Posts from 2022 (Page 3)
Belonging Sunday Recap
This past Sunday, we gathered in Bell Hall and online to celebrate everything that WellSprings Membership means. Folks of all ages heard heartfelt and moving stories from several current members, and we took the opportunity to – as a congregation – welcome our newest members. You can watch the entire service below. You can also read a recap and view some photos on our website. If you are interested in learning more about WellSprings membership, you can take our upcoming…
Easter Sunday Recap
This past Sunday, April 17, we came together to celebrate Easter. This one was especially meaningful, as it was Rev. Ken’s last Easter service preaching at WellSprings. In case you missed it, you can view the entire service at this link. Here are a few photos from the day… Thank you, WellSprings, for making our celebration so special!
Easter Sunday at WellSprings
This Sunday, we hope you can join us, either in-person or online, for our annual Easter Service. If you haven’t yet joined us for a service in Bell Hall, here is an FAQ to let you know what things are like these days. If you plan to join us online, here is the link to our YouTube livestream for Easter.During service, kids can expect a YouthSpirit Easter Egg hunt with a slight twist this year: less candy, but a small mystery to solve…
Updates to Our Covid-19 Gathering Guidelines
Dear WellSprings, We’ve now held five services – both in-person and live-streamed – since re-opening Bell Hall last month! We’ve learned so much about offering multiple ways to connect with our community on Sunday mornings – and I’m so glad we are back to offering a physical place and time together, for those who seek it. You might remember that for ease with last month’s transition, we decided to return to Bell Hall with the same Covid-19 safety guidelines as…
Our New Message Series: The Great Integration
Millions of people quit their jobs in 2021. Over the last two years, people sold houses, changed careers, ended marriages, and moved to new towns at rates far beyond the norm – so much so, that journalists and social scientists started calling it “The Great Resignation.” It makes sense that in times of change, people change too. What does it look like to re-build, and re-integrate, all these new pieces of a life… with the old ones that are still…
WellSprings “Report Card” – How are We Doing on Our Annual Goals?
We are a little over halfway through the current congregational year, and the Board of Trustees along with Rev. Lee wanted to share a brief “progress report” on this year’s annual goals for our community. How are we doing so far? Click below to watch.
A Letter From Rev. Lee and the Leadership Development Ministry
Dear WellSpringers, This message comes to you from me (Rev. Lee) but also from Mary Alsayegh, who currently serves on our Leadership Development Ministry – and it’s intended for our whole congregation, but especially for those of you who’ve missed being with our community these past two years, and who might be feeling something stirring inside you… a yearning that wants to see us all emerge from this time with clear eyes, new strength, and a fresh perspective. For obvious reasons, the…
Helping Hands: Project Recap and Thank You
We want to say THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU for your many contributions to the HeartWorks & YouthSpirit HelpingHands service project! WellSpringers of all ages donated money and items, made cards and blankets, and assembled all donated materials into 100 bags. These bags will go to unhoused folks in center city Philadelphia in a few weeks; we are working with Better Days Ahead to schedule a date. So much of the work to make this project possible took place long…
A Brief Update re: Covid-19
As our Board shared in mid-December, and in response to our survey and congregational feedback at that time, we are planning to re-open Sunday services to in-person participation, early in 2022. We know many of you are longing to gather in body – many of us who’ve been leading worship remotely feel the same way! At the moment, the Board and I are cautiously targeting February for a return to gathering in Bell Hall. The exact date will be determined based on local conditions…
“Neighbors & Helpers” Our New Message Series
We see the world through our own eyes – and sometimes we assume that’s just “the way it is” for everyone. But when we engage with our neighbors, we start to realize how much our own limited perspectives never showed us. There are so many shades and colors of what it means to be “us” – to live in Chester County, or to be a Unitarian Universalist – beyond our own experiences. This Winter, we’ll bring members of the community…
An Important Letter from Rev. Ken and the Board of Trustees
Dear WellSprings, It is with a very full heart that I am writing to let you know that I’ll be concluding my ministry at WellSprings at the end of this congregational year, June 30th, 2022. This decision is much more a retiring than a resigning, as it is not my wish or intention to serve another congregation as their minister. I’ve served UU spiritual communities since I was 27, and as I approach 52, I know that my time as…
Christmas Eve Recap
On Friday, December 24th, WellSpringers gathered together outside for a sunset service unlike anything we’ve done before. As Covid continues to change and evolve, so too must our approach to gathering safely. This outdoor service allowed us to come together for fellowship and song, warmth and goodies, spiritual healing and peace. Of course, this being completely new to us, some serious pre-production was involved. We wanted this service to be an offering to our congregation. Nothing stressful, nothing asked of…