There is no power greater than a community discovering what it cares about. Ask: “What’s possible?” not “What’s wrong?” Keep asking. Notice what you care about. Assume that many others share your dreams. Be brave enough to start a conversation that matters. ~Margaret Wheatley, from “Turning to One Another” Dear Friends, As 2014 begins, your … Continue reading Congregational Conversations
In October, I had the pleasure of attending a conference for Liberal Religious Educators. I always find it positively overwhelming whenever I am able to collaborate with my associates. I walked away with so much information this time, one might even say “information overload”. New directions, trends and insights were presented, information that stretched the … Continue reading Religious Education Reflections
You at Tree of Life have welcomed me into your beloved community with open and loving arms and I am so grateful to be here. You may be wondering how it is that I came to be here and to be on this long and winding path to ministry. I did not start out on … Continue reading Intern Insights: My Path to Ministry
In a small group ministry, or “Chalice Circle” as it’s frequently called in UU congregations, meaningful questions are explored in a way that encourages each group member to look for his/her story. In the process of exploring the questions, stories are shared in an environment of attentive, caring listening and in this framework, ties of … Continue reading Your Truth, Your Story
A Personnel Committee is being formed. Do you have experience working with personnel issues? Members needed! Personnel Committee: The mission of the Personnel Committee is to support the hired personnel, Board of Trustees, and membership by providing consistent and fair definition and implementation of personnel policies. The Personnel Committee develops and recommends to the Board … Continue reading Personnel Committee
Ordinary, Everyday Mindfulness We’ve all experienced moments of wonder and bliss: a beautiful sunset engages our rapt attention, an act of loving kindness fills us with joy, a nighttime breeze bathes us in deep peace. And then the moment is gone and in its place is an ever so small longing to have another … Continue reading Ordinary, Everyday Mindfulness
On Saturday, September 7 at 7:00pm, blues artist, Andy Cohen returns to kickoff our Haystacks concert series with an evening of entertainment that will benefit the Monic Children’s Center in Jinja, Uganda. he will be joined by fellow blues artists Donna Herula and Andrew Calhoun. Andy Cohen is a fellow Unitarian Universalist from Memphis who … Continue reading Haystacks Presents Andy Cohen and Friends
Hi members and friends of Tree of Life UUC This is an important reading so stick with it to the end! The Stewardship Committee is going to have a Service Auction Fundraiser on November 2, 2013. If you’re not sure what a service auction is, here’s the skinny: A service auction is an auction where … Continue reading Service Auction Fundraiser
In July, my son Jacob and I had another wonderful experience at the Midwest Unitarian Universalist Summer Assembly, otherwise known as MUUSA. The camp used to take place in Lake Geneva, but for the past 5 years, takes place in Potosi Missouri. I highly recommend it, whether you have children, are empty nesters, or are … Continue reading From the Director of Religious Education
“Opportunity dances with those already on the dance floor.” ~H. Jackson Brown, Jr. Dear Friends, In the last few weeks, the Board has been made aware of an opportunity to obtain grant money for the church, which would enable us to make some improvements to our building. We are in the process of applying … Continue reading “Opportunity dances with those already on the dance floor”
