Sep. 7 In-Gathering and Water Communion – Alison Page: We will start our year with a Water Ceremony, a UU tradition started in the 1980s by two women who wanted to create a UU ritual “that spoke to our connectedness to one another, to the totality of life, and to our place on this planet.” They landed on water.
Join us on this Sunday to learn more about the water ceremony and how water builds belonging, in our communities and in our lives. Participants are asked to bring actual or symbolic water from a place that is meaningful to them and share its significance with the group. Poetry Group meets after the service.
Sep. 14 Watershed Preservation – Maureen Ash: As a member of the South Kinnickinnic Watershed Farmer-led Council, Maureen learns about various programs that help landowners conserve soil and water on their land, keeping both in place and not running into the Kennel. A watershed can be a metaphor for community, as well. Maureen will explore that in her talk. Book Club meets after the service.
Sep. 21 “Building Belonging” – Tina Domeyer and Kate Ihus – Sometimes we come across a quote, song, article, or movie, and it perfectly captures what’s going on for us right now or allows us to view our current circumstances in a new light. With this in mind, we will spend some time reading, listening, and reflecting on poems about belonging and social action. The hope is to leave this space with a new shimmer in us.
Poetry Group will meet after the service.
Sep. 28 “Tending to Grief: A Case Study in Lifestyle – “Medicine” – Lynn Huiskamp – Lynn Huiskamp works as a member of a successful Lifestyle Medicine team at Western Wisconsin Health as a behavior specialist seeing 50-70 patients each week in small groups. The tragic death of her husband in 2024 put her into the unexpected role of patient. Lynn describes how the type of healthcare her team provides was actively at work in her own life, supporting her to move forward. Book Club will meet after the service.
Oct. 5 “Practicing Compassion” – Rev. Ted Tollefson – Does compassion come naturally? or is it learned? How can we encourage compassion in our selves and in our networks of family, friends and neighbors? Rev. Ted will offer five helpful hints to refine our natural skills. Rev. Ted will lead an additional one hour workshop on Listening with Compassion after the service. Poetry Group meets after the service.
Oct. 12 “We are not building this country for a day. – It is to last through the ages.” Theodore Roosevelt, May 19, 1903, Sacramento, California – David Page – David presents a brief overview and discussion of Theodore Roosevelt’s commitment to environmentalism and his nascent battle to preserve America’s remaining wilderness, natural resources, and natural wonders. Book Club meets after the service.