On February 15, our weekly gathering of Thursday at 10 begins their discussion on How to Know a Person: The Art of Seeing Others Deeply and Being Seen, written by David Brooks. Grab a copy and join the conversation. Click the button below to get the reading schedule and to receive the Zoom link.

Greetings SLLC Community!

Well, we are off to a great start for 2024! We had our inaugural Spiritual Searcher event on January 27th and 28th as the Rev. Dr. Karen Georgia Thompson, General Minister, and President of the United Church of Christ denomination, joined us for the weekend. I came away from the weekend with three challenges:

1. How can the church become more spiritual?
2. How can the church provide opportunities for us to express our spirituality through creativity?
3. How can the church create a space that allows for the integration of other faith/spiritual traditions and practices as a means of exploring and experiencing our spirituality?

The energy coming out of the weekend was extremely positive. I got very excited as I realized that the SLLC is providing voice and opportunities to the challenges that were presented by Rev. Thompson.

We recently held Poetry Pop during the Wednesday Gathering. Participants were encouraged to bring poems that were meaningful to them and read them to the group. The poems read were beautifully powerful. Some of Rev. Thompsons poems were featured as well. The event was a big hit. So much so that we will be repeating it this Wednesday (February 7, 2024) during the Gathering. Popcorn from Al’s Delicious Popcorn will be provided.

Katy Oberle also provided two wonderful programs during the Gathering recently. One evening she offered a creative experience focused on visioning for the new year. The following week she provided an amazing sound bath experience.



The SLLC leadership team just completed delivering two sessions focused on supporting those who are currently serving as SLLC facilitators or those interested in doing so. Many experiences and best practices were exchanged.

We are now pivoting to prepare for our next Spiritual Searcher; the Rev. Dr. Otis Moss III, coming in April. There are several book studies being formed in anticipation of his arrival. The Thursdays@10 group just finished a robust series of conversations related to a video of his preaching and his book, Dancing in the Darkness.

I am also excited to announce that beginning the first Sunday of Lent (February 18th) and continuing throughout the six Sundays of the Lenten Season (ending March 24th) we will be holding space for silent prayer and meditation from 9:00 am to 9:30 am at FC South in Burkhart Chapel. This timeframe will allow plenty of time to transition to the 10:00 am service at South should you choose to stay for the service. Rev. Mary Kate Buchanan and I lead that service. Bring your cushion or your mat or sit on a chair in the Chapel.

As you can see, the SLLC is in full swing with many more programs and experiences being planned. I am really enjoying getting to know many of you who have been involved with the Burkhart Center/SLLC through the years. I look forward to continuing to meet more of you. Please stop and say hello to me should we be sharing a space. Similarly, send me a note if you would like to grab coffee. (SStearns@FCchurch.com)

Blessings,

Last year was a good year for The Spiritual Life & Learning Center and we appreciate so much the generosity of our dedicated donors. We just sponsored a fantastic weekend with Karen Georgia Thompson, the General Minister and President of the UCC, and are very much looking forward to having Otis Moss III, a nationally known pastor, author and speaker being at First Community in April. We are exploring having additional nationally known speakers this year, along with the continuing programs we all cherish.

However, it takes considerable resources to present the numerous programs we offer and to cover the substantial expenses to facilitate nationally known speakers. We humbly ask all participants to seriously contemplate what the SLLC has done to enhance their spiritual growth and well-being, and consider making or increasing donations to support the SLLC programs. These donations ensure the sustainability of the SLLC.

We look forward to your continued participation and financial support and extend our best wishes to you for 2024.

You can easily and safely make a gift by clicking on the donate button below.

Enneagram Institute of Ohio

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