For several years when I served the Tahoma UU Congregation, we practiced thematic ministry. It’s a common practice among congregations of all sorts where the worship, small groups, and children and youth programing share a common monthly focus. Many UU congregations use Soul Matters, a thematic ministry subscription service that provides packets of materials that invite exploration and conversation.
This year we’ve subscribed to Soul Matters. The overarching theme for this year will be the values that are included in the new Article II of the UUA by laws. We’ll explore Justice and Equity, Inclusion, Pluralism, Transformation, and Generosity – the six named values in Article II – along with Welcome, Heritage, Liberating Love, Mystery, and Renewal.
Sunday worship will be framed around each month’s theme (and you’ll be astonished at how much can fit under each topic), covenant groups and other small groups can access the packets for their monthly meetings, and our children and youth programming will also be aligned.
What I most love about Soul Matters is that the packets they have created offer diverse resources that include poems, quotations, links to music, podcasts, sermons, and more. There are also resources around particular nuances. In September, for example, with the theme of Welcome, the worship resources include a welcome that “invites the wholeness who we are,” and “welcoming grief,” along with wondering how we welcome what is not welcome in our lives.
The small group packets provide a similar diversity of quotes, poems, music, and videos called “Companion Pieces.” There are also suggested spiritual practices that can be explored and a list of questions that you might choose to explore over the month. I have to say that reviewing the first packet in the series, I’m really impressed by the invitation to explore and the diversity of materials and practices that are included.
So how can you take part in these themes?
The packets for small groups will be available for anyone who would like to explore the themes. They’ll be sent via email to anyone how would like to receive them as well as to participants in covenant groups. Sign up here if you’d like to received the monthly mailings.
In coming weeks, I’ll be hosting a worship chat on Zoom to explore topics for sermons. Those will happen in the middle of the month preceding each topic starting in mid-September for October. Curious? Sign up here.
I’m looking forward to this year and what we can do and explore and discover together.
Linda