Seekers of God However Known is a UCG program focused on fostering spiritual growth by exploring a variety of spiritual topics, concepts, practices, and perspectives. Sessions may consist of a one-time session or a series of two or more sessions on a particular topic or spiritual practice. At least 20 minutes of the 45-minute session will be devoted to presenting a topic, and the remainder of the time will involve participant discussions to reflect on how the topic applies to, and/or might be integrated into, their own lives.
Sessions will take place on Sundays from 9 – 9:45 a.m. in Reimer Hall unless otherwise noted. Everyone is welcome. Participants do not have to register, attend regularly (even if a series is offered), or read in advance for any session.
January Sessions:
January 4: “Lectio Divina with World Scriptures” with David AuneThe ancient Christian practice of Lectio Divina provides a way to hear and respond to the divine presence through contemplative meditation on sacred writings. In this session, we briefly consider five stages in this process (lectio-meditatio-oratio-contemplatio-actio) and then practice slow, prayerful reading of selected Scriptures from the Bible and other religious traditions. Participants will be given space to listen for a “word” and then share their experience briefly with others.
January 11: No regular session. Guest Preacher Rev. Molly Baskette will give a seminar, “Let’s Panic About Church Renewal: A conversation about strategies, prayers and spontaneous shenanigans to future-proof the church” in this time slot in Reimer Hall.
January 18: “Knock and the Door Shall Be Opened: Sacred Sound as a Key” with Joyce OrrSacred sound is a central means for the invocation of the divine in many religious traditions, which hold that the world was created through divine sound and thus everything resonates with this sound. Seekers often tell of sacred experiences of God through sacred sound. In this workshop we will focus on how sacred sound can open us to God.
January 25: “Visio Divina” with John HarveyIn Visio Divina, we move our awareness into our hearts and let our vision arise from this place of integration rather than analysis, and receptivity rather than grasping after the things we desire. Our intention is to see things from a new perspective, but the paradox is that this longing requires us to relinquish our usual ways of relating to the world. Recommended resource: Christine Valters Paintner, Eyes of the Heart: Photography as a Christian Contemplative Practice.