Rogue Valley Unitarian Universalist Fellowship (RVUUF) Ashland, OR

Sat, Jan 29, 9:45am. Led by Rev. Leslie Becknell Marx

Come learn to listen with more depth and presence so that we may build a community of care and support.

When was the last time you felt really heard? When was the last time, someone shared a problem with you, and you were able to simply listen without giving advice? Listening and hearing another into their own complexity and depth is at the heart of healing. However, listening well is often difficult because our brains are so much faster than our speech. So we think we know, the point of our conversational partner's speech long before they reach the end of a story. "Deep Listening" teaches and practices ways of mindful attention and response that will increase your presence as an open hearted listener. We will draw on wisdom from Marshall Rosenberg’s Nonviolent Communication and other spiritual disciplines.

Flyer. This workshop is sponsored by Pastoral Ministries.

Slides: Deep Listening Workshop [.pdf; 1.5M]

Mon, Dec 13, 2:30pm. In the holiday season, we often experience mixed emotions. This is particularly true for any of us who have experienced a recent loss of a friend or relative. Come join Rev. Leslie and Betty Owens-Gordon, chair of the Pastoral Care Team, for time to share your thoughts and feelings. Sign-up sheet on back table.

Coordinator: Betty Owens-Gordon
Ministry: Spirit, part of Pastoral Ministries

The Pastoral Care Visitors are members of RVUUF who have applied and been accepted as members of the Pastoral Care Visitors team. They have participated in training designed and offered by the minister and attend regular meetings for information sharing, support and ongoing training.

Responsibilities:

• Provide home visits or hospital and facility visits to members and supporters of RVUUF who are experiencing transition or health issues. These transitions might be difficult or celebratory. The intention of these visits is to provide deep listening and the opportunity to wrestle with difficult questions of meaning
• Attend to health concerns primarily by referring to or bringing in a member of the Health Ministries team
• Bring self-awareness of limitations, biases, or vulnerabilities to determine the level of care you are able to provide with integrity
• Attend training sessions and support groups to enhance skills and increase capacity for deep listening

Application Form to become a member of Pastoral Care Visitors Team [.pdf]
Deep Listening Workshop (Jan 29, 2011): event description; slides [.pdf; 1.5M]

Pastoral Ministries: 1. Caring Network, 2. Pastoral Care Visitors, 3. Health Ministries

Sun, 3pm. If you can help with the reception after the service, please contact Gwyneth Bowman.

The grandson of member Ruth Wire will be remembered.

Our Caring Network would appreciate finger foods and help with reception afterward.

Sun, May 30, 3pm; Reba Adams and her family hope to see you at the Memorial and Celebration of Gail Adams' Life. In lieu of flowers memorial gifts may be sent to RVUUF, with memo line: Gail Adams Memorial Endowment Fund. It was Gail's and Reba's wish that this fund, along with help from RVUUF's Endowment Fund will be used to pay the moving expenses needed to bring Rev. Leslie and her family here from New England.

There will be a reception after the service and you are welcome to bring easily served finger foods. If you need more information about what to bring or how you might help with the reception, contact Gwyneth Bowman.

The reception afterward will be coordinated by our Caring Network. Look for a sign-up to bring finger foods.

An Interfaith Community Forum on Health Care Reform will be followed by a candle light walk to the plaza at 8:00 PM. This will be a great opportunity for people to come with questions about health care reform and learn what the various proposals would mean for each of us. Join faith-based leaders and State Senator Alan Bates, M.D., for a panel fielding questions and describing various health care alternatives. State Representative Peter Buckley will join us for the candlelight walk to the Plaza. As members of an Interfaith Community, organizers are particularly concerned with the moral implications of improving health care in America. Pursuant to this objective, they hope to set a tone of mutual respect among all participants. All are welcome.

Event Flyer (with details)

The Social Action Committee and Caring Network are requesting volunteers to bring snacks. We could also use some help in setting up the refreshment area prior to the meeting and to assist with clean-up. A sign-up sheet is in the back of the Great Hall. Thank you for your help in this interfaith endeavor.