Our worship theme this month is Beginnings, and I want to invite you to consider one particular kind of beginning: joining a Soul Matters group.

Last Sunday, Rev. Beth spoke about the importance of making—and keeping—promises. When you join a Soul Matters group, you enter into a 10-month covenantal relationship with 8–10 people, some of whom you may not know very well yet. You promise to show up, to listen deeply, to share honestly, and to make space for one another.

In return, you get something pretty special: a regular space to slow down and pay attention to your own life.

WHAT DOES SOUL MATTERS ACTUALLY LOOK LIKE?

You and your fellow travelers commit to meeting once a month for two hours.

Before each meeting, you spend some time with that month’s Soul Matters packet. It invites you to reflect on our monthly worship theme—perhaps making connections with what Rev. Beth or others have been sharing on Sundays—and offers spiritual practices and questions you can explore in whatever way is meaningful to you.

Then, when your group meets, you share some of what the month has stirred up for you, and you listen—really listen—to what your fellow group members have discovered.

It’s a chance to practice deep listening. To hear your own inner voice a little more clearly. To try spiritual practices that might help you keep promises to yourself as well as to others. And, over time, to know a small group of people in this congregation in a much deeper way.

Rev. Julian has offered one of my favorite descriptions of our UU faith journey:

You are loved.

You could use a little work.

We’re in this together.

Wherever you are in your own journey, Soul Matters gives you a chance to "level up."

READY FOR A NEW BEGINNING?

This is your last chance to register for Soul Matters for the 2026–2027 church year. The registration deadline is Monday, September 28.

After registration closes, we’ll put together groups based primarily on availability, which you’ll tell us about on the registration form.

Register here! 

If you have questions or would like some help registering, look for me, Jane Behr, in Fellowship Hall after the service on Sunday, September 27, or feel free to email me or message me on Realm.

Please consider making Soul Matters one of your new beginnings this year.