In the face of ongoing anxiety and uncertainly about the future, the need for spiritual deepening in religious community is surging. This four-session course will inspire lay and ordained congregational leaders to create worship- and small group-centered opportunities, for the both dwellers (long-term friends and members) and seekers (recent visitors and new attendees) in their communities, opportunities designed to deepen both communal and individual spirituality.

The course consists of weekly online lessons, on-demand videos, and virtual meetings that will lead participants through a process of: planning a liturgical year that is authentic to their congregation; gathering resources on the year’s seasonal themes; integrating those themes through communal spiritual practice in worship; creating opportunities for spiritual practice in small groups; and inviting participants to engage in individual practices centered on the theme.

Sessions will include discerning and designing a liturgical calendar that truly reflects your congregation, building and leading worship services centered on spiritual practice, engaging seekers and dwellers in spiritual practice groups based on the themes of your congregation’s liturgical calendar, and connecting both communal worship and individual spiritual practice to addressing the needs of the wider community.

The course is compatible with a variety of UU Holidays, Holy Days and Worship Themes, including monthly theme-based subscriptions services like Soul Matters or Touchstones, as well as the Earth-centered Wheel of the Year celebrations, and the liturgical calendars of a variety of world religions.

The structure of the course will include both on-demand videos and in-person virtual sessions beginning with a 90-minute session at 11:30am Eastern on Saturday, May 3, and continuing each of the following Saturdays until May 24, 2025. While the course is open to individuals, congregations are encouraged to have two to four people participate. The registration fee is $575 for 4 people, $475 for 3 people, $350 for 2 people, and $200 for one person.

To register for Spiritual Deepening Through Worship & Small Groups, visit https://spiritualdeepeningmay25.eventzilla.net/e/2138647644