Explore the theme of Evil in the School of the Spirit: in SpiritJam with a FireJam and a SkitJam.   For adults – Mindfulness Practice and a discussion on “Torture.”

 

9 and 11 a.m. CircleJam (opening) Sharing Circle Ritual and our theme songs for the monthly theme of Evil.  

FireJam:  Reflect on bad things then burn the pictures and words in the fire circle outside, with Michael Newman, SpiritJam leader.

SkitJam:  Role-play facing difficult situations. Come up with solutions. with Katie.

9 and 11 a.m. Preschool/Nursery-  with Miss Ari, Early Childhood Music Specialist and Teacher.

7/8th Grade Our Whole Lives (O.W.L.) – with Heather Munro and Scott McCollom. (8:45 – 10:15 a.m.) Sexuality, Social media, and the Internet.

 

Adult Classes: (Drop In’s Welcome!) Read more on the Adult Webpage

• Mindfulness Practice and Discussion, 9 – 10:30 a.m. with Gwen Murphy. This week, the Mindfulness Group continues exploring the monthly theme of evil from a Buddhist perspective with a 2011 dharma talk from teacher and meditation instructor Tara Brach entitled, “Causing No Harm.” From her website (www.tarabrach.com): The mindstates behind violence–anger and fear–are universal and natural. If they possess us and drive our actions, we suffer. If we learn to meet them with a mindful awareness–if we step out of judgment and angry reactivity–we serve our own freedom and the possibility of peace on earth as well. The one-hour talk, which includes time for a brief meditation and reflection exercises, will be followed by sharing circle. 
• Sun. 1/18 Monthly Evil Theme Series: What Torture Has Taught Me by Bill Schultz, 12:30 – 2 p.m., #4 Thoreau Rm.
  Twelve years at the helm of Amnesty International challenged and affirmed William F. Schulz’s Unitarian Universalism. Schultz, also past President of the Unitarian Universalist Association, wrote an article in the UU World, which will be the topic of discussion. Download the article at http://www.uuworld.org/ideas/articles/6555.shtml
  Facilitated by Julie Dufford. Gentle warning: The article has graphic descriptions of torture. Tuition: Free, Drop Ins Welcome!

Playground Monitors:  needed, 10 – 11 a.m.  Sign up online  or on the bulletin board. Weather permitting, but the children love to go outside!

Read more about our unique experimental SpiritJam model at www.spiritjam.info   Join us as we co-create this experimental program with paid lead teachers and monthly themes!

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Announcements: 

Next week: Storyteller Viv Hamilton tells the story in the new book by Rabbi Sandy Sasso “Anne Frank and the Remembering Tree”  just published by the U.U. “Skinner Books” publishing house.

New! Parent Circles

Sundays, 9 and 11 a.m. once a month, drop ins welcome!

Feb. 8 – Reason: Explaining life and death to a child.
March 15 – Trust: Balancing safety and freedom.
April 12 – Redemption: Making mistakes; not being perfect.
May 3 – Calling: The call to nurture, what is a parent’s role?

Meet 9 a.m. Thoreau Rm; 11 a.m. Barnum Rm. – your choice! Children are welcome to attend the Preschool/Nursery or SpiritJam.

Reflection, Sharing and Support
Guided by the monthly theme with tangents as desired.
Specifically for parents, and other important adults in a family.
Facilitated by Katie Covey, Director, School of the Spirit

Check out the Youth Ministry Newsletter by Emily Conger, Youth Coordinator for 7th – 12th graders.

 

Your School of the Spirit Staff:

• Emily Conger, Youth Coordinator, youthcoordinator@bvuuf.org 
• Ari Flauta, Early Childhood Teacher, preschool@bvuuf.org
• Rachel Stevenson, SpiritJam Teacher and Religious Education Assistant, assistantre@bvuuf.org 
• Michael Newman, SpiritJam Teacher, spiritjam@bvuuf.org
• Katie Covey, Director of the School of the Spirit, dirrectorre@bvuuf.org