June 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

JUNE

Summer Solstice Labyrinth Walk

  • Friday, June 21
  • 8:30-10:30 pm
  • Labyrinth Garden, FC North

JULY

 Poetry Pop (Nature Poetry)

  • Wednesday, July 10
  • 6-7 pm
  • Labyrinth Garden, FC North

Labyrinth Walk (Weather Permitting)

  • Wednesday, July 10
  • 7-8 pm
  • Labyrinth Garden, FC North

Connecting Conversations:

An Experiential Workshop

Led by Barbara Allen

  • Saturday, July 13
  • 9:30 am - 12:30 pm
  • Burkhart Chapel

AUGUST

Ice Cream Social

  • Sunday, August 11
  • 4-5:30 pm
  • Under the Tent, FC North

Poetry Pop

(Topic TBD)

  • Wednesday, August 14
  • 6-7 pm
  • Location TBD, FC North

Introduction to the Enneagram

Presented by Connie Frecker and Lisa Bueche of the Enneagram Institute of Ohio

  • Saturday, August 17
  • 9:30 am - 12:30 pm
  • Burkhart Chapel

SLLC Suggested Summer Reading

Here are some of the book titles and topics that have been suggested

by members of our Community:



  • Learning to Disagree - John Inazu
  • Radical Amazement - Judy Cannato
  • Awe - Dacher Keltner
  • I Never Thought of it That Way - Monica Guzman
  • How to Know a Person: The Art of Seeing Others and Being Deeply Seen - David Brooks
  • The Road to Character - David Brooks
  • The Second Mountain - David Brooks
  • Bart Ehrman books
  • The Great Dechurching: Who’s Leaving, Why Are They Going, and What Will It Take to Bring Them Back? - Jim Davis and Michael Graham
  • Rebellion: How Antiliberalism Is Tearing America Apart—Again - Robert Kagan
  • A Bigger Table (Expanded Edition with Study Guide): Building Messy, Authentic, and Hopeful Spiritual Community - John Pavlovitz
  • Bitter-sweet…How Sorrow and Longing Make Us Whole - Susan Cain
  • We Need to Build - Eboo Patel
  • The Forty Rules of Love - Elif Shafak
  • Doubt - Adam Hamilton
  • The False White Gospel - Jim Wallis

 

SLLC's top recommendations for summer reading with the theme of how we can better communicate with one another would include:

 

  • How to Know a Person - Brooks
  • Learning to Disagree - Inazu
  • I Never Thought of it That Way - Guzman
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Summer is Here

by Seth Stearns

Minister to the Spiritual Life & Learning Center

Hello Beloved Community!


Well, Memorial Day has come and gone signaling the arrival of summer. The weather seems to agree that it is summer as we have recently had some beautiful days. Camp Akita has started its first camp session. Summer strikes me as a time of adventure and discovery. Some of us will be traveling. Some will take on home and garden projects. Most will spend time outside gardening, walking, or simply being out of doors. Many of us will spend time with family and friends doing those things that bring us joy and delight.


My prayer for all of us is that we pursue wonderful adventures this summer. Pushing our limits physically, emotionally, and spiritually. May we only briefly rest in our comfort zones while we challenge ourselves in a variety of ways.


I look forward to the opportunities ahead to gather again and for us to hear from one another about our adventures over the summer and to share with one another what we learned about ourselves as we tried new things and pushed ourselves to learn and grow.


Jen and I are excited about the SLLC Summer Salon Series that we have planned, and we hope to see many of you at one or more of those events. Also, there will be two Wednesday Gatherings under the tent during the summer. Keep an eye out for information about those. We look forward to seeing you there. We really appreciated the wonderful book suggestions that have been offered by many of you. It was fun to collect all those ideas and include them in this month’s newsletter. So many good books!


We have made great progress in the planning of the program year starting in the fall. There will be so many opportunities to learn and discover together. We will be sharing more information about the forthcoming program year at the Ice Cream Social in August. If you would like to have a sneak peek at what is coming beginning next fall be sure to join us for that event.


Again, I wish you all a wonderful summer full of fun, adventure, and growth.


Blessings to you,

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Awakening

August 2024 cohort

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Enneagram Institute of Ohio

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