Adult Programs

Who: All

Meets: Once a month via Zoom, days and times vary – Registration is required (below)

Contact: Devon McClurken, Director of Faith Formation, dff@ucdsm.org

Soul Matters is a way of engaging our monthly themes through deep listening and open-hearted sharing. Groups of 8-10 committed participants come together once a month with a trained leader to nurture spiritual growth in the community. We do this by listening in three distinct ways:

• First, we listen to each other. Listening is a gift not often offered in our culture. Most of the time, we are “talked at” rather than listened to. Being listened to by trusted companions helps us hear our own voice again. And more than that, it gives our story back.
• Second, we listen to our lives. This is not easy to do. Directly or indirectly, we are taught to see life as a challenge not a companion. The goal is to conquer it, not listen to it. Soul Matters invites us to take another look and dance with life in a new way. Through spiritual practices and questions focused on our daily living, we engage the world, not as an obstacle course to get through, but as a host of voices calling us to greater loving and living.
• Finally, we listen to our deepest selves. Introspective questions guide us in this work, but ironically, it’s the people and space around us that helps us go inward. We hear that “still, small voice inside” best when voices of friends speak in a disciplined way.

Together, these sacred practices of listening — to each other, the world, and our deepest selves — adds up to a more intentional and authentic life. It’s a journey back to connection, and ultimately a journey back home.

How it works

At the beginning of each month, participants will receive a packet of materials based upon the month’s theme. From these materials, each participant chooses one spiritual exercise and a deep question to sit with for the course of the month. At the end of the month, participants will gather with their group to share their experiences of the spiritual exercise, of contemplating their question, and to reflect on the theme.

Soul Matters Themes

September: Possibility
October: Relationship
November: History
December: Joy
January: Intention
February: Widening the Circle
March: Faith
April: Awakening
May: Beauty
June: Blessings

This class is for those who want to learn more about us or are considering becoming a member. See further details at UU and You Class.

Who: All

Leader: Rev. Amy Petrie Shaw

Meets: 1st and 3rd Tuesdays beginning October 5, 2021; 7:00 – 8:30 p.m. CT

Where: Zoom (Link will be sent to registrants.)

To Register: Please email Rev. Shaw, revamy@ucdsm.org to sign up by September 26.

Last year we did a whole church read of “Widening the Circle of Concern.” This year, Rev. Amy Petrie Shaw will lead an 11-12 session class based on the UUA’s “Widening the Circle of Concern” Study Guide. The study guide is available for download here: Widening the Circle of Concern Study Guide pdf or online here: https://www.uua.org/widening/guide . This thought-provoking class explores welcome and inclusion and the systemic barriers to that welcome and inclusion. Come and explore the ideas presented and offer your own ideas about what our congregation is doing well, and where we have opportunities to grow! Please sign up by emailing Rev. Amy at revamy@ucdsm.org.

This is an 11-12 session class that will continue through January 2022. There will be no class in February, but class will meet either once or twice in April to wrap up the course.

We need to have eight to ten people participating for this class to be offered so please sign up by September 26. Class will be on Zoom until we are fully back in the building.

Who: All (New students may join at any time!)

Leader: Rev. Amy Petrie Shaw

Meets: 2nd and 4th Tuesdays beginning October 12, 2021; 7:00 – 8:30 p.m. CT

Where: Zoom (Link will be sent to registrants.)

To Register: Please email Rev. Shaw, revamy@ucdsm.org to sign up by September 26.

What is “praxis” and why would we want to do it? Great question! Praxis is “our practice in the world,” or “the way we really do things.” Each week, we will be talking about our own church and how we do things in 11 different areas of church life, looking for barriers to inclusion and welcome and proposing real changes if needed. “Welcome” for who? Well, anyone. Everyone. People with disabilities. Young people. Elderly people. Hispanic people. Black people. Queer people. Straight people. Whoever. Help to find and fix the places where we fall short of our values.

This is an 11-12 session group. You do not need to come to “Widening the Circle” Study Guide class to attend this! This group will continue through January 2022. There will be no group in February, but the group will meet either once or twice in April to wrap up discussion.

We need to have eight to ten people participating for this discussion group to be offered so please sign up by September 26. Class will be primarily on Zoom until we are fully back in the building but will have some multi-platform meetings.

Please see our Affinity Groups for more adult programming.