Our Chalice Circles 2017-2018

What does it mean to be a people of … 

September: Welcome
October:  Courage
November:  Abundance
December:  Hope
January:   Intention
February:  Perseverance
March:  Balance
April:  Emergence
May:  Creativity
June:  Blessing

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Chalice Circles are an important part of our church life. They provide an opportunity to be in a smaller group and explore ideas and possibilities and make meaning out of the world. This year we are offering three unique ways to experience the theme of the month in the small group ministry program we call Chalice Circles using the Soul Matters curriculum:

Chalice Circles

Sign up for the entire program year in advance for a specific night of the week. Meet once per month with the same facilitator and the same group members for the entire program year. Full program year commitment required. Deadline to register for the full year program is Sunday September 17th, 2017. Groups are limited in capacity and will be filled on a first-come, first-serve basis. The following four time slots are available:

3rd Wednesday , 2:00-4:00 p.m. – First meeting begins Wednesday, September 20, 2017

3rd Thursday, 7:00-9:00 p.m. – First meeting begins Thursday, September 21, 2017

4th Friday, 7:00-9:00 p.m. – First meeting begins Friday, September 22, 2017

4th Monday, 7:-00-9:00 p.m. – First meeting begins Monday, September 25, 2017

Drop-In Chalice Circle

Meets monthly on the 3rd Sunday after church. Our first meeting is this Sunday, September 17th in the Youth Room. No registration required. Attend as many or as few as you like. As the name implies – just drop in!

Sometimes Circles

Sign up two weeks in advance for one individual session. Each session will be a unique experience such as meeting in a coffee shop on a Saturday morning or in combination with a potluck dinner for instance. You decide how many sessions you want.

Susie Maharry, TUUC
Susie Maharry
Director of Adult Religious Exploration

Director of Adult Religious Exploration, Susie Maharry, can be found most Sundays at the Adult Religious Exploration Table located in the hallway outside the sanctuary doors. Sign-up sheets will be available. Or you can register by emailing her at  dir.are@tahomauu.com.

September’s Topic of “Welcome” can be found on our website at  http://www.tahomauu.com/learning/soul-matters

If you want to join the discussion on line you’re invited to join the Soul Matters Sharing Circle on Facebook! Our public page is open to everyone.

It is always such a delight to open the monthly Soul Matters packet and find a favorite poem. And so it was again for me this month when I found this poem below by Rumi. I hope you enjoy it as well.

Namaste,

Susie

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Guest House

by Jelaluddin Rumi

hand door knocker

This being human is a guest house.

Every morning is a new arrival.

A joy, a depression, a meanness,

some momentary awareness comes

as an unexpected visitor.

Welcome and entertain them all!

Even if they’re a crowd of sorrows,

who violently sweep your house

empty of its furniture,

still, treat each guest honorably.

[S]he may be clearing you out

for some new delight.

The dark thought, the shame, the malice,

meet them at the door laughing,

and invite them in.

Be grateful for whoever comes,

because each has been sent

as a guide from beyond.