Circle of Oak Launches the Witching Hour

Circle of Oak has a new offering starting January 10: “The Witching Hour.” What is this, you ask? It’s an hour for tea, good company, and learning about topics relevant to Witchcraft and other Earth-centering spiritual paths. We will host this hour each second Sunday at 12 PM, right after Sunday service and coffee hour. With a new focus topic each month, it’s always a good time to drop by and see what’s brewing! To start us off, January’s topic will be “The Pentacle,” or “Why do you keep talking about five Elements? Aren’t there 118?” January’s discussion will be led by Piper Rowanoak Swim, Coordinating Priestess of Circle of Oak. Get the Zoom link by emailing circleofoak@uuoakland.org.

Facilitator Training
Saturday, January 9, 1:00 to 2:00 PM

Whether you are a group leader, a group member, or simply interested in learning, you are invited! Rev. Theresa Soto offers training on two facilitation models: “5 fingers” facilitation and “conversational architecture.” To request the link for this training, send an email to yesplease@uuoakland.org with FACILITATION in the subject line.

Congregational Read-Along

For the new year, let’s take some time to gather wisdom and perspective together from Robin Kimmerer’s book, Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge and the Teachings of Plants. As a botanist, Robin Wall Kimmerer has been trained to ask questions of nature with the tools of science. As a member of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation, she embraces the notion that plants and animals are our oldest teachers. In Braiding Sweetgrass, Kimmerer brings these lenses of knowledge together to show that the awakening of a wider ecological consciousness requires the acknowledgment and celebration of our reciprocal relationship with the rest of the living world. For only when we can hear the languages of other beings are we capable of understanding the generosity of the earth, and learning to give our own gifts in return. Our first meet-up will cover the first three chapters. If you would like support in obtaining the book, e-book, or audiobook, please reach out to Pastor Theresa. Write to yesplease@uuoakland.org with READ ALONG in the subject line to receive the link.