Shared Spiritual Practice & Transformative Experimentation
People come to religious community to transform as individuals, as a collective, and to bring about transformation in the world around us; whether it’s feeding the hungry, learning to live through hard times with grace, challenging oppressive power structures, or building the beloved community where each person can be their whole and authentic selves, the work of our congregation is the work of bringing about transformation.
But transformation is not something one can do casually; it takes practice, effort, and commitment. The caterpillar doesn’t turn into a butterfly by squeezing the process of metamorphosis into the cracks of its caterpillar life; it devotes itself to transformation, dissolving its being into an unformed soup that will later take on a new form. It’s not something we can try on like a hat, but a process which touches every corner of our lives.
Transformation is not easy. Sometimes it might feel scary, but when a community shares a common practice, we become better equipped to face personal and communal transformation and change. We hope that by bringing the congregation together around, not only a common theme, but also, a common practice, we will create deeper, more meaningful worship and congregational life experiences for our community.
Transformation doesn’t happen by thinking alone; there must also be doing. In that spirit, we invite you to try out the shared spiritual practices suggested through the year. We encourage you to do the practices on your own or with your family. We will gather monthly during the social hour after worship to briefly discuss our experiences.
This year we invite you to transform!
But transformation is not something one can do casually; it takes practice, effort, and commitment. The caterpillar doesn’t turn into a butterfly by squeezing the process of metamorphosis into the cracks of its caterpillar life; it devotes itself to transformation, dissolving its being into an unformed soup that will later take on a new form. It’s not something we can try on like a hat, but a process which touches every corner of our lives.
Transformation is not easy. Sometimes it might feel scary, but when a community shares a common practice, we become better equipped to face personal and communal transformation and change. We hope that by bringing the congregation together around, not only a common theme, but also, a common practice, we will create deeper, more meaningful worship and congregational life experiences for our community.
Transformation doesn’t happen by thinking alone; there must also be doing. In that spirit, we invite you to try out the shared spiritual practices suggested through the year. We encourage you to do the practices on your own or with your family. We will gather monthly during the social hour after worship to briefly discuss our experiences.
This year we invite you to transform!
Shared Practice for April & March 2025
Shared Practice: Reconnect to Your 2025 Intention
with Curiosity, not Judgement
On a piece of paper, write down your 2025 intention,
or set a new intention, hope or plan for the new year.
Set a daily reminder on your phone for 6:37 p.m.
(Imagine the whole congregation checking their phones at the same time!)
When it goes off, take a few moments to consider your intention,
and how you are manifesting it in your life (or not). This is not a time to
judge yourself, instead, approach this with curiosity.
Children are invited to do this with their parents.
with Curiosity, not Judgement
On a piece of paper, write down your 2025 intention,
or set a new intention, hope or plan for the new year.
Set a daily reminder on your phone for 6:37 p.m.
(Imagine the whole congregation checking their phones at the same time!)
When it goes off, take a few moments to consider your intention,
and how you are manifesting it in your life (or not). This is not a time to
judge yourself, instead, approach this with curiosity.
Children are invited to do this with their parents.
Social Hour Discussion Circles on the third Sunday of every month
Previous Shared Practice
Practice being more aware of your surroundings with a 5-4-3-2-1 Grounding & Centering Practice.
Look at five things near you
Touch four things
Identify and listen to three distinct sounds
Identify and smell two things
Taste one thing
Practice being more aware of your surroundings with a 5-4-3-2-1 Grounding & Centering Practice.
Look at five things near you
Touch four things
Identify and listen to three distinct sounds
Identify and smell two things
Taste one thing
