News from the Greater Philly Cluster of UU Churches
| Tuesday, October 6 — |
Conversation on Alternatives to Policing
Tuesday, October 6, 2020, 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm EDT
Type of event: Webinar
“As Unitarian Universalists we commit to shaping a world in which love and justice may thrive, where Black leadership, creativity, and resilience is celebrated while Black grief is honored and held with love.”
In June, the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) voted to adopt a call to action "to engage in the larger movement to end anti-Blackness and defund the police." (see the text of the AIW) What does "defund the police" mean? Last month, we held a conversation to examine the racist role of police through US history, particularly in modern times. (watch the video)
On Tuesday, October 6, we will discuss alternatives to calling the police and over-policing communities. India Harris and Rev. Jason Lydon will be joining us. India serves as Co-chair of the UUA General Assembly Safety Committee. Rev. Jason Lydon introduced the Action of Immediate Witness, Amen to Uprising, which was passed at this year’s General Assembly. We have seen too many examples of policing that ends up destroying life or bodies. What alternatives do people have?
Read the UUA Call to Stop Calling the Police
| Wednesday, October 7 — |
Pennsylvania Legislature 101: Q&A
with Former State Rep. Bryan Lentz
In this election, you’ll be asked to vote for more than president. On the ballot you’ll see names of candidates for state representative and (in some places) state senator. If you have questions about what a state rep or senator does — even what the state legislature does — we’re here to help!
You’re invited to join us online at 7pm Wednesday, Oct 7, for the nonpartisan, statewide “Pennsylvania Legislature 101: Q&A With Former State Rep. Bryan Lentz.” Bryan will quickly cover the basics before the most important part of the program: your questions.
Don’t worry — there are no bad questions! The legislature is virtually unknown to many people, even those who’ve lived here all their lives. This fun, interactive session will help clear things up. It’s presented by UU the Vote at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Delaware County.
Please register for this free, user-friendly event at https://uucdc.breezechms.com/form/legislature101.
See you on Oct. 7!
| Saturday, November 7 — |
Compassion Training for Pastoral Care Teams
Type of event: Webinar
Email: blepoff@verizon.net
Compassion with a focus on listening: Recent discoveries in neuroscience show that not only is compassion an innate capacity rooted in our care system but a skill which can be deliberately trained and strengthened like a muscle. When faced with challenges or suffering, we can train our empathic response to turn toward compassion which in turn offers protective and beneficial factors for us and others.
This day-long workshop will explore the art and science of compassion. A balance of evidence-based information, group discussion, interactive exercises, and personal reflection will offer participants tools and resources for their work in pastoral care and beyond. Topics will include the science of compassion; the relationships between love, suffering, and compassion; self-compassion; compassion for strangers and difficult people; and compassion in the face of overwhelming suffering. Come learn to how to cultivate and be resourced by compassion for yourself, your loved ones, your congregation, the world.
Laura Banks is honored to be a Certified Compassion Cultivation Training (CCT) Instructor, dual-certified by Compassion Institute and Stanford University. While raising a family and serving others around the world, she has witnessed how compassion can reduce and transform suffering into the most resilient and beautiful parts of who we are. This powerful combination of evidence-based training and personal experience shape Laura’s commitment to strengthen her own and others’ capacity to thrive and find meaning throughout life, especially through the cultivation of compassion.
Hosted by the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Sterling, Pastoral Care Team. Zoom Link will be sent the week of the workshop. (But after the election)
For more information, contact Bonnie Lepoff or Laura Banks.
The cost of this event is $20 per attendee. However registration fees are on a sliding scale from $5 to $30, please pay what you can.
Register Today
Zoom Calls of Interest
Please feel free to drop in on any or all calls that appeal to you. We’re looking forward to continuing these opportunities for connection and support of one another through the rest of 2020!
- Monday (Third Mondays of the month: Sept. 21, Oct. 19, Nov. 16, Dec. 21) at 4 pm with Rev. Megan Foley, mfoley@uua.org (Delaware-Maryland-Virginia-DC area)
- Wednesday (First Wednesday of the month: Sept. 2, Oct. 7, Nov. 4, Dec. 2) at 5 pm with Sunshine Wolfe, swolfe@uua.org and Renee Ruchotzke, rruchotzke@uua.org (Western PA, Ohio, WV).
- Wednesday (Third Wednesday of the month: Sept. 16, Oct. 21, Nov. 18, Dec. 16) at 6 pm with Patricia Infante, pinfante@uua.org, Sana Saeed, ssaeed@uua.org, Evin Carvill-Ziemer, eziemer@uua.org and Hope Johnson, hjohnson@uua.org (Northeast PA, New Jersey, NYC, LIAC, MetroNorth)
- Friday (Second Friday of the month: Sept. 11, Oct. 9, Nov. 13, Dec. 11) at 1 pm with Evin Carvill-Ziemer, eziemer@uua.org and Renee Ruchotzke, rruchotzke@uua.org (Upstate NY)
If you identify as Black, Indigenous or a person of color (BIPOC), you're invited to join us for the Central East Region's BIPOC gathering happening two Mondays of the month at 6:30pm ET. In our gatherings we are joined by lay folks of color, lay leaders of color and/or religious professionals of color to be in community. Our conversations focus on topics like wellness and resilience and our goal is to center BIPOC experiences and create space to explore our UU experiences. Please email Sana Saeed, ssaeed@uua.org or Hope Johnson at hjohnson@uua.org for zoom information. Dates for Fall Gatherings: September 14 & 28th, October 12th and 26th, November 9th and 23rd, December 7th and 21st. For more information contact cer@uua.org.
GPC congregations, visit the GPC calendar.
GPC is on Facebook!
- Please "follow" us on the Facebook page, "Greater Philly Unitarian Universalist Cluster".
- Please join our Facebook group, "Greater Philly UUs". It is a "closed" group, so find "Greater Philly UUs" on Facebook and click the button to request to join.
Introducing UUA LeaderLab! LeaderLab provides relentlessly useful resources for lay and professional leaders of UU congregations and covenanting communities. For more info...
CER Guest in Your Pulpit program
The Guest in Your Pulpit Program is a listing of available ministers, seminarians, ministerial candidates and lay pulpit guests for congregations in the Central East Region. This program was created to assist churches to find people who are willing to provide services. For more info and to be added to the list...
The GPC calendar is always available at http://www.greaterphillyuu.org/calendar/ You can find out what other neighborhood churches are doing there! And of course, there is more information on the Greater Philly UU Cluster, check out our website.
For more information on the Greater Philly UU Cluster, check out our website.