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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 Events
Summer Salon Series
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Save the Date:
SLLC Ice Cream Social
Sunday, August 10
3-4:30 pm
FC North
Registration coming soon!
| | A Note from Rev. Seth Stearns | | |
As some of you are aware, I have been managing through some significant medical situations with both of my siblings for the past few weeks.
The circumstances have required me to spend a lot of time in Akron. During this time, I have experienced a wide range of emotions including fear, anxiety, anger, frustration, overwhelm, and ambiguous grief (Thank you Rev. Sarah Kientz for naming this type of grief for someone who is still alive or for a loss that is unclear or unconfirmed.)
Also, during this time I have:
- Experienced the extreme kindness and gentleness from caregivers and strangers.
- Been the recipient of a constant flow of support and kindness from the church community and staff.
- Listened to the story of an entrepreneurial dream shared by a server at a restaurant.
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Finished two audio books during my travel time up and down I-71; Curveball by Pete Enns, and On Freedom by Tim Snyder. I recommend both very highly.
- Heard from a dear friend that our conversations around the work of Monica Guzman may be helping to heal his relationship with his siblings.
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Had a meal at Eye Opener Restaurant. I asked the owner, Liz, about this sign she had on display:
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It turns out that Liz has a deep passion for social justice and uses her restaurant as a platform and voice for justice.
All of this to say, that even amid dark, fearful, and anxious times I am grateful for the moments of grace that are all around us.
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Rev. Seth Stearns
Minister of Spiritual Life & Learning
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Continuing Center Gatherings
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| | New time for the summer months, beginning June 5. | | SLLC, What are you reading? | | |
For the month of June, and the beginning of summer, let's do something a little different. As you read above, Seth is spending a LOT of his time going back and forth in his car to Akron. And typically, some folks try to read more over the summer, so let's start a "Seth's and Summer Reading List". Offer up any book that you think would be worthwhile for Seth to listen to during his travels, and/or any book you think would be a good add to one's summer reading list.
Spiritual or silly, political or poetry, inspirational or insanely funny...submit it by clicking the button below (anonymity can apply) and we'll share the list with Seth and on our website to get the pages turning.
Seth gave us two books to get us started:
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A NIGHT TO INSPIRE
Join us for the Stars of Hope event
Get ready for a night of celebration, connection, and community to help raise $50,000 to support The Hope Dealer Community’s 2025 priorities, including transportation, client care packages, and increased peer and recovery support. We can’t do what we do without you!
Visit the event page to learn more.
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Call for nominations:
Living Faith Awards
The Living Faith Awards is our chance to recognize those in our lives who are living out their faith in an inspiring way.
The Spirituality Network, The Interfaith Association of Central Ohio and The Spiritual Life & Learning Center are hosting this year’s ceremony on Sunday, October 19, 2025.
Nominations can be submitted here and
are due by July 31, 2025.
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A Note from Nadia:
"Because first and foremost, this is not the moment to concede the Christian faith to nationalists. Nor is it the moment to double down on things that don't work.
I'm not willing to keep having my ideas about myself, other people and the world be more informed by shit I read on the internet than on what I experience in my actual life.
So I want to gather with you, laugh with you, and sing with you."
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First Community News
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