Our theme for November is Comforting Light. Here are some resources for community care, to hold your joys, your concerns, your wellbeing, and the fullness of you this week and beyond.
— Simone
Simone Monique Barnes, Director of Membership and Spiritual Life
Jump to Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Sunday, music
Quiet Practices for Everyday shared by Unitarian Universalist Association
Friends, as we enter into a week – and perhaps longer – filled with deep uncertainty, anxiety, and fear, UUA chaplains the Rev. Dr. JJ Flag and the Rev. Victoria Safford offer some simple, quiet practices to tend to our spirits and souls, and remind us that through weariness and trouble, love will guide us.
Today, we center Interdependence:
**It’s time to go outside. Sometime today or this evening, make time to go out, rain or shine. Touch the living earth: soil, leaf, water, or just let the air touch you. Find a quiet place where you can stop a while, just quietly. In your mind, or whispering, speak to the earth as if it were a loving grandparent, an elder. Say (in your mind or whispering) what you’re most afraid of now. Stay still a little longer, and then offer a small prayer, perhaps like this: “Right now, what I need most is _____.” Breathe deep, and touch the earth again, with gratitude.**
Breathing Meditation (from Cole Arthur Riley, Black Liturgies)
INHALE
The world is loud.
EXHALE
I listen for my voice.
Tuesday
Prayer Vigil
Hosted by our campus partner Faith Presbyterian Church (1314 E Oltorf Street). Rev. Amy Myhand (she/her/hers), aka Pastor Amy, will be on hand in the sanctuary from 10 am to 2 pm on Tuesday, November 4th.
You can also view and read Faith Presbyterian’s Election Day Prayer Guide
DRUUMM Election Evening Gathering Space (BIPOC-only space)
Tuesday, November 5, 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM Central Time (8:00 PM – 11:00 PM EST) Diverse and Revolutionary Unitarian Universalist Multicultural Ministries (DRUUMM) is hosting a space for support and spiritual care on the evening of Election Day. They’ve designed this as a BIPOC-only brave space to share music, readings, poetry, prayers, meditations, etc., and to provide sustenance to each other. Please register (https://druumm.org/events/) and join for any part of the time.
This event is BIPOC-only, a sacred space reserved for those who identify as Black, Indigenous, or a Person of Color and UU or interested in Unitarian Universalism. DRUUMM recognizes every Community of Color is impacted differently, and each community maintains its own unique identity and culture. BIPOC/People of Color/Person of Color/Community of Color is a political identity of survival and being in resistance to racism and colonialism, one that builds solidarity and creates positive change. White allies with questions or concerns are strongly encouraged to reach out to Allies for Racial Equity.
Election Night Care Space – Tuesday, November 5, 6:30 CT
Hosted by the UU Women’s Federation
It’s been a L-O-N-G election season. We know that whichever way it goes, we will continue our work towards justice. UUWF invites you to spend some election decompression space with us on Election night.
We’ll start one hour before the polls close on the East Coast, and make space for you to reconnect. Join us for music and inspiration.
(UUWF builds covenental relationships among Unitarian Universalist Women and Femmes
that equip us all to be better co-conspirators and allies in the movement for collective liberation.)
Wednesday
Coffee and Conversations, Wednesdays at 10 am
(For the Zoom link, check your Wildflower newsletter or contact the care team on this form or email careteam@wildflowerchurch.org.)
Come check in about life, the universe and everything with other Wildflowers, Chaplain Bis, and the Pastoral Care Team. Chaplain Bis is also available 1:1 Zoom sessions, which you can sign up for at calendly.com/wildflowerpastoralcare
Laughter Yoga with Simone
Simone is hosting a special laughter yoga session Wednesday on Zoom, at 10am to 11am Central Time.
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYtf-mopj0tG9JpYy5djkpwJTBOY6ZrfSLO
Laughter Yoga is open to all bodies and all experience levels. You don’t need props or tools, just bring yourself. Laughter Yoga is the union of unconditional laughter and deep yogic breathing. You can practice it anywhere, anytime.
UUA Forward Together: Anchoring in Community Post Election
Wednesday, November 6, at 7pm Central
Find Support & Community in Our Post-Election Series
Join Side with Love, UUA Congregational Life, and senior UUA leadership for a series of online gatherings to help us reflect, respond, and prepare together following the 2024 Election. Each session provides spiritual grounding, practical insights, and community support.
Session One – 11/6: After Election Day
Ground yourself, connect with UUA resources, and get insights from Side With Love.
Session Two – TBD (When Election is Called)
Join UUA President Rev. Dr. Sofía Betancourt and others for reflection and immediate action steps.
Session Three – 11/19: The Way Forward
Discuss next steps and hear from Side With Love on the movement landscape.
All sessions at 8pm ET / 7pm CT / 6pm MT / 5pm PT.
Register to attend and receive updates! https://bit.ly/4e5EzGJ
Thursday
TXUUJM Action Hour with Rev Erin J. Walter, 7pm – 8 pm
All are welcome to join the Texas Unitarian Universalist Justice Ministry (TXUUJM) as Rev Erin J. Walter hosts this week’s weekly Thursday night justice gatherings on Zoom from 7pm – 8pm CT. It is a time to check in and connect with folks from around the state and be in community. Invite friends, UU or not, Texan or not. ALL WELCOME. Learn more about these programs at txuujm.org. Register for Thursday’s Action Hour here.
Sunday
Wildflower Church’s Sunday Worship, Sunday, November 10, 11:45 am on Zoom
“The Wonder of Who You Are,” speaker Simone Monique Barnes.
As we continue our month-long theme of Comforting Light, we will take time to meditate, dream, imagine, and breathe, honoring our own inner light and the comforting lights that surround us.
After the virtual service, the Wildflower Community Room will be open from 2pm to 6pm for our Community Recharge Day. It is a self-guided afternoon of restorative activities, community, and quiet time; whatever it is that you need to recharge your own batteries.
This is a Zoom-only service. There will be no children’s and youth religious education classes.
Zoom link available on our home page https://wildflowerchurch.org/
Community Recharge Day Sunday, November 10, 2 pm to 6 pm.
Come as you are, take what you need. Stay for a few minutes, or stay all afternoon. A self-guided afternoon with space to quietly contemplate and space to engage. It’s a relaxing day of both fellowship and solitude, to recharge your batteries.
Music: “My Little Light”
“My Little Light” by Beautiful Chorus
Lyrics:
This little light of mine
Used to be too scared to shine
When mine met yours it would run and hide
But in time I came to find
I wanna shine so bright
It makes this whole world smile
And pay back the beautiful feeling
That allows me to be
Whatever I wanna be
And I am gonna be
Free and easy
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