Winter 2012 "Small Bite" Small Groups

For the first time, we're offering our “Small Bite” Small Groups at the start of the year--these groups meet for 4 sessions, rather than our typical Springboards that meet for 8 sessions. We're doing so to align them with the WellSprings 30-Day Spiritual Practice Challenge that starts this January. Each of these groups has a focus on a particular spiritual practice. Each one is designed to help equip its participants with 20 minutes of practice they can do at home every day. Consistency of practice helps us go deeper in our spiritual development, and working alongside others as a weekly touchstone offers us the chance for mutual encourage-
ment and more meaningful connections. We hope that these groups will help us all to be intentional about our spiritual growth as we enter 2012.

Springboard "Small Bite" groups are for people who attend WellSprings and who wish to deepen their spirituality and get to know others in our community. Our winter "Small Bite" offerings are listed below. Please feel free to contact Maria Jacobs with any questions at maria@wellspringsuu.org.

Monday

Sacred Reading.  Sacred reading is a practice for being present to each moment in a heart centered way through contemplation of scripture and other sacred readings. Using a four-movement technique called lectio divina we will cultivate a deeper intimacy with sacred texts from several different spiritual sources and learn not only to understand the texts but to listen, savor and respond to what we read. We will practice and discuss what it means to “listen with the ear of our hearts.”
Leader:  Beth Lehman
Time:  Mondays, 7:00 to 9:00 PM
Dates:  Beginning January 16 (4 sessions)
Place:  WellSprings Office

Journal Writing as a Spiritual Quest.  In this Springboard we will use Christina Baldwin's book, Life's Companion: Journal Writing as a Spiritual Quest, as we discover the intimate journey of personal and spiritual development that is possible through the practice of journal writing. Awaken the author, reporter, or poet that lives within all of us as we begin a daily mindful practice of expanding our inner horizons and opening our minds and spirits to a deeper relationship with the world and the people around us by chronicling our feelings, senses and everyday life.
Leader:  Linda Peduto
Time:  Mondays, 7:00 to 9:00 PM
Dates:  Beginning January 16 (4 sessions)
Place:  Participant's Home, Phoenixville

Tuesday

The Practice of Mindfulness.  Jon Kabat-Zinn defined mindfulness as “paying attention in a particular way; on purpose, in the present moment, and non-judgmentally.” We'll take a look at how mindfulness can help reduce stress, reactivity and unhappiness and increase our experiences of compassion and connection. We’ll focus on mindfully being with our thoughts, feelings and bodily sensations. Some of the specific mindfulness practices we’ll be working with are meditation, walking, and listening.
Leader:  Rev. Ken Beldon
Time:  Tuesdays, 7:00 to 9:00 PM
Dates:  Beginning January 17 (4 sessions)
Place:  WellSprings Office

Wednesday

Drawing From the Heart.  Come along on a journey to release your creative spirit and learn to see the world a little differently. During our time together we will explore the art of drawing as a daily spiritual practice and in the process develop an understanding of perspec-
tive, light and shadow, composition, and basic color theory. We will discuss the principles of design and what you need to know in order to transform the everyday into art. We will focus on pencil and paper but expand each week to include colored pencil, watercolor and pastels. Through the development of a daily spiritual practice we will also learn something more about ourselves and the deeper meaning of our lives.
Leaders:  Mick McAndrews and Heidi Daley
Time:  Wednesdays, 7:00 to 9:00 PM
Dates:  Starting January 18 (4 sessions)
Place:  WellSprings Office

Thursday

Yoga as a Spiritual Practice.  Join us for a yoga practice adaptable for everyone as we journey the traditional Medicine Wheel facing the Four Directions. East invokes clarity, South- courage and compassion, West - growth and expansion, North - rest and rejuvenation. This non-judgmental practice of movement and breath can be adjusted to your own personal needs, and takes into account both your physical strengths and limitations. Bring your yoga mat and dress comfortably.
Leader:  Gael Alba
Time:  Thursdays, 7:00 to 9:00 PM
Dates:  Starting January 19 (4 sessions)
Place:  Bell Hall, Montgomery School

The Practice of Mindfulness--2.  Jon Kabat-Zinn defined mindfulness as “paying attention in a particular way; on purpose, in the present moment, and non-judgmentally.” We'll take a look at how mindfulness can help reduce stress, reactivity and unhappiness and increase our experiences of compassion and connection. We’ll focus on mindfully being with our thoughts, feelings and bodily sensations. Some of the specific mindfulness practices we’ll be working with are meditation, walking, and listening.
Leader:  Rev. Ken Beldon
Time:  Thursdays, 7:00 to 9:00 PM
Dates:  Beginning January 19 (4 sessions)
Place:  WellSprings Office