The Mystic Grove CUUPs February 2023 Monthly Events is posted.
All events are in Eastern time zone. For the full calendar please visit www.tinyurl.com/MGAnnualCalendar2022-2023
Email mysticgrove@orlandouu.org for more info.
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Winter Solstice Evening Service 2021
Did you miss it last night? You can catch our annual Winter Solstice service online in two place.
1U’s Video archive on Facebook or over at 1U’s Video archive on Youtube.
Though we did not host the All Night Yule Vigil on the church campus this year due to pandemic, some of us did stay up to watch over the community Yule log while it burned from home and had the poem and song to greet the dawn.
Special shout out to Rainbow CUUPs at First Unitarian Church of Honolulu. It was a pleasure to contribute out labyrinth lighting visuals for your first Winter Solstice celebration!
Mystic Grove 20th Anniversary Weekend Events
Come celebrate Mystic Grove CUUPs 20th Anniversary over a whole weekend of activities!
Friday Nov 26, 7 PM ZOOM
“Circle of Sacred Song and Sound” with Abigail Spinner Mcbride
Together, we will create a sacred, safe space, to explore our breath and sing like we’ve never sung before. When our voices have opened to sounds we didn’t know we could make, to heights and depths of harmony and dissonance we didn’t know existed? We will make sweet memories to remember through the season of the coming dark of winter.
Cost is suggested sliding scale $15-$30 donation. Nobody turned away for lack of funds. Pay online at www.orlandouu.org and click on DONATE. Please put “Circle of Sacred Song” in the memo line.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/92997635557?pwd=VEZ6dXJaWjhlZ2gwVGJsd3luTXFlUT09
Meeting ID: 929 9763 5557
Passcode: Spinner
Facebook RSVP: https://www.facebook.com/events/438729971022805
Saturday, Nov 27, 7 PM ZOOM
Virtual Bonfire
Gather around the virtual bonfire with your stories, songs, and memories. We’ll take a look back in the Mystic Grove photo album, share our favorite memories, and listen/sing to some of our fav songs.
Come celebrate 20 years of learning, worshipping, playing, and sharing together!
Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/91354334159?pwd=UWQ3ZXRnNnZEUW9hVXMvWHFjeFlQQT09
Meeting ID: 913 5433 4159
Passcode: MGBonfire
Facebook RSVP: https://www.facebook.com/events/606875270362246
Sunday, Nov 28 10:30 AM EST Sanctuary
“Origin Stories” Sunday Morning Worship
We celebrate the 20th anniversary of Mystic Grove CUUPs by reflecting on how the various threads of our origin stories weave together. How will you add your story to the colorful, ever unfolding tapestry at First Unitarian Church of Orlando?
You can RSVP to attend in person from the link in the Weekly Bulletin or tune in online over 1U Facebook Live and 1U YouTube.
Sunday, Nov 28, 12 PM EST in Classroom A and over Zoom
“Ask Me Anything”
Did you enjoy the music in today’s service? Come meet our special musical guest, pagan artist Abigail Spinner McBride and “ask her anything” about her work. pagan music, and experiences! We will Zoom from Classroom A in person, or you can join from your device anywhere.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/97023915294?pwd=dlpuRTl2bjQxNE45SVVWL01DWlRBZz09
Meeting ID: 970 2391 5294
Passcode: AskMe
Facebook RSVP: https://www.facebook.com/events/218718690403769/
For more info about any of the weekend activities, email mysticgrove@orlandouu.org
Summer 2021 Brochure
Paganism 101 Lesson 2 is posted
Thanks to everyone who was able to come to Lesson 2 today!
REVIEW
Both the slide deck PDF and the Study Hall sheet for Lesson 2 are posted online at
That is the main “hub” for all the class stuff. You can use the LESSONS tab at the top to get to the ones available so far. Both Lesson 1 and Lesson 2 materials are posted.
You can talk to classmates in between sessions on the matching Facebook group if you wish.
HOMEWORK
Homework is “pick your level.” Suggested minimum is from the red square area of the study hall 2 sheet.
These are the main items
- Read Article #2 “What is Ritual?”
- Practice #2 “A Solo Hour in Nature”
- Think about what “sacred space” means to you.
As willing and able, you can explore other ideas on the sheet if you wish. We do NOT expect you to try to do it all! It’s just for ideas. You can also pick your own activity or idea to explore for your spiritual practice this month.
NEXT TIME
Next time we talk about creating “sacred space.” We add a few more components to mini ritual — practicing casting the circle, calling elements, calling the lord and lady, raising energy in a simple way, and cakes and ale. Then we practice releasing all the things and opening the circle back up as we leave sacred space.
Our new tool is the pentacle plate. You can use any plate to serve your “cakes” at the home altar.
Minimal supplies are your
- UU chalice/candle/finger chalice
- a small plate with bread, cookies, or other treat for “cake”
- a glass with a beverage for “ale.”
You can set up your student altar with extra items if you wish.
You can bring a drum if you have one or you can drum on your lap or table.
We enjoyed seeing you today and look forward to seeing you next month! 
Spring 2021 Brochure
We are so excited to share that the Spring 2021 Brochure is out!
Seeker Class – 3rd Sundays Spring 2021
Seeker Class PR Flier Spring 2021
Are you curious about Paganism and/or Unitarian Universalism? Is this the path for you? Take this class to find out what it is all about. Both newbies and long term UU’s and Pagans gather to share their questions and experiences in lively discussion in this 90 minute class.
SYLLABUS
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Feb 21, 2021 |
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Mar 21, 2021 |
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Apr 18, 21 |
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May 16, 2021 |
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June 20, 2021 |
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FACEBOOK GROUP
You can join the Seeker Class study group on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/groups/mgseekerclass
REGISTRATION AND COST
This class is FREE. A $5 donation per class is welcome but not required. You can donate online or send a check.
To register please visit https://tinyurl.com/MGSeekerClassRegistration
For more info, email mysticgrove@orlandouu.org
Winter Solstice 2020 Info
Come celebrate the longest night of the year and the returning light with us on through special readings, songs, and reflections.
SPIRAL DANCE
Email mysticgrove@orlandouu.org to register and help film a masked and socially distance Spiral Dance at 6 PM on Sunday Dec 13, 2020 in the labyrinth. Guest list is limited to 15 persons.
SHARE PHOTOS
Are you decorating the house? Baking cookies? Setting up home altars? Doing other holiday activities? You can share your pix by emailing them to mysticgrove@orlandouu.org.
ATTEND WORSHIP AND FELLOWSHIP
- 7 PM EST Online Worship over Facebook Live and Zoom
- 8 PM EST Virtual Yule Bonfire Party on Zoom
Want to make the worship and after party more interactive?
LEARN THE SONGS
At worship…
- Carolyn’s Party by Ann Reed
- Held in the Heart by Abbie Spinner McBride
- Dance, My Children, Dance by Spiral Rhythm
- One Spirit by Spiral Rhythm
- Solstice Carol by Wyrd Sisters
At fellowship time…
- Come and Be Welcome by Heather Dale
- Solstice Night by SJ Tucker
PRINT AND MAKE THE CANDLE CENTERPIECE
YULE CHANT BOOKS
Learn a song from either the red or green Yule chant books and lead it around the bonfire! We love contrafactum!
SHORT MORNING RITUAL
If you do stay up all night to greet the sun, here’s a reading and song as you extinguish your candles.
READING:
“A Pagan Awakening” by Jeff A. Bordeaux
A new life is there,
You hear Her now,
She was always there,
and You’re forever changed.
So listen to Diana, and accept Her love.
Hoard not Her gifts : feeling, renewal, music.
A new life is there,
You see Him now,
He was always there,
and you’re forever changed.
So look to Apollo, and receive His light.
Hoard not His gifts : healing, growth, joy.
A new life is there,
Your hands reach it now,
It was always there,
and You’re forever changed.
So touch the earth, and partake of it’s sustenance.
Hoard not it’s gifts : body, green, silence.
A new life is there,
You soar with it now,
It was always there,
and You’re forever changed.
So breathe in the air and gather the wind.
Hoard not it’s gifts : mind, dreams, empathy.
A new life is there,
You’re warmed by it now,
It was always there,
and You’re forever changed.
So build the flame and brave it’s heat.
Hoard not it’s gifts : spirit, will, energy.
A new life is there,
You flow with it now,
It was always there,
and You’re forever changed.
So study the ocean and follow it’s tides.
Hoard not it’s gifts : self, courage, sorrow.
A new life is there,
You’re one with them now,
They were always there,
and You’re forever changed.
So take Their gifts and return them threefold.
Share this magic : friendship, love, trust.
SONG:
“Awaken Me” by Abigail Spinner McBride
For more info, email mysticgrove@orlandouu.org
Mabon 2020
For those who might enjoy “visiting” Orlando for Mabon!
Join us in celebrating the Autumn Equinox on Sept 19,2020 from 6:45 PM EST – 9 PM EST.
Come as you are or dressed in colors of the season: brown, orange, yellow, red, etc. Ritual starts at 7 PM, but we gather at 6:45 for “Meet and Greet” orientation.
Mabon is our annual canned/box food drive. This year we invite you to share the bounty by making an online donation to Second Harvest Food Bank as willing and able.
Email mysticgrove@orlandouu.org for Zoom connection info or visit the Facebook event page on the day.
Book Group – Pagan Voices
Note: This class series has ended. This is now an archived post.
(Book published by Skinner House Press. Image © Kishgraphics)
This 6 session book group meets on 3rd Sundays. We will be reading and discussing selections from “Pagan and Earth-Centered Voices in Unitarian Universalism.” It is drop-in friendly and free of cost. Donations always welcome toward the MG scholarship fund. This benefits students who wish to take our tuition classes but need financial assistance.
Each month on 3rd Sunday we gather in Room 1 after coffee hour and read the selection of the month out loud and discuss. While you don’t need a book to drop-in and check it out, your experience will be enriched if you do get your own text.
TOPICS
Volunteer teachers takes turns facilitating a session where 2 selections are read and discussed. Email us if you would like to co-host and share your two favorite selections from the book.
| Dates | Host(s) | Selections |
| Jan 20, 2019 | Mary |
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| Feb 17, 2019 | Cat |
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| Mar 17, 2019 | Dev Inderjeet |
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| Apr 21, 2019 | Mary |
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| May 19, 2019 | Michael |
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| June 16, 2019 | Lesley |
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HOW THE BOOK CAME TO BE
In early 2014, the board of CUUPS shared about a potential book project with Skinner House Press on Pagan Voices within the Unitarian Universalist Association. After much conversation, and weighing the options, Rev. Shirley Ranck and Jerrie Hilderbrand agreed to take it on and work on it together.
The result is a compilation of essays from people who followed Pagan and Earth-Centered traditions and/or thinking of many kinds.
“Similar to the other theologies honored in UU sources and principles, Paganism and Earth-Centered voices were as diverse as humanity. We are not a once size fits all. There is no dogma or one way being the right way. We challenge the Pagan who comes to us with a fixed way of thinking.”
You can read more about the book origins here.
BUY BOOKS ONLINE
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