Serving with Spirit: Nurturing UU Leaders, 3-day Retreat – EAST

Friday, July 26, 1 p.m.- Sunday, July 28, 1 p.m.
Registration deadline: June 24th
Carleton University, Ottawa ON

Do you wish that you experienced your participation in your congregation as an expression of ministry, not primarily an obligation to do your part?

We invite you to a weekend to explore where you find the “springs” which fill your life’s well of energy, and how you can live out of that rich resource. There will be opportunities to connect with and be informed by other UUs,  times, to engage with others as we learn new and hone familiar strategies, and space to do deep reflection, identifying and strengthening the rich practice potential in your own life.

Returning to your home communities with a stronger network, you will have a fresh perspective from which to re-engage personally along with some rejuvenating ideas to explore with your congregation as you seek to deepen a shared experience.

There are two locations and dates from which to choose!  People from across the country are welcome to select the one that suits them best. On this page, you are registering for the East coast event. Register here for the Serving with Spirit: Nurturing UU Leaders West event, August 9 – 11. In addition, the one-day Serving With Spirit: Stronger Together, Planning for Partnership, Saturday, August 10. We encourage congregations to help identify potential attendees and to ‘tap leaders on the shoulder’, encouraging them to attend and to consider providing some financial support.

Cost: $400 (includes program supplies, accommodation, and meals (Friday dinner through Sunday lunch)
Accommodation: The rooms for participants are apartment style.  Each person will have their own room and will share bathrooms.

Leaders

Rev. Peter C. Boullata

Peter is an ordained minister serving the Unitarian Fellowship of London and doing doctoral studies in psychotherapy and spiritual care. He was made his living as a pastor, a bookseller, and a writing tutor and teacher in two countries, two states, two provinces, and six towns or cities. Particular interests are considering the intersections of religious naturalism, process theology, queer liberation, contemplative and other spiritual practice, social justice activism, and the arts. His calling, as he understands it, is to equip others to live inspired, powerful lives.

Rev. Linda Thomson

Linda has been a Unitarian Universalist since 1983, and has a profound love and appreciation for our faith and its potential. She knows that congregational life has challenges, and believes that it can, in spite of those challenges, support and affirm people so that they are better able to live lives of meaning. Supporting ministers and lay leaders in their work fostering health and vitality in congregations is work that Linda believes in.  She has a profound belief that congregations that take their mission seriously can be a powerful, positive force. Though her personal theology is best described as religious naturalism she is curious about the ways that others find meaning.

Quotes from participants at Serving with Spirit: Nurturing UU Leaders Retreats 2017

“An absolutely wonderful weekend. It was uplifting from the very first moment. There was lots of deep sharing, clarity, discussion, as well as laughter & tears – & singing. I have the sense that everyone was ready to share – some were tentative at first, however, no one felt forced. Under the gentle guidance of Linda and Peter we moved at an appropriate pace. A wonderful experience.”

“I enjoyed the quiet and respectful atmosphere and found the group discussions quite enlightening. This was the first time I’ve heard so many other UUs speak about their faith, and the diversity, although expected, still amazed me. And yet we found commonality and appreciation of each other.”

Registration – Deadline: June 24

Please note: to respect staff time in planning for this event, a minimum number of 12 participants is required to proceed. If this number is not reached six days before the registration deadline, the CUC will cancel the event and notify you.

Please do not book non-refundable travel until you receive confirmation from the CUC staff. We will contact you by June 26 to confirm that the program has enough participants to be held. Thank you!

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