How do we bend and not break? Our guest leader Simone Monique Barnes shares the importance of having spiritual practices and tools that build up our resilience and cultivate joy that is sustainable, even in hard times; joy that is not reliant on circumstances or situations.

An interdisciplinary artist, writer, educator, and lay minister, Simone Monique Barnes works in community ministry, and is a regular guest worship leader and lay speaker at Wildflower UU in Austin TX. Her professional and spiritual pathways are influenced by the religious lineages, histories, and traditions of Absalom Jones and Richard Allen (The Episcopal Church, and the African Methodist Episcopal Church), along with a connection to community, the arts, and the healing practices of yoga, prayer, and meditation.

Simone is a Harvard trained educator, who is also trained in the teaching practices of Laughter Yoga and Afro Flow Yoga which help provide the fuel she needs to stay in “good trouble” doing the work to build and nurture the beloved community.

Children (age 5 and older) and Youth will be meeting in person in their classes after being present in the sanctuary for the first part of the service. Children 6 weeks to 4 years of age are welcome in our Nursery.