​We give thanks.
We give thanks for being.
We give thanks for being here.
We give thanks for being here together.

Wellspring Wednesday

​Wellspring Wednesday at Unity Church gathers a multigenerational church community Wednesday evenings to nourish right and holy relationship among us and deepen our life of faith grounded in spiritual practice and antiracist multicultural work. The Wellspring Wednesday experience includes:

• Sharing meaningful time and nourishing food together
• Brief multigenerational worship in Ames Chapel
• Opportunities to play, learn, and practice with one another

​Here's what you can expect:

• 5:45 p.m.: Dinner prepared and served by our Food Ministry Teams. Menus are posted with the programming for each week. The cost for dinner is $12/adults, $5/child (ages 5-12), $3/child (ages 2-4), and $30/family. If you need financial assistance to help cover the cost of dinner, please email Philippa Anastos at [email protected]. If you plan to join us and need a special dietary preparation, please email Heidi Birkholz at [email protected]. Vegetarian, gluten free, dairy free options available. Please read our nut policy for information about how we help support community members with this life-threatening allergy.
• 6:45 p.m.: Multigenerational chapel service in the Ames Chapel
• ​7:10-8:30 p.m.: Weekly programs with childcare provided. 

Food Ministers Welcome Here
Interested in helping to prepare Wellspring Wednesday meals? No previous experience is required as we give on-the-job training. We only ask you have a collaborative spirit and are willing to put love into the food we prepare and serve. If you are interested, you can sign up here or you can email Heidi at [email protected].

The majority of vegetables in the Wellspring Wednesday meals this month will be purchased from the farmers market and local farmers. 

October Programming

October 14
Dinner: Grilled cheese, tomato soup, snap pea-radish slaw, brown sugar cookies

Navigating Difficult Conversations: Israel and Palestine | Parish Hall and Zoom
How can we navigate competing narratives and attitudes to have the complex conversations we need to have? How can we move with confidence and courage to act in ways that can spark concrete, positive change? This event, led by Ruben Slomianski, will examine the history and nature of conversations about Israel and Palestine. Together we will explore practices for engaging in these conversations, and for turning your values and aspirations into positive actions.

Lectio Divina: A Spiritual Practice to Feed Your Soul | Zoom & Gannett Room
Is it poetry? Is it meditation? It’s a bit of both — Lectio Divina! Come experience the alchemy that occurs through focused reflection on an inspirational text. Many people find Lectio Divina sessions to be a time of rejuvenation and insight. Led by Shelley Butler and Lisa Wersal; facilitated by your own heart. 

Moving from Guilt to Activation: Owning Our Racism | Session 1 | Ames Chapel
Unity’s Racial Justice Team will follow last year’s Beloved Community Staff Team exploration of The Interconnected Roots of Oppression and expand on Unity’s Double Helix model with a series of Wellspring Wednesday experiences. Interconnected Roots taught us how racial capitalism informs political, economic and social systems. Moving from Guilt to Activation: Owning Our Racism will help us recognize and reckon with somatic dimensions of our white racist heritage. Circle conversations will be used to share insights that potentially “break us open and allow us to be transformed.” Follow-up programming on activation will be offered in early 2027. Please attend two fall sessions in preparation for spring sessions.

Somatic Yoga | Body Room
Experience a gentle, nervous system-informed yoga practice designed to help you pause, tune into yourself, and release tension stored in the body. Through mindful movement, breath, and awareness, this class supports nervous system regulation, balance, and deep relaxation. The class is accessible to anyone comfortable sitting on the floor, and you’re encouraged to bring a yoga mat, blanket, or blocks for added comfort. Led by Dr. Tamara Kraft, a somatic psychotherapist and holistic health coach.

October 21
Vegan dinner: Miso-glazed root vegetables, three-bean salad, rice, chocolate mousse 

Book Read Discussion: Defiantly Joyful | Parish Hall & Zoom
Don't miss the opportunity to hear about this landmark collection of personal histories from LGBTQIA+ Unitarian Universalists, created in honor of the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots. Defiantly Joyful grew out of the Rainbow Project, an effort to celebrate and preserve Unitarian Universalist LGBTQIA+ history. Editor Rev. Diana McLean will be joined by contributing writer Rev. Laura Smidzik. Books available for sale and signing.

Young Adults Group | Center Room
Unity's Young Adult Group is a fun, reflective group of people working to build multifaith and multicultural community. They come together to ask questions, to practice sharing what is sacred, and to try to live consequential lives as we navigate the complexity of being an adult. Questions? Email [email protected]. 

Moving from Guilt to Activation: Owning Our Racism | Session 2 | Ames Chapel
This series will help us recognize and reckon with somatic dimensions of our white racist heritage. Circle conversations will be used to share insights that potentially “break us open and allow us to be transformed.” Follow-up programming on activation will be offered in early 2027. Please attend two fall sessions in preparation for spring sessions.

October 28
Dinner: Tater tot hotdish (chicken*), Waldorf salad, roasted broccoli, brownies. *Beyond beef for vegetarians

In the Realm of Family Survivors of Child Suicide Loss | Parish Hall
We may find ourselves at a loss for words when someone we know is mourning a death by suicide. Participants from Unity’s child/grandchild suicide loss support group will reflect on and share the care they've received amidst the kindnesses of others. These acts of love have helped to comfort their wounded hearts, and may aid those you know in grief.

Five Theological Questions | Anderson Library
What does it mean to be human and alive?
Facilitated by Nathan Schultz, Nathan Jacobson, Monica Digre, Ruth Lencowski 
Explore one of the five questions at the heart of systematic theology. These same questions guide the church’s religious education program, with our youth sharing their answers — however provisional — each year at Coming of Age. This first session explores the question: What does it mean to be human and alive? Come prepared to engage in personal reflection and share your responses. If you are mentoring a young person through Unity's Coming of Age program, we examine each question before you will meet with your ager to focus on that topic. 

Moving from Guilt to Activation: Owning Our Racism | Session 3 | Ames Chapel
This series will help us recognize and reckon with somatic dimensions of our white racist heritage. Circle conversations will be used to share insights that potentially “break us open and allow us to be transformed.” Follow-up programming on activation will be offered in early 2027. Please attend two fall sessions in preparation for spring sessions.

Somatic Yoga | Body Room
Experience a gentle, nervous system-informed yoga practice designed to help you pause, tune into yourself, and release tension stored in the body. Through mindful movement, breath, and awareness, this class supports nervous system regulation, balance, and deep relaxation. The class is accessible to anyone comfortable sitting on the floor, and you’re encouraged to bring a yoga mat, blanket, or blocks for added comfort. Led by Dr. Tamara Kraft, a somatic psychotherapist and holistic health coach.

Wellspring Wednesday Proposal Form

Is there a program or class you would like to see offered  -- or that YOU would like to offer -- at an upcoming Wellspring Wednesday?

SUBMIT A PROPOSAL