Two contemporary books, "Lying Awake" by Mark Salzman and "The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down" by Anne Fadiman, invite us to consider what healing is, when we need it and when we don't. Music Damian Montano, BassoonTwo contemporary books, "Lying Awake" by Mark Salzman and "The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down" by Anne Fadiman, invite us to consider what healing is, when we need it and when we don't. Music Damian Montano, Bassoon

What do The Holidays mean to you?  For some, they herald family reunions, religious exaltation, good food, festive outings.  For many, this time of year amplifies an existing sense of loneliness, alienation from Christian belief and rituals, disgust with commercialism and/ or generalized stress.  However you feel, you are invited to a facilitated dialogue with the Healthy Congregation Council on Tuesday, December 3rd at 6.30 p.m. in Forbes Hall.  In gratitude for the gathered community of caring, we will hold space for each other to voice our thoughts and feelings, and to listen, with reverence, compassion and humility, to each other’s deep expressions of self.  We are pleased to announce that Reverend Jeremiah will provide a pastoral frame for the conversation.  Treats will be served.  For further information, please contact rightrelations@uusm.org, or speak to any Council member.
 

Please join the Healthy Congregation Council in reflecting upon staff transitions occurring at UUCCSM. We will have the opportunity to listen to one another as we share our thoughts, concerns, challenges, expectations and aspirations for the coming church year. Please sign up at the Right Relations table, email us at RightRelations@uusm.org or speak to a Right Relations Team member about your interest. Contact Audrey Lyness at alyness@aol.com.  >> details

Please join us on Sunday, August 18 at 11.45 a.m. in the Cottage SouthEast for the second Healthy Congregation InterGroup Dialogues Across Difference.  These events provide contained and respectful spaces where we can discuss topics about which we may strongly disagree.  InterGroup Dialogues encourage thoughtful verbal exchanges directed to more thoroughly understanding each others' possibly opposing perspectives.  The goal is not to debate, nor to change each others' minds, nor even to come to an agreement, but rather to explore controversial issues while appreciating our differences, to accept the inherent worth of each another's viewpoint, and in so doing to uphold the dignity of our fellow congregants. The topic for the upcoming gathering will focus on aspects of our varying experiences with food - for example physical health, social and emotional well-being, scarcity and the ethical implications of what we eat. Dialogues Across Difference: Are we what we Eat?