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Leicester Unitarian Fellowship
ENGAGEMENT GROUP
The Engagement Group meet together to explore the spiritual aspect of our lives, through
discussions, song, dance, writing, meditation, and through outings to sites of interest,
(such as Spiritual Communities, Green & Sustainable ventures, and open gardens.)
We also have 'bring & share' evenings, where we each bring something that inspires us personally, to share and discuss (e.g. a poem, reading, music or picture).
We have also met to discuss books such as:
- 'Towards Beloved Community' by Cal Courtney.
- 'Religion without Fairy Tales, Science with Soul' by Frank Parkinson.
- 'Buddhism without Beliefs' and
- 'Confessions Of An Atheist Buddhist' by Stephen Batchelor
and to watch films such as:
We usually start each Engagement Group session by lighting a candle to focus our attention.
We listen to some music to 'settle us in', then have some opening words about the evening's topic, all of which helps to bring us into a 'different space' from the 'hurley-burley' of daily life.
We think it is important to remind ourselves of our 'covenants' , which are to treat this time together as 'special', and to be in 'right relationship' with each other, as we would wish to be in the world. We can practise that here when it may be difficult in the outside world!
We have a brief 'check in', where people can say how they are feeling 'right now'.
We finish the sessions with a brief 'check out' and say Satish Kumar's 'International Words For Peace'.
We are an open group, and welcome new members. If you would like to come, or to find out more,
please E-Mail us first.
Meetings For 2012
Friday February 17th. Visit to the Liberal Synagogue in Avenue Road, Clarendon Park, Leicester. Time 8 PM
Fri March 16th. Bring & Share.
Sat May 26th. Outing.
July. Bring & Share.
Sept. Singing Workshop.
Nov. Writing a Spiritual Journal.
Dec. Meal together.
(actual dates and times TBA)
Past Schedule of Meetings
Meetings in 2011
We met bi-monthly for a 'Council Circle'.
One of the group would bring a topic to present to the group. We each attempted to respond to this 'from the heart' i.e. without rehearsing our responses in our minds first,
so that we could give full attention to whoever was speaking.
We avoided directly discussing or referring to what anyone else had said.
This was a very different way of relating, involving 'deep listening'.
The Council Circle was introduced to us by Zang Christopher Starbuck, a Sufi/Buddhist of the 'Great Heart Society', and was based on the book 'The Way Of Council' by Jack Zimmerman & Virginia Coyle.
Meetings in 2009
January: Sunday 11th - Visit to Shree Sanatan Mandir
(Hindu Temple) Catherine St. Leicester,
to take part in their devotions, and for a talk by Rameshbhai Majithia.
(Rowan has written a short report on the visit)
March: Sunday 22nd - Visit to the Buddhist House
(Amida Pure Land Buddhists) Narbourough, Leics,
for a talk by Dharmavidya (head of the order)
and then to take part in their ‘service’ followed by dinner.
May: Sunday 10th - Visit to Coton Manor,
(near Northampton) to see their lovely Bluebell Wood & Gardens,
and to enjoy their cafe’s selection of lovely home-made food.
Nov:Sun 22nd - in Ashwell (Rutland)
a morning of Willow Weaving with John Shone
followed by lunch at Barnsdale Gardens Cafe
Dec:Thur 3rd - Shared Meal at Helen's at 8pm.
Meetings in 2008:
January 11th: Ideas & Agenda for future meetings
February 8th: "What is Spirituality?'
March 14th: "Spirituality & the Creative Arts"
April 11th: "Spirituality and Literature/Writing"
May 9th: "Spirituality and Music"
June 13th: Spirituality and Poetry (Haiku Workshop)
July 11th: "Sharing our Spiritual Experience"
August 8th: "What is the place of Ritual?" (cancelled!)
September 12th: "Crafts Evening"
October 10th: "Spirituality & Ayurveda "
November 14th: "Religions"
December 5th: Out for a meal together!
January 9th (2009): Discussion on year ahead
Meetings in 2007:
March 9th: Sacred Singing
April 13th: Discussion & Sharing: Loss/Death
May 11th: Salim Khan: Spirituality & Health
June 8th: Sacred Dancing
July 13th: Discussion & Sharing: Diversity & Discrimination
August 10th: ‘No Dimensions’ moving meditation
September 14th: Bringing & Sharing
October 12th: Discussion & Sharing: Our Funerals
November 9th: Allan Hayes: Atheism & Humanism
December 7th: Meal at Sayonara Restaurant
