Thanks to those who attended the Dec 2 monthly meeting.  Here’s the notes if you missed it.

WINTER SOLSTICE

It is time to get ready for our biggest ritual of the year! You can download the PDF schedule as a 2-up here.  Come for it all or just the bits you like best. Cut it in half and share one with a friend.  We really do go all night!

Yule Schedule OOS Insert 2017

VOLUNTEERING FOR YULE

Are you interested in helping out ? There are several opportunities.

As always, bring your instruments, readings, poems, games, movies, camp chairs or tents if you want to nap, etc.

NEXT RITUAL

Imbolc:  Twisted Oak will be our guest ritual leaders for this event.  It will be done in the Alexandrian tradition.  Details and  RSVP info here. 

CLASSES 

Tarot 2: Minor Arcana has its class party on Thursday Dec 14.   Guests welcome to come see student works, explore the study hall centers, play games, and swap.  Bring your tarot decks, books, and other goodies that you are done with and wish to pass on to another student. Maybe you will find something that calls to you?

Requiem Study Group CANCELED until Jan 12,  7:00-9:00 pm, Gore Hall 

Dec 8th session has been canceled so students can enjoy a holiday break in December. We will resume on January 12. If you wish to keep working on your planners over the break, consider filling out your “Key Contacts” tab. This is the “address book” section. (If you wish to join class in January, you are welcome to just jump in. Bring one of the suggested planners and start working on your tabs. ) More info here. Enjoy the holiday season!

Circle of Song is a new “drop in” friendly class on 2nd Saturdays from 1 PM – 3 PM if you would like to learn to sing in a family friendly environment.  This is “easy choir” for the non-singers and experienced singers wanting to play!  Childcare is provided on the coop model.  If you are bringing a child or grandchild, please RSVP over email with your name and ages of children so we can have enough supplies in the Kid’s Club.  The next session is Dec 9. This is our Holiday edition.

3rd Sunday Movie Nite

Our 3rd Sunday movie nite will come back in the Spring Term now that we are settling into the newly remodeled spaces.  We are taking suggestions for the Spring Term movie list.  If you have ideas? Email us! 

OTHER UU NEWS

MONTHLY CALENDAR

Here’s what is coming up in the next month until the next meeting.

NEXT MONTHLY MEETING

The next 1st Sunday Monthly Meeting is Jan 7, 2017 at 12:30 PM in Room 1. This is a great way to get to know us and how we work. Guests welcome to attend.

Here we discuss how the past ritual went, plan for next ritual, classes, craft circles, and more. Lunch at a nearby restaurant follows for those wanting to enjoy fellowship after the meeting.

Questions or more info?  Please email us at mysticgrove@orlandouu.org

Thanks to those who came out for Samhain 2017!  We had a lot of fun. You can find more pictures here.

Thanks also to those who attended the November 5 monthly meeting.  Here’s the notes if you missed it.

RITUALS

Samhain: It went well and was well received. Thanks for all the feedback!

Yule: We now move on to planning for the Winter Solstice evening service and the Annual Yule Vigil.  If you would like to help with these events, please email mysticgrove@orlandouu.org

Imbolc:  We are currently working with Twisted Oak who will be our guest ritual leaders for this event. Details soon!

CLASSES CONTINUE

Tarot 2: Minor Arcana is about half way done but it is not too late to join the Facebook Group version and take the class as an “at home player.”

Requiem Class on 2nd Fridays might be the class for you if you need help getting your personal affairs in order. The next session is Nov 11.  This study group is “work at your pace” so just bring your planner and jump in on whatever tab we’re discussing next. Class is free, and either of the two suggested planners are $12 on amazon.

Circle of Song is a new “drop in” friendly class on 2nd Saturdays from 1 PM – 3 PM if you would like to learn to sing in a family friendly environment.  This is “easy choir” for the non-singers and experienced singers wanting to play!  Childcare is provided on the coop model.  If you are bringing a child or grandchild, please RSVP over email with your name and ages of children so we can have enough supplies in the Kid’s Club.  The next session is November 18.  Please Note the date change due to the 1U Open House. 

3rd Sunday Movie Nite

Our 3rd Sunday movie nite will come back in the Spring Term now that we are settling into the newly remodeled spaces.  We are taking suggestions for the Spring Term movie list.  If you have ideas? Email us! 

OTHER UU NEWS

1U Open House 

Come check out our newly renovated campus on November 11 from 11:00 am – 2:00 pm!
There will be food trucks, lawn games, mini-campus tours, a bounce house for kids, and live music. Please attend, and bring your family, friends and neighbors.

MONTHLY CALENDAR

Here’s what is coming up in the next month until the next meeting. Here is the PDF “fridge version” for this month: MG Calendar Nov 2017

NEXT MONTHLY MEETING

The next 1st Sunday Monthly Meeting is Dec 3, 2017 at 12:30 PM in Room 1. This is a great way to get to know us and how we work. Guests welcome to attend.

Here we discuss how the past ritual went, plan for next ritual, classes, craft circles, and more. Lunch at a nearby restaurant follows for those wanting to enjoy fellowship after the meeting.

Questions or more info?  Please email us at mysticgrove@orlandouu.org

Thanks to those who came out for for the  October 1, 2017 monthly meeting!  Highlights?

PAGAN PRIDE

We had a great time meeting a lot of you at Pagan Pride on September 30, 2017.  We hope you enjoyed the event also!

Annual Member Dinner in October

The date has been chosen! The annual member dinner will be at the Willow Tree on October 21st.  Please RSVP on the member Yahoo! list.

Are you interested in learning about the pathway to membership? 

Gore Hall OPEN! Open House is Nov 11th.

While the “official” Open House and unveiling is not until Nov 11th,  this past saturday church volunteers helped move all the furniture stored in the pods into Gore Hall.  So much work got done that the the first “coffee hour” after the service was able to happen the following day in the bright new space. First Unitarian church members and guests were able to enjoy coffee and snacks while exploring all the new rooms!

Fall Term Classes Begin

Our Fall and Spring Term offerings are now posted!

Tarot 2: Minor Arcana begins this week on Oct 5th.  If you aren’t sure if this is the class level for you? You can come attend the first class to find out.

Requiem Class on 2nd Fridays might be the class for you if you need help getting your personal affairs in order. It starts Oct 13th.

Circle of Song is a new “drop in” friendly class on 2nd Saturdays from 1 PM – 3 PM if you would like to learn to sing in a family friendly environment.  This is “easy choir” for the non-singers and experienced singers wanting to play!  Childcare is provided on the coop model.  If you are bringing a child or grandchild, please RSVP over email with your name and ages of children so we can have enough supplies in the Kid’s Club.

3rd Sunday Movie Nite

Our 3rd Sunday movie nite will come back in the Spring Term now that we are settling into the newly remodeled spaces.  We are taking suggestions for the Spring Term movie list.  If you have ideas? Email us! 

MONTHLY CALENDAR

Here’s what is coming up this month. If you like it “fridge style printable” you can grab it off the calendar page.

NEXT RITUAL

Samhain approaches.  We will be celebrating on Nov 4, 2017 at 7 PM with a potluck to follow.  The theme is “Many Faces of the Goddess. ” Join Mystic Grove as we honor “The Many Faces of the Goddess,” honor our ancestors, and walk the new labyrinth for the first time in ritual!

(If you forget a label, find the star basket on the table with Sharpies and blank index cards and make one.)

You may bring photos of your ancestors for the community altar.

This is our second largest ritual of the year! There are volunteer opportunities for this event — help decorate, put out chairs, be a greeter, call a corner,  help clean up etc.  Please email if you are interested.

NEXT MONTHLY MEETING

The next 1st Sunday Monthly Meeting is Nov 5, 2017 at 12:30 PM in Room 1. This is a great way to get to know us and how we work. Guests welcome to attend.

Here we discuss how the past ritual went, plan for next ritual, classes, craft circles, and more. Lunch at a nearby restaurant follows for those wanting to enjoy fellowship after the meeting.

Questions or more info?  Please email us at mysticgrove@orlandouu.org

Thanks to those who came out for for the Sept 3, 2017 monthly meeting!  Highlights?

START OF NEW CHURCH YEAR

New Officers

We welcome our brand new new historian and welcome back the officers who are reprising the roles in 2017-2018!

New Membership & “Steering Committee”

The annual Aug – Sept membership month  is over.  New roster will be distributed soon to members on file.  We have 12 voting members and 2 regular volunteer members this year on the “steering committee.”

While Mystic Grove events are all open to the general public, this core group of volunteers are the ones who choose to do the “heavy lifting” and represent the greatest level of commitment and participation. They all sign up to serve for one year doing this programming work so Mystic Grove can offer a variety of of programs to the general public.

Anyone is free to participate in Mystic Grove at the level they feel best and new members are accepted year round. You can best keep up with us and our events on Facebook.

Annual Member Dinner in October

Most years we end the summer and welcome fall by cleaning up our classroom in late August and then celebrating with the annual member dinner.  This year with the church remodel, there was nothing to clean up!

We’re still going to have our annual celebration dinner at the Willow Tree Cafe though. Watch for the Doodle link to go out so we can set a field trip date in October.

Annual Water Service  & “Sneak Peek” Tours — CANCELED DUE TO HURRICANE IRMA

Sept 11, 2017  is the Annual Water Service at 11 AM.  It marks the last service of the summer schedule before First Unitarian goes back to the usual 9 AM and 11 AM fall worship schedule.  After the service, there will be “sneak preview” tours of Gore Hall!

Main remodeling is over and we are down to the “punch lists” on both the fellowship hall and the education building.  These last touches will be completed and the Open House will be held on Oct 7, 2017 for the community at large to check out our new spaces.   If you have never attended a Unitarian Universalist service, this is a good one to visit on!

New Classes Posted

Our Fall and Spring Term offerings are now posted!

Registration for Tarot 2: Minor Arcana is OPEN!  Please email mysticgrove@orlandouu.org to register.

Registration will open in Mid September for Requiem Class if you need help getting your personal affairs in order and for Circle of Song if you would like to learn to sing in a family friendly environment.

MONTHLY CALENDAR

Here’s what is coming up this month.

NEXT MONTHLY MEETING

The next 1st Sunday Monthly Meeting is October 8, 2017 at 12:30 PM. This is a great way to get to know us and how we work. Guests welcome to attend. Due to remodel work, exact room is TBA. Look for the door signs in the education building or the celestial lawn flag!

Here we discuss how the past ritual went, plan for next ritual, classes, craft circles, and more. Lunch at a nearby restaurant follows for those wanting to enjoy fellowship after the meeting.

Questions or more info?  Please email us at mysticgrove@orlandouu.org

We’re still doing activities amidst all the flurry!  The education building is about done and the new labyrinth is in place and ready for your visit.

Gore Hall is still being worked on, so for latest updates, like us on Facebook.  It is the best place to keep up.  All the groups housed at 1U are still doing their activities amid the joyful chaos… just that sometimes what room we end up in might switch around.

We look forward to the whole campus being done in October.  So keep hanging in there with us.  We appreciate your goodwill and patience!

https://www.orlandouu.org/news/campus-renovation/

New Labyrinth at First Unitarian Available to the Community

A beautiful new labyrinth has been installed at First Unitarian Church of Orlando and is available as a community resource. The labyrinths is the center piece of the campus as it is renovated to best equip the congregation to best serve the community. Labyrinth are an ancient spiritual tool that engages one in a slow walking meditation inviting deep reflection. The labyrinth is particularly special as some of its cost was covered by donations to the congregation after the Pulse tragedy and by community groups that use campus space. It is truly of and for the community.

“Upon entering a labyrinth one embarks on a journey, a journey to the inner regions of one’s being. There is no other place to go, only the center, and yet, the journey is not a straight line. The journey has twists and turns. If we are to get to the heart of things, we must take the journey.”