August 4
Empathic Distress / Joe Gillotti
Empathic Distress is responsible for stressful human dysfunction in ways that perhaps many people are not aware of. This subject comes from an article by neuroscientists, Dr. Olga Klimecki and Dr. Tania Singer. Revealed in this research is new information and strategies that will help all of us come to a much greater understanding about stress and at the same time create greater clarity and peace in our own life.
August 11
The Peace of Trees / Rev. Fred Small
“The rush and pressure of modern life are a form, perhaps the most common form, of its innate violence,” wrote Trappist monk and peace activist Thomas Merton. “The frenzy of our activism neutralizes our work for peace. . . It destroys the fruitfulness of our own work, because it kills the root of inner wisdom which makes work fruitful.” As we work together for social and environmental justice, how do we remain grounded in a peaceful spirit? What can we learn from trees?
A Unitarian Universalist pastor, singer-songwriter, and former environmental lawyer, Rev. Fred Small serves as Minister for Climate Justice at Arlington Street Church, Boston.
4pm Music at the Ridge – Concert
Our guest speaker, Fred Small is also a singer, songwriter, and acoustic guitarist of renown. He will be in concert in our lovely Fellowship Hall playing songs that illuminate the goodness and courage of all kinds of people.
Concert Tickets are available through EVENTBRITE: $25 in person/$20 streaming .
August 18
The Unitarian AIW Call for Support for Palestinians / Stanley Heller
In late June the Unitarian Universalist Association adopted three “Actions of Immediate Witness”. One was called for “Solidarity with Palestinians”. It had far-reaching pronouncements and most importantly calls for action. How can we grasp the extent of Palestinian suffering? How can we exercise compassion and solidarity?
Stanley Heller leads the Middle East Crisis Committee of Connecticut, is Administrator of Promoting Enduring Peace, is a member of Jewish Voice for Peace, has written articles and a book on history and political affairs, and hosts the TV news magazine “The Struggle Video News”. After studying history at Yale and Southern Connecticut State University, he taught Social Studies and Computer Science in high schools and middle schools for 40 years.
August 25
Powered by Love (A Backpack Blessing Service) / Revs. Tony Lorenzen and Sierra-Marie Gerfao
Kids and adults alike are invited to bring a backpack, a laptop, a notebook or journal, or something else you use for your learning! We’ll be blessing them all in this back-to-school season as we reflect on the ways we go out into the world powered by love.