Tree of Life: Rooted in love, extending that love to all of humanity.

Our heart calls us to be present in our understanding and relationship with Life. For this we need a welcoming, radical love that is sometimes hard to even imagine and so we need hefty inner resources to face the staggering challenges of working towards wholeness and healing in the world and in our own lives.

Answering the heart’s call can benefit from having an extensive “personal toolbox” and skills of insight and discernment. We believe a big part of that toolbox and skill set are gained in learning to practice “deep listening” (or “mindful” listening) – which is different from the way we normally listen. We’ve found that, having a structure and the commitment that’s practiced in our Chalice Circles, enables us to work at growing a radical welcome and love.

Because Unitarian Universalist faith is built on our communal relationships, the small group dynamic has long been practiced by UU congregations in many forms. Our program uses the Soul Matters curriculum for our monthly themes and we incorporate this to foster transformation – both personal and interpersonal. The small group dynamic is a setting for finding the connections to our deepest self and for seeing our humanity mirrored in each other. Practicing deep listening, we learn to receive the voices of others in the silence of an open heart. We also discover how to hear our own voice as we grow confidence for speaking our truth. Reflection on the monthly theme helps us consider our experiences and, over time, leads us to grow both a spiritual discernment and a deepening gratitude for all that is around us. This kind of transformation is strengthened and illuminated from many directions and, ultimately, is an opportunity to develop the radical love that is so deeply needed in the world.

At TOL we nurture this dynamic in the small groups we call Chalice Circles and through using the Soul Matters packets. Everyone – whether newcomer or long-timer – is invited to participate. Each month the themes are also used in our worship services to include the whole congregation in exploring the meaning we find in our life’s experiences. As we practice together, an additional benefit arises in fostering congregational community and, as such, participation is a member’s gift of service to strengthen our unity. However, unlike many acts of service, participants find our “work” to be fulfilling and energizing.

We are in the process of setting our schedule for the coming year. Below is the proposed new schedule. Each circle meets once a month, from September through June. Final schedule is dependent on the level of interest. If you have questions, comments, would like to sign up for a circle, or propose a different circle time, I would love to hear from you. Feel free to email me or talk to me in church.

Wishing you joy in community, M. E. (Emi) Tanabe m.e.tanabe@comcast.net

PROPOSED 2024 – 2025 Circle schedule

On site (we’ll have the option to meet online if there’s bad weather)

A 3rd Sunday 7:00 – 8:30 pm

B 3rd Wednesday 7:00 – 8:30 pm

C 3rd Thursday 2:00 – 3:30 pm

D 4th Sunday 9:00 – 10:15 am (limit 6 participants)

Online

F 3rd Wednesday 1:30 – 3:00 pm

G 4th Sunday 7:00 – 8:30 pm

“Listening solidifies relationships and is a foundation for community. Listening with undivided attention and without interruption moves us beyond differences and shows deep respect; the speaker is valued. Paying attention and being paid attention create a community which embodies our UU principle of affirming and promoting the worth and dignity of each person ….

Having others attend to your personal story affirms your journey, and having others listen to you encourages you to take yourself more seriously. Trusting yourself to speak your truth to a group strengthens your ability to speak your truth wherever you go”

— Rev. Barbara Hamilton-Holway

“I suspect the most basic and powerful way to connect to another person is to listen. Just listen. Perhaps the most important thing we ever give each other is our attention… When people are talking, there’s no need to do anything but receive them”

— Rachel Naomi Remen