August 2024

This is the monthly newsletter of the Spiritual Life & Learning Center.


We are a life-long learning community nurturing mind, heart, and body. The Center engages individuals through programs, conversations, and practices for people of all faiths and none. SLLC is the Adult Learning Ministry of First Community, where all are welcome.


Included are our current offerings and gatherings. Please click on the image of the event that interests you for more information and to register.

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Featured Center Events

Have we ordered your favorite flavor of ice cream yet? Register today, pick from a plethora of flavors and join us under the tent for a refreshing afternoon.


We will:

  • enjoy our favorite flavors of ice cream (and toppings!)
  • hear about upcoming events and gatherings
  • learn about collaborations with partner organizations
  • receive information about all of the exciting, meaningful offerings, returning and new, that are in store for the 2024-2025 program year.


Early registration is most appreciated.

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Upcoming Happenings

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This Summer and Beyond

by Rev. Seth Stearns

Minister of Spiritual Life & Learning

Hello Beloved Community!


I hope that your summer has been full of fun, joy, and adventure. The weather has been glorious.


We have been busy putting the finishing touches on the Summer Salon Series sessions and making plans for the upcoming program year. Our next Summer Salon Series session will be the (now) annual Ice Cream Social on Sunday, August 11, 2024, from 3:00 pm – 4:30 pm under the tent. This will be a wonderful time to catch-up with one another, unveil the plans for the upcoming program year, and hear from The Spirituality Network and The Interfaith Association of Central Ohio. We are very excited to share with you some of the joint programming that we will be doing with these fantastic partner organizations. Oh yes…and we will enjoy Toft’s ice cream and toppings. Please be sure to register and select your favorite flavor right away so we have a good sense as to how many folks will be joining us.


On Saturday, August 17, 2024, the last Summer Salon Series session will take place in Burkhart Chapel at FC South from 9:30 am to 12:30 pm. The title of the session is, Introduction to the Enneagram. The Enneagram is a dynamic blueprint of human personality that reveals how we organize experiences and find meaning in our lives. It describes nine distinct patterns of attitude and behavior and reveals many reasons why we think and behave the way we do. Knowledge of the nine personality styles of the Enneagram provides a foundation for a better understanding of ourselves, and it promotes compassionate relationships by understanding the needs and perspectives of those we encounter. The session will be presented by Connie Frecker and Lisa Bueche of the Enneagram Institute of Ohio.


Like some of you, I tend to read 3-5 books concurrently. My current stack consists of:

  • The False White Gospel by Jim Wallis
  • I Never Thought of it That Way by Monica Guzman
  • Preaching in the Purple Zone - Ministry in the Red-Blue Divide by Leah D. Schade
  • How the Bible Actually Works by Peter Enns


Because of the recent assassination attempt on former President Trump and President Biden making the decision not to run, the political landscape has heated up quickly and significantly. I continue to be interested in what others have to say about staying spiritually centered, connected with one another, and active in accordance with our faith and values during this election season. Beginning in September and through January, I plan to share some thoughts with you about these topics in our newsletter. I welcome your thoughts as well.


I look forward to seeing you all at the Ice Cream Social. My prayer is that the remainder of your summer will be filled with nourishing activities and connections. I am so excited about the upcoming program year and can’t wait to share the details with you!


Blessings to you all,

Ongoing Center Gatherings

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Mondays
Wednesdays

More from SLLC

SLLC Community,

what are you reading?

Tell Us Your Titles

Lori Porschart gave us this month's book recommendation and she gave it two thumbs up!


  • The In-Between By Hadley Vlahos, RN


Enjoy these "moving stories of joy, wisdom, and redemption."

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