the United States.
Worship:
Sunday, January 21
"The Practice of Nonpractice: Thich Nhat Han"
Minister's Book Group:
Tuesdays, January 9, 7:00 PM
January 30, 7:00 PM
Book to Read:
Thich Nhat Han, The Miracle of Mindfulness;
January 30, 7:00 PM
Book to Read:
Thich Nhat Han, The Miracle of Mindfulness;
Covenant Groups:
Tuesday, January 16, 6:30 PM
Sunday, January 21, 1:00 PM
Grupos de alianza: (Spanish Covenant Group)
Thursday, January 18, 6:30 PM
Tuesday, January 16, 6:30 PM
Sunday, January 21, 1:00 PM
Grupos de alianza: (Spanish Covenant Group)
Thursday, January 18, 6:30 PM
Workshop
Saturday, January 20, 2024
1:00 PM - 5:00 PM
"Engaged Buddhism"
led by Rebecca McIlwain
Rebecca McIlwain is the Community Outreach Coordinator at Texas Climate Jobs Project. A longtime community organizer, she spent ten years living as a Buddhist monk.
1:00 PM - 5:00 PM
"Engaged Buddhism"
led by Rebecca McIlwain
Rebecca McIlwain is the Community Outreach Coordinator at Texas Climate Jobs Project. A longtime community organizer, she spent ten years living as a Buddhist monk.
February Programs
Crying for America:
Fannie Lou Hamer
Voting and Women's rights activists, community organizer and leader in the civil rights movement
Worship:
Sunday, September 24
Crying for America: Fannie Lou Hamer
The text to Rev. Colin's Sermon can be found HERE
Covenant Groups:
Sunday, February 25, 1:00 PM
Tuesday, February 27, 6:30 PM
Tuesday, February 27, 6:30 PM
Minister's Book Group:
Tuesdays, February 13, 7:00 PM
February 27, 7:00 PM
Books to Read:
The Speeches of Fannie Lou Hamer: To Tell It like It Is
Albert Raboteau, American Prophets, 163-194 (recommended).
February 27, 7:00 PM
Books to Read:
The Speeches of Fannie Lou Hamer: To Tell It like It Is
Albert Raboteau, American Prophets, 163-194 (recommended).
Workshop
Saturday, February 17, 2024
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
The workshop for the month will be led by Glynda Carr of Higher Heights for America
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
The workshop for the month will be led by Glynda Carr of Higher Heights for America
March Programs
The River is Our Bond:
Mary Brave Bird
Sicangu Lakota writer and activist
Worship:
Sunday, March 10
The River is Our Blood: Mary Brave Bird
The text to Rev. Colin's Sermon can be found HERE.
Covenant Groups:
Sunday, March 17, 1:00 PM
Tuesday, March 19, 6:30 PM
Tuesday, March 19, 6:30 PM
Minister's Book Group:
April Programs
The Next American Revolution
Grace Lee Boggs
Detroit-based author, social activist, philosopher, and feminist.
Worship:
Sunday, April 28
The Next American Revolution
Covenant Groups:
Tuesday, April 28, 6:30 PM
Sunday, April 30, 1:00 PM
Sunday, April 30, 1:00 PM
Minister's Book Group:
Tuesdays, April 9, 7:00 PM
April 23, 7:00 PM
Books to Read:
Grace Lee Boggs with Scott Kurashige, The Next American Revolution: Sustainable Activism for the Twenty-First Century
April 23, 7:00 PM
Books to Read:
Grace Lee Boggs with Scott Kurashige, The Next American Revolution: Sustainable Activism for the Twenty-First Century
Workshop
Saturday, April 27, 2024
1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
"Simply Seed Experience"
1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
"Simply Seed Experience"
Come learn how easy it can be to start your own urban garden. All skill levels are encouraged to attend!
The workshop for the month will be led by Carmen Jules of Blue Heron Farm
May Programs
Think of God All the Time
Swami Vivekananda
Indian Hindu monk who, in part through his close relationship with Unitarians and Universalists, played a key role in introducing Hindu theology and yoga to the United States.
Worship:
Sunday, May 19
No Other Teacher: Swami Vivekananda
Covenant Group:
Sunday, May 19, 1:00 PM
Minister's Book Group:
Tuesdays, May 7, 7:00 PM
May 21, 7:00 PM
Books to Read:
Swami Vivekananda, Selections from:, The Complete Book of Yoga: Karma Yoga, Bhakti Yoga, Raja Yoga, Jnana Yoga
May 21, 7:00 PM
Books to Read:
Swami Vivekananda, Selections from:, The Complete Book of Yoga: Karma Yoga, Bhakti Yoga, Raja Yoga, Jnana Yoga
Workshop
May 4, 6-8 PM
May 9, 6:30-8:30 PM
May 16, 6:30-8:30 PM
The penultimate figure in our Lives of The Spirit series is Swami Vivekananda, the philosopher, author, and religious teacher. His close relationships with Unitarians and Universalists at the dawn of the twentieth century helped him to introduce Hindu theology, Vedanta, and yoga to the Western world.
More information HERE
Saturday, May 4, 6:00 to 8:00 PM
in Channing Hall,
presented by Swami Atmajnanananda, Resident Monk, Vedanta Center of Greater Washington, D.C.
Thursday, May 9, and Thursday, May 16, from 6:30 to 8:30 PM
in Channing Hall
Swami Mahayogananda, a visiting monk from the Vedanta Society of Southern California, will be presenting.
May 9, 6:30-8:30 PM
May 16, 6:30-8:30 PM
The penultimate figure in our Lives of The Spirit series is Swami Vivekananda, the philosopher, author, and religious teacher. His close relationships with Unitarians and Universalists at the dawn of the twentieth century helped him to introduce Hindu theology, Vedanta, and yoga to the Western world.
More information HERE
Saturday, May 4, 6:00 to 8:00 PM
in Channing Hall,
presented by Swami Atmajnanananda, Resident Monk, Vedanta Center of Greater Washington, D.C.
Thursday, May 9, and Thursday, May 16, from 6:30 to 8:30 PM
in Channing Hall
Swami Mahayogananda, a visiting monk from the Vedanta Society of Southern California, will be presenting.
June Programs
Love and Deate
Forrest Church
Leading Unitarian Universalist minister, author, and theologian
Worship:
Sunday, June 9
Love and Death
Covenant Group:
Sunday, June 16, 1:00 PM
Minister's Book Group:
Workshop
Saturday, June 29
1:00 PM
Point Us Back to Life
Forrest Church and the Unitarian Universalist Embrace of Life…and Death
Forrest Church famously defined religion as “our human response to the dual reality of being alive and having to die.” His reflections on life and death contribute to a long tradition of Unitarian Universalist thinking on mortality that differs from other religious traditions. How can our faith help us embrace our mortality in ways that points us back to life—its beauty and its preciousness?
The Rev. Dr. Robert M. Hardies is Lead Minister of the First Parish in Cambridge, MA, and the Unitarian Universalist Chaplain at Harvard University. Rob is an experienced preacher, teacher, counselor and activist. From 2001 to 2020, he was Senior Minister of All Souls Church, Unitarian in Washington, DC, a large, dynamic multiracial congregation. During his ministry at All Souls, Rob helped found and lead award-winning justice organizations that advocated for marriage equality and for voting rights. Before entering the ministry, Rob worked for Habitat for Humanity, and served as a human rights worker with Indigenous communities in Guatemala. A student of Emerson, Thoreau and the New England Transcendentalists, Rob often encounters the sacred in nature, and in his spare time enjoys leading walking pilgrimages along the Camino de Santiago.
1:00 PM
Point Us Back to Life
Forrest Church and the Unitarian Universalist Embrace of Life…and Death
Forrest Church famously defined religion as “our human response to the dual reality of being alive and having to die.” His reflections on life and death contribute to a long tradition of Unitarian Universalist thinking on mortality that differs from other religious traditions. How can our faith help us embrace our mortality in ways that points us back to life—its beauty and its preciousness?
The Rev. Dr. Robert M. Hardies is Lead Minister of the First Parish in Cambridge, MA, and the Unitarian Universalist Chaplain at Harvard University. Rob is an experienced preacher, teacher, counselor and activist. From 2001 to 2020, he was Senior Minister of All Souls Church, Unitarian in Washington, DC, a large, dynamic multiracial congregation. During his ministry at All Souls, Rob helped found and lead award-winning justice organizations that advocated for marriage equality and for voting rights. Before entering the ministry, Rob worked for Habitat for Humanity, and served as a human rights worker with Indigenous communities in Guatemala. A student of Emerson, Thoreau and the New England Transcendentalists, Rob often encounters the sacred in nature, and in his spare time enjoys leading walking pilgrimages along the Camino de Santiago.