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 $8/adults, $4/child (ages 5-12), $2/child (ages 2-4), and $20/family. If you need financial assistance to help cover the cost of dinner, or if you plan to join us and need a special dietary preparation, please email Laura Park at laura@unityunitarian.org. Vegetarian, vegan, gluten free, dairy free options available.
• 6:45 p.m.: Multigenerational chapel service in the Ames Chapel
• ​7:10-8:30 p.m.: Weekly programs with childcare provided. 

Wellspring Wednesday Programming

October 4
Dinner: grilled cheese and tomato soup, pea slaw, lemon cookies

Art from the Inside
In-person, Parish Hall
Join Art from the Inside founder and former correctional officer Antonio Espinosa as he takes us on his journey to create an organization that empowers incarcerated artists to experience personal transformation and restoration. How might we as individuals be in relationship with our neighbors in prison? Art from the Inside is the October Parish Hall exhibit.

Ministerial Search Team Cottage Meeting
Topic: Spiritual Leadership
In-person, Robbins Parlor
What does spiritual leadership look like and how is it lived out in Unity's ministries? We'll explore the question of spiritual leadership as it relates to worship, music, children, faith formation, chalice circles and literary ministries. Everyone is welcome, and groups that may be particularly interested in attending include worship associates, music ministries, religious education, teaching associates, history and archive teams, Beloved Community Staff Team, and Coming of Age and Tower Club youth.

Antiracism Literacy Partners
Online via Zoom
This program highlights useful books, podcasts, and videos in our ongoing practice of learning about systemic racism and the work of dismantling it. Participants report that their understanding of a resource increases exponentially when explored with a partner or a group. Choose a resource, sign up for a buddy or small group and make plans for your discussions. Resource/discussion guides provided.

Beginner Violin with Mayra Mendoza
In-person, Choir Room
Beginning violin lessons appropriate for all ages. Learn basic violin posture, note reading, and more! 

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October 11
Dinner: black bean enchiladas, corn salad, cinnamon sugar bars

Passage • Before dinner 5:00 to 6:00
In-person, Center Room
Join OnStage for an exploration and experience of the play Passage, playing through October 15 at the Pillsbury House Theater. A fantasia inspired by E.M. Forster’s A Passage to India, Passage is set in the fictional Country X, which is a neocolonial client of Country Y. B, a local doctor, and F, an expat teacher, begin to forge a friendship that is challenged after a fateful trip to a local attraction. Can an authentic friendship occur between colonizer/colonized, between oppressor/oppressed or between people who disagree over fundamental values? Participants will also receive a ticket discount to see the play at Pillsbury House Theatre. 

Doctrine of Discovery
Unity Church and online via Zoom
Sponsored by Unity’s Indigenous Justice Community Outreach Ministry Team
Come view and discuss the powerful landmark documentary, The Doctrine of Discovery: Unmasking the Domination Code (or watch it in advance). The film tells the true story of how religious doctrine led to the destruction and dehumanization of the many First Nation peoples of Great Turtle Island (now North, Central, and South America). It is a story of history, spirituality, and resistance told from an Indigenous perspective. 

Filmmaker and director Sheldon Wolfchild (Dakota) and Co-Producer Steven Newcomb (Shawnee, Lenape) collaborated to bring this story to the screen and Wolfchild will be on hand following the showing to answer questions.

Antiracism Literacy Partners is offering the documentary as one of its resources this month for those who wish to engage in deeper conversation about this topic.

Ministerial Search Team Cottage Meeting 
Topic: Community Engagement and Justice Work
In-person, Robbins Parlor
We aspire to lead lives of integrity, service and joy. How do we live out the aspiration to be of service through our community outreach ministry and justice work? What do we expect of ourselves — and our ministers — as representatives of the liberal faith in the wider community? Everyone is welcome; groups that may be particularly interested in attending include all members of our Community Outreach Ministry Teams, and members who are also community partners including Circle of Peace, One Voice, Mila, and Border Crossing.
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Lectio Divina
Online via Zoom
Register once, at any time, to attend any or all sessions
Participate in a centuries-old monastic practice of listening, contemplating, and responding to sacred texts; modified with poetry for UU small group spiritual practice. Led by Lisa Wersal or Shelley Butler. On Wednesdays, you may join the Zoom from the Gannett Room at church. Questions? Contact Shelley at 
library@unityunitarian.org.
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Beginner Violin with Mayra Mendoza
In-person, Choir Room
Beginning violin lessons appropriate for all ages. Learn basic violin posture, note reading, and more! ​

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October 18
Dinner: sweet and savory breakfast casseroles, salad, fruit

Dying for Beginners Part 1: Thinking About Death
In-person, Parish Hall
In this first session, each of us will take on the uncomfortable task of contemplating the end of our own lives. Reverend Lara Cowtan, our new Minister of Congregational Care, will place contemporary trends in end-of-life in a context of historical and religious approaches to death and dying. Paired conversations, simple exercises and time for reflection will make this an enriching experience.

The Natural Guitar 
In-person, Foote Room
Retired guitar professor, classical guitarist and studio guitarist Nick Raths will share his thoughts on the most natural and efficient way of playing the guitar. If you’ve found it difficult to get from one chord to the next, one note to the next, that pesky bar chord, that you’re picking is uneven and your strumming doesn’t feel quite right, that your left hand gets tired, this class could be the answer. Playing the guitar can be a joy and not a struggle. Bring your guitar and find out.

Ministerial Search Team Cottage Meeting
Topic: Governance and Management
In Person Robbins Parlor
Unity Church's Executive Team is accountable to the Ends of the congregation, that is, a set of value statements which guide and direct the ministries of the church. What are our hopes and expectations around our current governance system and ends? How will our senior leadership be asked to engage with this important part of church life? 

Board Game Night 
In-person, Anderson Library
Open to everyone; kids are welcome with their adult(s)! We’ll have a variety of board games available that are easy to learn, or bring a favorite board game.

Textile Arts
In-person, DeCramer Room
All ages and levels of experience are welcome! Join Textile Arts for creation and conversation — bring your knitting, crocheting, tatting, embroidery, needlepoint, and cross stitch! 

Beginner Violin with Mayra Mendoza
In-person, Choir Room
Beginning violin lessons appropriate for all ages. Learn basic violin posture, note reading, and more! 

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October 25
Dinner: spaghetti and meatballs, big chopped salad, Italian wedding cookies 

Talking about Food Waste: An Evening with Lydia Campbell
Parish Hall and online via Zoom
Ms. Cambell recently led an informative series for the City of Saint Paul highlighting ways we can reduce food waste, protecting our pocketbooks and the environment at the same time. You are sure to leave this evening with practical tips to try at home!

Dying for Beginners Part 2: Experiencing Dying
In-person, Anderson Library
What does it feel like to die? Every death is different, but all deaths share similar processes as the body shuts down. A health care provider with decades of experience will enhance our understanding of the dying process. There will be plenty of time for questions about pain management, palliative care, and hospice.

Ministerial Search Team Cottage Meeting 
Topic: Congregational and Pastoral Care
In-person, Robbins Parlor 
What are the congregation's expectations around pastoral care? How is that different or the same as congregational care? What is the minister's role in creating a culture of care? Everyone is welcome, and groups that may be particularly interested in attending include the Congregational Care Team, representatives of our senior living communities, people involved in rites of passage.
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Beginner Violin with Mayra Mendoza
In-person, Choir Room
Beginning violin lessons appropriate for all ages. Learn basic violin posture, note reading, and more! ​

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