News (Page 8)
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…
What to Expect at Our Holiday Services
WellSprings is committed to bringing you some joy this season, even if it doesn’t look quite the way it did in a pre-pandemic era. We are offering three holiday services to our congregants, beginning with Christmas Eve. Here’s what you can expect at each… Christmas Eve Sunset Service This service will be outdoors on the grounds of the Montgomery School, beginning at 4 PM on Friday, December 24th. (Bundle up!) This is an all-ages service (no YouthSpirit today). For those…
Christmas Eve Sunset Service
As we close out 2021, lets celebrate the joy in this season by joining together in song. This year, we’ll bundle up for a simple service for all ages, outdoors, on the grounds of the Montgomery School. We’ll have caroling and candles for “Silent Night,” a few words from our ministers, hot cocoa and cookies for all. The service will be livestreamed on our YouTube channel for those who wish to attend from home. We invite you to simply join…
Our Holiday Message Series: This Joy
Our next message series, This Joy, will begin on Sunday November 7th and will run through January 2nd. This Joy There may be nothing more powerful, or brave, than refusing to let the world steal our joy. Sadly, joy thieves are everywhere, these days. Whether it’s headlines in the news, illnesses and loss, hate and injustice, climate disasters… or just our boss or our partner or our kid’s bad mood… we’re tempted to shut the doors, change the channel, and…
A Letter From Our Board of Trustees and Rev. Lee
Dear WellSprings, The last year and a half of uncertainty and constant change has impacted so much in so many ways, some of which are still emergent. We are so grateful for the resilience of WellSprings throughout this time, which is in large part due to Reverend Lee’s skillful and steady leadership. We are also grateful to Reverend Lee for courageously and clearly communicating her need to slow her work pace over the next six months to begin to recover…
Fall Fun in YouthSpirit
We had a perfect day for a return to in-person YouthSpirit this past Sunday! Friends showed up ready to re-connect, so we organized an ice-breaker, a walk in the woods, and some card-making for the Helping Hands service project. For this coming Sunday, 10/31, friends are welcome to come in their Halloween costumes! You can register your kids for YouthSpirit at this link.
WellSprings Covid-19 Exposure Protocol
We were so glad to see case counts drop this month in Chester County, which allowed us to welcome our community back to Bell Hall, this past Sunday! We must remember, however, that the return to in-person attendance also means an increased risk that Covid-19 exposure could happen at a WellSprings event. People are still testing positive for this virus every day. While the vaccine prevents serious illness and death, it is not foolproof – and importantly, the youngest members…