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 Service
Did you miss the Winter Solstice service?
You can download the 12-21-2020 Winter Solstice OOS for Tech Team.
You can also watch it on Facebook video…
Or on YouTube.
Enjoy!
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.
Summer/Fall 2020 Brochure
The Summer/Fall 2020 Brochure is out! You can get the PDF for it by clicking MG Fall 2020 Brochure
2020 CUUPs Summer Solstice Service
The CUUPs Summer Solstice Service for Virtual General Assembly June 24- June 28, 2020 was in the “one demand” library. Now that it is over, CUUPs has archived it on their YouTube.
Mystic Grove appears in the chapter highlight reel and portion of the First Unitarian Church of Orlando labyrinth and sanctuary art also appear.
2020 Mystic Grove Midsummer Service
Did you miss the 2020 Summer Solstice service by Mystic Grove? You can catch it online at both First Unitarian Church of Orlando Facebook Videos.
To catch the songs only you can jump ahead to these approximate points in the sermon.
(1:45) Bourrée I of Bach’s Third Cello Suite
(11:50) STJ #1067 Mother Earth, Beloved Garden
(23:40) “Firebird’s Child” by SJ Tucker
(33:50) Earth My Body Chant 1
(39:03) Earth My Body Chant 2
(44:48) The Braes of Balquidder
(48:52) STLT #387 Earth Water Fire Air
(54:17) “Enter the Center” by Abbi Spinner McBride
and at First Unitarian Church of Orlando YouTube.
August 2019 News
MEETING NOTES
Thanks to those who attended the monthly meeting on Sunday, Aug 4! Here are the August Minutes if you missed it.
In our efforts to increase transparency, help Mystic Grove friends and fans keep up, and assist forming CUUPS chapters and other groups, we’re making it a goal to make more of our documents “public access” as we continue to revise our website.
The next meeting is Sept 1, 2019 at Noon in Room 1. Guests welcome to observe and learn how we work.
INSPIRATION PHOTO
Thanks to those who came to Wep Ronpet on Aug 3, 2019! It is the Kemetic New Year. You can learn more about it at Wep Ronpet: A Guide.
WORSHIP
Our next ritual on Sept 21 celebrates Mabon. It will be guest ritual by Stephanie W. from Pagans in the Park in the Irish/Celtic tradition.
6:15 PM “Meet & Greet” is in the small living room space off the foyer with Cat. Learn about Unitarian Universalism, Paganism, the Mystic Grove, First Unitarian, Pagans in the Park, what to expect at a ritual, or any other questions you might have!
7 PM Ritual is in Gore Hall main.
8 PM Potluck is in Gore Hall Main, and everyone pitches in to tidy up at 9 PM.
Solar ritual is free. $5 love offering welcome to help replenish worship supplies and more.
EDUCATION
July 11 & July 25: Kitchen Witchery
We continue explore various demonstrations from “Kitchen Witchery” by Cerridwen Greenleaf. Learn how to bring the sacred into the simple acts of making meals, teas, and crafts from the garden and kitchen. On Aug 22 we explore “Kitchen Cupboard Cures” with Mary. On Sept 12, we are “Cooking Up Lots of Love” with Mary and Lesley. On Sept 26 we end the series by “Celebrating Wheel of the Year” and “Potluck Celebration Dinner with Sharing Final Projects.” Last session is led by Cat.
“Drop In” student welcome to attend demonstrations at $5 per class. Please RSVP on Facebook so we can plan for supplies.
NEW CLASSES
New classes for fall have their syllabuses posted!
Getting Started in Adult RE begins on Sept 8. This is a monthly class on 2nd Sundays. Whether you are an adult student, an aspiring new teacher, or an experienced Adult RE teacher, this “oldie but goodie” will help you understand the “nuts and bolts” behind the philosophy of Adult RE. Class is free with $5 per class donation welcome to replenish supplies.
Comparative Religion begins on Oct 10. This is a twice a month class on Thursdays. This DVD series offers you an opportunity to gain a solid grasp of the key ideas of religion. Using five major religions (Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, and Hinduism) as illustrations of how religions can address the same core issues in parallel and different ways, award-winning Professor Charles Kimball of the University of Oklahoma leads you on an exploration of religion’s complex and multidimensional nature that can help deepen your appreciation of your own beliefs and the traditions followed by others.Class is free with $5 per class donation welcome to replenish supplies.
You can also download the brochure for Fall 2019.
FELLOWSHIP
Aug 16 we have Craft Circle. This month we do “Repair and Potluck Beading.” Once a year or so, we host a “repair” craft circle. Bring your jewelry or cloaks, tarot bags, and other items that need repair. We’ll try to help you.
Nothing to repair? Bring beads for a “potluck beading” activity and learn to make bracelets, necklaces, or earrings! $5 donation welcome to replenish supplies.
MEMBERSHIP MONTH
August is membership month! Annual member dues are sliding scale.
- $10 – Students and Seniors
- $20 – Adults
- $25 – Those willing and able to give a bit more to help the MG Scholarship Fund.
While we aim to keep our classes low cost, every class also has 1 full scholarship and two half scholarships available to those who need it.
You can learn about the path to membership here. We also welcome “perpetual guests” and those who simply like our work but don’t want to do meetings and serve on the program committee.
If you want to, you can donate online and help us keep providing our various pagan programs.
CUUPS CHAPTERS
CUUPS chapters in Florida also have rituals and other upcoming events. Here’s a sample — click on their main links for more.
MYSTIC GROVE LINKS TO KNOW
- Mystic Grove WordPress: https://mysticgrovecfl.wordpress.com/
- Mystic Grove Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mysticgrovecfl/
- Mystic Grove YouTube: https://tinyurl.com/mysticgroveyoutube
- Mystic Grove 1U Page: https://www.orlandouu.org/groups/mystic-grove/
- Mystic Grove Calendar : https://mysticgrovecfl.wordpress.com/calendar
Questions or more info? Please email us at mysticgrove@orlandouu.org
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
