WCUC hosts Walking Prayer every Monday morning @ 9:30am. Our meeting place alternates between the Welcome Garden and Walden Pond. This week was Walden’s turn so it felt appropriate to begin with this meditation written by Mary Oliver:

GOING TO WALDEN

It isn’t very far as highways lie. I might be back by night fall, having seen
The rough pines, and the stones, and the clear water.
Friends argue that I might be wiser for it.
They do not hear that far-off Yankee whisper:
How dull we grow from hurrying here and there! Many have gone, and think me half a fool
To miss a day away in the cool country. Maybe. But in a book I read and cherish, Going to Walden is not so easy a thing As a green visit. It is the slow and difficult
Trick of living, and finding it where you are.

Join us next week on Monday, September 23rd @ the Welcome Garden or the following Monday, September 30th back at Walden. Email Joyce DeGreeff, joycedegreeff@gmail.com to let us know you’re coming. We’d love your company!

*Photos taken along the rail trail by prayerful walkers.

Every Monday morning at 9:30am, WCUC members and friends gather for a time of sharing followed by a silent prayer walk in nature. We share joys and concerns about ourselves, our loved ones, and our world asking one another to hold space for what’s on our hearts and inviting God to work in and among us. We then depart for a contemplative prayer walk in nature to listen for the voice of the Spirit and to relish in God’s creation. This year we are alternating weeks between the Walden Pond and the WCUC Welcome Garden as our gathering places. For those with less mobility, the Labyrinth is also available! Please email Joyce DeGreeff if you’re interested in joining us: joycedegreeff@gmail.com

“We who have taken refuge might be strongly encouraged to seize the hope set before us. We have this hope, a sure and steadfast anchor for the soul.” -Hebrews 6: 18-19

A weekend filled with prayer, scripture, song, sharing, reflection, rest, companionship, creativity, nature, art, poetry and laughter is a perfect recipe for “Healing with Hope in Harsh Times”. This was the theme of the 2024 WCUC Women’s Retreat @ Craigville Conference Center on Cape Cod. Surrounded by beautiful scenery and the company of old and new friends, ranging in age from 25-92, the time away provided us with renewed spirits and fresh energy for the road ahead.

Life can sometimes feel like it’s one transition after another. Whether big or small, these transitions can be both exciting and challenging. There’s no one right way to get through them, but often it’s helpful to share our experiences, learn from one another, and find support for the journey. Such was the case on Saturday, April 20th when these folks pictured below came together for prayer and meditation, sharing and discernment, faith formation and food fellowship. Rev. Matt Carriker, the retreat facilitator, taught the group how to use the Quaker practice of Clearness Committees to understand liminal spaces in our lives as well as Lectio Divina, a contemplative practice of reading Scripture for deeper, more personal meanings.  Through conversation and spiritual practices, the retreat participants came away with various tools for navigating transitions in their lives as well as a few new friends for the road ahead.

As we traveled through Lent this year with the theme of “The Body Remembers”, adults were offered opportunities to try out a few embodied spiritual practices. The series opened with a session on various forms of meditation including a body scan and breathing techniques. Next, Ellie Horwitz led us in Qi Gong teaching us about body energy and deliberate movement and balancing practices. This was followed by Nan Gibbons who led us in a drum circle – the art of using our hands to make music together, basking in sound vibrations and building community. Next we tried some hand reflexology and chair yoga. And finally, we used our hands to create warmth and comfort for others making several fleece blankets for Project Linus to be distributed to children in hospitals, shelters, and foster care. You can read about this great organization here: https://www.bostonprojectlinus.com. We had such a good time feeling the Spirit in our bodies, learning some new practices, and being creative together for the sake of our neighbors.

In a world where many feel isolated, disconnected, or even invisible, it’s increasingly important for our church to find ways to bring people together. Now that we’ve made it through the pandemic and we’re not forced to look at each other only on computer screens, our in person gatherings feel even more special. Whether we’re at Walden Pond for walking prayer enjoying the company of others in nature, at With Us Wednesdays sharing stories and laughter, or baking pies together for church members who could use some extra cheer this year, the people of WCUC – young, old, and young at heart – are finding comfort and joy in this weary world.

On the third Wednesday of every month, the parlor at WCUC is transformed into a community space where members and friends come to enjoy refreshments, conversations, and games/puzzles. The space is open from 10:30am – 12noon and is open for adults of all ages and abilities. Transportation is also provided by volunteers so please email Joyce (joycedegreeff@gmail.com) if you need or could offer a ride. Our next two gatherings will be on November 15th and December 20th.

Tai chi has been called a “perfect exercise!” Based on Qi Gong, tai chi is an ancient Chinese mind-body practice that involves controlled breathing and movement exercises for the cultivation of your energy. It involves gently flowing strengthening and conditioning movements which increase flexibility, promote relaxation, and enhance health, strength, and balance and it has been described as a form of moving meditation. On Sunday, many WCUC members enjoyed this mind-body exercise led by our own Ellie Horwitz. Some loved it so much, there’s talk about putting together a class in the near future. If you’re interested in this, please contact Joyce DeGreeff.

Nan Gibbons, Director of Young People’s Music @ WCUC, shared her gifts in musical leadership with the people of all ages on Sunday after worship by offering an introduction to drumming. From age 8 to 90’s+, we made music in community, learned a few new skills, and most importantly had fun connecting with one another through this ancient spiritual practice. As Nan puts it: “Drumming is easily accessible and engaging, opens hearts, and connects us in prayer. In a guided drum circle, many small simple parts join to create complex beautiful patterns.” This was certainly so on Sunday.

Our first friendship gathering was filled with lively conversations, storytelling and laughs, and a spread of snacks and beverages. We had so much fun hanging out that we barely had time for the games and puzzles! There’s always next time. We meet on Wednesdays in the church parlor from 10:30am – 12noon once a month. Upcoming dates are: November 9th and December 14th. Please join us – the more the merrier!