Engage

“Come, come, whoever you are, wanderer, worshipper, lover of leaving…”—13th century Sufi poet Jalaluddin Rumi (translated and interpreted)

Programs for adults give us the chance to go deeper— intellectually, socially, ethically, and spiritually. From workshops to community service, covenant groups to discussion groups, meditation to marching—all in the context of a supportive spiritual community—Unitarian Universalism as much to offer adults beyond our Sunday services.

We affirm a free and responsible search for truth and meaning. Unitarian Universalism celebrates the ways that our needs, our hopes, and our beliefs change as life changes us.

Express

“Before I can tell my life what I want to do with it, I must listen to my life telling me who I am.” —Parker J. Palmer

Who am I? Whose am I? What am I here for? These age-old questions are the foundations of a meaningful life. In Unitarian Universalism, we explore these questions in supportive community. We are your partners in expressing who you are, what you value, and what you believe at all stages of life. No matter what life has dealt us, Unitarian Universalists (UUs) are spiritual companions on a path of integrity and interconnection, bringing more love, and more justice, into being.

AFD Programs and Events at TPUUF

Recurring AFD Programs

First Sundays each month:  UU Mystics Group 9:00am – 10:15am

Second Fridays each month:  Friday Night Fellowship 7:00pm – 8:30pm

Third Sundays each month:  Lifespan Faith Development Committee Meetings 9:30am – 10:15am

Third Sundays each month:  Coffee, Crafting & Conversation 11:45am – 1:00pm

Fourth Sundays each month:  Book Discussions 11:45am – 1:00pm

Fifth Sundays (9/29, 12/29, 3/29, 5/31):  All Ages Sunday Fun Days 11:45am – 1:00pm

Small Group Ministries and Soul Matters Circles

Contact our Faith Development Committee for more information on current groups or getting a new group started.

Adult Faith Development Special Programs and Events

Tuesday 8/20:  Chalk the Walks

Saturday 8/25:  UU Summer Bucket List Potluck Dinner Church celebration 5:30pm – 7:30pm

Tuesday 9/10:  TPUUF Meet-up — Margaret Atwood:  Live in Cinemas 7pm Regal Oaks

Friday 9/13 & Saturday 9/21:  Our Stories of Faith:  A Project of Friday Night Fellowship and Writer’s Group

Saturday 10/5:  Field Trip: Exploring Spirituality in Berks County

Saturday 10/26:  Pumpkin Carving Party and Dinner hosted by our Youth Group

Wednesday 11/20:  Transgender Day of Remembrance, Resistance and Resilience Candlelight Vigil

Sunday 1/5:  Unravel Your Year workshop 11:45am – 1:00pm

Saturday 1/18:  Kick-Off 30 Days of Love – A Project of the Side with Love Campaign

Monday 1/20:  MLK Day of Service for Families 9:00am – 1:00pm

Saturday 3/28:  Earth Hour:  Candlelight Game Night hosted by our Youth Group

Saturday 5/23:  1-4-3 Kindness Day – TPUUF Kindness Wavers

Saturday 6/6:  TPUUF’s Social Action Committee will host a table at Chester County Pride Festival

Sunday 6/14:  Our Annual Lifespan Faith Development Celebration Sunday service

Living our UU Faith

Traveling Chalice
The Purpose of the Traveling Chalice Program is to deepen our

understanding of one of our most familiar Unitarian Universalist symbols. The light of the Chalice connects us all together and is a sacred element of our beloved community. The Chalice may also be used as a symbol of hope when one is feeling or experiencing a sense of darkness. We will learn about its history and how it brings people together through learning and love.
How the Program Works
Each week a family/household (not just those with children) will take home the Traveling Chalice, which will be inside a special Chalice Box. A sign up sheet will be located on the Lifespan Faith Development bulletin board.
You may want to use the Chalice during your meals, family meetings, or as a bedtime ritual. Choose a reading from the materials provided or make your own.

                                                             Soul Work
Hand Work as a Contemplative Practice
For Kids and Other Creative Folks
Sitting still, with nothing to do but listen, can be hard for kids and even some adults. In fact, neuroscientists are learning that some activities actually help us focus in on what we are hearing or learning—especially activities with our hands. Sometimes called “fidget items”, classroom teachers know that activities like pipe cleaners, play-dough, and coloring can actually help listeners focus better. In particular, knitting, sewing, and coloring mandalas have been found to create the same brain patterns as those found during meditation–bestowing a calming, balancing effect. Often, busy hands = calm mind and body. It is in reflection of this understanding that our activity packs have been created.
Adults are invited to try an activity pack too. Pick one up on your way into the sanctuary, just inside the doors. Get creative! It’s good for your soul, and that’s faith development.

In the works for 2019 – 2020:

• Story of God:  a 6-part series of viewing and discussion the National Geographic program Story of God
• Soulful Home:  This will be a discussion series focused on spiritual parenting, interfaith families and living a faith-full life all week long.  This group program will be open to ALL.
• LGBTQ Cultural Competency Seminar:  We will be hosting this presentation from Todd Snovel, the Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Commission on LGBTQ Affairs.  Schedule TBD.
• Upstander Intervention Workshop:  This will be a workshop offered for adults and teens to discuss and role-play scenarios of oppressive interpersonal violence and harassment and how to intervene safely.  Schedule TBD
• Walking Meditation and Labyrinth Field Trips
• Explorations of Thomas Paine – the man – through book discussions, documentaries, regional field trips and more
• WATCH HERE FOR UPDATES TO OUR ADULT FAITH DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMMING