Mystic Grove CUUPs Community Survey

~ Pax / Geoffrey ~ Leave a comment

Mystic Grove is celebrating 25 years of serving our shared communities this year & 10 years as a CUUPs chapter. At such milestones it is tempting to look back upon our past. At what has been done. The adventures, celebrations, successes & misadventures from across what is actually over 3 decades of our community if we are counting the nascent group of Unitarian Universalist Pagans who started to get more involved with things at 1U when then Reverend Marni Harmony was establishing the Winter Solstice Service & Spiral Dance.

To reminisce about the many good memories we have as a community. We have certainly been doing some of that. At the same time we have also been reinvigorating & renewing ourselves to meet the moment of some very troubling times for our shared communities & the world.

We are choosing to look to our future. Looking to how we can better serve our shared Pagan & Unitarian Universalist communities moving forward in the years to come.

As a part of that we have created a Community Survey. Roughly 17 questions, 3 of them optional. Entirely confidential. We will not have access to identifying information unless you choose to share your e-mail with us in order to hear back regarding some of your responses.

This Community Survey is to help Mystic Grove CUUPs plan & schedule our events, classes, & worship events for the 2027 & 2028 program years.

https://tinyurl.com/mysticgrovesurvey

Craft Circle: Bell Wreaths & Winter Spice

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When: Saturday, November 21, 2026 | 11:00 AM–1:00 PM

Where: Assembly Room in the Enrichment Center at First Unitarian Church of Orlando

Cost: Suggested donation of $5 to replenish craft supplies. No one will be turned away due to lack of funds, while supplies last.

Join Mystic Grove CUUPS for a relaxed and welcoming afternoon of creativity and community!

This year, our main inspiration comes from The Natural Home Wheel of the Year by Raechel Henderson. Each month, we’ll explore seasonal crafts inspired by the turning of the Wheel of the Year. Whenever possible, we create our projects ahead of the sabbat so you can enjoy them at your home altar or incorporate them into your celebrations.

November’s Projects: Warm Winter Spice & Bell Wreaths

We’ll start by loading up a simmer pot using the “Warm Winter Spice” recipe (page 73) to make our space extra cozy for the holidays! This will be a demonstration rather than a make-and-take project.

Then we’ll make bell wreaths (page 70), a lovely way to welcome the season and bring a little seasonal magic into your home.

Have another project you’re working on? Bring it along! Every Craft Circle gathering welcomes BYO projects, so you’re free to work at your own pace and enjoy some creative company.

For more information, contact mysticgrove@orlandouu.org.

You’re Invited!

~ Pax / Geoffrey ~ Leave a comment

Members & Friends,

Our recent experiment of adding a couple of hours of some social time at the end of our November business meeting was a success!

In fact we decided to do it again!

It was nice to have some new folks show up from our shared communities. One had even seen the notices here *that day* & decided to drop by & check us out!

The business meeting itself went well & among other things we decided to go ahead with the Mystic Grove Community Survey (see pinned post on our page here) to help us better serve our Pagan & UU communities into 2027 & 2028!

After business concluded we started by reminiscing about the Winter Solstice vigils he used to host in years past, either on the night of the Solstice or after the 1U Winter Solstice Service; we also discussed reviving this tradition in 2027. Conversation moved on to everything from genealogy to food-shares & mutual aid projects, to historic home restoration, to the travails of overnight shifts, & a little bit of everything else!

We enjoyed some light food & drink, laughed, & enjoyed a relaxed welcoming atmosphere with some of our fellow Pagans & Unitarian Universalists.

We also, hope to see you there in December!

A Few Other UU Pagan Voices

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There is an old joke amongst Unitarian Universalists that “If you’ve visited one UU Congregation or Fellowship, you’ve visited one UU Congregation or Fellowship.”

This speaks to the fact that Unitarian Universalism operates on a congregational model, member congregations each have their own locally based ways of organizing, worshiping, & engaging in our shared Unitarian Universalist Faith.

Much the same is true with CUUPs chapters. There are many CUUPs chapters across the United States each with their own unique ways of engaging with their shared communities & traditions, practicing their faiths, and building beloved community as Unitarian Universalist Pagans. This means that in addition to Mystic Grove CUUPs there are other places where one can explore their interest in, or experience of, our unique unique way of gathering together in multi-faith beloved community!

Luckily for us, given the prices of air fare & gasoline, some of them are online! Here are a few resources to get new folks started & hopefully surprise some of our members & friends!


Nature’s Sacred Journey: Celebrating UU Paganism & Earth-Centered Experience!

“This blog features articles from a variety of authors who reflect the span and depth of Pagan and Earth-Centered spiritual life within the 1,000+ congregations of the Unitarian Universalist Association. Some essays are from parish ministers, some are from other religious professionals, and some are from laity, all of whom place a large part of their spiritual life in a Unitarian Universalist setting. Because of the diversity of authors, the topics they address will vary enormously as well.” –from their About page

Under The Ancient Oaks: Musings of a Pagan, Druid, & Unitarian Universalist

Another Patheos blog to check out by author John Beckett. He is a Druid in the Order of Bards, Ovates and Druids, a member of Ár nDraíocht Féin, served 12 years as the Coordinating Officer of the Denton CUUPs, & 3 years on the Board of Trustees of CUUPS Continental. He also contributed to the Pagan and Earth-Centered Voices in Unitarian Universalism anthology.

The CUUPs Podcast

This podcast only ran for a few years but proved an important role in some of the early years of the Covenant of Unitarian Universalist Pagans. It was hosted by David Pollard a Unitarian Universalist Pagan who served on the CUUPs Board of Trustees from 1995-2001 & again from 2007-2014, and from 2014-2018 served as the Executive Director for CUUPs national.

We at Mystic Grove hope this brief list helps visitors, members, & friends, to expand & deepen their explorations of our living traditions.

November 2026 Events

~ Pax / Geoffrey ~ Leave a comment

Mystic Grove CUUPs hosts a variety of events each month. We welcome anyone interested in being a part of our community & worship & work to come to a few of our different events to see what we are about & explore how you might become involved!

November 1 – First Sunday Mystic Grove Meeting & Social

Noon to 3pm.

Our monthly meeting is a great way to learn how we work & get to know some of the members of our community. This is where we plan the next ritual, classes, craft circles. Make friends, or co-conspirators, in a relaxed & friendly environment.

Planning is already underway for 2027 classes, events, & worship; if you’d like to offer ideas or volunteer to share your knowledge & talent, or simply would like to meet & get to know other Pagans & UU Pagans please drop on by.

November 7 – First Saturday Long Line Sewing Class

Reservation is 10 AM – 2 PM to allow set up and clean up,

Class from 11am to 1pm.

This event has some requirements & sliding scale fees involved, more details available at the blog or calendar on our website, or our event page on here!

November 21 – Third Saturday Craft Circle:

Bell Wreath & Warm Spice Simmer

11am to 1pm.

A pair of seasonally appropriate simple craft projects. A suggested donation of $5 helps us replenish supplies. No one will be turned away due to lack of funds while supplies last!

First Sunday Monthly Meeting… and Social?!

~ Pax / Geoffrey ~ Leave a comment

A beloved spiritual community is not built by rituals or classes alone. The small moments of discussion & sometimes random or rambling conversations that lead to new friendship & new ideas are a part of the glue that builds a beautiful collage of a community.

Such social events have a long history here at Mystic Grove as you may have seen exploring our website with the mentions of the movie nights, “field-trips”, & other events & adventures over the years. In fact, for a long time now, our First Sunday Meeting for business has had a social component. After the meeting those who were willing & able could vote on a nearby restaurant & go out to eat together.

The last few years however it seems like prices keep going up & so do the number of things on everyone’s calendar & to-do list. Making a spur-of-the-moment, & increasingly expensive, lunch with friends & co-conspirators more difficult than ever to manage!

That is why Mystic Grove is trying a new variation on this old tradition. We are adding a bloc of a couple of extra hours onto our First Sunday monthly meeting, as some social time where we already are! We are encouraging folks to bring some snacks to share as they are willing and able.

Our hope is to provide a little more space for the socializing, the sharing, the informal discussions of ideas or interests that are the seed bed of new ways of being in & building beloved community.

Image is an invitation stating "You're Invited!" in large lettering with smaller text beneath reading "November 1 - Noon to 3pm in Assembly Room First Sunday Mystic Grove Meeting & Social Our monthly meeting is a great way to learn how we work & get to know some of the members of your community! This is where we plan the next ritual, classes, community events, & more. Meet other Pagans & Unitarian Universalists, perhaps even make new friends, in a relaxed welcoming environment. Planning is already underway for 2027 classes, events, & worship services. If you’d like to offer ideas or volunteer to share your knowledge & talent, just have questions, or a desire to build community please drop on by! Attendees are invited, as they are willing & able, to bring a snack to share during the social time after business concludes." all against a black & white rendition of the Mystic Grove tree logo.

Make a Three Seam Cloak for Halloween and Renn Faire Season!

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Join Mystic Grove CUUPS for our October 3rd Saturday Craft Circle, featuring a Three Seam Cloak workshop! Just in time for Halloween and Renaissance Faire season, we’ll show you how to make your own cloak from a flat sheet.

When: Saturday, October 17, 2026, 11 AM–1 PM
Where: Gore Hall, Classrooms A and B
Cost: $5 to help replenish sewing notions

No sewing experience is required, but you must know how to use an iron. We’ll provide sewing machines, bobbins, templates, ironing stations, and step-by-step instructions.

What to Bring

Please bring these three items:

  • One washed and dried flat sheet in cotton or a cotton blend (not a fitted sheet). We recommend a full-size sheet for teens and smaller adults, or a queen-size sheet for adults and plus-size wearers.
  • One spool of 5/8-inch satin ribbon for the cloak ties.
  • One spool of Coats & Clark all-purpose thread in a color that matches your sheet.

Reserve Your Spot!

Classroom space is limited, so we can accommodate only 10–15 participants. Please email us to reserve your spot.

To RSVP or ask questions, contact mysticgrove@orlandouu.org.

We look forward to crafting with you!

Long Lines Students Sew Pillowcases for Ryan’s Case for Smiles

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On October 3, 2026, the “Long Lines” beginner sewing students continued building their sewing machine skills—and put them to work making pillowcases for Ryan’s Case for Smiles.

This month, students learned how to thread their machines and balance thread tension. They also began learning about the all-purpose presser foot and how it is used for everyday sewing.

For their first project, students used pillowcase cuff and body templates made from recycled election signs to cut their fabric pieces. They learned the “hot dog” method for sewing the cuff to the pillowcase body.

Next they learned two different ways to finish their seams: a zig-zag clean finish and a French seam.

The finished pillowcases will be donated to Ryan’s Case for Smiles, which provides cheerful pillowcases to children in hospitals. Learn more about Ryan’s Case for Smiles.

A special thank-you to Wendy and Mike, who donated two bags of fabric for our students to use!

Want More Sewing Time?

Missed class or want some extra time at the machine? Join us for Craft Circle on October 17 at 11 AM, when you can sew, work on your own projects, or spend some time with fellow crafters.

Looking for a Halloween or Renn Faire project? You can also make the October craft circle project — a Three-Seam Cloak from a bedsheet and a spool of 5/8-inch ribbon. It’s a simple beginner-friendly project that can be finished in time for Halloween or Renn Faire season.

Coming Up in Long Lines

Our next “Long Lines” classes will be November 7 and December 5, when students will learn to make a basic 12-block quilt to donate to Project Linus, which provides handmade blankets to children in hospitals and other children in need. Learn more about Project Linus and check out their free patterns for knit, crochet, and sewn blankets!

For more information about Long Lines, Craft Circle, or donating cotton fabric, finished pillowcases, or finished blankets, email mysticgrove@orlandouu.org.

Preplanning for Heathens – Oct 14

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Planning ahead for the end of life can help ensure that our wishes are known and our loved ones aren’t left making difficult decisions during a time of grief. But for people whose religious, spiritual, or secular identities don’t fit traditional funeral practices, finding options that reflect their values can present additional challenges.

Join Tee Rogers for Preplanning for Heathens, a discussion about making our end-of-life wishes known, documenting our plans, finding affirming deathcare providers, and exploring traditional, natural, and emerging options.

The event is being held in honor of Todd, who died in 2025. His loved ones experienced challenges that might have been eased through advance planning. This discussion grew from a promise to create a space where people from underrepresented communities could think ahead about how they want to be honored, remembered, and cared for.

Wednesday, October 14 | 6–7:30 PM
First Unitarian Church of Orlando

This free event is open to all. Come learn, ask questions, and begin thinking about what you want your own final arrangements to look like.

Register for Preplanning for Heathens on Eventbrite.

Have Fabric to Donate? Bring to class on Oct 3!

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Our “Long Lines” sewing students are making pillowcases and small quilts that can be donated to children’s hospital charities such as Ryan’s Case for Smiles and Project Linus.

We’re always happy to receive cheerful, kid-friendly 100% cotton prints for projects suitable for kids and teens. Not glitter fabrics, please. The glitter can rub off and get in patient injuries. Thanks to Linda and Lynn for the most recent donations!

Fabric donations can be dropped off:

  • Saturday, October 3, 11 AM–1 PM during the Long Lines sewing class
  • Tuesdays and Sundays in the donation bucket at the Alliance Thrift Store
  • In the church front office during office hours with a note it is for sewing class

Are you a crafter? You can also donate completed projects! You can sew a pillowcase at home for Ryan’s Case for Smiles. Project Linus provides blanket patterns, and accepts handmade blankets in a variety of styles, including knit and crochet blankets.

Email mysticgrove@orlandouu.org for more info.